The Melbourne Cup is one of the most prestigious horse races in the world, and the winning horse and jockey can take home a big purse. In 2019, the winning horse and jockey of the Melbourne Cup, Vow and Declare, took home a whopping $4million in prize money.
The Melbourne Cup is a Group 1 race and a ‘weight-for-age’ event, which means that the horses must carry the same weight regardless of age. This makes it a race that all horses can compete in, regardless of their age or size. The race itself is run over a distance of 3200 metres, and the winner of the race is the horse that crosses the finish line first.
The Prize Money
The prize money for the Melbourne Cup is one of the largest purses in horse racing. In 2019, the winning horse and jockey, Vow and Declare, took home a total of $4million in prize money. This prize money is split between the horse’s owners, the jockey, and the trainer. The breakdown of the prize money is as follows:
- Horse Owner: $2.4 million
- Jockey: $400,000
- Trainer: $400,000
In addition to the prize money, the winning horse and jockey also receive a trophy to commemorate their victory. This trophy is a silver cup, which is known as the ‘Melbourne Cup’. The trophy is a valuable collector’s item and is often displayed in the winning horse’s stable.
The Melbourne Cup Fund
In addition to the prize money, the Melbourne Cup Fund offers additional support to the winning horse and jockey. The Melbourne Cup Fund was established in 1994 to help promote the sport of horse racing in Australia. The fund supports the development of the industry by providing financial assistance to the horse racing industry, including the payment of prize money for major races.
The fund is funded by contributions from the racing industry, as well as from corporate sponsors and the general public. In 2019, the fund paid out a total of $9.8 million in prize money for the Melbourne Cup. This money is divided between the owners, jockey, and trainer of the winning horse.
Other Races
The Melbourne Cup is one of the most significant and well-known races in the world. It is not, however, the only race that offers a large purse. Other races throughout the world offer large purses, including the Dubai World Cup, the Japan Cup, and the Breeders’ Cup.
The Dubai World Cup is the richest horse race in the world, with the winner taking home a staggering $12 million in prize money. The Japan Cup is the second-richest horse race in the world, with the winner taking home $7.5 million in prize money. The Breeders’ Cup is the third-richest horse race in the world, with the winner taking home $6 million in prize money.
The Melbourne Cup Equine Welfare Fund
The Melbourne Cup Equine Welfare Fund was established to support the welfare of horses involved in the Melbourne Cup Race. The Fund provides financial assistance to owners and trainers of horses that compete in the Melbourne Cup, as well as to horse owners in the state of Victoria.
The Fund is funded by contributions from the racing industry, as well as from corporate sponsors and the general public. In 2019, the Fund paid out a total of $1.2 million in prize money for the Melbourne Cup. This money is divided between the owners, jockey, and trainer of the winning horse.
The Cost of Participating
Although the purse for the Melbourne Cup is one of the largest in the world, it is important to note that the cost of participating in the race can be significant. Horses must be of a certain age and must have a minimum number of wins under their belt before they are eligible to compete. This means that the owners of the horses must pay for the cost of training, travel, and entry fees for the race.
In addition, owners must pay for the cost of the jockey and trainer. The jockey’s fee is typically around $500 per day, while the trainer’s fee is typically around $1000 per day. This means that the total cost of participating in the Melbourne Cup can be upwards of $20,000.
The Cost of Winning
Although the prize money for the Melbourne Cup is one of the largest in the world, it is important to note that the cost of winning the race can be significant. The owners of the horses must pay for the cost of training, travel, and entry fees for the race. In addition, owners must pay for the cost of the jockey and trainer. The jockey’s fee is typically around $500 per day, while the trainer’s fee is typically around $1000 per day.
In addition to these costs, the owners must also pay for the cost of veterinary care for the horses. This cost can be significant, as horses must be in peak condition to compete in the Melbourne Cup. It is estimated that the cost of veterinary care for a winning horse in the Melbourne Cup can exceed $20,000.
Conclusion
The Melbourne Cup is one of the most prestigious and well-known horse races in the world, and the winning horse and jockey can take home a big purse. In 2019, the winning horse and jockey of the Melbourne Cup, Vow and Declare, took home a whopping $4million in prize money. In addition to the prize money, the Melbourne Cup Fund and the Melbourne Cup Equine Welfare Fund offer additional support to the winning horse and jockey.
The cost of participating in the Melbourne Cup can be significant, as owners must pay for the cost of training, travel, and entry fees for the race. In addition, owners must pay for the cost of the jockey and trainer. The cost of veterinary care for a winning horse in the Melbourne Cup can also be significant, and can exceed $20,000.
Takeaways
- The winning horse and jockey of the Melbourne Cup in 2019, Vow and Declare, took home a total of $4 million in prize money.
- The Melbourne Cup Fund and the Melbourne Cup Equine Welfare Fund offer additional support to the winning horse and jockey.
- The cost of participating in the Melbourne Cup can be significant, as owners must pay for the cost of training, travel, and entry fees for the race.
- The cost of veterinary care for a winning horse in the Melbourne Cup can exceed $20,000.