Sterling silver and gold Melbourne cup horse racing trophies

The Melbourne Cup is one of Australia's most prestigious horse racing events and is considered one of the most famous races in the world. It is a two-mile (3,200 meters) handicap race for three-year-olds and older, held annually on the first Tuesday in November at the Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Victoria.

The first Melbourne Cup was held on Thursday, 7 November 1861, and was won by a horse named Archer, ridden by jockey John Cutts. Archer went on to win the following year's race as well, becoming the first horse to win the Melbourne Cup twice.

The Melbourne Cup was the brainchild of businessman Frederick Standish and his brother-in-law, Robert Bagot. They wanted to create a horse race that would rival the prestigious English races such as the Derby and the Oaks. They were successful, and the Melbourne Cup quickly became the more... premier horse race in Australia.

The Cup's popularity grew over the years, and in 1875, the race was moved to its current location at Flemington Racecourse. The famous three-handled trophy, known as the Melbourne Cup, was first awarded in 1919 and has become an iconic symbol of the race.

The Melbourne Cup has a long-standing tradition of attracting international entries, with horses from around the world competing in the event. In 1993, the Cup's international profile was further enhanced when Dermot Weld trained Irish horse Vintage Crop to become the first international horse to win the race.

The Melbourne Cup has also been associated with fashion, with the race becoming a showcase for the latest trends in dress and style. The tradition of wearing hats to the Melbourne Cup dates back to the early 1900s, and today, the event is considered as much a fashion event as it is a horse race.

Memorabilia is associated with the Melbourne Cup includes the Melbourne Cup trophy, the most sought-after prize in Australian horse racing. It is a 18-carat gold cup that stands about 74 cm high and weighs around 4 kg. Other memorabilia includes the race book, pins and badges, posters, photographs and art works. less...