First Melbourne Cup run at Flemington (1861)

The inaugural Melbourne Cup was held on 7 November 1861 at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne. Seventeen horses contested the race, which was won by Archer. The event featured significant incidents, including a horse bolting before the start and three horses falling during the race, two of which died. The winner received a gold watch and cash prize.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. The Melbourne Cup is an annual Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race held in Melbourne, Australia, at the Flemington Racecourse. The race has been run every year since 1861, cementing its place in Melbourne and Australian culture. The inaugural race in 1861 was an eventful affair, marked by incidents involving the horses.

Race Details. Seventeen horses contested the first Melbourne Cup on Thursday 7 November 1861. The prize was 710 gold sovereigns (£710) cash and a hand-beaten gold watch, winner takes all. During the race, one horse bolted before the start, and three of the seventeen starters fell, two of which died.

Participants. Archer, a Thoroughbred racehorse, won the first Melbourne Cup in 1861. He was trained by Etienne de Mestre, who leased Archer from the Exeter Farm. John Cutts is believed to have ridden Archer in the first cup. Archer had arrived in Sydney in September 1861 before traveling to Melbourne by steamboat.

People involved

Sources

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