THE year-long celebrations to commemorate the 150th running of the 'race that stops a nation(tm)' concluded at New Year's Raceday at Flemington, with the laying of the 2010 Emirates Melbourne Cup Walk of Fame paver and time capsule.

Prominent owners of Americain, Gerry and Val Ryan, unveiled the 150th hand-crafted brass plaque on the Flemington Walk of Fame, celebrating their historic victory on the first Tuesday of November. Americain - an American-bred, French-trained, Australian-owned horse ridden by a Hong Kong-based, French jockey - became  only the fourth internationally trained horse to win the Cup, following in the hoof-steps of Irish duo Vintage Crop and Media Puzzle, and Japanese trail-blazer Delta Blues. The Alain de Royer Dupre-prepared Americain spoiled the So You Think party when French hoop Gerald Mosse steered him to a powerful victory in front of 110,223 appreciative fans on Emirates Melbourne Cup Day in 2010.

Lord Mayor of Melbourne, the Hon. Robert Doyle and Victoria Racing Club (VRC) Chairman, Mr Rod Fitzroy, then officially concluded the milestone celebrations when they unveiled the 150th Melbourne Cup time capsule in front of the newly-opened Flemington Heritage Centre.

Items in the time capsule - to be opened for the running of the 200th Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday of November, 2060 - include racebooks from each of the four days of the 2010 Melbourne Cup Carnival; a 2025 Flemington Master Plan document; the name and contact details of the youngest member of the Phar Lap Club (born on October 7, 2010); a hand written account of the 2010 Melbourne Cup Carnival by leading historian Les Carlyon; a personal and confidential letter from the current VRC Chairman to the Chairman in 2060; and 2010 Emirates Melbourne Cup Day memorabilia including a preserved rose from the mounting yard, a full record of all staff and VRC members who attended the day, never before seen red camera (panoramic) footage and a saddlecloth featuring the signatures of all 24 Cup jockeys.

Modelled along the lines of the Hollywood stars walk, the Melbourne Cup Walk of Fame is a series of hand-crafted plaques depicting the 'three-handled loving cup' in brass, in a permanent tribute to every Melbourne Cup winner.

The Walk of Fame, Flemington Heritage Centre and Heritage Trail - all established as legacy projects of the 150th Melbourne Cup celebrations - constitute Flemington's new tourism infrastructure, transforming Heritage Listed Flemington Racecourse into a year round destination.

The VRC marked the 150th milestone with a special year-long program to highlight the rich history of the race and celebrate the role it has played in the lives of all Australians since its first running in 1861.

Activities included a seven month tour of the Emirates Melbourne Cup trophy, taking in over 40 destinations across the globe and around Australia, the production of a commemorative stamp and coin by Australia Post and the Australian Mint, and the release of a special commemorative book, The Story of the Melbourne Cup - Australia's Greatest Race, along with a DVD of the same title.

Through partnerships with leading cultural institutions throughout Australia, the VRC also staged a cultural heritage program including a series of gallery exhibitions, a symposium and the development of a national school education program.

 

VICTORIAN RACING CLUB MEDIA RELEASE