The 2000 Horse Racing Season’s Biggest Winners: Grand National, Gold Cup, Kentucky Derby, and More
The year 2000 marked not only the turn of a new millennium but also a thrilling chapter in horse racing history.
As enthusiasts and casual fans alike tuned in to witness the spectacle of thundering hooves and photo finishes, the world's most prestigious races delivered drama, excitement, and unforgettable moments.
From the challenging fences of Aintree to the hallowed grounds of Churchill Downs, from the gruelling stamina test at Cheltenham to the “race that stops a nation” in Melbourne, each event showcased the best of equine athleticism and human skill.
So just which horses, jockeys and trainers won four of the biggest horse races in 2000?
We'll explore the build-up, the race day excitement, and the triumphant outcomes that etched these horses, jockeys, and trainers into racing history.
Additionally, we'll touch on other significant races that contributed to making 2000 a memorable year in the sport of kings.
Aintree Grand National
On April 8, 2000, the eyes of the racing world turned to Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, for the 153rd running of the Grand National.
The world's most difficult steeplechase, known for its challenging fences and lengthy 4-mile, 514-yard course, attracted a field of 40 runners.
As the horses lined up at the start, the betting markets favoured Dark Stranger at 9-1, with Bobbyjo, the previous year's winner, also well-supported.
However, it was a 10-1 shot that would ultimately steal the show.
The race unfolded with its usual mix of drama and attrition, with several horses falling or unseating their riders at the notorious obstacles like Becher's Brook and The Chair.
As the remaining contenders made their way around the second circuit, a bay gelding named Papillon began to make steady progress through the field.
Ridden by 20-year-old Ruby Walsh and trained by his father Ted Walsh, Papillon had been given a warm-up race over hurdles to prepare for the National.
This strategy paid off as the horse jumped fluently and found himself in contention as they approached the final few fences.
In a thrilling finish, Papillon surged clear of the field, crossing the line 1¼ lengths ahead of Mely Moss, with Bobbyjo's stablemate Niki Dee in third.
The victory was a fairytale result for the Walsh family, with Ruby becoming one of the youngest jockeys ever to win the Grand National on his very first attempt.
Papillon's triumph was not just a family affair but also a boost for Irish racing, as the trophy returned to the Emerald Isle.
The win was made even more remarkable by the fact that Papillon's owner, Mrs. Betty Moran, had initially been reluctant to enter the horse in such a demanding race.
First Three Home
Winner: Papillion – 10/1
2nd: Mely Moss
3rd: Niki Dee
The Cheltenham Gold Cup
On March 16, 2000, the Cheltenham Festival reached its climax with the running of the Gold Cup, the most prestigious event in the National Hunt calendar.
As the horses paraded before the race, much of the attention was on See More Business, the defending champion who was aiming to join the elite group of multiple Gold Cup winners.
However, it was Looks Like Trouble, trained by Noel Chance and ridden by Richard Johnson, who would emerge victorious in this 3-mile, 2½-furlong test of stamina and jumping ability.
The 9-2 shot produced a near-flawless round of jumping, taking the lead three fences from home and powering up the famous Cheltenham hill to win by five lengths.
Florida Pearl, a perennial Cheltenham bridesmaid, finished second, with Strong Promise in third. See More Business, the 9-4 favourite, could only manage fourth place, unable to replicate his winning performance from the previous year.
Looks Like Trouble's victory was a testament to the skill of his trainer, Noel Chance, who was winning his second Gold Cup in just three years.
For jockey Richard Johnson, it was a career-defining moment, securing his first Gold Cup win after several near misses.
The win was particularly poignant for Looks Like Trouble's owners, Tim Collins and Fiona McIntyre, who had shown great faith in the horse despite some inconsistent form leading up to the race.
Their decision to target the Gold Cup was vindicated in spectacular fashion, as Looks Like Trouble etched his name into Cheltenham folklore.
First Three Home
Winner: Looks Like Trouble – 9/2
2nd: Florida Pearl
3rd: Strong Promise
Kentucky Derby
On May 6, 2000, Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, played host to the 126th running of the Kentucky Derby, the first leg of the American Triple Crown.
As the 19-strong field of three-year-olds entered the starting gate, much of the focus was on Fusaichi Pegasus, a $4 million yearling purchase trained by Neil Drysdale.
When the gates opened, High Yield took the early lead, setting a brisk pace as the field thundered down the backstretch.
Fusaichi Pegasus, under jockey Kent Desormeaux, settled into mid-pack, biding his time as the race unfolded.
As they rounded the far turn, Fusaichi Pegasus began to make his move, weaving through traffic with impressive acceleration.
By the time they hit the top of the stretch, the favourite had taken command, drawing clear of his rivals with every stride.
Crossing the finish line 1½ lengths ahead of Aptitude, with Impeachment in third, Fusaichi Pegasus lived up to his hefty price tag and pre-race hype.
His winning time of 2:01.12 was the sixth-fastest in Derby history at that point.
The victory was a first Kentucky Derby success for both trainer Neil Drysdale and owner Fusao Sekiguchi. For jockey Kent Desormeaux, it was a second Derby win, following his triumph aboard Real Quiet in 1998.
Fusaichi Pegasus's win was notable not just for his impressive performance but also for breaking a 21-year streak of favourites failing to win the Kentucky Derby.
His victory sparked hopes of a potential Triple Crown, though these would be dashed two weeks later in the Preakness Stakes.
First Three Home
Winner: Fusaichi Pegasus
2nd: Aptitude
3rd: Impeachment
The Melbourne Cup
On November 7, 2000, Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia, hosted the 140th running of the Melbourne Cup, affectionately known as “the race that stops a nation.”
As a field of 22 horses lined up for the two-mile contest, much of the attention was on Diatribe, winner of the Caulfield Cup, and Yippyio, who had run second in that race.
However, it was a less-fancied runner who would ultimately claim Australia's most famous race.
Brew, a six-year-old gelding trained by Mike Moroney and ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, had entered the race as a 14-1 outsider.
The race was delayed at the start when one horse refused to enter the stalls, adding to the tension. When they finally got underway, Brew settled into a midfield position as the early pace was set by Diatribe and Yippyio.
As the field entered the famous Flemington straight, Brew began to make his move. Under a perfectly-timed ride by 20-year-old McEvoy, Brew surged to the front inside the final 400 meters.
Despite a late challenge from Yippyio, Brew held on to win by two lengths, with Second Coming (also trained by Moroney) finishing third.
The victory was a dream come true for trainer Mike Moroney, who had predicted years earlier that he would win the Melbourne Cup with Brew.
For jockey Kerrin McEvoy, it was a remarkable achievement in his first ride in the race, making him one of the youngest jockeys to win the Melbourne Cup.
Brew's triumph was made all the more impressive by the fact that he had only been lightly raced in the lead-up to the Cup.
His win led to him being named the 2000-2001 Champion Stayer in the Australian Horse of the Year awards.
First Three Home
Winner: Brew
2nd: Yippyio
3rd: Second Coming
Other Major Race Winners in 2000
While the Grand National, Gold Cup, Kentucky Derby, and Melbourne Cup are among the most prestigious races in the world, the year 2000 saw many other notable performances in major races across the globe.
Here are some of the other significant winners:
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe:
Sinndar, ridden by Johnny Murtagh and trained by John Oxx, completed a remarkable season by adding Europe's most prestigious race to his Epsom Derby and Irish Derby victories.
Breeders' Cup Classic:
Tiznow, under jockey Chris McCarron, became the first California-bred horse to win the Classic, holding off the challenge of European star Giant's Causeway in a thrilling finish.
Epsom Derby:
Sinndar, ridden by Johnny Murtagh and trained by John Oxx, gave Ireland a famous victory in the Blue Riband of the turf.
2000 Guineas:
King's Best, trained by Sir Michael Stoute and ridden by Kieren Fallon, won the first Classic of the British flat racing season.
Preakness Stakes:
Red Bullet, trained by Joe Orseno and ridden by Jerry Bailey, upset Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus to win the second leg of the American Triple Crown.
Belmont Stakes:
Commendable, a 18-1 longshot trained by D. Wayne Lukas and ridden by Pat Day, won the final leg of the American Triple Crown.
What A Year
The year 2000 proved to be a memorable one in the world of horse racing, with a mix of favourites and underdogs claiming victory in some of the sport's most prestigious events.
From Papillon's fairytale win in the Grand National to Fusaichi Pegasus living up to his hype in the Kentucky Derby, from Looks Like Trouble's impressive Gold Cup triumph to Brew's upset in the Melbourne Cup, each race provided its own unique story and drama.
These victories not only showcased the skill and dedication of the horses, jockeys, and trainers involved but also highlighted the unpredictable and thrilling nature of horse racing.
As we look back on these races more than two decades later, they serve as a reminder of why the sport continues to captivate audiences around the world, combining athleticism, strategy, and the eternal possibility of an underdog rising to the occasion on the biggest stage.
