Arabic version: يوم كأس ملبورن يجمع سباقات الخيل ولحظات المشاهير

According to ABC News, the 2026 Melbourne Cup at Flemington combined on-course drama with celebrity appearances, a royal connection and personal messages of resilience. Race day included a major fine for trainer Chris Waller, performances by Robbie Williams and the victory of Point of Law, formerly owned by King Charles III.

Waller was fined $50,000 after Penetrene was administered to Asterix’s forelegs in its stable hours before the race. Racing Victoria chief steward Rob Montgomery said the topical treatment was permitted during the week but not on race day. Waller described it as a basic liniment and said the stablehand was not to blame, adding that he would take responsibility for his team.

Hollywood actor Jamie Foxx attended Flemington while in Melbourne shooting his latest film, Deadlocked. ABC News reported that, according to The Age, Foxx had surprised several people by paying for their dinner at Maison Bâtard. He told the Daily Mail Australia he was taking his girlfriend, Alyce Huckstepp, and her family to the races as a surprise.

Former Wallaby Nathan Charles, 37, also attended after recently being diagnosed with motor neurone disease. He told Nine he wanted to “flip the script”, pursue things for the first time rather than the last, and offer inspiration and hope to young Australians facing adversity. Before and after the race, 52-year-old British performer Robbie Williams played Feel, Rock DJ, Angels and Let Me Entertain You ahead of his Australian tour.

Point of Law, a four-year-old sired by Frankel, claimed the Cup after being sold by King Charles earlier in the year. A consortium of Australians bought the horse, including former West Coast and Carlton player Chris Judd. James J Braddock, named after the boxer known as the Cinderella Man, finished seventh.