As we celebrate the 160th anniversary of the first Melbourne Cup this year, Australian gold workers from Kirkland Lake Gold and ABC Bullion stand proud, having produced the People’s Cup from Australian gold.
Glistening in the spring sunshine at the nation’s most renowned racetrack, the iconic golden trophy carries with it much more than just the title of winner – it’s an integral part of our country’s fabric, representing Australian tradition, mateship, resilience and our collective spirit. Suffice to say, the bespoke 18-carat Lexus Melbourne Cup is easily the most legendary and beloved trophy in Australian sport.
The makers entrusted with producing this unique legacy for the Victorian Racing Club have poured hundreds of hours of labour into their work. Australian gold miners, chemists, refiners, spinners and goldsmiths are keeping the tradition alive and bringing our communities together.
This year has proven to be one of the most challenging yet, with environmental and health issues associated with COVID-19 impacting communities across the country.
Born from the earth
Kirkland Lake Gold CEO Tony Makuch said the Company was honoured to have Fosterville Gold Mine produce the gold for the 2020 Lexus Melbourne Cup, marking the first time in Australian history that gold for the Cup has come from Victoria.
“This year’s Cup is particularly significant as we recognise the importance of ensuring the legacy continues in the face of disruption and challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
“Going for gold in everything we do is a key motivator and driver of success for both our company and for the Fosterville Gold Mine. The same competitive spirit that drives us is captured perfectly in the celebration that is the Lexus Melbourne Cup.
“It is especially gratifying that during this challenging year, it is Victorian gold that has been used to produce the Cup,” Mr Makuch concluded.
Kirkland’s Fosterville Mine is the largest producer of gold in Victoria, mining a record 619,366 ounces of the precious metal in 2019. Interest in mineral exploration in Victoria has tripled in response to Fosterville's success.
This year's national Melbourne Cup Tour will also pay homage to the gold mine responsible for supplying the gold. As part of the Tour’s 27 locations, it will stop at Fosterville, north-east of Bendigo, in October, on its way around the country. The Cup will then head to Bendigo, to coincide with the Bendigo Cup, before making its way to Melbourne for the main event on Tuesday 3 November 2020.
A handcrafted icon
From the mining and refining of the gold, to the spinners and goldsmiths involved in its final construction, the 2020 Lexus Melbourne Cup has been produced locally from start to finish. The winning trophy contains 1.65kg of gold.
As the parent group of ABC Bullion, Pallion CEO Andrew Cochineas said the Company was delighted to work with Kirkland Lake Gold and its Fosterville Mine to produce the 2020 Lexus Melbourne Cup.
“We are proud to again produce the Cup this year during the COVID-19 pandemic and all its challenges,” he said.
“From the Kirkland Lake miners at Fosterville to the refiners at ABC Refinery, and the gold workmasters at WJ Sanders to the team at ABC Bullion – everyone has worked together to ensure that the 2020 Lexus Melbourne Cup is delivered on time.
“In times of adversity, events like the Lexus Melbourne Cup play an important role in uniting communities and the irrepressible Australian spirit,” Mr Cochineas concluded.