At Talaq was a good juvenile in Europe, but as a 6yo in Australia he proved to be a champion

At Talaq foaled on New Year's Day in 1981 was an American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse. He had success racing in Europe but had his greatest success after being exported to Australia where he won the 1986 Melbourne Cup. At Talaq was sired by Roberto out of the mare My Nord (by Vent du Nord). Roberto (by Hail To Reason) was an American-bred, Irish trained Thoroughbred racehorse. In a career that lasted from 1971 until July 1973, he ran fourteen times and won seven races. He was the best Irish two-year-old of 1971, when his victories included the National Stakes. As a three-year-old, he won the Derby before recording a famous victory over Brigadier Gerard in the inaugural running of the B & H Gold Cup. This is regarded by many experts to have been one of the greatest ever performances on a European racecourse. As a yearling he was bought by Hamdan Al-Maktoum for $US800,000 at the Fasig Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale and sent to England to be trained by Harry Thomson Jones. Al-Maktoum owned a string of superior racehorses, such as Nashwan, Dayjur, Sakhee and 1994 Melbourne Cup winner Jeune. At Talaq won one of his two races as a two-year-old. The following year he finished fourth to Secreto in The Derby before winning the Grand Prix de Paris at  Longchamp. He also finished second, beaten a short head in the Grosser Preis von Berlin and third in the Derby Italiano. In 1984 he failed to reproduce his best form and finished unplaced in all three of his races.

After 10 starts in Europe, in 1986 At Talaq was sent to race in Australia where he was trained by Colin Hayes and raced for Hamdan Al Maktoum's Shadwell Racing. At a six-year-old, At Talaq was at his absolute best with 12 starts that season. He ran 3rd to Tristarc in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick, 2nd to King Phoenix in the Craiglee Stakes (1600m), 2nd to Bonecrusher in the Underwood Stakes (2000m).4th in the Herbert Power (2400m) and 2nd to Mr Lomondy in the Caulfield Cup (2400m). Fully peaking at the right time, his best win came in the 1986 VRC Melbourne Cup. At Talaq's other significant wins included the 1986 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) as the lead up to the Cup, going out at odds of 10/1. Although At Talaq had run cracking races in the Craiglee Stakes, Underwood Stakes and Caulfield Cup, he recorded his first win in the Mackinnon Stakes three days before the Cup, defeating Colour Page in a strong time.

In the 1986 Cup, At Talaq was given a gun ride by Michael Clarke. He was ridden close to the lead, then burst through at the right time to claim the lead with 400m to go. Although he weakened a little late, he still had too much on Rising Fear, with Sea Legend third and 1983 Cup winner Kiwi steaming home into fourth. Also close up was 1988 Cup winner, Empire Rose who finished fifth. It was Colin Hayes second Cup triumph after Beldale Ball in 1980.

At Talaq had five more runs after the Melbourne Cup, winning the C.F. Orr Stakes and finishing 2nd in the Australian Cup behind Cox Plate winner Bonecrusher in another thrilling encounter. He was retired to stud after finishing 4th in the 1987 Tancred Stakes to Myocard. Following a successful stud career where he sired 25 stakes winners (including Skating and Al Mansour). He died in 1995 from a suspected heart attack.

RACE RECORD - 26: 5-6-3
EARNINGS -

Grand Prix de Paris (1984)
Mackinnon Stakes (1986)
Melbourne Cup (1986)
C F Orr Stakes (1987)