- Australians are pronouncing Vauban’s name incorrectly
- Horse was foaled in France, so should be said as intended
- Saying ‘Vobon’ is closer to how it should sound
This year’s Melbourne Cup favourite is the Irish-trained gelding Vauban, and despite the six-year-old horse’s enormous popularity, many people are pronouncing his name wrong.
According to some experts Vauban is as classy as any European horse to come down under for the famous $8 million race that stops a nation on Tuesday.
Vauban took out the Copper Horse Handicap over 2,800 metres by seven-and-a-half lengths at Royal Ascot in June to top the Melbourne Cup betting markets and followed it up with a big win in the Ballyroan Stakes at Naas a few months ago.
Since arriving in Australia, most people have been saying the ‘Vau’ like the start of the word ‘vault’, and ‘ban’ to rhyme with ‘van’.
Vauban was born in France before being transferred to the stables of master trainer Willie Mullins in Ireland – so the chestnut gelding’s name should be said as the French intended.
Aussies have been botching Irish-trained gelding Vauban’s name
The horse was foaled in France, so it’s name should be pronounced as they intended
The ‘Vau’ should be said like the ‘Vo’ in ‘Vodafone’, and the ‘ban’ should be pronounced like the start of the word ‘bonfire’ – so saying ‘Vobon’ is a much better pronunciation of the name.
After 20 long years of trying, trainer Mullins will hope to join the Irish contingent of Melbourne Cup-winning trainers when Vauban runs at Flemington.
Mullins has come very close to winning the race, with Max Dynamite pipped by outsider Prince of Penzance in 2015 and third behind Rekindling in 2017.
‘He’s the best chance we’ve ever had and will ever have,’ Mullins said on Monday.
‘At one time I used to hate having favourites because it brings pressure, but now I don’t.
‘I’d rather have the favourite than an outsider.’
Prominent owner Nick Williams is very impressed by what he’s seen of Vauban.
Pronouncing the name as ‘Vobon’ is much closer to how it should be said
The European superstar is being tipped by many to take out the Cup
‘I think it’s as good a thing as I’ve seen in the Melbourne Cup, that I can remember,’ Williams told The Age.
‘This is a tough, older horse. This is a properly seasoned, beautifully conditioned horse.’
Aussie trainer Ciaron Maher was equally impressed with Vauban after watching him do trackwork on the weekend.
‘I was out there (on Saturday)… both horses (Vauban and his stablemate Absurde) looked in great order and nearly every horse in Willie’s stable would be two-milers,’ said Maher.
‘They’re very good at it. He’ll definitely make his presence felt.’
