Читать книгу Prince of Penzance - Kristen Manning - Страница 5

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