Verry Elleegant has won the 2021 Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse, taking home the $4.4 million first place prize.

Congratulations to jockey James McDonald and trainer Chris Waller on their first Melbourne Cup victory, and Verry Elleegant’s owners.

Incentivise and Spanish Mission placed second and third respectively.

Press PLAY below to hear the race call 

Trainer Chris Munce commended McDonald for his win.

“James is a great jockey already, but he’ll have the Melbourne Cup there beside his name for the rest of his life,” he told Sofie Formica.

“He’s a good young man, a good rider and he’s got his whole future ahead of him.”

Press PLAY below to hear Chris Munce’s race wrap in full

Toowoomba-trained horse Incentivise was the favourite heading into the race.

Racing Queensland CEO Brendan Parnell said he would be rested now and get ready for next year.

“It’s really exciting for the Sunshine State, he began his run here, it’s hard to imagine back in autumn he was being beaten in the maiden race and here he is, he went to Caulfield Cup … and that autumn race today,” he told Scott Emerson.

“He looks like he’s got a really bright future, he’s got a special machine this horse, and he has astounded many people.”

Press PLAY to hear more about Incentivise’s bright future ahead

Image: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images