Thousands of racing fans lined Swanston Street today to catch a glimpse of the champion jockeys, trainers and thoroughbreds marching in the Melbourne Cup Carnival parade.
The parade travelled along Swanston Street to Federation Square where Minister for Racing Martin Pakula officially welcomed interstate and international visitors to the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
The parade featured Melbourne Cup champion jockeys and trainers including Dwayne Dunn, Hugh Bowman, Kerrin McEvoy and Gai Waterhouse.
Champion horses were also on show, including former Melbourne Cup heroes Might and Power, Rogan Josh, Brew and Efficient and some of the recent greats of the track - Maluckyday and Paris Lane.
All horses are currently enjoying their retirement at Living Legends, the International Home of Rest for Champion Horses.
Crowds also gathered to see the 2016 Emirates Melbourne Cup which was on display at Federation Square.
The annual parade is the traditional warm-up to the Melbourne Cup, which will run for the 156th time tomorrow.
The Cup typically draws more than 100,000 racegoers to Flemington and is held on the first Tuesday in November each year.
Last year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival – including Derby Day, Melbourne Cup, Stakes Day, and Oaks Day – generated almost $388 million in economic benefits for Victoria, with more than 326,000 people attending the four race meetings.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Racing Martin Pakula
“The parade is a great curtain-raiser for Melbourne Cup Day which is again shaping up as another world-class sporting event.”
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for fans to get up close and personal with some champion horses, and see some of the jockeys and trainers who will be competing in this year’s Melbourne Cup.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020