If history is any indication, a victory in Tuesday's Melbourne Cup (Aus-G1) is a sure-fire springboard to a life of unencumbered luxury for the triumphant horse.

Of the 17 winners of the legendary two-mile test who are still living, only a few have taken up duties in the breeding shed, as a majority of the winners have been geldings. 1990 winner Kingston Rule, by Secretariat, and 1994 winner Jeune both stand at stud in Australia, and a pair of distaff champions, Let's Elope (1991) and Jezabeel ('98), have become top broodmares.

But for the majority, retirement from the racetrack begins a life of leisure. 1985 Melbourne Cup winner What a Nuisance, who surged to victory in his final jump under the wire, remains in the care of his jockey that day, the retired Pat Hyland. Known as "Whata," the son of English stakes winner St Puckle has reigned as the king of his paddock for the last 11 years on the Hyland family property in Clyde, Australia. An ornery sort in retirement, 23-year-old Whata remains quick to prove that he is still master of his domain.

"He's been in the same paddock for 11 years, and he can be a grumpy old bastard sometimes," Hyland's son Patrick told The Age about Whata. "He's the boss of his paddock. We put a couple of older horses out there with him and he kicked the s*** out of them. He's a good old fella though."

The younger Hyland said that people who have horses on the family farm often bring their children out to see Whata, who is a local celebrity, and added that the Cup trophy Whata won retains a place of honor on the Hyland mantle. When Hyland was asked if Whata was ever shown the coveted prize: "Nope," he replied. "He's not allowed near the house."

For more colorful stories of past Melbourne Cup heroes and their lives today, visit http://www.theage.com/