Everyone connected to a Melbourne Cup winner becomes a part of history, but some of the horses, jockeys, trainers & owners create a special name for themselves in the chronicles of the Cup.
Here are a just a few of the unforgettable stories from an event that has a truly unique place in the world of racing.
Here are a just a few of the unforgettable stories from an event that has a truly unique place in the world of racing.
Phar Lap.
Started in the 1929 Melbourne Cup as a 3yo, after wins in the AJC & Victoria Derbies was evens favourite. Beaten into third, the winner was Nightmarch. However, 'The Red Terror' went on to become the greatest horse ever on Australian racetracks. Among his numerous Derbies, Plates & Cups, he won the 1930 Melbourne Cup and remains the shortest priced winner in history.
Phar Lap's last race in Australia was in the 1931 Cup, where he was allotted to carry 10st 10lbs, 5lbs more than the highest weight carried by Carbine. While his jockey & trainer felt the weight would be too much, pressure from the VRC and an adoring public persuaded them to race. He was finally unplaced, with the winner that year being White Nose. He then left for Mexico where a decisive victory gave him a new name - 'The Big Train.'
Sadly, a few weeks later he was dead and speculation continues to this day about the cause. Recent research suggests deliberate or accidental poisoning by arsenic.
"Phar Lap"; Thai for lightning, Australian for 'hero to a nation'
Started in the 1929 Melbourne Cup as a 3yo, after wins in the AJC & Victoria Derbies was evens favourite. Beaten into third, the winner was Nightmarch. However, 'The Red Terror' went on to become the greatest horse ever on Australian racetracks. Among his numerous Derbies, Plates & Cups, he won the 1930 Melbourne Cup and remains the shortest priced winner in history.
Phar Lap's last race in Australia was in the 1931 Cup, where he was allotted to carry 10st 10lbs, 5lbs more than the highest weight carried by Carbine. While his jockey & trainer felt the weight would be too much, pressure from the VRC and an adoring public persuaded them to race. He was finally unplaced, with the winner that year being White Nose. He then left for Mexico where a decisive victory gave him a new name - 'The Big Train.'
Sadly, a few weeks later he was dead and speculation continues to this day about the cause. Recent research suggests deliberate or accidental poisoning by arsenic.
"Phar Lap"; Thai for lightning, Australian for 'hero to a nation'
Makybe Diva.
When 'The Diva' won her 3rd consecutive Melbourne Cup, trainer Lee Freedman suggested finding the youngest person on the course that day, as they would be the only one likely to see it again in their lifetime.
Bred in Britain, the horse was named by taking the first two letters of five female employees of the owner, Tony Santic - Maureen, Kylie, Belinda, Diane & Vanessa. Her first Cup win in 2003 was as a respected 7/1 chance, and she would return the following year having switched to a new trainer, Freedman, after her original trainer David Hall moved to Hong Kong.
Following a great run 2nd in the Caulfield Cup, she beat Irish stayer Vinnie Roe in the 2004 Melbourne Cup by more than a length.
As a 7 year old, and with her welfare being the priority, it was not certain she would race again in the 2005 Cup. Handicapped with a massive 58kgs, it would be the highest weight carried to victory by a mare.
Despite these reservations, and speculation by the 'experts' that the weight would be too much, jockey Glen Boss steered her to yet another historic win, and she became Australia's greatest ever thoroughbred mare.
Emotions ran high after the race, especially when Santic immediately announced her retirement from racing. In August '07, she had her first foal - a bay colt by top sire Galileo which sold in '08 for $1.5mill.
Visit makybediva.com.au
When 'The Diva' won her 3rd consecutive Melbourne Cup, trainer Lee Freedman suggested finding the youngest person on the course that day, as they would be the only one likely to see it again in their lifetime.
Bred in Britain, the horse was named by taking the first two letters of five female employees of the owner, Tony Santic - Maureen, Kylie, Belinda, Diane & Vanessa. Her first Cup win in 2003 was as a respected 7/1 chance, and she would return the following year having switched to a new trainer, Freedman, after her original trainer David Hall moved to Hong Kong.
Following a great run 2nd in the Caulfield Cup, she beat Irish stayer Vinnie Roe in the 2004 Melbourne Cup by more than a length.
As a 7 year old, and with her welfare being the priority, it was not certain she would race again in the 2005 Cup. Handicapped with a massive 58kgs, it would be the highest weight carried to victory by a mare.
Despite these reservations, and speculation by the 'experts' that the weight would be too much, jockey Glen Boss steered her to yet another historic win, and she became Australia's greatest ever thoroughbred mare.
Emotions ran high after the race, especially when Santic immediately announced her retirement from racing. In August '07, she had her first foal - a bay colt by top sire Galileo which sold in '08 for $1.5mill.
Visit makybediva.com.au
Damien Oliver.
Some jockeys have won the Cup on more than occasion, but none had a better reason to do it in 2002 than Damien Oliver.
His preparation for the ride on Irish trained Geelong Cup winner Media Puzzle was rocked by the death of his older brother Jason, a talented and respected jockey who died in a tragic fall during a trial just a week before.
Wearing his brothers name J. Oliver, it was as though the nation was willing Damien to win. As he crossed the line he saluted to the heavens and the nation shared his in his perfect moment of tribute.
The emotion of the day slightly overshadowed the training feat of Dermot Weld, who took his 2nd Melbourne Cup back to Ireland after his victory with Vintage Crop in 1993, but there was no doubt who the Cup really belonged to.
Some jockeys have won the Cup on more than occasion, but none had a better reason to do it in 2002 than Damien Oliver.
His preparation for the ride on Irish trained Geelong Cup winner Media Puzzle was rocked by the death of his older brother Jason, a talented and respected jockey who died in a tragic fall during a trial just a week before.
Wearing his brothers name J. Oliver, it was as though the nation was willing Damien to win. As he crossed the line he saluted to the heavens and the nation shared his in his perfect moment of tribute.
The emotion of the day slightly overshadowed the training feat of Dermot Weld, who took his 2nd Melbourne Cup back to Ireland after his victory with Vintage Crop in 1993, but there was no doubt who the Cup really belonged to.
A book named The Cup recalls the incidents in Damien Oliver's life leading up that historic win, a film adaptation is being planned.
Bart Cummings.
One trainers name has become synonymous with the Melbourne Cup.
James Bartholemew Cummings racing career began working for his father Jim, and he was a strapper to 1950 Cup winner Comic Court. He saddled his own first Melbourne Cup runner in 1958, a related horse named Asian Court.
His first Cup winner came in 1965 - the mare Light Fingers ridden by Roy Higgins, and he also trained the second horse Ziema. The following year his horse Galilee beat Light Fingers to again give him the Quinella. When Higgins rode his Red Handed to win in 1967, the legend was born.
At the age of 80 and with his 12th Cup winner in Viewed in 2008 (also his 250th Group 1 victory) he is acknowledged as Australia's greatest ever trainer. Ironically, he is allergic to horses.
J B Cummings Cup Winners:
1965 - Light Fingers 1966 - Galilee
One trainers name has become synonymous with the Melbourne Cup.
James Bartholemew Cummings racing career began working for his father Jim, and he was a strapper to 1950 Cup winner Comic Court. He saddled his own first Melbourne Cup runner in 1958, a related horse named Asian Court.
His first Cup winner came in 1965 - the mare Light Fingers ridden by Roy Higgins, and he also trained the second horse Ziema. The following year his horse Galilee beat Light Fingers to again give him the Quinella. When Higgins rode his Red Handed to win in 1967, the legend was born.
At the age of 80 and with his 12th Cup winner in Viewed in 2008 (also his 250th Group 1 victory) he is acknowledged as Australia's greatest ever trainer. Ironically, he is allergic to horses.
J B Cummings Cup Winners:
1965 - Light Fingers 1966 - Galilee
1967 - Red Handed 1974 - Think Big
1975 - Think Big 1977 - Gold and Black
1979 - Hyperno 1990 - Kingston Rule
1991 - Let's Elope 1996 - Saintly
1999 - Rogan Josh 2008 - Viewed
Barts Ten Commandments:
1. Look at the dams side and see what winners she's produced. A good mare will usually produce a useful horse no matter what the sire.
2. See the yearling in its natural environment before its presented in the sales ring. You need to know how they are fed and treated when they are young.
3. The horses girth is all important because if a horse has some size to the girth it means there is plenty of room for a large heart and good set of lungs.
4. The shorter the cannon and the closer the knee to the ground, the longer a horses' stride.
5. The longer the rein, the better balanced it is when its hind legs stretch out to the rear. In racing, balance is everything.
6. An eye for a horse. Not everyone has it, I believe I still have it.
7. Always put the horse first.
8. Be gentle - I am gentle by nature and thoroughbreds seem to respond to that. They are not machines.
9. The ability to listen to horses is something I learnt from my father. They are continually sending us messages.
9. The ability to listen to horses is something I learnt from my father. They are continually sending us messages.
10. Be patient - I've always said patience is the cheapest thing in racing.
Go to Bart Cummings website.
Go to Bart Cummings website.
Living Legends - Retired Champions of Racing.
Living Legends is the home of rest to some of Australia's finest retired racehorses, including Fields of Omagh, Might and Power, Saintly, Sky Heights, Brew, Better Loosen Up, Rogan Josh, Doriemus, and Apache Cat.
See the horses in picturesque surroundings, organise a function or attend the many events & festivals.
Visit the Living Legends.
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