Pin Oak Stud’s Parchment Party is one of 120 nominations to Australia’s Grade 1 Melbourne Cup on Nov. 4. Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez was named to ride, reports TDN.

The Bill Mott trainee earned a “golden ticket” to the approximately two-mile turf race at Flemington Racecourse by winning the off-turf G3 Belmont Gold Cup on June 6, with Velazquez aboard.

If he makes the trip, Parchment Party would be the first U.S.-trained horse to compete in “the race that stops the nation,” and Velazquez would be the first American jockey to compete.

“Some of his stats are unbelievable. He’s ridden over 6,700 winners in his career, he is a Hall of Fame jockey, and his career earnings are over half a billion U.S. dollars,” Leigh Jordon, executive general manager of racing for the Victoria Racing Club, told the TDN. “He’s won Kentucky Derbies, he’s won all the Triple Crown races, and he’s won over 20 Breeders’ Cup races. He truly is a legend of the sport, and it’s great to have him here riding in the Cup on the first Tuesday of November.”

Advertisement

In six starts this year, the 4-year-old son of Constitution has two wins, one second, and one third. His victories have come in his last two races, the aforementioned Belmont Gold Cup, and the 1 ¾ miles Birdstone Stakes at Saratoga on dirt.

Read more at thoroughbreddailynews.com.

This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Sep 4, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Paulick Report as a Preferred Source by clicking here.