CONTENTS
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140
108
126
142
On the cover: Jamie Melham kisses the 2025 Lexus Melbourne Cup, won aboard Half Yours. (Daniel Pockett/Getty Images) Publisher: Adele Pace Editor: Celia Purdey Design/Art Direction: Creative Pixel
108 A sparkling tradition There are few sounds more evocative of the Melbourne Cup Carnival than the pop of a champagne cork. 112 Show ponies W e look back at 2025’s Carnival style, celebrating the fashionistas who brought their very best to the field.
2026 MELBOURNE CUP CARNIVAL
OFFICIAL SOUVENIR MAGAZINE
DREAMS DO COME TRUE
118 Catwalk to Carnival
2026 Melbourne Cup Carnival Magazine is published by the Victoria Racing Club Limited. (ACN 119 214 078).
Where the runway meets the racetrack.
122 Crafting a Carnival look S ome of Flemington’s best-dressed choose to rework, rebuild and reuse, stitch by stitch, sometimes over years of trying. 126 The beauty of race day Preparation for Cup Week begins long before the gates open, in fitting rooms, milliners’ studios and hairdressers’ chairs. 130 A stitch in time Since the first Melbourne Cup was run in 1861, Flemington has given fashion one of its greatest stages. 140 Above and beyond In an age of the disposable, the craft behind Carnival millinery endures. 142 An enchanted evening A s Melbourne heads toward another Carnival, the country’s milliners have already had their moment in the spotlight.
All contents are copyright and cannot be reproduced without the written consent of the publishers. The Flemington, Melbourne Cup, Melbourne Cup Carnival and VRC logos, “Melbourne Cup”, “the race that stops a nation”, and “the celebration that stops a nation” are trademarks of Victoria Racing Club Limited. Copyright of the logos and other content in this magazine is owned by Victoria Racing Club Limited or used under licence from third parties. All rights reserved. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that the following articles may contain images and the name of an Indigenous Australian who has since passed. VRC photography courtesy of Getty Images, Racing Photos, Lucas Dawson Photography, Igor Sapina and other sources as listed.
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144 100 years ago: 1926 Spearfelt
The centenary of a champion sire’s Cup win.
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