Subzero (horse)


Subzero is a Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 1992 Melbourne Cup. Trained by Lee Freedman and ridden by veteran jockey Greg Hall, the four-year-old revelled in the rain-affected going to defeat the favourite Veandercross and the two-miler Castletown. The win was to be Subzero's last, but, as one of the few grey winners of the race in the post-War era, his fame was assured.
Upon retirement from racing, the big, near-white gelding with a lovely temperament was employed as the clerk of the course's horse by Racing Victoria's long-time Clerk, Graham Salisbury, and has made numerous appearances on television, at charity functions, and at schools. In July 2008, he was fully retired as he had developed arthritis.
In October 2009, it was reported that Subzero may need to be put down as the medication he needs for his arthritis was unavailable in Australia.
However the medication was subsequently sourced from the United States, and Subzero continues to appear in public, gentle natured these days, very patient with children and still with Graham Salisbury until Salisbury's death in June 2020.