High-class dual-purpose horse to remain in Australia.

A third tilt at the Melbourne Cup could be back on the agenda for Vauban after connections announced he had been sold to Australian Bloodstock in partnership with Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott for around A$2 million (£1.02m).

The Rich Ricci-owned star has failed to shine in the past two Melbourne Cups, finishing a disappointing 14th when sent off favourite for the race in 2023 before only bettering that by three places when midfield at Flemington last week.

An emphatic winner of the 2022 Grade 1 Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, the Wilie Mullins-trained six-year-old had been set to return to Ireland, with the Closutton-based handler mooting a potential campaign geared towards having a crack at the Stayers' Hurdle at Prestbury Park in March.

However, Vauban, who finished runner-up to champion stayer Kyprios in the Group 1 Irish St Leger at the Curragh in September, will now head to New South Wales for a break before joining Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable.

A sensational seven-and-a-half-length winner of the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot in 2022, Vauban has won eight of his 21 outings and amassed £844,710 in prize money throughout his career thus far.

Vauban will continue his career sporting the famous colours of Australian Bloodstock, which were carried to Melbourne Cup success when fellow French-bred Gold Trip galloped on strongly to land the 'race that stops a nation' under Mark Zahra in 2022.