
Michelle Payne rocked the world of racing by becoming the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse.

The Melbourne Cup is known as the "race that stops a nation" such is the interest in the event. It's not just the cup that stops Australia -- it's high stakes in the fashion world too.

The Melbourne Cup was given its own entrance parade ahead of the race.

Australian beauty pageant titleholder and television reporter.Rachael Finch poses at the Myer Marquee on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington Racecourse.

The celebrities were out in force with Lleyton Hewitt, the Australian tennis player, just one famous face at the racecourse.

Of course, hats aren't just for women. Here designer Phillip Rhodes poses on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington Racecourse on November 3, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia.

There were 24 horses competing for a chance at sporting immortality.

Just the fourth woman to compete in the race in its 155-year history, Payne rode New Zealand-bred Prince of Penzance to victory.

Prince of Penzance cost $36,000 but came up trumps to win the $2.6 million top prize.

Payne was mobbed by adoring fans after her surprise triumph.

Payne, one of 10 kids, celebrated the victory with her family.

Payne celebrated her triumph with brother Stevie, who has Down syndrome. Stevie works as her strapper.

DJ Nussy was on the decks as she entertained the crowds at Flemington.

Singer Craig David was also on hand to entertain the Flemington masses.

Supported by cello and violins, singer Nathaniel also performed at the racecourse.

There was a huge crowd at Flemington to witness Payne's landmark win.

Mobiles were very much at the ready to capture events both on and off the track.

Crowds gather in Sydney's Martin Place -- where the Lindt Chocolate Cafe shooting took place in December 2014 -- to watch the race.

At the end of a long hard day's horse racing seagulls gather at Flemington to see what might be on the menu.

With all eyes glued on events at Flemington, there wasn't a soul to be seen studying at the Australian National University's Law Library in Canberra.