Seven sport reporter and presenter Michael Felgate has had a long love of sport, especially AFL and horse racing.

In fact, Michael lists one of his career highlights as not only witnessing Makybe Diva's third straight Melbourne Cup win, but also being there for the celebrations that followed.

"To be there for Makybe Diva's historic third Cup will be something I will never forget," he says. "I doubt there will be another horse in my lifetime that will do the same, so I look forward to telling my grandchildren that I was there the day Makybe Diva won her third Cup.

"I was also lucky enough to be closely involved with Tony Santic and the Diva group last year and travelled back to Port Lincoln with them to celebrate. You can't go past the chance to be able to drink beer and champagne out of the Melbourne Cup."

Michael always wanted to be in sports media - he is so passionate about sports, he knew combining a career with something he loved so much could not go wrong.

After studying Journalism at Monash University, Michael received his first job in the industry writing for Winners, a sports betting magazine.

Michael then moved onto Sport 927 for a 12 month stint as a reporter and producer.

In 1998, Michael moved to Sydney as a reporter for Sky Channel and spent four years honing his on-air skills covering all aspects of the horse racing industry.

In 2002, Michael left for Europe and spent 18 months traveling the world. Whilst overseas, Michael did some work at BSKYB as a sports producer, but always knew he would continue his media career in Australia.

Upon returning home, Michael jumped back in the industry completing freelance work for World Sports on SBS and Channel 10. Michael then received his biggest break - working for Channel Seven in Melbourne on the Athens Olympics as a commentator and producer.

The Seven Network regarded Michael's Olympic work so highly he was offered a full time position in December 2004 as a sports journalist.

Michael combines his role as a sports reporter with presenting the Seven news sport segment over summer. He is also involved in Channel Seven's Sport broadcasts of the Melbourne Cup Carnival and Australian Open tennis.

In 2007, Michael also worked on the network's AFL coverage, hosting interstate games into Sydney and Brisbane.

Michael has dominated the horse racing media awards since joining Seven. In 2005 and 2006 he received the Melbourne Racing Club award for Best News Reporting over the Caulfield Cup Carnival and in the same years also received the Best Cox Plate story award from the Moonee Valley Racing Club.

In 2006, Michael also won the overall Media Award for outstanding coverage of the Cox Plate Carnival. In 2007, Michael achieved a "clean sweep" in the media awards, winning the Best News Reporting award for the Caulfield Cup Carnival and Cox Plate, as well as the Best News Story award on the Victoria Derby.

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