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Midnight Blue takes out 2024 Seymour Cup

Midnight Blue, ridden by Daniel Stackhouse, wins the Seymour Cup on October 13. Photo by Brett Holburt

Jubilant celebrations echoed across the Tasman Sea after Kiwi trainer Mark Walker’s horse Midnight Blue won the $200,000 Seymour Cup on Sunday, October 13.

The success, at odds of 20/1, capped a remarkable three days for the stable, which sent out four runners from Friday to Sunday — and all four saluted the judge.

The winning run began when Our Paramour broke her maiden at Cranbourne on October 11, before Bellatrix Star won the group two Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield the following day.

Then at Seymour, first starter Stage ’N’ Screen ran away with the day’s opening event before Midnight Blue recorded his seventh career win.

Daniel Stackhouse returns to the mounting yard on Midnight Blue after winning the Seymour Cup. Photo by Brett Holburt

The Seymour victory took the 2022 Perth Cup winner’s careers earning past $900,000.

Midnight Blue after taking out the 2024 Seymour Cup Photo by Adam Miller

The runner-up in the cup was the Ciaron Maher-trained, Ethan Brown-ridden Earl of Tyrone, with Maktoob, ridden by Liam Riordan and trained by Simon Zahra, in third.

The win was jockey Daniel Stackhouse's 26th of the season, which has included victories at Geelong, Pakenham, Cranbourne, Caufield, Flemington, Sandown, Moe, Mornington and Sale.

Glowing Rapids ridden by Jarrod Fry and trained by Seymour locals Shannon and Lee Hope wins the Mitchelton Wines Maiden Plate at Seymour Racecourse on October 13, 2024 in Seymour, Australia. Photo by Brett Holburt

For the Seymour residents, there was also a lot to celebrate at their home meeting, with local trainers Lee and Shannon Hope taking out the Mitchelton Wines Maiden Plate with Glowing Rapids in a dominant performance under Jarrod Fry.