In the heart of the Great Depression, Australia needed a hero, and they found it in a big chestnut gelding nicknamed “Big Red.” Phar Lap didn’t just win the 1930 Melbourne Cup; he dominated the entire Spring Carnival, winning on all four days. Despite being shot at by gangsters just days before the race, he carried a massive weight of 62.5kg to victory, cementing his status as the “People’s Champion.”
Makybe Diva’s Historic “Three-Peat” (2005)
No horse in history had ever won three Melbourne Cups until Makybe Diva achieved the impossible in 2005. As she crossed the line under jockey Glen Boss, caller Greg Miles famously declared, “A champion becomes a legend today!” Her record of three consecutive wins (2003, 2004, and 2005) remains one of the greatest feats of endurance in world racing.
Winx Retires with 33 Consecutive Wins (2019)
The modern era belongs to the “Queen of the Turf,” Winx. Between 2015 and 2019, she went on an unprecedented 33-race winning streak, including a world-record 25 Group 1 victories. Her final race in the 2019 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick saw the entire nation stop to watch her gallop into the history books one last time.
Black Caviar’s Perfect 25-0 Streak
While Winx was the queen of the middle distance, Black Caviar was the undisputed queen of sprinting. She retired undefeated after 25 starts, including a heart-stopping win at Royal Ascot in front of Queen Elizabeth II. Her salmon and black-spotted silks became a symbol of perfection that may never be seen again.
The Toowoomba Tornado: Bernborough’s 15-Win Run (1946)
In the mid-1940s, Bernborough became a sensation by winning 15 consecutive races across three states, often carrying enormous weights that would stop a lesser horse. His win in the 1946 Doomben 10,000, where he carried 66kg and came from last to win, is still discussed in hushed tones by racing historians.
Tulloch’s Comeback from the Brink (1960)
Tulloch was arguably the greatest three-year-old Australia ever saw, but his career was nearly ended by a mystery stomach virus that sidelined him for two years. His return to win the 1960 Queen’s Cup after such a long absence is widely considered the greatest comeback in Australian sporting history.
Might and Power’s 1997 Cup Double
Few horses have possessed the sheer “catch me if you can” bravado of Might and Power. In 1997, he won the Caulfield Cup by a record 7.5 lengths before producing a gut-wrenching win in the Melbourne Cup. He remains one of only a handful of horses to complete the Caulfield Cup, Melbourne Cup, and Cox Plate treble.
The First Photo Finish Controversy (1948)
History was made—and disputed—in 1948 when the Melbourne Cup used a photo-finish camera for the first time. The outsider Rimfire was declared the winner over Dark Marne by half a head. Many spectators were convinced the camera was misaligned, leading to decades of debate and cementing the “photo finish” as a permanent fixture of the sport.
Gai Waterhouse Breaks the Glass Ceiling (2013)
The “First Lady of Racing,” Gai Waterhouse, finally secured her maiden Melbourne Cup with Fiorente in 2013. It was a significant moment for the sport, as she became the first Australian woman to train a Melbourne Cup winner, following in the footsteps of her legendary father, T.J. Smith.
Kingston Town: “The King” Wins Three Cox Plates
Between 1980 and 1982, Kingston Town made the Moonee Valley track his own. His third consecutive Cox Plate win in 1982 is legendary for Bill Collins’ famous call: “Kingston Town can’t win… he might win… he’s going to win!” It remains the benchmark for greatness in weight-for-age racing.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which horse has won the most Melbourne Cups?
Makybe Diva holds the record for the most Melbourne Cup wins, having won the race three times consecutively in 2003, 2004, and 2005.
2. Is Winx or Black Caviar considered the better horse?
This is a common debate. Black Caviar was the superior sprinter, remaining undefeated over short distances (1000m–1200m). Winx was the superior middle-distance horse, specializing in 1600m to 2000m races. Both are Hall of Famers with different specialties.
3. What happened to Phar Lap in America?
Phar Lap died under mysterious circumstances in Menlo Park, California, in 1932, shortly after winning the Agua Caliente Handicap. While theories of poisoning persisted for decades, modern science suggests he likely succumbed to a severe bacterial infection.
4. Why is the Melbourne Cup called “the race that stops a nation”?
It earned this title because it is a public holiday in Victoria, and practically the entire country pauses at 3:00 PM on the first Tuesday of November to watch the race.
5. Who is the most successful trainer in Australian history?
Bart Cummings, known as the “Cups King,” is the most famous, having won 12 Melbourne Cups. However, T.J. Smith holds the record for the most total Group 1 wins and Sydney training premierships.
6. What is a “Group 1” race?
Group 1 is the highest classification of horse racing. These races offer the most prize money and attract the highest quality of international and local competitors.
7. Has any horse ever won the Melbourne Cup with more weight than Phar Lap?
Phar Lap carried 62.5kg (9st 12lb) in 1930. The record for the highest weight carried to victory is held by Carbine, who carried 66kg (10st 5lb) in 1890.
8. What are the three races in the “Spring Triple Crown”?
While not an official “Triple Crown,” the three most prestigious races of the Melbourne Spring Carnival are the Caulfield Cup, the Cox Plate, and the Melbourne Cup.
9. Who was the jockey for Winx?
Hugh Bowman was the regular jockey for Winx during her legendary 33-race winning streak.
10. Can I visit the horses mentioned in this list?
Many of these legends are commemorated with statues. You can find statues of Phar Lap at Flemington, Winx at Rosehill, and Makybe Diva at Port Lincoln. Phar Lap’s preserved hide is also on display at the Melbourne Museum.
