Ethereal wins the 2001 Melbourne Cup to complete the coveted Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup double.
The Caulfield and Melbourne Cup double is considered the holy grail of Australasian racing. Eight of the 11 horses to win the double have been New Zealand-bred. In 2001 New Zealander Sheila Laxon was officially recognised as the first woman to train a winner of the Melbourne Cup, with Ethereal. The 1938 winner, Catalogue, was trained by Mrs A. McDonald, but because women were not then permitted to be registered trainers, the horse appeared under her husband’s name.
Another New Zealand woman, Maree Lyndon, made Cup history in 1987 by becoming the first woman to ride in the race, on Argonaut Style.
This video clip is sourced from the YouTube website. The Ministry for Culture and Heritage does not claim any responsibility for the contents or copyright status of the clip. The YouTube posting includes this reference, 'Many thanks to the Melbourne Cup Club (www.melbournecupclub.com.au)'.
