The Race That Brings Australia to a Standstill Quiz

On the first Tuesday in November, the Melbourne Cup stops the nation. Match the winning horse and jockey of this famous race that started way back in 1861.

A matching quiz by zambesi. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Archer (1861-62)

Answer: John Cutts

Archer (1856-1872) was an Australian Thoroughbred racehorse who won the first two Melbourne Cups. John Cutts (1829-1872) rode Archer in 16 of his 17 starts winning 11 races.

2. Carbine (1890)

Answer: Robert Ramage

Carbine (1885-1914) was foaled in New Zealand and had 43 starts for 33 wins.
Robert Ramage (1865-1925) was born in Melbourne and is best known for this win on Carbine.

3. Phar Lap (1930)

Answer: James E. Pike

Phar Lap (1926-1932) was foaled in New Zealand and dominated racing in Australia from a two-year old winning 37 from 51 starts. James E. Pike (1892-1969).

4. Rising Fast (1954)

Answer: Jack Purtell

Rising Fast became the first horse in Australian Racing history to win the Grand Slam in one season (1954- Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup and the Cox Plate). Jack Purtell rode three Melbourne Cup winners (1947-Hiraji, 1953-Wodalla and 1954-Rising Fast).

5. Hi Jinx (1960)

Answer: William A. Smith

Hi Jinx won the Centenary Melbourne Cup in 1960 at the odds of 50:1.

6. Light Fingers (1965)

Answer: Roy Higgins

Light Fingers (New Zealand bred) became the first of trainer Bart Cummings (1927-2015) 12 Melbourne Cup winners, Roy Higgins (1938-2014) rode two Melbourne Cup winners and was known as "The Professor".

7. Think Big (1974 & 1975))

Answer: Harry White

Think Big (1970-1995) was ridden to consecutive Melbourne Cups by Harry White. White also rode two other winners of the race (1978-Arwon and 1979-Hyperno).

8. Kingston Rule (1990)

Answer: Darren Beadman

Kingston Rule (1986-2011) was an American bred racehorse. He was sired out of the famed US Triple Crown winner, Secretariat and out of the 1982 Australian Hose of the Year, Rose of Kingston. Darren Beadman also won the Melbourne Cup on Saintly in 1996.

9. Makybe Diva (2003-04-05)

Answer: Glen Boss

Makybe Diva became the first horse to win the Melbourne Cup on three occasions.

10. Prince of Penzance (2015)

Answer: Michelle Payne

Prince of Penzance created history in 2015 as he was ridden by Michelle Payne,
who became the first female jockey to win the race in its 155 year history.

Source: Author zambesi

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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Questions		Choices
1. Archer (1861-62)		James E. Pike
2. Carbine (1890)		Michelle Payne
3. Phar Lap (1930)		Harry White
4. Rising Fast (1954)		John Cutts
5. Hi Jinx (1960)		Jack Purtell
6. Light Fingers (1965)		Glen Boss
7. Think Big (1974 & 1975))		William A. Smith
8. Kingston Rule (1990)		Robert Ramage
9. Makybe Diva (2003-04-05)		Roy Higgins
10. Prince of Penzance (2015)		Darren Beadman