QMS CEO John O’Neill wins second Melbourne Cup with Point Of Law

QMS CEO John O’Neill stayed off the drink for eight years. Point Of Law got him back on it in 3,200 metres.

“I’ve been off the drink for eight years, but I’m back on it tonight,” O’Neill said, according to Betsy, after Point Of Law won the Melbourne Cup at Flemington on Tuesday.

The head of one of Australia’s biggest out-of-home advertising businesses is a part-owner of the Ciaron Maher-trained winner. It’s his second Cup, after Verry Elleegant won in 2021, when COVID restrictions kept most of the crowd away from Flemington.

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The syndicate

O’Neill’s co-owners could sit on a board together: veteran dealmaker John Wylie, former AFL champion Chris Judd, prominent owner Rupert Legh, Gilbert + Tobin partner Peter Cook, and Perth property billionaire Nigel Satterley.

A royal pedigree

Point Of Law came from the UK, where the Northern Hemisphere-bred colt had raced for King Charles III. Will Bourne, Maher’s head of bloodstock, did the deal.

“Will Bourne travels all around the world trying to buy these horses and Ciaron spent a lot of time over in Europe and had his Mum with him and built a relationship with The King,” O’Neill said.

“We thought The King was going to race this horse with us, but I don’t think legally he was able to do that.”

O’Neill’s record in the race also includes three second placings. The worst was 2018, when Marmelo led late and Cross Counter, trained in Europe, ran him down.