MAKYBE DIVA the next 12 months preparing her. It was then that the legend began. It was also the start of the great relationship between Makybe Diva and her champion jockey, Glen Boss. In the 2003 Cup, he brought the mare through the field with an uninterrupted run. In 2004, when she changed stables and joined the Lee Freedman team after Hall accepted an invitation to train in Hong Kong, Boss showed incredible courage to take the rails run on a wet track. And in the last of her memorable Cup wins in 2005, he had her perfectly placed throughout. The jockey has admitted that he can still become emotional when his favourite racehorse is mentioned. The Makybe Diva period of his life not only changed him, but brought so much enjoyment to his family. “She took me to world notoriety by winning three Melbourne Cups, and she clearly gave me the greatest thrills I have experienced on a racetrack. “From the first time I was legged aboard her until I slipped off her for the final time after winning that last Melbourne Cup, she was the ultimate professional that refused to give in,” he said. Boss believes that Makybe Diva’s bravery and determination mixed with her untold talent made for one of the greatest racehorses of her time. “This was a racehorse not only of immense ability, but a beautiful nature who just wanted to please you,” he recalled. Hours after her third Melbourne Cup, it was announced that Makybe Diva would be retired from racing. She finished with a record of 36 starts for 15 wins, four seconds, three thirds and $14,526,685 in prizemoney. Makybe Diva is arguably the best stayer to have won the Lexus Melbourne Cup. There have been many who would fall into that bracket for discussion including the likes of Phar Lap (1930) and Carbine (1890) but for one horse to find a way to win three Melbourne Cups is something extraordinary. Archer (1861-62), Peter Pan (1932 and 1934), Rain Lover (1968-69) and Think Big (1974-75) are the only other horses to win multiple Melbourne Cups.
Number 1 (left): Glen Boss and Makybe Diva combined for their first Melbourne Cup in 2003. (Sean Garnsworthy/Getty Images) Whatever the weather (right): Boss and the Diva go back to back in the driving rain in 2004. (Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)
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