Doriemus was a tough stayer that ran among the best and completed the Cups double

Doriemus, born 17 November 1990 was a thoroughbred racehorse who began his career in New Zealand and rose to prominence in Australia by winning the  Caulfield and Melbourne Cups in 1995. He was the eighth of just nine horses (now 12) to complete the double in the same year. He was bred to stay, being by Norman Pentaquad (USA) (by Riverman) out of Golden Woods (by Zamazaan FR). Doriemus was foaled in New Zealand and was a half-brother to the filly, Margaux by War Hawk II (GB). Jim Gibbs originally bought him for $4500 at a Claudelands yearling sale and the horse would come back and spell with him after his arduous Melbourne Cup campaigns. After two wins from three starts in New Zealand, Doriemus was transferred to Lee Freedman late in his three-year-old term, in the winter of 1994. The small, wiry chestnut won by four lengths on his Australian debut, but was considered immature and spelled in an attempt to strengthen him up more, both physically and mentally.

He won only twice as a four-year-old, but did enough to qualify for the following year's Caulfield Cup. Carrying 52 kgs, and ridden patiently by Damien Oliver, Doriemus overhauled South Australian and West Australian Derby winners, Count Chivas and Beaux Art over the closing stages. Penalised 2.5 kilograms for the 1995 Melbourne Cup, to take his weight to 54.5 kilograms, Doriemus revelled in the rain-affected going to defeat Victoria Derby winner Nothin' Leica Dane and Irish Champion and 1993 Melbourne Cup winner Vintage Crop. Freedman and Oliver had earlier combined to win Caulfield Cups with Mannerism and Paris Lane, and Doriemus was the third of Freedman's five Melbourne Cup winners, and the first of three for Damien Oliver.

In 1996, Doriemus won the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, in the autumn, and the Turnbull Stakes, in the spring, but was fourth and sixth, respectively, in the Cups. In 1997, he bled in Octagonal's Australian Cup, but returned to run second to Might and Power in both Cups. Doriemus' jockey, Greg Hall, believed he had won the 1997 Melbourne Cup, and gave a wave of his whip after crossing the line, but the photo showed Might and Power had prevailed by the barest of margins. In the autumn, Doriemus was again placed behind Might and Power in the Mercedes Classic, and was runner-up to Tie the Knot in the Sydney Cup. In his final campaign, in the spring of 1998, he was second in the Metropolitan but finished 19th in the Melbourne Cup.

Doriemus originally retired to Jim Gibbs stables in Matamata, looking after younger horses and teaching young staff to ride. He them found his home at the Living Legends, the International Home for Champion Horses in Woodlands Historic Park, Greenvale, Victoria. He was euthanised in January 2015 following a paddock accident aged 24. When you consider the sheer quality of the stayers Doriemus faced in his career he has to quailty as one of the best in the modern era.

RACE RECORD - 44: 9-8-4
EARNINGS - $3,588,412

Caulfield Cup (1995)
Melbourne Cup (1995)
Queen Elizabeth Stakes (1996)
Turnbull Stakes (1996)