Sport

Cups visit Kyabram

By Gus Underwood

Feb 12, 2026

Friends of the cup, siblings Peter and Mark McCarthy with Susan O’Kearney. Photo by Jemma Jones

A story of a friendship born 28 years ago has had a nostalgic and best selling chapter written into it.

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When Susan O’Kearney and Gayle Smith were attending pre-natal classes in Melbourne 28 years ago they struck up a lasting friendship which led to two of Australia’s most famous sporting trophies — the Melbourne and Caulfield Cup — paying Kyabram a visit last Friday.

When Susan and Gayle’s respective babies, Nicholas and Shannon, were born half an hour apart their bond grew even stronger.

Susan is the daughter of late Kyabram couple Laurie and Judy McCarthy and Gayle is the wife of Neville Smith, a major part owner of last year’s Melbourne and Caulfield cups winner, Half Yours.

The O’Kearneys of course had a special interest in the galloper through their friendship with the Smiths and thought that Laurie, being an ardent gallops fan all his life, it would be great if Melbourne-based Neville could spare the time for a photo shoot with the two cups and the McCarthy siblings — Susan, Peter and Mark — at the graveside of the McCarthys at the Kyabram cemetery.

As expected Neville was only too happy to oblige, hence his trip to Kyabram last Friday.

Tony O’Kearney and Neville Smith (back) with siblings Peter and Mark McCarthy and Susan O’Kearney. Photo by Jemma Jones

Midday diners at Kyabram’s Hurley’s Hotel also got to get a glimpse of the famous silverware and some photo shoots with the famous and expensive trophies.

The Melbourne Cup is worth $900,000 and the Caulfield Cup $300,000.

Players and supporters of the Shepparton Swans Football Club also got the chance to get their hands on the cup that evening though a friendship of one of club’s legendary players Glen Poustie with Neville.

They have been friends since Neville’s days at Undera were his parents ran the local store in the 1950s through to the 1970s.

‘‘Neville is such a great bloke,’’ Susan said.

‘‘He was only too happy to do what we asked him to do and I’m sure Dad would be looking down and just loving it.’’

It’s the second time the Melbourne Cup has been displayed in the Goulburn Valley since Half Yours wonit last November.

After the life changing wins Neville rounded up several of his Melbourne mates, hired a stretch limo and brought the cup back to the Undera Hotel to display it to a huge crowd of locals.