Makybe Diva Celebrates 26th Birthday as KIDS Foundation Ambassador

On August 1st, Flemington Racecourse celebrated a special birthday party for Makybe Diva, who is now 26 years old. This date is significant because it marks the official birthday of all horses in the southern hemisphere.

Makybe Diva, famous for winning the Melbourne Cup three times between 2003 and 2005, was honored with a lovely cake made by some children from KIDS Foundation. This legendary horse made history at Flemington, and now she has taken on a new role as an ambassador for the KIDS Foundation.

The KIDS Foundation is dedicated to improving child wellbeing, safety, and recovery from injuries. With Makybe Diva as a part of their team, they plan to create a series of animated children’s books focused on themes like kindness and empathy. Additionally, each year, a group of trauma survivors will visit Makybe Diva at her home, Makybe Stud, as part of the foundation’s recovery camp.

At Thursday’s event, guests also got to hear about the upcoming Tour d’Horse 2025. KIDS Foundation Founder and CEO Dr. Susie O’Neill OAM, along with supporters like Anto White OAM, KIDS Ambassador Matt Thiele, and Makybe Diva’s owner Tony Santic shared insights on what to expect.

The first Tour d’Horse took place in January 2024, where riders and horses walked a remarkable 200 kilometers, raising over half a million dollars. The VRC was the first organization to join this initiative, alongside 16 other enthusiastic teams.

The funds raised through Tour d’Horse 2024 are helping KIDS Foundation reach out to 200,000 children with various support programs, including recovery camps and resources for needy families. With the next Tour d’Horse planned for 2025, they aim to raise even more funds to continue this vital work.