MELBOURNE, Australia — The Australian horse racing community is mourning the loss of an unparalleled champion as Makybe Diva, the only thoroughbred in history to claim three consecutive Melbourne Cup victories, has passed away at age 26. The legendary mare succumbed to a sudden onset of colic at her retirement stable near Geelong, outside Melbourne, on Saturday.
Owner Tony Santic, who named the champion horse by combining the first two letters of five employees’ names (Maureen, Kylie, Belinda, Diane, and Vanessa), confirmed the passing in an emotional statement. The Croatian-born tuna fisherman turned racing magnate described Makybe Diva not merely as a racehorse but as cherished family, emphasizing the profound joy she brought daily alongside her historic racing achievements.
Makybe Diva’s extraordinary career spanned from 2003 to 2005, during which she dominated Australia’s most prestigious racing event—the 3,200-meter Melbourne Cup held annually at Flemington racecourse. This iconic competition, established in 1861 and celebrated as a public holiday in Victoria state, earns its reputation as ‘the race that stops a nation.’ The champion mare accumulated approximately 14 million Australian dollars (equivalent to $10 million USD) in prize money throughout her celebrated career.
Jockey Glen Boss, who partnered with Makybe Diva for all three historic victories, reflected on their partnership last year, acknowledging that his role was simply to avoid disappointing the exceptional athlete. The racing legend’s passing has triggered an outpouring of tributes across Australia’s sporting community, with Victorian Racing Club chairman Neil Wilson noting that Makybe Diva ‘transcended the sport of racing’ and created ‘among the most iconic achievements in Australian sporting history.’