MANSFIELD had extra interest in the Melbourne Cup yesterday, with one of our own, jockey Billy Egan, set to saddle up for his second ride in the race that stops the nation.

As the Mansfield Courier went to press yesterday, Egan was only hours away from riding ‘Vow and Declare’ in the Cup.

It was to be his second appearance at the Melbourne Cup, having ridden ‘Etah James’ for Ciaron Maher, finishing in 17th place, in 2020.

Vow and Declare went into yesterday's race as a former winner, having won in 2019 after overcoming a wide barrier start but with a different jockey riding it.

The eight-year-old gelding, who has defied back and a career-threatening tendon injury, was set to become only the 21st horse in more than 100 years to run in four or more Melbourne Cups.

Vow And Declare gained its ticket to the Cup by placing second in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup after being runner-up in the Group 1 Might And Power Stakes the start prior.

“I was rapt with the way he went (at the valley)… was the perfect lead up race for him,” Egan said.

To ride yesterday’s Cup Egan had to curb his diet and get his weight down to a required 53kg.

Egan’s mother, Sarah, said Billy had always wanted to be a jockey and work with horses.

“His greatest influence though was his grandfather, Noel Egan, also a noted local horse trainer, who would pick him up every morning before school and together they would ride out to the racecourse to do track work,” she said.

“But Billy left school at the age of 15 and went out riding, mainly doing picnic circuit rides before taking up an official apprenticeship with his uncle, local trainer Gerald Egan."

Two years later he went to work with trainer Mark Cavanagh at Flemington and then in 2020 rode the Melbourne Cup on ‘Eta James’ for Ciaron Maher.

Egan is now riding for Danny O’Brien stables.

Speaking before the Cup, Sarah said “Billy has worked very hard to get where he is and well deserved the ride at the Cup.

“He always wanted to be a jockey and ride a Melbourne Cup and now he has had his second chance for a win.”

The Courier hopes to have an interview with Egan about his ride in the Cup in next week's edition.