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Prominent American owner and breeder Earle Mack has purchased champion Italian stayer Dylan Mouth with the express plan to win this year’s Melbourne Cup.

It is the fourth time Mack, a former US Ambassador to Finland and one of America’s most successful businessmen, has set his sights on winning Australia’s greatest race.

“It’s the fourth time I’ve competed and I’m not giving up easily,” Mack told TDN.

His previous Melbourne Cup starters have been Manighar, who was seventh in 2010 and fifth in 2011, and Mad Rush who finished seventh in 2008.

“The most exciting thrill was when I had the favorite Mad Rush,” Mack said.

“Of all their great races with their very rich purses, this is like their Super Bowl, even more than our Kentucky Derby.

“My loyalty is to American racing, of course, but the Super Bowl doesn’t stop the nation like this does.”

Dylan Mouth is a three-time G1 winner in Italy where he previously raced for Scuderia Effevi SRL and trainer Marco Botti.

HE took his earnings to just over $US1.35 million with his last start win in the Old Newton Cup over 11 furlongs at Haydock on July 8, his first win outside Italy and race Mad Rush won in 2008 before travelling to Melbourne.

Mack has confirmed that Botti, no stranger to the Melbourne spring, will continue to train Dylan Mouth.

“The horse will stay with Marco Botti,” said Mack.

“He’s a very competent trainer and he has gotten the horse this far.”

Dylan Mouth will be an early arrival in Melbourne and may contest either the Caulfield Cup on October 21 or the WS Cox Plate on October 28 as hius lead-up race to the Melbourne Cup.

“The immediate plans are to have one race or two races before the Melbourne Cup,” Mack said.

“This horse is a good traveller. He has plenty of stamina on both sides of his pedigree. I think he can get two miles.”

Mack has long been a leader in the US thoroughbred industry.

He currently serves as a trustee of the New York Racing Association and was Chairman of the New York State Racing Commission for seven years.

A a member of the Jockey Club he has been a strong advocate of after-care efforts for retired racehorses.

The Earle Mack Championship Award was endowed in 2011 in order to improve the welfare and safety of the thoroughbred, after their racing career has come to an end.