Prince of Penzance. Kristen Manning

      For Ashley, who was so patient while Mum

      was writing her book for giants

       Foreword

      From humble beginnings in 1861, the Melbourne Cup quickly developed into a race that captured the public’s imagination. The first 154 renewals of the Melbourne Cup provided an amazing array of highlights featuring legendary names such as Phar Lap, Carbine, Peter Pan, Makybe Diva, Bart Cummings, Tommy Smith and Colin Hayes.

      Each year brings a new remarkable story, but no running of the race in recent history entered the history books in such spectacular fashion as in 2015, when Michelle Payne became the first female jockey to ride a Melbourne Cup winner. Her win was a testament to her determination and talent. With a childhood dream to win the race, Michelle overcame tragedy and injury to deliver a racing fairytale.

      Michelle’s win highlighted thoroughbred racing’s unique status as a sport where men and women compete against each other on a level playing field. Women continue to be increasingly well represented in the industry, and we hope that Michelle’s trailblazing victory will encourage even more female participation across all areas of the sport.

      The 2015 win was also special for other reasons. Champion trainer Darren Weir realised a long-held dream of his own to win the great race. Darren Weir’s story is a brilliant example of grassroots country racing providing the nursery which produces future champions of the sport. From his country Victoria stables, Darren and his team produce countless winners, with the 2015 win in the Emirates Melbourne Cup by the tough six-year-old gelding Prince Of Penzance being the jewel in the crown.

      The equal longest-priced winner in the history of the race, with odds at 100–1, Prince of Penzance courageously and spectacularly fought back from injury and illness to claim his place in history.

      The 2015 Emirates Melbourne Cup typified exactly what the race is all about — determination, hard work and a race that can be won by horses from all over the globe or by one in our very backyard. It reminds us that it is important not to lose sight of your dreams.

      The VRC is delighted that such an historic win in the Emirates Melbourne Cup has been documented in this wonderful tribute written by Kristen Manning, and I commend this book to all fellow lovers of racing.

      Michael Burn

      VRC Chairman

      Prologue

      Melbourne Cup Day

      Tuesday, 3 November 2015 dawned cold and rough at Lady Bay Beach, Warrnambool. The waves attacked the sand, the grey skies threatened rain but didn’t deliver. It was loud but quiet. Dramatic but serene.

      Anyone watching from afar would expect to see little but squawking seagulls and the watery mist rising from the waves. If it was to be a head poking out of the water it would be that of a fish, or at a certain time of year, a whale.

      But with a number of flourishing racing stables nearby, Lady Bay each morning hosts a procession of majestic thoroughbreds.

      It was where Prince Of Penzance began his Melbourne Cup Day. He was already hard fit; there was not much more to do than get him to Flemington. But he was fresh and keen.

      Being ridden off a pony up a small section of the 3.5-kilometre beach, he stretched his legs, he relaxed. He was ready to go.

      As Prince Of Penzance returned to the stables, the sun rose. It remained crisp but it was a beautiful morning. One full of promise.

      The horse picked at the remains of his breakfast of which he’d eaten half at around 4am. Around him his people prepared for the biggest day of his racing career. Not that he was particularly fussed; he’d been on a float trip to the races twenty-three times before, and this day was no different.

      Not a peep was heard from Prince Of Penzance on the 253-kilometre trip from Warrnambool to Flemington. So quiet is he when he travels that his strapper Maddie Raymond thinks he must be asleep.

      But he knew when he had arrived. And he started to paw; he wanted to get out there. He wanted to be off and racing.

      Part One

      Prince Of Penzance

      ‘We are going to have some fun with this horse.’