National Museum of Australia 1866 Melbourne Cup
The National Museum of Australia in Canberra has acquired the 1866 Melbourne Cup won by The Barb, regarded as the first great Australian racehorse trained by ‘Honest’ John Tait, the ‘Father of the Australian Turf’.

The 1866 Melbourne Cup won by The Barb. Photo: George Serras.
Silver-gilt chased with gold leaf, the cup is 75.5 centimetres high and reflects the Renaissance revival style seen in England around the middle of the 19th century. The protruding horse’s heads closely resemble those featured on the 1867 Queen’s Plate, made by Melbourne silversmith William Edwards, and give weight to the argument that the 1867 Queen’s Plate was made with the intent of it being presented as a Melbourne Cup.
More information: www.nma.gov.au