Victorian mum wins $3.2 million from lucky $100 Melbourne Cup bet

Knight’s Choice, jockey Robbie Dolan, and trainers John Symons & Sheila Laxon were not the only big winners at Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday.

A family from Victoria got to live out every horse racing betting fan’s dream by turning a $100 Melbourne Cup bet into an eye-watering $3.2 million win.

Box bet pays off

Speaking anonymously, the mother of the lucky family that her clan turned a $100 first four box bet on Knight’s Choice, Okita Soushi, Warp Speed, and Zardozi into a $3.2 million payout from Ladbrokes.

“We only bet on the Melbourne Cup once a year,” she said after the race.

The mum also revealed that no expert horse racing tips or inside information went into her family’s wager. All they used were good vibes and lucky numbers to pick their horses.

“My son and my husband both liked Knight’s Choice, and my daughter liked Warp Speed because number four is her favourite number,” she explained.

As for why she backed Zardozi and Okita Soushi, the mum said: “I chose 14, but also 12, because I was folding washing on Saturday, watching Derby Day.”

“Complete shock”

After the race, the family were pretty certain that they had won big. When they actually went to cash out though, they were stunned.

“My husband was already in tears, thinking I had just won $24,000,” the lucky mum said on Tuesday.

“Then I noticed all four of our horses had come in,” she continued, “When Ladbrokes called to confirm I’d won over three million, my husband literally fell to the floor.

“He was just sobbing… We asked them to say it again. It was a complete shock.”

Family celebrates

Once the family was done celebrating, the mum said they had started making plans on how to spend the money.

“It was looking like our kids might have ended up having to finish off the mortgage because it was so high,” she said.

Now, it’s all taken care of. There’s “no minus on the account,” as she explained.

Ladbrokes CEO Dean Shannon also celebrated the families win, calling it a “truly special” win for the lucky family.

“This is a life-changing win,” he continued, “We’re thrilled to have played a role in helping this family secure their future. They seem like great people, and it was a nice call to get to make.”