Photo gallery: Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour 2024

As the biggest prize in Australian racing returns home to wrap up its five-month world tour, check out photos from the most striking destinations – from New York to the Northern Territory.

Chris Anstey and Jamie Kah at Trentham Falls as part of the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour 2024. Picture: Jay Town

The biggest prize in Australian racing has returned to Melbourne to wrap up its 110,000km world tour, just in time for the race that stops a nation.

The Melbourne Cup also visited regional Victorian towns Rochester, Nathalia, Woodside, Trentham and Lancefield on the final leg of its five-month journey, accompanied by champion jockeys Michelle Payne, Jamie Kah and Damien Oliver.

Kah met a sporting legend from another code – former Boomer and NBA player Chris Anstey – in Trentham, where the basketballer owns the local pub.

“I love being part of the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour and getting out to regional towns,” Kah said. “It always amazes me to see the people’s reaction when they get the opportunity to hold the Cup.”

Anstey, who applied to bring the Cup tour to Trentham, added: “It was really special moment to share this with the town.”

It’s one of 24 Australian towns that have also been selected for a “national sweep” that gives them the chance to win $50,000 to contribute to charity.

The 2024 tour’s 39 stops also included international destinations New York, Tokyo, London and Chichester in the UK, Dublin and Galway in Ireland, and Auckland and Cambridge in New Zealand.

Since its first iteration in 2003, the Melbourne Cup Tour has travelled more than a million kilometres to 679 destinations, visiting 490 schools, 422 hospitals and aged care facilities, participating in 2245 community events and raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for local fundraising initiatives.

See the highlights from the 2024 tour below.

Japanese model Marina with the Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy at the Asakusa Shrine in Tokyo – the first stop on the tour. Picture: Shungotanaka

Marina with the trophy and vending machines in Asakusa, Tokyo. Picture: Shungotanaka

Japanese model Marina with the Cup in front of the Tokyo Skytree. Picture: Shungotanaka

New York local Egypt Pettway poses with the Cup in the front of the Manhattan Bridge in Brooklyn, during its US stop on the global tour.

Australian race caller Matt Hill and the Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy on Brooklyn Bridge. Picture: TJ Balkun

The Cup with hot dog vendor in New York City.

Big-wave surfer Ross Clarke-Jones with the trophy in Cowes on Phillip Island. Picture: Magner Media

‘Cootamundra Cat’ Bob Holder, aged 93, with the Lexus Melbourne Cup in Cootamundra, NSW. Picture: Jay Town

The Cup Tour visits Barellan in NSW. Picture: Jay Town

Wilbur, 3, and Polly Payne, 18 months Payne from Tullibigeal with the trophy in Barellan, NSW. Picture: Jay Town

Eva Downs station operations officer Addy Morrison and the Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy east of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory. Picture: Alex Coppel

Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy in Tennant Creek with a local pilot as part of its 2024 tour. Picture: Alex Coppel

Station hand Amy Kirkwood and the Cup at Anthony Lagoon Station in the Northern Territory as part of the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour. Picture: Alex Coppel

The tour visits Brunette Downs station in the Northern Territory. Picture: Alex Coppel

Elsie Leslie, 3, at the racetrack at Brunette Downs, near Tennant Creek in the NT. The water tank behind Ellie was painted by Dolly Everett (whose loving family started suicide prevention charity Dolly’s Dream in her honour) and her sister, Meg. Picture: Alex Coppel

ABC Amateur Race Club president Mary (Brumby) Vaughan and the local community with the Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy at Brunette Downs station in the NT. Picture: Alex Coppel

Sheila Laxon and Glen Boss in Katherine, NT, with the trophy as part of the tour. Picture: Alex Coppel

Glen Boss and locals at the Katherine Show with the Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy. Picture: Alex Coppel

Kate and Tick Everett, parents of Dolly Everett and founders of Dolly’s Dream, on their property just outside of Katherine. Picture: Alex Coppel

The 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup on tour with Damien Oliver in Wyalkatchem, WA, visiting canola farmer, Owen Garner. Picture: Jay Town

West Coast players with three-time Melbourne Cup winning jockey (and Eagles fan) Damien Oliver and the 2024 trophy at training. Picture: Jay Town

Damien Oliver with the Lexus Melbourne Cup in Esperance, WA, as part of the 2024 tour. Picture: Jay Town

Damien Oliver with the Cup in Esperance. Picture: Jay Town

Theo Molloy holding the 18-carat-gold Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy in Cardwell, Queensland, as part of its 2024 tour. Picture: Lucas Dawson

Lexus Melbourne Cup visits Gregory, Queensland. Picture: Lucas Dawson

Lara the clown holding the Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy in Cardwell, Queensland. Picture: Lucas Dawson

Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour in Wycheproof, featuring VFL/AFL great Merv Keane in his home town. Picture: Jay Town

GWS Giants players Isaac Cumming, Lachie Whitfield, Kieren Briggs and Toby Greene with the Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy as part of its visit to Sydney. Picture: Jay Patel

Michelle Payne with past Cup winners and Living Legends Prince of Penzance and Twilight Payment, in front of the silos in Rochester. Picture: Nicole Cleary

Michelle Payne and Rochester Pony Club with the trophy. Picture: Nicole Cleary

Floyd Foster, 3, and the Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy at the Nathalia Agricultural Show. Picture: Nicole Cleary

Nathalia Agricultural Society president Dylan Morris and Jamie Kah with the Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy at the Nathalia Agricultural Show. Picture: Nicole Cleary

Jamie Kah and basketball great Chris Anstey with the Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy at Country Fire Authority in Trentham. Picture: Jay Town