Administrative Blunder Leads to Missing Prize Money for Melbourne Cup Winning Trainers

Reports indicate that the trainers of the 2024 Melbourne Cup winners have yet to receive their prize money due to an administrative mishap.

John Symons and Sheila Laxon, who are training partners, are due $464,000 as their portion of the $4.4 million prize following Knight’s Choice’s impressive victory in the prestigious two-mile race at Flemington on the first Tuesday of November.

Although Racing Victoria processed the payments last month, both the winning jockey Robbie Dolan and the horse’s owners received their amounts on time.

However, as highlighted in a report by News Corp, the funds owed to the victorious trainers have not appeared in their account.

Reports suggest that the payment may have been erroneously directed to a different bank account that the trainers no longer utilise or access.

In an effort to resolve the issue, the trainers have enlisted the help of legal counsel.

“We can’t provide detailed comments as the matter may lead to proceedings. However, it is noted that Racing Victoria has dispensed all Melbourne Cup prizemoney as required, including to the bank account registered with us for Ms Laxon and Mr Symons’ trainer payments in Victoria,” stated a Racing Victoria spokesperson to Wide World of Sports.

“We have offered to assist Ms Laxon and Mr Symons in retrieving the funds from what we have been informed is their previous account, and we remain open to help, but as yet they have not taken up that offer,” the spokesperson added.

Soon after their Melbourne Cup triumph, Symons and Laxon relocated to the Sunshine Coast in Queensland and have been attending the Magic Millions sales this week.

Only two months ago, the duo celebrated wildly as Knight’s Choice, previously listed at odds of $100 by bookmakers, brilliantly manoeuvred underneath a perfect ride from Dolan to seize victory in the demanding 3200-metre event.