After taking out the $6.2 million race by the barest of margins, jockey Christophe Lemaire said the win was a team effort.
“The race went like a dream and it was exactly what we planned to do, so when it worked like that, it's fantastic,” he told the ABC.
Trainer Mikel Delzangles said the team hopes to bring Dunaden back for next year's Melbourne Cup.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
“Dunaden will go back to France now for a rest and we'll see for next season,” Delzangles told the ABC.
A BETTING NATION
According to AAP, Australians sunk more than $100 million in Melbourne Cup bets when French-trained Dunaden edged out Red Cadeaux in a thrilling photo-finish.
In New South Wales, $49.8 million was wagered on the race with TAB Sportsbet, while Victorians bet $33.67 million.
Tattsbet took in $40 million in Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory, shy of last year's record $45 million.
The photo-finish was so tight, judges were forced to use extreme magnification to separate winner Dunaden ($8.50) from English horse Red Cadeaux ($31).
German import Lucas Cranach ($13) was third, just edging out last year's winner Americain ($5 favourite) into fourth.
