Ireland's famous O'Brien family makes up the majority of the international entries for October’s 100th Cox Plate with an incredible 22 nominations spread across three stables out of the 28 international entries received by Tuesday's noon deadline.
Despite uncertainty around international participation owing to COVID-19 restrictions, the number of internationally trained entries remains the same as recent years, with a wealth of entries from Aidan O'Brien and his sons Joseph and Donnacha.
Overall, there were 182 entries received for the Cox Plate and although 28 of those were for international runners, ultimately the number of overseas raiders will depend largely on whether European trainers or their leading hands can attend.
Currently, horses are flying into Melbourne from Europe but they do so without specific handlers and if that restriction remains, there is a huge doubt on a number of the potential participants.
Aidan O'Brien, the 2014 Cox Plate-winning trainer, has nominated 13 horses including 2019 contender Magic Wand and stable stars Japan and Magical, while his sons Joseph and Donnacha have entered eight and one horse respectively.
Aidan O'Brien's horses have been travelling to Melbourne most years under the care of O'Brien's trusted right-hand man T.J. Comerford but if he is not permitted to come with the horses, there is a major doubt on whether O'Brien will send any of them.
As for Joseph O'Brien, his nominations are for part-owner Lloyd Williams and if only the horses are permitted to travel, Williams could place them with a local trainer.
Given the COVID-19 restrictions on human travel, it was confirmed that it is highly unlikely this year's carnival will feature any international riders as each rider would be forced to serve two weeks' quarantine during a time when there are rich carnivals in other parts of the world.
Included among the Cox Plate entries are 51 Group 1 winners, 42 Southern Hemisphere three-year-olds and 14 Northern Hemisphere three-year-olds.
Headlining the Australian contingent is Danny O'Brien's Lexus Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare and his boom stablemate Russian Camelot, Queensland hero Alligator Blood and the inaugural two winners of The All-Star Mile, Mystic Journey and Regal Power.
Racing Victoria Executive General Manager - Racing, Greg Carpenter, said of the entries for the $5 million contest: "There is incredible diversity in the list of entries, which pleasingly represents all states of Australia and lots of star power, so the foundation is there for a race befitting such an historic occasion.
"The quality of international entries remains strong despite the current COVID-19 restrictions and the next month will ultimately determine whether these internationals horses can compete in the 100th Cox Plate."
Moonee Valley Racing Club chief executive, Michael Browell, said: "Despite all the challenges that have been presented so far, today 182 dreams are alive to take out the legendary 2020 Ladbrokes Cox Plate in a year we are celebrating a significant milestone with the 100th running of our great race.
"The club is pleased to see internationals declaring their interest to compete in the Ladbrokes Cox Plate, but they will face strong competition from many stables across Australia and New Zealand determined to see their horse's name on the honour roll of legends."
Other notable points of interest among the list of Cox Plate entries include:
• There are eight horses that contested the 2019 Cox Plate nominated - Magic Wand (4th), Mystic Journey (5th), Kings Will Dream (6th), Harlem (8th), Cape of Good Hope (10th), Homesman (11th), Verry Elleegant (12th) and Danceteria (14th);
• Four-time Cox Plate-winning trainer Chris Waller has entered a race-high 18 horses, headlined by star mares Verry Elleegant and Funstar and including recent stable acquisition, dual Cox Plate placegetter Humidor;
• Last season's G1-winning juveniles Farnan (Golden Slipper), King's Legacy (Sires Produce and Champagne Stakes) and Tagaloa (Blue Diamond) are among the 42 Southern Hemisphere three-year-old entries along with Magic Millions-winning filly Away Game;
• Joining Russian Camelot among the 14 Northern Hemisphere three-year-olds on the entry list are 2020 G1 winners Kameko (2000 Guineas); Peaceful (Irish 1000 Guineas) and Fancy Blue (Prix de Diane and Nassau Stakes);
• The New Zealand-trained entries are spearheaded by Horse of the Year Melody Belle, and a classy group of four-year-olds including her stablemate Probabeel, Australian Derby winner Quick Thinker and New Zealand Oaks winner Jennifer Eccles; and
• Master Of Wine, Surprise Baby, King Of Leogrance and Oceanex are among the leading contenders for the Stella Artois Caulfield Cup and Lexus Melbourne Cup that have been nominated for the weight-for-age showdown.
First acceptances for the Cox Plate will be taken at noon on September 8.
Click here to view the Cox Plate nominations.