VRC strikes gold with Olympic champion Ariarne Titmus OAM announced as Melbourne Cup Carnival ambassador

Ariarne is a four-time Olympic gold medallist, current world record holder in the 200m and 400m freestyle and is widely regarded as one of the greatest middle-distance swimmers of all time.

At the 2024 Paris Olympics she achieved her third Individual Olympic Gold Medal, winning the 400m freestyle and becoming the first Australian athlete since Dawn Fraser in 1964 to win back-to-back gold medals in the same event.

While her success in and passion for the pool is well known, Ariarne’s first love was horses.

She grew up riding ponies on her family’s property in Tasmania and competed in dressage and show jumping competitions before making the decision to focus solely on her swimming career.

As part of her role with the VRC Ariarne will attend Lexus Melbourne Cup Day, the VRC Crown Oaks Club Lunch and TAB Champions Stakes Day. She also recently joined the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour during its Queensland visit.

Ariarne said she was thrilled to reunite with the 18-carat gold Lexus Melbourne Cup, after her first experience seeing the coveted trophy in grade 6 when it visited her school as part of its tour of Launceston.

“Horse riding was my first love. I grew up around horses and competed in dressage and show jumping competitions from the age of seven before swimming took centre stage. I have such fond memories of my riding days and am excited to be working with horses and the Victoria Racing Club again,” Ariarne said.

“There is no place like Flemington on the first Tuesday of November and I can’t wait to get back to Melbourne for Cup Week. There is no event like it that brings together exceptional sport, fashion and entertainment and I’m looking forward to swapping my swimmers for racewear and enjoying the week with friends.”

VRC Chief Executive Officer Kylie Rogers said the club was delighted to celebrate Ariarne’s achievements and welcome her back to Flemington for the 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival.

“We are honoured to welcome four-time Olympic gold medallist Ariarne to the Flemington family and look forward to celebrating gold in all forms with her during the Melbourne Cup Carnival,” Ms Rogers said.

“Ariane’s youthful spirit and quiet determination, as well as her unparalleled talent delighted the world this year and we are excited to celebrate her achievements alongside our other incredible athletes, both human and equine, particularly on TAB Champions Stakes Day.

“Sport has a way of connecting communities, and we look forward to playing our part in uniting Australia in just under seven weeks' time.”

The 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival begins with Penfolds Victoria Derby Day on Saturday 2 November, followed by Lexus Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday 5 November, Crown Oaks Day on Thursday 7 November and TAB Champions Stakes Day on Saturday 9 November.

All the action from the 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival can be seen live and free across the Nine Network, the official broadcast partner and new home of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.