The race that stops a nation
On 5 November 2013 more than 100,000 people will make the journey to Flemington Racecourse to attend the Melbourne Cup, which is in its 153rd year. The Melbourne Cup is the richest handicap race held in Australia, and the prize money and trophies make it among the richest horseraces in the world.
But the Melbourne Cup is much more than a horserace; it has become a big part of Australia’s social and sporting culture.
All over the country people will dress up, have a bet and either watch local races live or follow the main race on television, radio or the internet. Those living in Victoria even have a day off work, and many offices across Australia stop work close to the time of the main race at 3pm on Melbourne Cup Day.
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