On the 20th anniversary of her first Melbourne Cup runner, Gai Waterhouse became the first Australian woman to train a Melbourne Cup winner, with her horse Fiorente seizing victory yesterday.
Dominating racing headlines this year, Waterhouse has attracted some controversy, owing in part what has become known as the More Joyous Affair, after she publicly fell out with her friend and client John Singleton.
While yesterday’s race was the first win at the Melbourne Cup for the popular trainer, it also marked a triumphant comeback for Fiorente’s jockey Damian Oliver, who only returned to racing in September after being suspended for 10 months for betting on a rival horse.
It was also the first time an Australian female-trained horse picked up racing’s top prize. At the beginning of her career many thought she would go on to be the first female trainer to win the Cup, but that honour went to Sheila Laxon, who won in 2001 with her mare Ethereal.
The determination to win a Cup victory for Waterhouse has always been foremost and her win yesterday was a “dream come true”.
“It’s been a burning desire of mine,” Waterhouse said after her win. “It’s every trainer’s dream.”
“Of course I’m proud that as a woman I’ve trained the Melbourne Cup winner”.
Waterhouse is the daughter of former Sydney thoroughbred trainer Tommy J. Smith.
Early on she made a name for herself as an actor, starring in an episode of Australian series, The Young Doctors, and then spent time in the UK, working as a model and actress, and appearing in Doctor Who.
She returned to Australia in 1992 and spent 15 years serving a training apprenticeship under her father.
In 2007 she was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame.