Australia’s greatest staying mare Makybe Diva died of a sudden colic attack on Saturday morning. She was aged 27.
Makybe Diva became the first horse in Australian history to win three Melbourne Cups – the first for trainer David Hall in 2003 and following up for the Freedman brothers in 2004 and 2005.
Makybe Diva and Glen Boss win the third of their Melbourne Cups at Flemington.Credit: Paul Rovere
She became synonymous with jockey Glen Boss who rode the mare in all of her Cup wins as well as partnering her to victory in the 2005 Cox Plate.
Owner Tony Santic announced the mare’s immediate retirement after she won the 2005 Melbourne Cup.
“From the day she came into our lives, she was never just a racehorse she was family,” Santic said in a statement.
“She gave us moments Australia will never forget, but more than that, she gave us joy every single day.
“She was loved from the beginning, and she stayed loved for her whole life.”
More to come
