Rain Lover

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Rain Lover was a notable Australian thoroughbred racehorse. He was a bay son of Latin Lover from the mare Rain Spot.

He is best remembered for his back-to-back wins in the 1968 and 1969 VRC Melbourne Cup.

In his first Melbourne Cup triumph he won by an amazing eight-length margin running the time of 3:19.1, which is the fastest time recorded for the 111 cups run over the imperial two-mile distance.

Controversy surround his second win as the hot favourite and heavily backed Big Philou trained by Bart Cummings was the victim of a doping scandal and was withdrawn from the race 39 minutes before the start.

Rain Lover went on the win the race from Alsop and created history as the first back-to-back winner since Archer in 1861 and 1862.

Amongst his other major wins were the SAJC Adelaide Cup, VATC St George Stakes (twice) and the AJC Chipping Norton Stakes.

Retired to stud in 1970 he enjoyed only moderate success.

He died in 1989 at the age of 24.

[edit] Race Record

46 starts - 17 wins, 10 seconds, 11 thirds

[edit] Prizemoney

A$188,650

[edit] Major Wins

Rain Lover won the following major races:

• 1968 SAJC Adelaide Cup – (2m)
• 1968 VRC Mackinnon Stakes – (10f)
• 1968 VRC Melbourne Cup – (2m)
• 1968 VRC Fisher Plate – (12f)
• 1969 VATC St George Stakes – (9f)
• 1969 VRC Queen's Plate – (10f)
• 1969 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes – (12f)
• 1969 AJC Chipping Norton Stakes – (10f)
• 1969 VRC Craiglee Stakes – (1m)
• 1969 VATC Underwood Stakes – (10f)
• 1969 VRC Melbourne Cup – (2m)
• 1970 VATC St George Stakes – (9f))
• 1970 VRC Queen's Plate – (10f)
• 1970 AJC Autumn Stakes – (12f)