Guidebook Every November the city observes a public holiday … for a horse race
11

Overview

Every November the city observes a public holiday … for a horse race

It’s called the Melbourne Cup, and in the words of Mark Twain, “nowhere in the world have I encountered a festival of people that has such a magnificent appeal to the whole nation … the Cup astonishes me."

First Melbourne Cup

The Cup is similar to America’s premier horse race, the Kentucky Derby - “both of which follow the proud British tradition of getting equal parts dolled and fucked up at horse races,” notes Billy Halsley in Deadspin. “It is a perfect event for young and old alike to don their finest of outfits and guzzle copious amounts of alcohol.”

Overview
  •  
  • Guidebook