Why is the Melbourne Cup so important to Australia?

The Melbourne Cup is held on Australia's national holiday. Both national and international champions are present on the field. The horses are chosen based on a variety of factors, such as age, experience, and handicapping.

The Melbourne Cup is the most famous horse race in the world. It was the first Thoroughbred competition in Australia and is held every year on the 1st Tuesday in November. The purse for the mile-and-a-half race is 7.3 million Australian dollars. A quarter of Melbourne's population visited the racecourse in 19th century. Famous personalities have attended the event, including Mark Twain. Phar Lap died in 1932 from arsenic poisoning. He won the inaugural Melbourne cup in 1861. In 1859, the Melbourne Cuff was released. Makybe Diva was a champion in 1870s.

Melbourne Cup Day is a public holiday in Victoria. The 10-race card features celebrities including Sam Smith and Marcia Hines. The organizers put on a fantastic performance.

The Melbourne Cup is the richest two-mile handicap in the world. The prize money has grown from 710 gold sovereigns in 1861 to $8 million in 2019.

The Melbourne Cup is Australia's most important annual event. It takes place over a lung-busting 3200m at Flemington.