Champions Stakes Day AS IT HAPPENED: James McDonald breaks his own Cup week record; Pride of Jenni retired in sad end to career

What a way to end a stellar week here at Flemington!

Thanks for following along Wide World of Sports LIVE coverage of each day of this Melbourne Cup Carnival.

We hope you enjoyed our coverage and we will catch you soon!

Over and out, says James McDonald!

He has broken his own record of 10 wins in a Carnival, making it 11 wins during Melbourne Cup week this year!

So how will McDonald celebrate this historic day?

"Have a little party tomorrow, which I can't wait for. What a week it has been. It has been sensational, everyone's been great," he told Nine's Billy Slater after win 11.

WINNER: Pisanello ($2.60)

Second: Trapeze Warrior

Third: Dual Pressure

JAMES MCDONALD YOU ARE A STAR! J-MAC HAS BROUGHT THE HOUSE DOWN AT FLEMINGTON!

James McDonald has one final race to make it 11 wins - a career best in a single Carnival!

Can he do it?

Race 9 not far now.

He is riding Pisanello.

Naval Academy has been scratched late, as has Port Albert.

Well, it looks like word has confirmed iconic racehorse Pride Of Jenni will be officially retired!

Pride Of Jenni is Flemington's horse of the year.

She retires now as the winner of eight of her 35 starts, including three Group 1 victories, and as an earner of AUD $10m.

What a stellar career from a stellar horse!

James McDonald is the man of the Spring Racing Carnival!

This equals his best ever Carnival with 10 wins.

And he says that ride in race 8 was a cruise, as he bolted home with ease,

"That was awesome. Everything just went beautifully to plan. I had the horse to really give me a smooth ride. 600m, 400m, I was just like changing gears and she just did it.," he told Billy Slater on Nine.

READ THE FULL RECAP HERE.

WINNER: Via Sistina ($1.40)

Second: Atishu

Third: Without A Fight

That is it! A perfect 10 for James McDonald! The jockey of the Melbourne Cup Carnival is your 2024 Champion Stakes winner!

This is the one everyone has been waiting for!

Via Sistina, weeks removed from one of the most incredible Cox Plate victories in history, will start as a short-priced favourite with James McDonald looking to level his own record of 10 wins for the carnival.

While it's hard to go past the superstar mare, the likes of Atishu - who is also from the Chris Waller stable - and last year's Melbourne Cup victor Without A Fight loom as real threats in a star-studded 2000m race.

Craig Williams has stamped his authority with a classy victory riding Mr Brightside!

And he's hilariously given a shoutout to the horse after the victory in race 7.

"Mr B has no BS in him. He did all the running today. So thanks, buddy," Williams said on Nine post win.

And Mr Brightside has ticked off a few big victories, with the Champions Mile just another to add to the history books.

"His target was the grand final - the Cox Plate. He ran fourth and phenomenal. Today they've come here today with the target of winning the Champions Mile with all these top horses," Williams said.

WINNER: Mr Brightside ($4.40)

Second: Antino

Third: Fangirl

Craig Williams snags it on Mr Brightside!