Melbourne Cup 2025: Drinks flowing as thousands turn out in style at Ascot Racecourse

The champagne has been popped, the fascinators are on, and the horses are running as thousands of punters swarm Perth’s Ascot Racecourse for Melbourne Cup celebrations.

The drinks were flowing well before lunchtime as more than 12,000 people turned out in force on Tuesday to watch the race that stops the nation.

The ladies were dressed to impress with block colour dresses in butter yellow, pale pink, and baby blue covering the grounds.

Lucy Prior was wearing a matching pale blue dress and hat.

“We love watching all of the fashion and looking at everyone’s fascinators and dresses,” she said.

“We are liking the look of number four for the Melbourne Cup so I’ll put a small bet on that.”

Oceana Beazley was celebrating early with two buckets of wine for her and her friends.

She has been coming to Ascot for the Melbourne Cup for the last five years.

“I love it — it’s a good day with lots of people and lots of friends,” she said.

“I’m excited to have a bet and lose some money.”

The boys were equally fancy with many in their matching Akubras.

Roaming entertainers on stilts were busy posing with the crowd ahead of the race.

As the clock ticked towards 12pm, the final bets were being placed and punters began to fill grandstands and gather near the big screen at WA’s main course to watch the live-streamed race from Flemington.

The crowd was up on their feet as the horses ran out of the gates for the 3200m race.

Many erupted in cheers as the horses reached 500m from the finish line.

Celebrations were in store for those who backed Half Yours, ridden by jockey Jamie Melham.

Half Yours pipped Goodie Two Shoes to the finish line followed by Middle Earth and River of Stars.

Melham has become just the second female jockey in history to win the Melbourne Cup.

The drinks were too much for some punters with three people getting kicked out by security just after 3pm.

One man yelled out, “f...ing maggot” as he was escorted out the front gate.

The beers inspired two men to start wrestling on the grass as their friends laughed and filmed them.

Anthony Parissis carried his partner Elyse Stacey out the exit gate after she spent a long day wearing heels.

Some ladies also opted to take their heels off as they strutted up the runway for Fashions on the Field.

It will be a day to remember for one lucky WA punter, pocketing $176,561,60 at the Wellard TAB when his $1 first four bet came in for the Melbourne Cup.

A $1 mystery trifecta also produced $88,280,80 for a punter at the Dalyellup TAB.

Punters wagered $13.9m on the Melbourne Cup with the WA TAB, via TABtouch and retail outlets.

Xavier Rawlings couldn’t contain his excitement after betting on the winning horse and coming away with $500.

“I’m very happy with that win. Half Yours definitely had some good prep on the last couple of races, so it was good to see her win,” he said.

“Jamie Melham was on board so very glad to see that.

“I reckon I’ll shout the boys a couple of beers now.”