History created when Michelle Payne became first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup

Michelle Payne and her winning mount Prince of Penzance

Congratulations to Michelle Payne, the first ever woman jockey to win the prestigious $6.2million Melbourne Cup race aboard the Darren Weir trained gelding, Prince of Penzance.

The rank outsider Prince of Penzance saw off the late challenge of Max Dynamite from Ireland who finished second, while David Hayes trained Criterion finished third in the 2015 Emirates Melbourne Cup.

After the historic race Barry Brown, Emirates’ Divisional Vice President for Australasia, presented the Emirates Melbourne Cup to the winning connections of the six year old Prince of Penzance.

“Once again, the ‘race that stops the nation™’ has lived up to all expectations with a remarkable victory and another historic first for the race. We’re incredibly proud to celebrate our 12th year as the title sponsor of the Emirates Melbourne Cup and this year has produced another memorable finish,” said Barry Brown.

“In addition to witnessing this exhilarating race, we’ve enjoyed the opportunity of putting a spotlight on one of our global destinations. We welcomed our guests at the track to the English-themed Emirates marquee and provided experiences that showcased our expansive network of English destinations including London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham and Newcastle.”

Emirates played host to international celebrity guests including the late Princess Diana’s niece, Lady Kitty Spencer, British TV Presenter and global fashion journalist Louise Roe, and British model and TV personality Millie Mackintosh from the hit show Made in Chelsea.

The local contingent in the marquee included Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and her partner David Panton, Julian McMahon, John Hancock, Molly Meldrum, Carla Zampatti, Ricky Ponting, Matt Cooper, the cast from The Real Housewives of Melbourne, Alex Perry and Francesca, Roslyn and Gretel Packer.

Featuring a millinery exhibition from one of the UK’s most prolific milliners, Stephen Jones OBE, the Emirates marquee exuded English charm with a sit-down restaurant featuring an English-inspired menu. Throughout the day guests received hair and beauty touch ups at Emirates’ famous beauty salon, ‘The Sanctuary’, while being entertained by a troupe of dancers that took inspiration from the Buckingham Palace Royal Guards.

Photos courtesy of Emirates Australia