Makybe Diva, 3-time Melbourne Cup winner, dies at 26

MELBOURNE, Australia — Three-time Melbourne Cup champion Makybe Diva, who amassed 14 million Australian dollars in prize money, has died at age 26. The British-born Australian racehorse passed away at her retirement stable near Geelong outside Melbourne, according to owner Tony Santic.

Santic, who named the horse after his employees, said "she was never just a race horse, she was family." Australian jockey Glen Boss, who rode Makybe Diva in all three victories, noted she "left a very big footprint in our history, in Australian history." The Victoria Racing Club mourned "a true legend" as Australia farewells the champion.