The $6.175 million Emirates Melbourne Cup is one of the most spectacular sporting events in the world and it is the highlight of Australia%u2019s Spring Racing Carnival.

The event is known as %u2018the race that stops a nation%u2019 and if onlookers from overseas are wondering where the two mile showpiece gets its nickname from then they should be made aware that the Melbourne Cup live stream is the most watched five minutes of television Down Under, year in and year out without fail.

While the race has the ability to grip on the whole of Australia, there is nothing quite like being there amongst the 100,000 plus crowd and it remains a truly unique event with a world famous atmosphere.

Also famously known as the %u2018Loving Cup,%u2019 the Melbourne showpiece is the highlight of an exhilarating Festival that lasts for 65 days and attracts more spectators than any other meeting in the world %u2013 the Victoria Spring Racing Carnival. 

A combination of the world%u2019s finest thoroughbreds, mixed with some of the globe%u2019s leading fashion and entertainment ideas make the Carnival the most enchanting social event of the year and the unrivalled party atmosphere means you do not need to be part of the racing fraternity to become engulfed in the action.

The Melbourne Cup itself is run at 3pm on the first Tuesday of November and it is by far and away the richest prize in Australia sport. Away from the prize money on offer, the actual trophy is valued at $175,000 and is created from 2,340 grams of solid 18ct gold which takes more than 250 man hours to produce.

The Melbourne Cup has also developed a reputation for demanding passion on the course and fashion in the stands and the meeting remains Australia%u2019s biggest social gathering of the year. It was officially gazetted a full public holiday in 1877 and ever since, the nation has paused and enjoyed the first Tuesday of every November.

Some of the world%u2019s leading trainers target the Melbourne Cup and the likes of Aidan O%u2019Brien, Luca Cumani and Sir Michael Stoute all regularly have runners at Flemington, while some of the Far East%u2019s greatest horses also head to Australia in a bid to land the richest prize in the game.

In 2010 the race was won by French raider Americain with the mighty So You Think back in third in what was a fascinating renewal of the Melbourne showpiece.

Click here for more information about Melbourne Cup tips and how to watch Melbourne Cup live online.