The Race That Stops a Nation
Did you know in Melbourne Australia on the 2nd of November every year, there is a horse racing event called "Melbourne Cup"?
How big is the event? Well it is a public holiday in Melbourne and in others states all over Australia people stop work to watch the racing. There's nothing quite like it anywhere else in the world, where racing for one day totally dominates a nation's thoughts and habits. People stop work, or don’t go to work at all, but go to thousands of organised parties, and even plan holidays around the race..
Every year more than 100,000.00 (one hundred thousands) people paid at gate to see the race. It is the richest and most prestigious race over a distance of 3,200 meters or two-mile that oganize by the Victorian Racing Club on the Flemington RaceCourse in Melbourne.
The total prize money for the 2010 race will be AUD$6 Million, plus trophies valued at $125,000. The first 10 past the post receive prizemoney, with the winner being paid $3.3 million, down to tenth place which receives $115,000. Prizemoney is distributed to the connections of each horse in the ratio of 85% to the owner, 10% to the trainer and 5% to the jockey.
Here you have Melbourne Cup. If you have time next year visit down under and
join us at the race.
See you down under next year!
