A world-class field of equine athletes, a show of royalty, celebrity guests, and opulent trackside hospitality combined to deliver a thrilling day of horse racing at this year’s Emirates Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse, Australia.
Green Moon ridden by Brett Prebble and trained by Robert Hickmott took the major prize of the day winning the AUS$6.2 million Group One Emirates Melbourne Cup over 3,200 metres after taking the lead a furlong and a half from home, running on to a length win over Fiorente and Jakkalberry.
Special guests at Flemington included His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall. Her Royal Highness and Gary Chapman, Emirates’ President Group Services and dnata presented the Emirates Melbourne Cup to the connections of Green Moon.
Trackside, Emirates played hosted to celebrity guests including actress Mischa Barton, Revenge star Ashley Madekwe, Jordan Belfort, Corey Miller from the TV show LA Ink, Marco Pierre White, Molly Meldrum and Matt Preston inside a decadent Irish-themed marquee to celebrate the launch of Emirates’ flights to Dublin earlier this year.
The vibrant surroundings of Emirates’ Irish marquee includeed a bar replicating the famous Long Room at Trinity College Dublin, Shamrocks – a dedicated restaurant serving a contemporary take on Irish fare, and typical Dublin shop fronts lining an outdoor terrace over-looking the racecourse.
“Once again the Emirates Melbourne Cup has delivered a race and day to stop a nation, and increasingly capture the interest of the world,” said Mr Chapman.
“We are proud of our 15-year association with the Melbourne Cup Carnival and with the sport of horse-racing worldwide as part of our extensive global portfolio of sponsorship partnerships. We firmly believe in sponsorships as a way to connect with our customers and deepen our commitment to the destinations we fly to.
“This year’s Irish-themed marquee has provided the perfect way for us to promote the unique splendours of Dublin and Ireland to our Australian customers,” Mr Chapman concluded.
Emirates’ marquee guests also enjoyed some Irish-style entertainment including special performances by the world champion Christine Ayres Irish dancers, and a human statue recreating the famous James Joyce statue in Dublin.
Hair and make-up inside the marquee Pampering Suite were provided by renowned Melbourne hair-stylist Conrad Mace and make-up by Napoleon Perdis.
