1. The Melbourne Cup
By Juliet

2. What was the winner of the 1861 Melbourne cup awarded?
The winner of the first Melbourne Cup in 1861 was Archer and the jockey was John Cutts. He was awarded £170 and a gold watch for his efforts.

3. Why is The Melbourne Cup called, ‘the race that stops a nation’?
It is called ‘the race that stops a nation’ because Australia pauses to watch the race.

4. Find out about the 1866 Melbourne Cup trophy?
1. It was won by The Barb.
2. It was made in London and is 75.5cm high.
3. The 1866 Melbourne Cup is the earliest known Melbourne Cup that remains in its original state.

5. What can you find out about Phar Lap?
1. He was trained and raced in Australia by Harry Telford.
2. He won 37 of his 51 races.
3. In 1930, he won a race on each of the four days of the 1930 Flemington spring carnival, including the Melbourne Cup.
4. Criminals in Melbourne tried to shoot him on the Saturday morning before his 1930 Melbourne Cup win.

6. What interesting facts can you find out about The Melbourne Cup?
1st. Only five horses have won more than one Cup. Apart from Makybe Diva, they were Archer (1861 and 1862), Peter Pan (1932 and 1934), Rain Lover (1968 and 1969) and Think Big (1974 and 1975).
2nd. An Australian racing legend, Phar Lap’s heart weighed 6.2kg. The average horse heart weighs 3.2kg.
3rd. The youngest jockey to win was Peter St. Albans riding Briseis in He was 12 years, 11 months and 23 days old at the time.