Media Puzzle

Media Puzzle
Sire	Theatrical
Grandsire	Nureyev
Dam	Market Slide
Damsire	Gulch
Sex	Gelding
Foaled	1997
Country	United States
Colour	Chestnut
Breeder	Moyglare Stud
Owner	Dr. Michael W. Smurfit
Trainer	Dermot K. Weld
Record	20: 6-1-6
Earnings	US$2,592,706 (equivalent)
Major wins
Ulster Derby (2000) Geelong Cup (2002) Melbourne Cup (2002) Saval Beg Stakes (2006)
Awards
Australian Champion Stayer (2003)
Horse (Equus ferus caballus)
Last updated on August 19, 2007

Media Puzzle (May 7, 1997 - June 22, 2006), foaled in the United States was an Irish^[1] horse bred by Walter Haefner's Moyglare Stud Farm and owned by Dr. M. W. Smurfit. He was sired by Theatrical, the 1987 U.S. Champion Male Turf Horse, and out of the mare Market Slide by Gulch, the 1988 U.S. Champion Sprint Horse. Media Puzzle is the half brother of Refuse to Bend, a four-time group 1 winning entire by Sadler's Wells.

At age three, Media Puzzle's best showings were third place finishes in the Gallinule and St. Leger Stakes.

Plagued by tendon problems throughout his career, after a difficult 2001, Media Puzzle had his best year in 2002. Taken to Australia, his winning time of 2.25.90 in the 2400-metre Geelong Cup broke the course record for the race. He went on to win the 2002 Melbourne Cup^[2] with Damien Oliver on board. Oliver's brother Jason had died a few weeks before the Melbourne win in 2002.^[3]

Media Puzzle was put down after shattering a leg at the Ascot Gold Cup. ^[4]

See also

• 2002 Melbourne Cup
• Millionaire Racehorses in Australia
• List of Melbourne Cup winners

References

1. ^ Damien Oliver recalls miracle Herald Sun, retrieved 2006-09-07
2. ^ 2002 Melbourne Cup result
3. ^ Media Puzzle wins emotional Melbourne Cup ABC news online, retrieved 2006-09-07
4. ^ Media Puzzle is put down at Ascot - The Border Mail, 2006-06-24

• Media Puzzle's pedigree and partial racing stats
• Photos by Quentin J. Lang of Media Puzzle and his 2002 Melbourne Cup win