Don Juan was victorious in the 1873 Melbourne Cup, then won again over the two next days - one at 4800m

Don Juan was bred by South Australian politician and pastoralist, John Baker. Baker then sold the horse to his eventual trainer James Wilson for £50. The ownership of Don Juan caused much controversy, with the listed owner being Mr. W. Johnstone. It was revealed however that Johnstone simply allowed his name to be used, and the horse was actually owned by big bookmaker Joe "Leviathan" Thompson. Foaled in 1869 he was out of the sire Lucifer from the dam, Levity. On 23 May 1872, Don Juan made his racing debut in South Australia as a two-year-old at Morphett Ville but he finished unplaced over the crazy distance of 12 furlongs (2400m). Don Juan did not race as a three-year-old but was still nominated for the 1873 Melbourne Cup as a maiden. This allowed the horse to be allotted a low weight of 6st 12 lb (43.5kg). His first appearance was at Caulfield where he beat a field of moderate horses easily. At the VRC Spring Meeting he won the Essendon Stakes, beating Horatio and Fitz-Yattendon.

On 7 November 1873, Don Juan started the 3/1 Favorite in the Melbourne Cup and won by 3.5 lengths, in a then record time for the race of 3:36.00. Days after the race protesters had made allegations against Don Juan and his win in the Melbourne Cup. The complaint was that Don Juan had been nominated and entered into the Melbourne Cup as a four-year-old, however was apparently over the age of four. The Victoria Racing Club found the allegations to be untrue. It is an oft-told story how Joe Thompson, then leader of the Australian betting ring, landed a heavy £500 stake over Don Juan in the Melbourne Cup of 1873, and gave a celebrated party at his residence in Victoria Street, Fitzroy, which he named Don Juan House. A day after winning the Melbourne Cup, Don Juan was successful in the Royal Park Stakes at Flemington. The very next day after that the ultra-fit stayer won the Flemington Plate over the extreme distance of 24 furlongs (4800m). Don Juan raced once more on the 1st of January 1874 when successful in the VRC Canterbury Plate over 20 furlongs (4000m).

In February 1874, Don Juan was on a training gallop over a mile at St Albans Park, Victoria when he suffered soreness and blood was noticed in his nostrils. He was returned to his stall and reportedly died suddenly. An autopsy revealed internal bleeding and the cause of death was due to an inch long rent found in his heart. The tale goes that Thompson and Wilson were at the Prince of Wales Hotel in Bourke Street admiring a painting of Don Juan, when it suddenly fell to the floor. A Telegraph boy soon arrived and delivered a message read out by Wilson's son - it simply said - DON JUAN DIED THIS MORNING - STOP.  Joe Thompson was so discouraged at the loss of Don Juan that he determined to give up racing, and, if not sold privately, his racing stud consisting of King of the Ring, Mentor, Torpedo, Steeltrap, and a colt (two years) by Tregeagle were to be sold by auction.

RACE RECORD - 7: 6–0–0

Canterbury Plate (1873)
Melbourne Cup (1873)
Royal Park Stakes (1873)
Flemington Plate (1873)