Makybe Diva

Makybe Diva (21 March 1999 – 28 February 2026) was a British-bred, Australian-trained champion Thoroughbred racehorse who is the only horse to win three Melbourne Cups and the only mare to win it more than once. She achieved the feat in 2003, 2004, and 2005. She also won the 2005 Cox Plate. She was the highest stakes-earner in Australian history, winning more than A$14 million. Makybe Diva was by Desert King (a winner of the Irish Derby and Irish 2,000 Guineas) out of Tugela by Riverman (USA). Tugela was also the dam of the Australian stakes-winners, Musket and Valkyrie Diva. Makybe Diva was owned by South Australian tuna fisherman Tony Šantić, who named her after five of his employees—Maureen, Kylie, Belinda, Diane, and Vanessa—by taking the first two letters from each of their names.