Melbourne Cup

The Melbourne Cup, Australia's prestigious international thoroughbred race, is considered one of the world's richest races. The Cup, known as "the race that stops a nation," has been held in the Melbourne suburb of Flemington on the first Tuesday of November since 1861.^{1 2}

Fast Facts

1. First Melbourne Cup: 1861¹
2. Race held annually in November
3. Winner's purse: $4.4 million in 2008³
4. 2008 Melbourne Cup race will be held on November 4
5. Race held at the Flemington Race Course¹
6. Race distance: 3,200 meters¹
7. Melbourne Cup is a handicap race¹
8. Melbourne Cup is a pubic holiday in and around Melbourne, Australia⁴
9. 2005: Makybe Diva becomes first horse to win Melbourne Cup three times¹

Melbourne Cup Past Winners

• 2007: Efficient
• 2006: Delta Blues
• 2005: Makybe Diva
• 2004: Makybe Diva
• 2003: Makybe Diva
• 2002: Media Puzzle
• 2001: Ethereal
• 2000: Brew

Quote

"Nowhere in the world have I encountered a festival of people that has such a magnificent appeal to the whole nation. The Cup astonishes me."¹--Mark Twain

Related Pages on Mahalo

Melbourne Cup 2008 | Thoroughbred Horse | Horse | Kentucky Derby | Belmont Stakes | Breeders Cup | Preakness | Australia | Travers Stakes

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