166-year racing festival to feature coverage of races, fashion and more
The Korea Racing Authority will broadcast the Melbourne Cup, Australia's premier horse racing festival, live in South Korea for the second consecutive year.
The authority announced Thursday that it will air the 166th Melbourne Cup live on KBS N Sports. The race is scheduled to begin at noon Sunday at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia.
The Melbourne Cup, which dates to 1861, is Australia's premier long-distance race run over 3,200 meters. This year's purse stands at A$10.2 million (about 9.6 billion won). A field of 23 horses has been entered from four countries — Britain, Ireland, Japan and the United States.
Race day is an official public holiday in the state of Victoria, and the event has earned the nickname "The Race That Stops a Nation" for its wide popularity across Australia.
The Melbourne Cup is celebrated as much for fashion and culture as for racing. The "Fashions on the Field" competition, which began in 1962, draws participants who showcase elaborate outfits and distinctive hats.
yjc@heraldcorp.com
