It was the Melbourne Cup when Lloyd Williams had the luck of the Irish.

The enduring owner was at the end of the rainbow collecting the pot of gold once again with his sixth Cup victory, and this time it was a quinella.

Rekindling, ridden by Corey Brown, was a long neck winner over fellow Irish raider Johannes Vermeer.

Both horses are owned by Williams, with the winner trained by Joseph O'Brien and the runner up by his father Aidan O'Brien.

"I'm so proud of this young man - he's a star," Williams said of the rookie trainer who's father is regarded as one of the racing world's best.

"I've been telling people the father needs to watch out!"

Third home was another Irish horse, Max Dynamite, prepared by trainer Willie Mullins, who had finished second two years ago behind Prince of Penzance ridden by Michelle Payne.

Lloyd told the crowd at Flemington it was an amazing day for him.

"Gee I love standing up here on this stage," he said.

"This is an amazing day for me because here is a young horse and an even younger trainer.

"We are very, very fortunate to be here on this iconic race day for Melbourne which I hope one day might be a national holiday."

Williams previous five Cup winners were Almandin last year, Green Moon in 2012, Efficient in 2007, What A Nuisance in 1985 and Just A Dash in 1981.