Champion trainer Andreas Wohler won't be taking the Melbourne Cup home to Germany, but he did get a share of $3.6 million and a free breakfast.
The softly spoken German was recognised by the waiters at his regular cafe on Wednesday, the morning after the horse he prepared, Protectionist, stormed to victory in the Cup.
"I went to pay and they said, 'No, we had a bet on Protectionist, so breakfast is free'," he said.
The five-year-old stallion is staying in Australia because it was bought by local syndicate Australian Bloodstock in a deal secured before the big race.
And after some confusion, Protectionist's $175,000, 18-carat gold Melbourne Cup will stay here with him.
Australian Bloodstock director Jamie Lovett said one detail had been neglected when they negotiated Protectionist's purchase from German businessman Christoph Berger.
"We didn't mention in the contract where the trophy went," Mr Lovett said.
Dr Berger announced on Tuesday night that, as a token of his appreciation, the Cup could stay, on condition he gets the next one when Protectionist wins in 2015.
Dr Berger also takes home a share of the $3.6 million owners' prizemoney.
For Jamie Lovett and his co-director Luke Murrell, buying Protectionist is the culmination of a three-year plan.
They first noticed the horse as a two-year-old, but Protectionist suffered a fracture from a collision with a deer while training.
Surgeons operated and the young horse recovered from what could have been a career-ending injury.
Mr Lovett and Mr Murrell remained patient - watching, waiting, chipping away to secure the deal.
"Without being cocky, we knew what a good horse this was," Mr Murrell said.
As for winning the Cup, it was a pleasant surprise.
"But it was everything that we planned," he said.
Australian Bloodstock had a half-share of Protectionist before Cup day and took full ownership for an undisclosed sum after the race.
Mr Wohler said goodbye to Protectionist at Werribee racecourse on Wednesday morning before taking off for a few days' holiday on Victoria's Great Ocean Road.
Protectionist will go to the NSW horse racing hub of Newcastle, and Mr Wohler had only one worry about his collision-prone champion.
"Hopefully they don't have, in Newcastle, any kangaroos," he said.
