Russia was a hardy Australian bred Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 1946 Melbourne Cup and other major staying races of the era. He was a chestnut stallion foaled in 1940 by the unplaced, but good sire, Excitement (IRE) from the unraced Lady March by the useful broodmare sire, Bonnement (GB). Lady March also had two sets of twins that died and Brazen March, a filly that did not race. Russia was bred at Trangie, New South Wales by Gordon Leeds and trained throughout most of his career by Ted Hush. During Russia's racing career Leeds gave Ted Hush a half share in Russia prior to his Melbourne Cup win. Russia lost sixteen times before Hush managed to win a race with him, two months before he turned four. Hush ultimately developed Russia into a champion stayer.

Jack Thompson rode Russia for much of his racing career. Thompson's major race wins included four Doncaster Handicaps, two Epsom Handicaps, a Golden Slipper, the AJC and Victoria Derbies and a Sydney Cup. Three times he ran second in the Melbourne Cup, and on Dark Marne in 1948 he thought he had won the Cup; however, the newly installed photo-finish camera gave the verdict to Rimfire. Thompson's last winner came at the age of 62 at Wyong in 1985. In his long career he had ridden close to 3000 winners, including more than 140 feature races and 41 at Group One level.

A tough competitor Russia competed for seven seasons over distances from 5 furlongs (1000m) to 2¼ miles (3600m), starting 89 times for 22½ wins, which included victories in 19 principal races. Racing under weight for age (WFA) conditions he won 12½ races and defeated Shannon and Flight when they were at the peak of their racing careers.

His biggest win was the 1946 VRC Melbourne Cup, which he won by five lengths in a time of 3 minutes 21.25 sec that equalled the then race record set by Wotan ten years earlier. The Sydney top-weight won the Cup and collected £10,200 in a sterling effort, beating On Target by an impressive five lengths. His victory was perhaps eclipsed by the breaking down of crowd favourite Bernborough in the Mackinnon Stakes the weekend before. Russia at 16/1, won the Melbourne Cup after being one of the first three from start to the finish. Munro shot him to the front two and a half furlongs from home and the result was beyond doubt from that point. Munro gave Russia his head and he finished to win in great style. "It was a dream ride," Darby Munro said, as he unsaddled his third Melbourne Cup winner. Russia won a further 10 races following his Melbourne Cup win. He won £39,273 in Stake earnings during his racing career.

It was intended that Russia go to the stud after he had finished his programme in Brisbane, but Leeds removed Russia from the trainer after a disagreement over the horse. There was some discussion regarding the recipient of the prestigious Melbourne Cup trophy, and the tension from that event persisted. Hush informed Leeds that his horse could still win four or five thousand pounds in WFA races. Leeds replied, "that that might be so, but you would not be training him for those races."

Frank McGrath Jnr took over the training duties after the horse was transfered to his stables. Russia defeated Shannon in an upset result in 1947 after the trainer looked to scratched him. However, only three horses were down to run over the mile and there was £200 up for third place. Thompson launched Russia's challenge out towards the middle of the track as Munro drew the whip on Shannon, and the clever jockey, knowing his horse well, timed his run perfectly from barrier to judge.

Russia stood at stud in 1948 before he returned to racing in the autumn of 1949 for a short period. He was then sold to David J. Davis of Phar Lap fame, and shipped to America after the conclusion of his racing career. Russia did not sire any principal race winners in Australia but did produce three stakes winners in the US, Carolas ($42,610), Georgie ($21,505) and Noredski ($72,410).

RACE RECORD - 89: 22½ -14-13

EARNINGS - £39,173

1946 Melbourne Cup

1944 Newcastle Cup

1945 Anniversary Handicap

1946 O.T.C. Metropolitan

1946 Exhibition Handicap

1947 A.J.C. Autumn Stakes

1947 A.J.C. Winter Plate

Despite bad blood between owner and trainer, Russia would win major races and a Melbourne Cup in the 1940s