The very first horse race in Melbourne took place in 1861 and since that time it took place every single year. It happens in the first Tuesday of November. The most important FA Cup Prize Money explained
event is the Emirates Melbourne Cup race and takes place in Flemington. This race course is about 3.2 KM long. Do you know how many people can see this event live? There is enough space for 120.000, so just imagine how big this once a year event really is. The Flemington population increases about 190.000 extra people during the race and they come from all over the country to see this show.
Recently there was one major upgrade to the track. There are three grandstands, each one required 45$ million to complete and it was inaugurated in 2000, the same year as the Sidney Olympics. The Melbourne Cup is not the only cup which takes place in Flemington. Other cups are hosted there such as Victoria Derby and the Australia Cup. One interesting thing is that the racecourse has its own railway, which means that people can come at a low-cost from the entire Australia to see the event live.
Phar Lap, the most famous race horse, has its own bronze statue in the course to its honor. He won back in 1930. Rumors say the rivals poisoned this horse because they bet against him and lost a fortune.
How much is worth the money prize? The numbers speak for themselves. In 2008, there were 24 horses racing for a prize of $5.5 million AUD which at the time was 3.3$ USD plus a Gold cup which is worth 120.000$ and since 1919 that the winner receives such cup. The winner and the jockey also receive a miniature of the cup. This money and the desire to become a champion attracts jockeys for all over the world making this not just an Australian race anymore, but a world championship and the main sponsor is the Emirates Airlines. To give the racers even more motivation to compete, the winner of both the Melbourne Cup and the Irish St.Leger receive another bonus of $500.000, all in the same racing season.