Hundreds of celebrities flock to Flemington Racecourse each year to watch the world’s best stayers race in the Melbourne Cup. These are the most illustrious superstars to grace the Spring Racing Carnival in their finest attire.
Snoop Dogg
The Dee Oh Double Gee graced Flemington with his presence in 2008 after successfully overturning a ban on him entering the country. The Australian Department of Immigration said the American rapper had “failed a character test” due to various drugs and weapons offences. However, it then relented after pressure from Hollywood star Russell Crowe, among others, and allowed Snoop Dogg to head to Australia for a tour. “Resplendent in a dark grey three-piece suit, white-framed sunglasses and the little bit of ear bling, Snoop Dogg slid silently into the marquee minutes before the Melbourne Cup race,” reported the Sydney Morning Herald.
Gigi Hadid
The supermodel dazzled in a bright pink Alex Perry mini dress paired with a Chanel bag and a star headpiece by Jonathan Howard from Hatmaker in 2014. She later revealed that it was one of her favourite fashion moments of all time. “I kind of was a little bit scared of the head-piece idea so I went for what I thought was kind of a modern take on the head-piece which was my shooting star hat,” said Hadid, who is now expecting a baby with One Direction star Zayn Malik. “I had a lot of fun wearing that. It was really cool.”
Paris Hilton
The heiress was one of the biggest stars in the world when she attended the Melbourne Cup in 2003. She was the breakout star of The Simple Life, and found fame for generally being filthy rich. Hilton rocked up for Melbourne Cup Day with sister Nicky, wearing the skimpiest of outfits, and changed the face of the event forever. “The year that the Hilton sisters came out, it (the Birdcage) took a leap forward,” said Victoria Racing Club general manager of sponsorship Brendan Ford. “The year after that we introduced media accreditation into the Birdcage, such was the impact that the Hilton sisters had.”
Usain Bolt
The fastest man in history has sprinted into Melbourne to enjoy the race that stops a nation on several occasions over the past few years. Bolt is known to wow fans with bold outfit choices, glittering jewellery and a Hollywood smile. He has revealed that the Melbourne Cup is one of his favourite events of the year, and said he would love to move to Australia in the future.
Geri Halliwell
Ginger Spice rubbed shoulders with celebs including Kate Upton, Laura Dundovic, Richie Sambora, Jennifer Hawkins and Lauren Phillips at the 2013 Melbourne Cup. Halliwell’s heyday came in the 1990s, when she was arguably the biggest star in the Spice Girls. They sold more than 85 million records worldwide, and Halliwell’s Union Jack dress from the 1997 Brit Awards became an enduring symbol of Girl Power. She was not exactly at the zenith of her fame in 2013, but she still had the ability to turn heads.
Dita Von Teese
The Queen of Burlesque was also in attendance at the Melbourne Cup in 2013. The American superstar is generally famed for wearing hardly anything inside a giant Martini glass, but she took the floral route in Phillip Treacy headwear and an outfit by Aurellio Costarella when she attended the races that year.
Adrian Grenier
The Entourage star drew criticism for staying in the Lavazza marquee at the 2011 Melbourne Cup. He was supposed to split his time between Lavazza and the Emirate tent, but he ended up staying with Lavazza for the entirety after the coffee producer offered him more money. “He committed to us first,” a furious spokesman for Emirates said. “We’d been in discussions for weeks, even months. We’d organised car transfers and special arrangements then at 10pm last night we received an email saying he’s received an offer too good to refuse. It’s poor form.”
Enrique Iglesias
The King of Latin Pop has sold more than 70 million records worldwide and broken all manner of records – and hearts – during his illustrious career. The Spanish singer turned up the heat in a themed Emirates marquee at the Melbourne Cup back in 2010, although tennis star girlfriend Anna Kournikova did not join him for the festivities.
Mischa Barton
The O.C. star was such a big star when she appeared at the Melbourne Cup in 2012 that she outshone Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall. Barton began the day a silver brocade dress featuring with a large black silk rose. She later changed into a burgundy Ellery dress partnered with a nude Philip Treacy fascinator. Barton got involved in the action with a punt on Calvaryman and Galileo’s Choice, but they finished seventh and 12th respectively as Dunaden powered to victory. You can check here for the latest Melbourne Cup odds if you think you can do better than Barton.
Richard Branson
Billionaire entrepreneur Branson added a touch of A-list glamour to proceedings when he attended the Melbourne Cup in 2002. He enjoyed it so much that his airline company, Virgin Atlantic Australia, launched a special Melbourne Cup promotion called “Get Your Backside Trackside” the following year. It offered agents around Australia the chance to win a return trip to the Cup including rare Virgin tent tickets.
Glenn McGrath
McGrath is one of the greatest Australian bowlers of all time and he played a starring role as the team dominated the world from the mid-1990s to the mid-2000s. The fast bowler is also a fan of racing and he regularly attends the Melbourne Cup with his wife, Sara, sparking excitement among selfie hunters.
Honorable Mentions
Melbourne Cup Day is just one of many exciting days of racing within the Spring Racing Carnival each year. Many celebs have attended Derby Day or Oaks Day, including Sarah Jessica Parker, Naomi Campbell, Eva Longoria, Kate Bosworth, Kelly Osborne, Scott Eastwood, Joan Collins, Hilary Swank, Liz Hurley and Halliwell’s bandmate Mel B.
