
After decades of trying and millions of dollars spent, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum finally clinched the Melbourne Cup, Australia's famous "race that stops a nation."

At a rain-drenched meet, Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin-trained Cross Counter became the first British-trained horse to win the Melbourne Cup.

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy rode the Charlie Appleby-trained 8-1 shot to victory at the 158th edition of Australia's richest horse race.

Cross Counter earned his owner the top prize of $2.8 million, as Marmelo and A Prince of Arran made it a 1-2-3 of British-trained horses.

Heavy rain did nothing to dampen the spirit of race-goers, some of whom wore figures of horse heads ahead of the running of the Melbourne Cup.

Australian media reported that roofs had collapsed at some of the Flemington facilities.