HERE are a few things people may not know about the Emriates Melbourne Cup.
– Since the first running of the Melbourne Cup in 1861, the event has developed into a social, cultural and sporting icon for Australia with international significance.
– Bringing Australia to a standstill, the ‘race that stops a nation’ is held at Flemington annually on the first Tuesday of November at 3pm and is watched by in excess of 700 million people across the globe.
– The 2016 Emirates Melbourne Cup trophy itself is worth $175,000.
– The Emirates Melbourne Cup offers prizemoney of more than $6 million, maintaining the race’s position as the richest handicap race in the world.
– To celebrate the 150th Melbourne Cup in 2010, the trophy returned to its zenith design conceived by master jeweller James Steeth in 1919.
– The ‘Loving Cup’s’ three handles symbolise the relationship between the winning jockey, trainer and owner.
– To be crafted by Pallion under the ABC Bullion brand, the trophy’s 44 pieces are hand welded and take 250 hours to produce.
– The timber base of the Emirates Melbourne Cup is hand turned from Australian wattle which is the traditional base for every Melbourne Cup.
– The Melbourne Cup has only had three manufacturers. Drummonds the Jewellers, Hardy Brothers the Jewellers and now The Pallion Group acting under its ABC Bullion brand.
– The Melbourne Cup was formerly manufactured in the United Kingdom up until 1915 when Patrobas won the Melbourne Cup. The first Gold Cup Trophy was produced in 1916 when the VRC engaged Drummonds the Jewellers to produce the Melbourne Cup. James Steeth was the designer of the trophy.
– There will be six trophies presented on 2016 Emirates Melbourne Cup Day. These will include trophies for the winning owner, trainer, jockey, strapper (known as The Tommy Woodcock Trophy) and breeder. Pallion will also manufacture The Harry White Whip which will be presented to the winning jockey on the day.
