Ethereal wins the 2001 Melbourne Cup to complete the coveted Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup double.
The Caulfield and Melbourne Cup double is considered the holy grail of Australasian racing. Eight of the 11 horses to win the double have been New Zealand-bred. In 2001 New Zealander Sheila Laxon was officially recognised as the first woman to train a winner of the Melbourne Cup with Ethereal. The 1938 winner, Catalogue, was trained by Mrs A. McDonald, but because at that time women were not permitted to be registered trainers, the horse appeared under her husband's name.
Another New Zealand woman, Maree Lyndon, also made Cup history in 1987 when she became the first woman to ride in the race, on Argonaut Style.
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