Love was in the air today at Cup Day 2024 in Melbourne, as revelers kissed each other while enjoying a few cans to celebrate.
The popular sporting event is an annual thoroughbred horse race at Flemington Racecourse on the first Tuesday in November and is often considered “the race that stops the nation”.
The sun shone on a host of glamorous attendees who flocked to the event dressed to the nines in brightly colored sundresses and sharp suits.
But by the end of the day, high heels were off the floor, ties had been loosened, jackets had been removed, and drunken antics were in full flow in the venue.
Romance was present when intoxicated attendees hugged each other and many rushed onto the dance floor to kiss their love interest.
There were also platonic displays of affection, with friends taking the time to hug each other, while another helped their friend up from a drunken fall.
Meanwhile, others hit the ground for a quick nap and several visitors lay down on the ground in the warm temperatures to sleep.
Other partygoers kept up the good vibes and posed with drinks and raised their arms in the air for the cameras.
Love was in the air at Melbourne Cup Day 2024 at Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday afternoon.
An obedient friend was pictured helping his friend up after she fell to the ground next to the bins.
Attendees didn’t shy away from exploring romantic connections, and some revelers were captured hugging each other.
It seemed like a perfect day to compete, with good conditions and temperatures up to 25 degrees on race day.
Attendees made the most of the warm weather and partied all day, with several seen ditching their high heels, while others ditched footwear altogether.
Irish-born, Queensland-based jockey Robbie Dolan, previously famous as a singer on the Australian reality show The Voice, rode Knight’s Choice to victory, beating Warp Speed when they came to the line together.
Okita Soushi and Zardozi led inside the final furlong but finished third and fourth, respectively.
“After that, I’ll sing for the rest of my life,” Dolan said. He added: ‘It’s incredible. I can’t believe it. I don’t even know what to say.’
‘I’ve watched every Melbourne Cup for the last 40 years. “I thought my best chance was to get him to stay on the trip and hopefully he could run home and do the fast sections he can on a good track, and he proved everyone wrong,” Dolan continued.
‘I can’t put it into words. It is the largest race in the world. I’ve got my family here and my partner Christine, our little Maisy and my dad flew in from Ireland and now you’ve got me crying.’
Knight’s Choice became the closest chance to win the Melbourne Cup since Michelle Payne led Prince of Penzance to victory in 2015 at 100-1.
Young attendees dressed in minidresses kept the atmosphere high as race day progressed in Melbourne.
Others couldn’t stand the day of festivities and hit the track for a quick nap in the Australian sun.
A woman was seen lying on her friend’s lap while he sat chatting with his friends in a circle on the floor.
A group of friends held on to their drinks with big smiles on their faces as they posed for photographs.
One attendee took a quick nap in the sun while surrounded by empty plastic cups.
In the afternoon, women prioritized comfort over style credentials and kicked off their heels.
The Melbourne Cup appeared to be a heavy afternoon for a man who collapsed on the ground.
Pre-race favorites Vauban and Buckaroo settled at the back of the field and made their runs in the straight, but weakened at the end.
Thousands of Melbourne Cup fans in Sydney brought the spirit of the track to the city centre.
Hundreds of revelers were seen at points of interest around the NSW capital and the after-party continued at venues in Kings Cross.
Several were seen partying in bars in the night district, while others returned home.
While crowds across Australia were stunned by Knight’s Choice’s victory, trainer John Symons said it was no surprise to him.
“We wouldn’t have been here if we didn’t think we could,” he said. ‘What a great ride Robbie had. I took a chance, checked the herd. I was worried. It came further back than we had talked about, but it was a great trip. What a thrill. What a thrill.
“Look, you know, you work with these horses 24/7, you know where you got them and you would be disappointed if they didn’t have a good run.”
Young attendees kept the party in full swing at Melbourne’s Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday afternoon.
One drink wasn’t enough for some attendees, as several people had two drinks at once.
It was all too much for one attendee, who instead of joining in the fun, took the time to take a nap.
At the end of the day, the women took off their shoes and sat on the ground in the sun.
“You know, in what position, in the top five in a race like this, you have to come out happy.” Winning it is a dream come true,” continued Mr Symons.
Co-trainer Sheila Laxon, who also trained Ethereal to Melbourne Cup glory in 2001, said Dolan was now an honorary Australian.
“I love being down for the Aussies. The Australian horse has done it, and Robbie is now an Australian too, so I’m delighted to win the Cup, and it’s the People’s Cup and that’s what it’s all about,” she said.
Elsewhere, the who’s who of the Australian fashion scene stormed the famous Flemington Racecourse, where they competed in the real game, sartorial style, in the glamorous Birdcage.
And while many wowed in daring minidresses, bizarre cuts and thigh-high slits, Nicky Hilton, Elizabeth Hurley and Laura Dundovic were among those who turned heads for all the right reasons.
Australians tuned in to the “race that stops the nation” at 3pm, but most were much more interested in the spectacle unfolding on the track.
Celebrities, designers, it-girls, models and WAGs outdid themselves in bright, bold colours, ruffled embellishments and bodycon dresses as they strutted around Flemington in their best racing outfits.
Event ambassador and Olympic gold medalist Ariarne Titmus was hard to miss as she arrived in a gorgeous ruby ensemble paired with a silver clutch.
The three-dimensional off-the-shoulder floral details on the minidress are reminiscent of the Met Gala and the spring-summer ’24 couture shows by Loewe, Giambattista Valli and Chanel earlier in the year.
Similarly, model and journalist Kate Waterhouse, daughter of horse trainer Gai Waterhouse and bookmaker Robbie Waterhouse, turned heads in a tight-fitting crimson Versace dress.
Waterhouse accessorized her outfit with Bvlgari jewelry, red Louboutin pants, and an airy scarlet headscarf.
Red was all the rage on the carpet, with many more stars choosing crimson for their stunning looks.
Former Love Island Australia star Tayla Broad paired a long strapless dress with black gloves, pointe shoes and minimal makeup.
Olympic canoeist Jessica Fox looked like an absolute knockout as she entered the marquee in a cute monochromatic outfit with an angular mini shoulder bag and chunky hoop earrings.
Model Hannah Dal Sasso, ex-girlfriend of Australian tennis star Thanasi Kokkinakis, slayed in a bright red corset dress with satin floral embellishments. Her hat skyrocketed her to the top of the best dressed list.