Flemington Five: Cup's Biggest Heartbreakers

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Post on Nov 05, 2024

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Flemington Five: Cup's Biggest Heartbreakers

The Melbourne Cup. The race that stops a nation. Every year, millions of Aussies tune in to see the horses strut their stuff at Flemington. But for some horses, the Cup wasn't about glory, but heartache.

There are countless stories of horses that came so close, only to be pipped at the post. These are the "almosts," the "what ifs," the horses who made us say, "Aw, man!"

Let's dive into the stories of the Flemington Five, the Cup's biggest heartbreakers.

1. The One That Got Away: Phar Lap (1930)

Phar Lap. The Big Red. A legend. But did you know he almost won the Melbourne Cup twice? He was a dominant force, but in 1930, he was edged out by the American horse, "The Peter." Imagine the headlines if Phar Lap had won both!

2. The "Nearly" Champion: Kingston Town (1982)

Kingston Town was a real powerhouse. He was a four-time Cox Plate champion, but the Cup just seemed to elude him. In 1982, he was so close to winning, but he was beaten by just a neck!

3. The Great "What If": Might And Power (1998)

Might And Power, what a name! He was so strong, so powerful. In 1998, he went into the Cup as the favorite. But a freak incident happened—he got tangled with another horse, "Subzero," and lost all chance of winning!

4. The Close But No Cigar: Saintly (1996)

Saintly, a legend in his own right, had a fantastic run in 1996. He led the race for nearly the entire distance. But right at the finish line, he got overtaken! A heartbreaking loss, but a memory that still hurts for Saintly fans.

5. The "Almost" Comeback: Makybe Diva (2006)

Makybe Diva is the only horse to have won the Melbourne Cup three times. But she almost won a fourth. In 2006, she was in the lead, looking like she'd do it again. Then, she just ran out of steam, and "Delta Blues" stole the show!

The Flemington Five: A Legacy of Near Misses

These five horses may not have won the Cup, but they made their mark on history. They've shown us that even in racing, where the finish line is so close, sometimes, the best you can do is almost win. Their stories remind us to appreciate the effort, the passion, and the dedication of all the horses who run for the coveted Cup.