Jacqueline O’Brien, widow of Vincent O’Brien, and matriarch of a family with intensive racing and bloodstock interests, has died aged 89.

A statement issued from the family said she passed away peacefully, surrounded by those that were close to her.

Born in Western Australia, she had no knowledge of horses or racing when she toured Ireland all those years ago.

When she first met Vincent, her husband to be, he was a prominent jumps jockey, he loved nothing more than riding to hounds.

She proved a great asset to Vincent, setting up the stable at Ballydoyle, carved out of the green heart of County Tipperary.

Together with Ivor Herbert, she wrote Vincent O‘Brien, The Official Biography (2006), a unique insight to the mind and methods of her husband, the most influential personality in the history of Irish racing and breeding in the 20^th century.

She also documented the colourful history of her ancestors in On We Go, the Wittennoom Way (2009).

She is survived by three daughters, Elizabeth, Susan, Jane and sons, David and Charles.

The winning margin was about as close as you get at the end of 3200 metres, with Purple Smile, getting the last stride in, to win the Adelaide Cup by a short head from Tunes, who made much of the early running, with the favourite, Real Love, a long neck away in third place.

Wales and Tunes led the field for much of the trip, the favourite, Real Love, was drifting back into the ruck, she was almost last, with just three or four horses behind her, whilst the ultimate winner, Purple Smile, was in the middle of the field.

Positions rarely alter in 3200 metre races to any great extent, until the 800 metres is reached jockeys begin angling for runs, the pressure is really on from there.

Tunes was giving a great sight, he still held sway and Brad Rawiller had worked Real Love into a favourable position, she was fourth and was a real chance from there.

She failed to run on as expected, she simply plugged away, the spark had deserted her, and she tried hard against the odds.

Just as Tunes was being hailed the winner, along came Purple Smile, like a bolt from the blue, and snatched the prize in the very last stride.

Winning jockey, Stephen Baster, was seen at his best, all smiles, a wonderful ride after what was a disappointing day at Flemington on Saturday .

Another great 3200 metres triumph for Zabeel, the sire of Purple Smile.  

The confidence of trainer, Peter Snowden, and jockey, Blake Shinn, has not been shaken, they still think they can win next Saturday‘s Golden Slipper Stakes at Rosehill Gardens.

When interviewed about Capitalist only defeat at Randwick, trainer, Peter Snowden said, “we got beaten, he was always going to be a bit underdone, I was using that to bring him up to his top, he needed that race, he has not raced since January 9^th, he has had only the one trial into the race, he will improve on that I think, he will take the necessary improvement and will be a different horse on Saturday.”

Blake Shinn had much to say as dud Peter Snowdon, “I’m confident he is going to improve from his last start second to Kiss And Makeup, after the break from the Gold Coast he raced a bit fresh, he has come through the race pretty well, I’m excited, I would like to get a gate similar to the Magic Millions, he has a great turn of foot. “

Horse                           Barrier Jockey          Price                       

1 Extreme Choice           7    C Newitt         $2.80 Fav.

2 Flying Artie                   5     D .Oliver        $5  

3 Defcon                        14   B.Prebble        $17

4 Kiss And Make Up         9 K.McEvoy        $11

5 Astern                           17 J.McDonald      $9.50      

6 Star Turn                       11 -----------           $26

7 Capitalist                        2 B.Shinn           $9.50

8 Good Standing        10 H.Bowman        $15.00

9 Telperion              12 J.Doyle                 $26

10 French Fern                 13 O.Bossom         $201

11 Scarlet Rain                 16 T.Berry               $17

12 Calliope                       15 S.Clipperton       $17

13Yankee Rose               3 Z. Purton                $35

14 Sweet Sherry               8 T. Huet                 $101

15 Honesty Prevails        6 J.Collett                 $51

16 Quick Feet                   1 D.Lane                   $101

17(Em) Moqueen            4 --------                    $101

Emotions ran high at Flemington following the Australian Cup won, by of Awesome Rock, after a courageous performance leading all the way, the margin was the barest, a short half head.

There was plenty of back slapping going on from an exciting group of owners and friends, Leon Corstens was swamped by a mob of well wishes, he left it to son Troy to confront the media.

It was an excited Troy that faced the media, with sweat pouring from his brow, as if he had just completed a ten rounder with Jeff Fenech, when the siren sounded a protest.

Smiles were soon wiped from faces, complexions altered, this was now down to the serious stuff, those representing the winner, Awesome Rock, co trainer Troy Corstens , and jockey Stephen Baster, and traine,r Chris Waller and Hugh Bowman were in the corner of Preferment.

Preferment - Close finish of the Australian Cup

There was certainly interference, the winner, Awesome Rock, did come out a couple of times and appeared to take the running of Preferment, after deliberating for a short while stewards upheld the protest.

Leon Corstens vowed they would be back next year, surely not the same horse, Awesome Rock, 12 months is a long time in the life of a racehorse, particularly if it is an entire.

The favourite, Bow Street, ran a shocker, he never came into the race at any stage, you would have to question how he possibly won at Caulfield?

Hugh Bowman and Chris Waller - All smiles