Payne and glory
The Melbourne Cup is billed as the race that stops two nations – Australia and New Zealand. But it is also now stopping plenty of other people around the world as the event becomes a truly international race.
Overseas-bred horses now dominate the Cup field each year and are having regular success. Americain (2010 winner) and Dunaden (2011) were prepared in France, and Protectionist (2014) was trained in Germany. Last year’s winner Almandin was also bred and trained in Germany. Almandin is expected to line up in this year’s race and is strongly tipped to win again.
The race, first held in 1861, has been won only once by a woman jockey. This was in 2015 when Michelle Payne rode the New Zealand-bred Prince of Penzance to victory.