Gazing at this bronze figure, do you feel the power and grace of a champion? This is the Makybe Diva Statue. It commemorates a true legend of the Australian turf. Makybe Diva, a British-bred Thoroughbred, achieved what no other horse has. She won the Melbourne Cup three times.
This feat wasn’t just luck. It was a combination of strength, skill, and heart. The Makybe Diva Statue immortalizes her unprecedented achievement. She is the first and only horse to win the famed Melbourne Cup in 2003, 2004, and 2005. In 2005, she also claimed victory in the Cox Plate. Makybe Diva retired on November 1, 2005. She earned more than $14 million making her the highest stakes-earner in Australasian horse racing history.
The Victoria Racing Club and the Government of Victoria commissioned this statue. Philip Blacker created the bronze statue of Makybe Diva. It was unveiled on Saturday, September 6, 2008, by the Hon John Brumby MO. He was the Premier of Victoria at the time. The Makybe Diva Statue stands as a testament to her enduring legacy.
Makybe Diva’s name has an interesting origin. Her owner, Tony Šantić, named her after five of his employees. He took the first two letters from each of their names. They were Maureen, Kylie, Belinda, Diane, and Vanessa.
Makybe Diva achieved many other great wins. She won the VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2002. She also won the Sydney Cup and the Australian Cup in 2004 and 2005. Further wins included the BMW Stakes, Memsie Stakes, and Turnbull Stakes. She also won the W S Cox Plate in 2005.
She was awarded Australian Racehorse of the Year twice in 2005 and 2006. Makybe Diva was also named Australian Champion Stayer multiple times. She earned the title of Australian Champion Filly and Mare in 2005. Further to this, she was Australian Middle Distance Champion in 2006.
After her racing career, Makybe Diva entered a new phase. She became a successful broodmare. Her first foal, Rockstardom, was sold for AU$1.5 million. She also had a filly named La Dolce Diva.
The Makybe Diva Statue isn’t the only monument to this incredible mare. Another life-sized bronze statue stands in her owner’s hometown. It is located in Port Lincoln, South Australia. She was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2006. The Makybe Diva Stakes is named in her honor at Flemington. This is another tribute to her lasting impact on the sport.
Makybe Diva’s story is more than just about winning races. It is about perseverance, dedication, and the unbreakable bond. The horse and her connections inspired a nation. So, as you stand before the Makybe Diva Statue remember the champion. Feel the excitement and the pride. She represents the spirit of Australian racing at its finest.