It does not matter if you are attending the Royal Racemeeting at Ascot in England, the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates, the Breeders Cup in the USA, or one of the most iconic long-distance races in the world, the Melbourne Cup. The racegoer can only be enchanted by those majestic thoroughbreds racing competitively in those world-renowned races.
The Melbourne Cup might not be the biggest Horse Race in the world, but in Australia, it is THE iconic day on the horseracing calendar. The Melbourne Cup is the most renowned Thoroughbred horse race in Australia. It is the world’s richest “two-mile” handicap and one of the wealthiest turf events.
Which Horse has won the Melbourne Cup the Most Times – Makybe Diva, winner of the Melbourne Cup in 2003, 2004, and 2005, is one of the finest Melbourne Cup horses to compete. Despite being a mare, Makybe Diva dominated the Melbourne Cup field throughout her reign, breaking the record for most Cup victories and establishing a high standard for successive wins. In addition, she set a weight record for a mare when she won the Cup in 2005, carrying a massive 58kg.
The Melbourne Cup has a lengthy history, with the inaugural race taking place in 1861. It was initially two miles (3.219 kilometers) long but was trimmed to 3,200 meters (1 mile, 1,740 yards) in 1972 when Australia adopted the metric system. Rain Lover’s 1968 race record of 3:19.1 was lowered to 3:17.9 as a result of the distance reduction.
Kingston Rule, who won in 1990, holds the current record with a time of 3:16.3. The event is a class handicap for three-year-old and older horses, held on the first Tuesday of November at Flemington Racecourse over 3200 meters. The handicap weight is set at 50 kg. In early September, the Victoria Handicapper determines the weight assigned to each Horse.
The Melbourne Cup – Previous Winners
- Archer
Archer won the Melbourne Cup for the first time in 1861, defeating a field of 17 horses. In 1862, he returned to Victoria for a second Melbourne Cup race and romped past the post to win by eight lengths in a field of 20 horses. Archer is one of just three horses to have won the Melbourne Cup while carrying ten stone or more, albeit the early running of the race was undoubtedly less demanding than those of today.
- Rapid Growth
Rising Fast won the Melbourne Cup, the W.S. Cox Plate, the Caulfield Cup, the Caulfield Stakes, the Mackinnon Stakes, and the Fisher Plate in 1954. These were among the most challenging events at the time. Thus Rising Fast was more than simply a Melbourne Cup winner – he was effectively a champion of Australian horse racing.
- The Kingston Rule
The Melbourne Cup has a lengthy history, with the inaugural race taking place in 1861. It was initially two miles (3.219 kilometers) long but was trimmed to 3,200 meters (1 mile, 1,740 yards) in 1972 when Australia adopted the metric system. Rain Lover’s 1968 race record of 3:19.1 was lowered to 3:17.9 as a result of the distance reduction. Kingston Rule, who won in 1990, holds the current record with a time of 3:16.3.
The Melbourne Cup – Three-Time Winner Makybe Diva
Makybe Diva won the World’s richest handicap race, the supreme test of speed and power, three times in 2003, 2004, and 2005. She also won the Cox Plate in 2005 and was Australia’s biggest stakes winner, earning more than A$ 14 million. She is a daughter of Desert King (winner of the Irish Derby and 2,000 Guineas) and Tugela by Riverman (USA).
The Melbourne Cup – Three-Time Winner Makybe Diva – Background
Tony Anti’s bloodstock agent, John Foote, paid 60,000 guineas for Tugela in foal to Desert King at the Tattersall’s Sale in December 1998. As is customary with Santic’s British-purchased horses, she was boarded at Dick Fowlston’s Britton House Stud in Somerset before being sent to Australia.
Tugela gave birth to a filly on March 21, 1999, and this filly was offered for sale at the Tatts Newmarket foal auction in 1999 but did not meet the reserve price. The filly, named Makybe Diva, stayed at Britton House Stud until August 2000, when she and Tugela were transported to Australia.
The Melbourne Cup – Three-Time Winner Makybe Diva – Melbourne Cup Wins
The five-year-old’s first Melbourne Cup triumph came on November 1, 2003. Makybe Diva started as an $ 8 second-favorite and raced at the rear of the field until the final straight when rider Boss threaded his way through the field to win by 12 lengths.
As a six-year-old, her second Melbourne Cup Win was during a torrential downpour when she overcame a field with repeat Irish St. Leger winner Vinnie Roe, Caulfield Cup winners Mummify and Elvstroem, Godolphin stablemate Mamool, and 2002 Melbourne Cup winner Media Puzzle.
Makybe Diva’s appearance in the Melbourne Cup as a seven-year-old during the 2005/2006 season was questioned before the race because her connections said she would not compete if the track conditions were too firm. She did run and won a record-tying third Melbourne Cup on November 1, 2005.
Settling at the back of the pack, she progressively gained distance on runners around the home bend until taking the lead with about 300 meters to go and retaining a comfortable 1-1/4-length edge at the finish.
The Melbourne Cup – Three-Time Winner Makybe Diva – Accolades
Makybe Diva was rewarded for her exploits when crowned the 2004/05 Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year. She has also been crowned Australian Champion Stayer and Australian Champion Filly and Mare.
Makybe Diva was crowned Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year for the second time after the 2005-06 season, becoming the third Horse to do so. She has also been crowned Australian Champion Stayer for the third year and Australian Champion Middle Distance Racehorse.
The Melbourne Cup – An Iconic Race
The excitement and anticipation that precedes the Melbourne Cup Raceday are unprecedented, and that excitement does not only build in Australia but across the Globe. It is truly a race that captures the imagination of the race going public, no matter where they place their bet.
Three-Time Winner of the Melbourne Cup, Makybe Diva, was THE Horse who truly stopped a nation.