Latest news with #LexusMelbourneCup
Irish Daily Mirror
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Daily Mirror
One of World's richest races offers huge prize money even for last placed horse
One of the globe's most prestigious horse racing events is dishing out big bucks, with even the last-placed horse set to receive a hefty sum. Australia's iconic Lexus Melbourne Cup, known as the 'race that stops the nation', is a major draw for top horses from Europe, Japan, and beyond, with last year's event featuring entrants from leading trainers Willie Mullins, Brian Ellison, and Harry Eustace. In the lead-up to the 2025 event, the Victoria Racing Club has revealed a whopping £4.8 million in total prize money will be up for grabs in the 2m handicap. The boost is designed to acknowledge every starter in the maximum 24-horse field, with each horse finishing 13th to 24th set to pocket £48,000. Additionally, winners of the Geelong Cup and Moonee Valley Gold Cup will secure a guaranteed start. Victoria Racing Club CEO Kylie Rogers commented: "The Lexus Melbourne Cup is unrivalled for its history, status and reach and the VRC is proud to be able to now reward every local and international participant in the great race.", reports the Mirror. "It reflects the significant effort required to prepare and qualify for the Lexus Melbourne Cup and goes hand-in-hand with a decision to add additional qualifying opportunities through the Geelong Cup and Moonee Valley Gold Cup. "Cup Week adds more value to the economy and the racing eco-system than any other racing carnival in the country, contributing around 10 per cent of the annual wagering turnover across the state. "We thank Racing Victoria for its support to lift minimum prizemoney across the week, which will continue to attract the best horses, jockeys and trainers from Australia and across the world. "In line with the club's significant improvement in its financial position this year together with a forecast to increase again in season 2025-2026, the VRC has made a considered decision to increase its returns to participants. "Planning for the 2025 Melbourne Cup Carnival is in full swing, and this is just one of a number of exciting announcements that build momentum towards the world's greatest racing event."
Scottish Sun
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Loaded racehorse owners to get £50,000 for finishing last in a race Aidan O'Brien branded ‘ridiculous'
But only those already with deep pockets can take part UP FOR THE CUP UP FOR THE CUP Loaded racehorse owners to get £50,000 for finishing last in a race Aidan O'Brien branded 'ridiculous' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LOADED racehorse owners will end up winners even when they are losers - after being guaranteed £50,000 when their runner finishes last. The massive payout for objective failure comes in a race legendary trainer Aidan O'Brien branded 'ridiculous' - but is one of the biggest in the world. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Aidan O'Brien has previously branded the Melbourne Cup - which will now pay £50,000 to owners of the horse finishing last - and its vet protocols 'ridiculous' Credit: Getty Dubbed 'the race that stops the nation', the hefty windfall will line owners' pockets in the Melbourne Cup. Run over two miles on the first Tuesday in November, the Melbourne Cup attracts an international field and is the one race Willie Mullins is absolutely desperate to win. But with the guaranteed cash up for grabs it's unlikely owners will grumble too much even if it all goes wrong on the day. The race is worth £4.8million in all, a boost of around £650,000 from last year when shock 90-1 winner Knight's Choice landed a cheque for £2.4m. Prize money was only paid up to 12th last year, when Brian Ellison's 6-1 Onesmoothoperator took home £85,000. Those finishing 13th-24th then would have got zilch. But under the new rules every horse filling those spots will make £50,000 when this year's race is run. Racing Victoria said the cash injection is partly to reward owners who stump up hefty declaration fees along the way. CEO Kylie Rogers said: "The Lexus Melbourne Cup is unrivalled for its history, status and reach and the VRC is proud to be able to now reward every local and international participant in the great race. "It reflects the significant effort required to prepare and qualify for the Lexus Melbourne Cup and goes hand-in-hand with a decision to add additional qualifying opportunities through the Geelong Cup and Moonee Valley Gold Cup." Don't expect to see O'Brien bothering for the cash, though. He was left absolutely furious last year when ante-post fav and subsequent Group 1-winning monster Jan Brueghel was scratched due to the infamous vet protocols. A CT scan, which all international runners must go through, revealed the horse was 'at a heightened risk of injury'. The Ballydoyle boss, whose own vets disputed the claim, said the whole process, an integral part of the Melbourne Cup, was 'ridiculous'. FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
The Irish Sun
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Loaded racehorse owners to get £50,000 for finishing last in a race Aidan O'Brien branded ‘ridiculous'
LOADED racehorse owners will end up winners even when they are losers - after being guaranteed £50,000 when their runner finishes last. The massive payout for objective failure comes in a race legendary trainer Aidan O'Brien branded 'ridiculous' - but is one of the biggest in the world. Advertisement 1 Aidan O'Brien has previously branded the Melbourne Cup - which will now pay £50,000 to owners of the horse finishing last - and its vet protocols 'ridiculous' Credit: Getty Dubbed 'the race that stops the nation', the hefty windfall will line owners' pockets in the Melbourne Cup. Run over two miles on the first Tuesday in November, the Melbourne Cup attracts an international field and is the one race Willie Mullins is absolutely desperate to win. But with the guaranteed cash up for grabs it's unlikely owners will grumble too much even if it all goes wrong on the day. The race is worth £4.8million in all, a boost of around £650,000 from last year when Advertisement Prize money was only paid up to 12th last year, when Brian Ellison's 6-1 Onesmoothoperator took home £85,000. Those finishing 13th-24th then would have got zilch. But under the new rules every horse filling those spots will make £50,000 when this year's race is run. Racing Victoria said the cash injection is partly to reward owners who stump up hefty declaration fees along the way. Advertisement Most read in Horse Racing CEO Kylie Rogers said: "The Lexus Melbourne Cup is unrivalled for its history, status and reach and the VRC is proud to be able to now reward every local and international participant in the great race. "It reflects the significant effort required to prepare and qualify for the Lexus Melbourne Cup and goes hand-in-hand with a decision to add additional qualifying opportunities through the Geelong Cup and Moonee Valley Gold Cup." Don't expect to see O'Brien bothering for the cash, though. He was left absolutely furious last year when ante-post fav and subsequent Group 1-winning monster Jan Brueghel was scratched due to the infamous vet protocols. Advertisement A CT scan, which all international runners must go through, revealed the horse was 'at a heightened risk of injury'. The Ballydoyle boss, whose own vets disputed the claim, said the whole process, an integral part of the Melbourne Cup, was 'ridiculous'. FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here. Advertisement
Daily Mirror
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
One of world's richest horse races to offer £48,000 for finishing last
One of the world's most famous races is splashing the cash to reward even the horse which finishes last. The Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup is Australia's greatest horse race, known as the 'race that stops the nation' is renowned around the world and has become a huge draw for horses from Europe and Japan. Last year's edition featured runners from the stables of Willie Mullins, Brian Ellison and Harry Eustace while a Japanese runner finished second behind local horse Knight's Choice. In the build-up to the 2025 race, the Victoria Racing Club has announced the 2m handicap will offer total prize-money of £4.8 million. The increase has been introduced to recognise every starter in a race which annually draws a maximum field of 24 horses. As a result every horse which finishes from 13th to 24th place will be paid £48,000. In addition winners of the Geelong Cup, won by the Ellison-trained Onesmoothoperator, and Moonee Valley Gold Cup, will be guaranteed a start. VRC chief executive officer, Kylie Rogers said: 'The Lexus Melbourne Cup is unrivalled for its history, status and reach and the VRC is proud to be able to now reward every local and international participant in the great race. 'It reflects the significant effort required to prepare and qualify for the Lexus Melbourne Cup and goes hand-in-hand with a decision to add additional qualifying opportunities through the Geelong Cup and Moonee Valley Gold Cup. 'Cup Week adds more value to the economy and the racing eco-system than any other racing carnival in the country, contributing around 10 per cent of the annual wagering turnover across the state. 'We thank Racing Victoria for its support to lift minimum prizemoney across the week, which will continue to attract the best horses, jockeys and trainers from Australia and across the world. 'In line with the club's significant improvement in its financial position this year together with a forecast to increase again in season 2025-2026, the VRC has made a considered decision to increase its returns to participants. 'Planning for the 2025 Melbourne Cup Carnival is in full swing, and this is just one of a number of exciting announcements that build momentum towards the world's greatest racing event.'
