Prince Of Penzance

by Kristen Manning

A book about the background to the memorable 2015 Melbourne Cup ... from the perspective of those behind the triumph and how they experienced the race that stopped two nations!24 horses lined up for the running of the 155th Melbourne Cup. At 100-1 Prince Of Penzance was the equal outsider, backed mainly by those hoping for a fairy-tale. A popular female jockey aboard when no woman had ever won the race before. A country bloke who had risen through the ranks from humble beginnings as a farrier in Stawell to become one of Australia's most successful and prolific trainers. 24 enthusiastic owners who had been following their horse all around Victoria from Stawell to Donald to Flemington. A New Zealand bred horse with a bargain price tag... up against expensively bred stayers from Japan and Europe, horses owned by Sheikhs and millionaires. 100-1 shots are usually greeted back to scale with muted applause but there was a mighty roar for Prince Of Penzance ... an extraordinary Melbourne Cup winner