3 minute read

After a midfield finish at his third Melbourne Cup, Twilight Payment has been retired.

Last year's Melbourne Cup winner Twilight Payment has been retired and will spend his days at Living Legends in Melbourne. 

The Lloyd and Nick Williams-owned stayer finished 11th in Tuesday's Melbourne Cup behind Verry Elleegant, his third start in the great race. 

Nick Williams posted on social media the retirement of the northern hemisphere eight-year-old on Wednesday. 

"Twilight Payment has been retired," Williams tweeted. 

"On behalf of the owners I would like to thank Joseph O'Brien and all his team, particularly his handler Sean Corby and Mark Power. 

"He has brought so much excitement to our ownership group, families and friends. 

"Living Legends will be his new home." 

Twilight Payment was bred by his former trainer Jim Bolger who retained a share in the gelding after he was purchased by the Williams' after winning the Group 2 Curragh Cup in June 2019. 

The gelding was transferred to Joseph O'Brien and contested that year's Melbourne Cup, finishing 11th behind Vow And Declare before returning the following year to win the Cup under Jye Mcneil. 

McNeil said after Tuesday's race that Twilight Payment had struggled. 

"He wasn't able to get into his usual role and at the halfway point he really struggled," McNeil said. 

Meanwhile Tralee Rose remains at a Werribee veterinary clinic after being galloped on in Tuesday's race in which she finished ninth, beaten just under 17 lengths. 

Tralee Rose required stitches to a deep gash to her near hind leg and while she was expected to be at the clinic for one night, it was suggested she stay another night while the stitches are relatively new.