There are often concerns about what life is like after the big race for winners of the Melbourne Cup, but at least one of the recent legends of the track is enjoying the good life in retirement.
Back in 2005, Makybe Diva became the greatest Melbourne Cup racehorse ever by winning her third title, setting a record that is yet to be broken.
She was the highest stakes-earner in Australian horse racing history at retirement with over $14 million in winnings.
Now she is enjoying life in a paddock at Scone in the Hunter Valley in New South Wales, breeding more potential winners.
Carers Rachel Finlayson and Sam Robinson look after the daily needs of her and their other horses.
"We spend hours of our lives looking after them," Ms Finlayson said.
"If they get sick we're there 24/7 to make sure they're happy and healthy."
Ms Robinson said it is a good life for the ex-champion.
"Lot's of grass, plenty of time out in the paddock … if she needs to see the vet, she'll come in … when she needs to see a stallion she goes off to see him and then hopefully comes back and foals," Ms Robinson said.
Makybe Diva has produced four winners so far including Diva Nation, sired by the stallion All Too Hard.
She cost owner Tony McEvoy $300,000 in 2016 and won her first race at Werribee in March this year.
Diva Nation looks a lot like her mother, but whether she can match her on the race track is still unclear.
Ms Robinson describes Makybe Diva as a true professional, even in retirement.
"She's the queen," Ms Robinson said.
"First past the post, first to the feed … she just loves life in the paddock and I'm presuming she loved it on the race track as well."
Makybe Diva has another foal at the moment, also sired by All Too Hard.
"She's a very flashy individual, super friendly, really nice type, really good body on her, turned into a real cracker," Ms Robinson said.
