Valued at more than $200,000, this year’s trophy – which is also known as the ‘Loving Cup’ – contains approximately 1.65kg of 18-carat gold mined from Kirkland Lake Gold’s Fosterville Mine, located about 30km east of Bendigo.
This year marks the 160th anniversary of the ‘race that stops the nation’, and also marks one of the most difficult periods in recent history for the people of Victoria due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
A statement from ABC Bullion said, “This year has proven one of the most challenging yet. More than ever it is important to hold on to the familiar, to our traditions. The 2020 Lexus Melbourne Cup is a beacon of resilience, when faced with hardship and adversity.
“From the mining and refining of the gold, to the spinners and goldsmiths involved in its final construction, the Melbourne Cup has been produced locally from start to finish taking over 250 hours.”
To mark the occasion, ABC Bullion – which is part of the Pallion group of companies and has manufactured the Melbourne Cup since 2016, as part of a deal with Victoria Racing Club – has released a video about the creation of the 2020 Cup and its unique significance.
Watch the video
More reading:
Making the Melbourne Cup