The Melbourne Cup is one of Australia’s most iconic horse races. It is held each year on the first Tuesday in November and is considered the most prestigious two-mile handicap in the world. The race, which was first run in 1861, attracts an estimated 100,000 spectators and millions of viewers around the world. It is also one of the richest horse races in the world, with over $7 million in prizemoney up for grabs.
Kiwi’s Participation in 2020 Melbourne Cup
The 2020 Melbourne Cup saw a strong field of 24 horses vying for the prestigious prize. Among them was Kiwi, a New Zealand-bred horse who was making his first start in the race. His owner, Sir Owen Glenn, made a bold move in entering the horse, and it paid off in spades as Kiwi stormed to a stunning victory.
The Path to Victory
Kiwi was well-fancied heading into the race, with many experts tipping him to do well. He was ridden by jockey Damien Oliver and trained by Chris Waller. The pair combined to produce a superb performance, with Kiwi storming home to take the lead in the final furlong and win by a length and a half.
The Prize Money
Kiwi’s victory in the 2020 Melbourne Cup earned him a prize of $4 million. This was split between the owner ($2 million), the trainer ($1 million) and the jockey ($1 million). This was the biggest prize ever awarded for a horse race in Australia and the second biggest in the world.
What Did Kiwi Pay to Win?
In addition to the prize money, Kiwi’s connections made a considerable outlay in order to get him to the starting line. This included a range of expenses such as:
- Stabling and Feeding – Stabling and feeding costs for a horse can vary greatly depending on the horse’s needs, but it is not uncommon for a horse to cost upwards of $2,000 a month in these expenses.
- Training Fees – Training fees for a horse can vary depending on the trainer, but these fees can add up to several thousand dollars per month.
- Jockey Fees – Jockey fees are usually a percentage of the total winnings, but can also include additional fees for travel and other expenses.
- Entry fees – Entry fees for major races such as the Melbourne Cup can be several thousand dollars.
- Travel Costs – Travel costs for a horse to get from New Zealand to Australia can be several thousand dollars.
All up, Kiwi’s connections spent an estimated $500,000 on getting him to the starting line for the 2020 Melbourne Cup.
The Dividend
Kiwi’s win in the Melbourne Cup was a huge dividend for his connections. The $4 million in prize money dwarfed the $500,000 they invested in getting him to the starting line. This is a return on investment (ROI) of 700 percent, which is an exceptional result.
What Does This Mean for Horse Racing?
The story of Kiwi’s victory in the 2020 Melbourne Cup is an inspiring one. It illustrates the potential of the sport of horse racing and the rewards that can be reaped if a horse is well-prepared and well-positioned. It also demonstrates the importance of investing in horses, as the return on investment can be significant.
Conclusion
Kiwi’s victory in the 2020 Melbourne Cup was a remarkable achievement. His connections invested $500,000 in getting him to the starting line and the return on their investment was a staggering $4 million. This is an illustration of the potential of horse racing and the rewards that can be reaped if a horse is well-prepared and well-positioned.
Takeaways
- Kiwi’s connections invested $500,000 in getting him to the starting line for the 2020 Melbourne Cup.
- Kiwi’s victory in the race earned him a prize of $4 million.
- This resulted in a return on investment of 700 percent.
- Kiwi’s story is an inspiring one and illustrates the potential of the sport of horse racing.
- It demonstrates the importance of investing in horses, as the return on investment can be significant.