Let’s Elope, New Zealand Thoroughbred racehorse, Died at 28

  Animals

Let’s Elope was born on November 20, 1987, and died on September 11, 2016.

She was a Champion Thoroughbred racehorse in Australia.

Let’s Elope was bred by Highview Stud in Hamilton, New Zealand, Let’s Elope was a giant chestnut mare who in 1991 became the first mare in more than 50 years to complete Australia’s famed Caulfield Cup – Melbourne Cup double (the “Cups double”).

Records show that the last mare to complete the double had been Rivette in 1939.

She came from the Blushing Groom stallion Nassipour, out of Sharon Jane, she was a NZ$16,000 purchase at the 1989 New Zealand Magic Millions sale.

Initially trained by Dave O’Sullivan for the Fleiter family, Let’s Elope was un-raced as a two-year-old but won her first start as a three-year-old in 1990.

However, she was showing above-average ability, her record in New Zealand was underwhelming, and, on the advice of her trainer, the owners accepted a NZ$150,000 offer for her.

Let’s Elope new owners, Dennis Marks and Kevin White, transferred her to the Australian stables of the “Cups King”, Bart Cummings.

Let’s Elope passed away at 28 years old.