2004 Melbourne Cup: Makybe Diva on her way to greatness

From the moment Makybe Diva stepped onto the track for her first race – a 3YO Maiden Plate over 1200 metres at Benalla in July 2002 – her trainer David Hall recognised her potential. Although she didn’t win, finishing fourth, her unlucky run hinted at the talent that would soon unfold. Initially, Makybe Diva struggled with her lanky, undeveloped frame, likened to a daddy long legs spider, and took time to acclimate and mature. Despite these early challenges, she continually improved with each preparation, growing stronger over time.

After guiding the horse to her first Melbourne Cup victory in 2003, David Hall relocated his Melbourne stable to Hong Kong, entrusting the mare to Lee Freedman. Hall later reflected that he thought the move to Freedman’s farm environment was actually pivotal to the mare’s continued success.

Under Freedman, Makybe Diva’s form in 2004 reached new heights, even surpassing the performances that had made her a standout the previous spring. In just two seasons with her new trainer, she evolved from a solid stayer into a multifaceted champion. She not only excelled in sprints against top milers but also established herself as a formidable weight-for-age contender.

Makybe Diva’s triumph in the 2004 Sydney Cup under 56.5kg, combined with her second-place finish in the Caulfield Cup to Elvestroem, set the stage for a historic attempt at a second Melbourne Cup victory. This would not only make her the only horse to win two Melbourne Cups and a Sydney Cup in the space of a
year, but also the only mare to claim the iconic
race twice.

The atmosphere at Flemington on Cup Day 2004 was electric, despite the pouring rain, as anticipation mounted. Could the mare achieve the seemingly impossible?

Glen Boss, Makybe Diva’s trusted jockey, once again employed a patient strategy, keeping her close to the rail and towards the back of the field in what some called a virtual replica of her race the year before. As they rounded the final turn, Boss urged the horse forward, and she responded with a breathtaking burst of speed. In the final few hundred metres, she surged past her rivals, edging out Vinnie Roe to win by 1.3 lengths.

Carrying weight record for a mare of 55.5kg, Makybe Diva had defied the odds and etched her name in racing history once again. Greg Miles’ iconic call echoed through the grandstands: “And she’s going to do what no mare has ever done! Makybe Diva wins it again!”

This victory was not only a testament to Makybe Diva’s exceptional talent and resilience but also a moment of sheer joy for Glen Boss and Lee Freedman, who, despite their elation, couldn’t have anticipated just how much more the mighty mare had to offer.

Hear from Glen Boss as he takes us on the the three year journey where Makybe Diva etched her name into racing immortality capturing three Melbourne Cup victories.