Ernie still remembers the roar of the crowd and the thundering hooves on that unforgettable day in 2015.
Standing by the rails, he watched as Prince of Penzance, a rank outsider, surged past the finish line to win the Melbourne Cup.
Ridden by Michelle Payne, the first female jockey to claim the Cup, it was a moment that made history. But for Ernie, it was personal.
Ernie had been the stable hand who had cared for the champion in his early years, and seeing Prince of Penzance triumph was a moment of immense pride - one he still holds close to his heart. So close to his heart, in fact, that he has captured it on canvas, painting the very moment the horse crossed the finish line - all from memory.
Now living at Mayflower Brighton, Ernie has found a renewed passion for painting, dedicating up to 20 hours to each artwork.
Read the full post: https://www.mayflower.org.au/news/latest-stories/ernie