Neither are married, although Dunlop isn't so sure. He estimates that two of his senior staff, foreman Robin Trevor-Jones and track rider Steve Nicholson, have been on the road with the horse for a cumulative three years.
He's won only seven of 53 starts, yet his legend has swelled on the back of 13 seconds, enough big-race near misses to make him the greatest money-winner in British history. Red Cadeaux has run in Japan, Dubai, Hong Kong, Ireland and Australia. Travelling far and wide to race is in Dunlop's DNA (his father brought Highland Chieftain to Sydney during that gap year and ran second in the Tancred Stakes, and raced all over the world). Red Cadeaux isn't the best horse Dunlop has trained (Snow Fairy was a world champion mare), but he's easily the most-loved. "And here he is – second favourite to win the Melbourne Cup." And I've always found another horse."Īfter the slow-maturing Trip To Paris won the Ascot Gold Cup in July, somebody bailed him up and said, "You've found another f-ing horse!" Dunlop smiles. I've got a silver spoon in my mouth, I was private trainer to an Arab until he died, then built my own stable, built my business up. "Through dreadful circumstances I've been lucky. Two Melbourne Cups back, an off-hand remark at the barrier draw about the mob of runners Lloyd Williams had in the race prompted a return of serve from the reclusive mogul about Dunlop's schooling at Eton. "Did an Australian say that? I would think that's probably about right." His nickname is "Languid One" he's relaxed, engaging company, and laughs heartily at the contention that he might be a toff, but he's not a snob. "Used to be better – too slow, can't see it anymore." His top score of 40 left him pining for sprightlier days. They won eight of 10 matches this English summer, with Dunlop "one of the old farts". "I used to bowl Chinamen – left-arm wrist spin," he says, noting it's an odd discipline for someone who's six-foot-five in the old. He was adept at all manner of sports when younger, and still plays cricket for a Newmarket Racing XI. "And that's how I started."ĭunlop is tall (195cm), balding and pragmatic about his pedigree. Aged 24, he was suddenly Sheikh Makhtoum's private trainer. "It was a big news story, just awful," Dunlop says of Scott's murder. During an argument in a barn, the groom picked up a shotgun and blasted Scott in the back. He was very good to me, a very good man, a very good boss." After buying a stud farm Scott fell out with the man he paid to run it. "Alex was private trainer to the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Makhtoum.
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