There were absolute scenes following the running of the 2026 Darwin Cup on Monday, and for many reasons, the race will go down in history as one of the more memorable editions.
Zac Spain, returning home to Fannie Bay to partner the Michael Hickmott-trained Watadeel, won his first Darwin Cup aboard the seven-year-old Dundeel gelding.
Contesting the $220,000 feature, Watadeel started a $17 chance and, jumping from barrier seven, settled in an ideal spot throughout the 2050m staying trip.
The pair then powered to a 1.8-length victory from the Chris Nash-trained Rematch (Robbie Dolan, $7), while 3.3 lengths away in third was the Peter Robl-trained Hadouken (Paul Shiers, $18).
For Spain, the win was a “full circle moment” and one of the highlights of his 680-win career, which has yielded multiple Group 1 victories.
“To be honest, to me it’s bigger than winning a Group 1, being back home,” Spain said.
“Getting a ride here for Michael – obviously I won the Alice Springs Cup for him – and to do it in front of the family, and for Michael, there’s no other feeling like it. I think the salute showed that.”
For Hickmott, it was his fourth victory in Darwin’s feature race, and Spain said Watadeel was ready and raring to go for owners Bennett Racing.
“As Michael said, the key was the first 50 to 100m, and to get him out and just the blinkers being on – he was a different horse,” Spain said.
“He began well, was able to travel, switched off well in the middle stages and coming to the 500m, I needed an out. I had a lovely economical, smooth run and when I asked for him, gee, he let down and won with ease.”
On a huge day’s racing away from the Darwin Cup, riding honours went to fellow jockeys Jade Hampson and Jason Lyon, who both rode a treble of winners on the program.
For Hampson, the apprentice jockey has now ridden 14 winners from her past 50 rides (28% win rate), absolutely dominating the Darwin meetings in recent times, bringing up winning doubles on July 18, July 25 and July 29.
That sensational run included a victory for Dick Leech on Leveraged Buyout in the $150,000 NT Derby (2050m).
For Lyon, who has also enjoyed a massive Darwin carnival, he landed his treble for leading trainer Chloe Baxter.
The pair combined with Arizona Activist ($5) in the Lightning Plate (1000m), Montjuic Magic ($3.20) in the $55,000 Top End Classic (1300m) and If I Was You ($4.20) in the Benchmark 62 Handicap (1300m).
