THE three-handled ‘loving cup’ trophy of the Lexus Melbourne Cup embarks on its most ambitious tour yet, taking in Ireland and England as part of a 37 stop prelude to the ‘race that stops a nation’.

Marking 25 years since Vintage Crop’s win ushered in the modern era for the Melbourne Cup, the trophy will be at the Curragh on Wednesday, July 18th, Closutton and Owning Hill the next two days, before returning to the Curragh for the Darley Irish Oaks weekend.