THE RACE THAT STOPS A NATION – The Melbourne Cup is regarded as one of the world’s most well known thoroughbred horse race.

• It is held every year on the first Tuesday of November in Melbourne and starts at 3pm.
• The race attracts horses from all over the world, all vying for a chance to claim some of the $6 million prize money that is offered each year.
• Known as ‘the race that stops a nation’ the Cup is run over a distance of 3,200 metres and is the richest and most prestigious two mile handicap in the world. It is also one of the richest turf races worldwide and is the feature race of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.
•  The Melbourne Cup prize money is split between the top 10 runners. The 1st takes $3,600,000, 2nd $900,000, 3rd $450,000, 4th $250,000, 5th $175,000, 6th to 10th each get $125,000. The first race was held in 1861 and run over distance of 3,218 metres.
• The distance was altered to 3,200 after the metric system was introduced. The current record holder is Kingston Rule, who won the 1990 Melbourne Cup with a time of 3 minutes and 16.3 seconds.
• The first ever horse to win the Melbourne Cup was named Archer who also won the second running of the Melbourne Cup.
• Other notable winners include Carbine in 1890, Night Watch in 1918, Phar Lap in 1930 and Light Fingers in 1965.
•  Makybe Diva is the most famous after being the only horse to win the Melbourne Cup three years in a row from 2003 to 2005.
• So who are this years favourites? Americain (2010 cup winner), Dunaden (2011 winner), Green Moon, Mount Athos, Galileo’s Choice, Ethiopia, Maluckyday, Mount Athos and Red CadeauxEssendon Blog hope you enjoy the Melbourne Cup and trust that you pick the winner. GOOD LUCK.

Follow