Monday, 15 June 2009: This November, the famed breeding ground of Cambridge is set to launch itself as New Zealand's official Melbourne Cup region.
 | Zabeel's son Efficient wins the 2007 Melbourne Cup
Photo by Bronwen Healy | |
|
Plans are underway to host New Zealand's finest and most public Melbourne Cup celebration ever.
This iconic community event is to be launched on Tuesday November 3 (2009) – and is set to repeat annually on the first Tuesday in November, in keeping with almost 150 years of Melbourne Cup tradition.
Cambridge has stamped its presence on Cup history, as home to 14 Melbourne Cup winners, eight of which are associated with Cambridge Stud.
The launch of the Cambridge Melbourne Cup Event cements this link, enabling the wider community to enjoy and celebrate these outstanding equestrian achievements.
Waipa Mayor Alan Livingstone hopes the community will rally behind the event and celebrate this unique facet of Cambridge.
“As Cambridge is the heart of the New Zealand equine world, it is wonderful that a celebration of this calibre will he held, involving the entire community,” Mayor Livingston said.
“It also acknowledges the significance of the Cambridge racing industry and its outstanding achievement of producing 14 Melbourne Cup winners.”
Sir Patrick Hogan, one of the most influential breeders of Melbourne Cup winners, with Cambridge Stud's two great sires, Sir Tristram and Zabeel, having produced six winners between them, is another keen supporter of this local initiative.
“I commend the organisers of this event,” said Sir Patrick Hogan, “and fully endorse this exciting concept. I believe it will encourage greater knowledge of the Melbourne Cup to people in New Zealand, not only within the racing fraternity but just as importantly to the business sector.”
Cambridge is the proven breeding ground of more Melbourne Cup winners than any other area of Australia and New Zealand. Trelawney Stud has also bred seven winners.
Formed last year, The First Tuesday Charitable Trust, includes as trust members; Olympian Mark Todd, renowned racing presenter Karyn Fenton-Ellis and Waipa deputy mayor Peter Lee.
This Charitable Trust, alongside Waipa District Council, is planning New Zealand's premiere Melbourne Cup Event.
“We want this to be an event where anyone can join in and celebrate Cambridge and its connections to the Melbourne Cup,” said First Tuesday Trust chairman Noel Power.
“From racing enthusiasts to families and tourists; this is a true regional event. We're extremely excited about the potential for it to grow into a full week of activities and events in the future and hope it will encourage other equestrian groups to become involved, perhaps making this a national event.”
Among the activities planned, the Cambridge Town Hall will undergo a transformation, becoming a Melbourne Cup Museum for the week – with original Melbourne Cups and associated memorabilia on display, kindly loaned from local and national collections.
