Talkin Sport - VRC TO HONOUR RACING LEGEND AT FLEMINGTON

The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) will unveil a statue of Melbourne Cup legend Makybe Diva, commissioned by the Victorian Government and the VRC, at its next racemeeting Decjuba Girls Day Out at Flemington on Saturday, September 6.

The unveiling will take place just prior to the running of the Makybe Diva Stakes (G2), the race named in honour of the mare who in 2005 became the first horse in the history of the Melbourne Cup to win Australia’s most famous race three times.

The statue, by renowned UK sculptor Philip Blacker , is a life size version in bronze of the amazing mare who was retired immediately after her third Cup win as the greatest prizemoney earner in Australian racing history. Just days ago (August 20), Makybe Diva gave birth to her second foal (a filly by Fusaichi Pegasus) and while her legend can now live on through her progeny, visitors to Flemington will now have a permanent reminder of her incredible feats.

The pedestal on which the statue will stand is already in place on the front lawn at Flemington (adjacent to the new horse stalls) and the statue will be moved into place in the week leading up to days leading up to Decjuba Girls Day Out. VRC Chief Executive Dale Monteith said the statue will stay “under wraps” until the official unveiling.

“Philip Blacker has a reputation unsurpassed in equine sculpture and his subjects include such legendary horses as Red Rum, Northern Dancer and Danehill. We’re certain the Makybe Diva Statue will become a popular meeting place on the front lawn at Flemington and it’s a fitting tribute to a mare whose racetrack feats are unlikely to be surpassed in our lifetime,” Mr Monteith said.

“The statue will be moved in to place early next week but you won’t be able to see it until September 6. I’m certain it will be worth the wait.”

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Andrew Flintoff departs the scene.