2023 Melbourne Cup betting guide

Racing Online - 2023 Melbourne Cup betting guide

Melbourne Cup

DATE: Tuesday, November 7, 2023
VENUE: Flemington Racecourse, 448 Epsom Rd, Flemington, VIC
DISTANCE: 3200 metres
FIRST RUNNING: 1861
2022 WINNER: Gold Trip

Everyone is an expert. Everyone reckons they have the winner. Every horse in the field is a chance, depending on who you speak to.

This is the story of the biggest race on the Australian thoroughbred calendar – the Melbourne Cup.

Melbourne Cup at Flemington RacecourseThe Melbourne Cup – Flemington Racecourse

When it comes to the Melbourne Cup, you don’t have to be a horse racing expert to have a bet — it is the race that brings a nation together.

Whether its grandma Beryl dropping a fiver on the horse that has the name she likes the most, or hardened punters splurging the big bucks on curious exotics, every one is united on the bet during the three and a half minute, two mile race as they cheer their charge home.

It might actually be inaccurate to call it the race that stops the nation. Perhaps the race that stops the world? The event is broadcast into 120 countries, with an estimated 700 million people tuning in to watch.


What is the Melbourne Cup?

The Melbourne Cup is the world’s richest handicap race, with a prize pool in excess of AUD$7.75 million available to the 24-horse field. It is raced over 3200 metres and open to horses aged three years and older.

Being that it’s a handicap event, the best horses are allocated weight penalties in order to level the playing field. The minimum weight is 49 kilograms, while the top weight must carry 57 kilograms or more. The handicapper declares the weights and then will allocate penalties – i.e., more weight – if any of the nominated runners win further big races in the lead up to the cup.

The Melbourne Cup race is held on the first Tuesday in November at the storied Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia. It is the main event of the Melbourne Cup Carnival (the Cup, the Derby, the Oaks and Stakes Day), which is part of the broader Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.

Entries for the Melbourne Cup close during the first week of August. If there are more than 24 nominees, horses are balloted, with factors such as prize money, results in recent races and handicap weight taken into account to exclude runners.

Direct entry is gained if a horse wins one or more of the following races: Cox Plate, Caulfield Cup, Doncaster Cup (UK), Lexus Stakes, Mackinnon Stakes, Irish St. Leger (Ireland), Victoria Derby, Tenno Sho (Japan), Arlington Million (USA), Sankei Sho All Comers (Japan), San Juan Capistrano Handicap (USA), Australian Stayers Challenge.


2023 Melbourne Cup betting odds

Flemington - Race 7
Lexus Melbourne Cup
Status: Final
Track Rating: Good4
Weather: Overcast
AUS
3200m03:00pm - Tue 7th Nov
1. Gold Trip
Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Best odds atSportsbet
2. Alenquer
Michael Moroney
Best odds atSportsbet
3. Without A Fight
A & S Freedman
Best odds atSportsbet
4. Breakup
Tatsuya Yoshioka
Best odds atSportsbet
5. Vauban
Willie Mullins
Best odds atSportsbet
6. Soulcombe
Chris Waller
Best odds atSportsbet
7. Absurde
Willie Mullins
Best odds atSportsbet
8. Right You Are
Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Best odds atSportsbet
9. Vow And Declare
Danny O'brien
Best odds atSportsbet
10. Cleveland
Kris Lees
Best odds atSportsbet
11. Ashrun
Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Best odds atSportsbet
12. Daqiansweet Junior
Phillip Stokes
Best odds atSportsbet
13. Okita Soushi
Joseph O'brien
Best odds atSportsbet
14. Sheraz
Chris Waller
Best odds atSportsbet
15. Lastotchka
Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr
Best odds atSportsbet
16. Magical Lagoon
Chris Waller
Best odds atSportsbet
17. Military Mission
G Waterhouse & A Bott
Best odds atSportsbet
18. Serpentine
G Waterhouse & A Bott
Best odds atSportsbet
19. Virtuous Circle
Liam Howley
Best odds atSportsbet
20. More Felons
Chris Waller
Best odds atSportsbet
21. Future History
Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Best odds atSportsbet
22. Interpretation
Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Best odds atSportsbet
23. Kalapour
Kris Lees
Best odds atSportsbet
24. True Marvel
Matthew Smith
Best odds atSportsbet

Best bookmakers for the 2023 Melbourne Cup

Any bookmaker worth their salt will have a number of bonuses and specials available in the lead up to the Melbourne Cup.

So which online book is going to deliver the best service for you?

United States Best Bookies for the Melbourne Cup

Best Bookies for the Melbourne Cup

The truth of the matter is, the bookmakers we recommend all bring their absolute A-game to the Melbourne Cup.

Whether it’s Ladbrokes, Bet365 or Neds, you’re going to get a quality service, quality bonus offers and more.

So what we recommend is that you have an account with each and every one of them, to ensure you are getting the best odds on your big Melbourne Cup tip.

It costs nothing to open an account at these online bookmakers and once you have one, you’ll be able to compare odds, take advantage of the best specials available to you and make sure that you’re maximising every cent you punt on the big race.


2023 Melbourne Cup Final Field

No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Odds
1 Silks
Gold Trip
Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
James McDonald
2
58.5kg
+340
2 Silks
Alenquer
Michael Moroney
Damien Oliver
9
56.5kg
+5000
3 Silks
Without A Fight
Anthony & Sam Freedman
Mark Zahra
16
56.5kg
+600
4 Silks
Breakup
Taisuya Yoshioka
Kohei Matsuyama
18
55kg
+1700
5 Silks
Vauban
Willie Mullins
Ryan Moore
3
55kg
+240
6 Silks
Soulcombe
Chris Waller
Joao Moreira
4
53.5kg
+1000
7 Silks
Absurde
Willie Mullins
Zac Purton
8
53kg
+2200
8 Silks
Right You Are
Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
John Allen
15
53kg
+7000
9 Silks
Vow And Declare
Danny O’Brien
Billy Egan
19
53kg
+3000
10 Silks
Cleveland
Kris Lees
Michael Dee
23
52kg
SCR
11 Silks
Ashrun
Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Kerrin McEvoy
11
51.5kg
+4000
12 Silks
Daqiansweet Junior
Phillip Stokes
Daniel Stackhouse
12
51.5kg
+9000
13 Silks
Okita Soushi
Joseph O’Brien
Dylan Gibbons
20
51.5kg
+7000
14 Silks
Sheraz
Chris Waller
Beau Mertens
22
51.5kg
+12500
15 Silks
Lastotchka
Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr)
Craig Williams
21
51kg
+2500
16 Silks
Magical Lagoon
Chris Waller
Mark Du Plessis
7
51kg
+9000
17 Silks
Military Mission
Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
Rachel King
5
51kg
+4500
18 Silks
Serpentine
Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
Jye McNeil
1
51kg
+6000
19 Silks
Virtuous Circle
Liam Howley
Craig Newitt
6
51kg
+9000
20 Silks
More Felons
Chris Waller
Jamie Kah
24
50.5kg
+3000
21 Silks
Future History
Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Hollie Doyle
13
50kg
+2600
22 Silks
Interpretation
Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Teo Nugent
17
50kg
+6000
23 Silks
Kalapour
Kris Lees
Zac Lloyd
14
50kg
+5000
24 Silks
True Marvel
Matthew Smith
Ben Thompson
10
50kg
+15000

Previous Melbourne Cup Fields

  • No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Odds
    1 Gold Trip Melbourne Cup 2022 Gold Trip Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Mark Zahra 14 57.5kg $13
    2 Duais Melbourne Cup 2022 Duais Edward Cummings Hugh Bowman 10 55.5kg $21
    3 Knights Order Melbourne Cup 2022 Knights Order Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 24 55.5kg $21
    4 Montefilia Melbourne Cup 2022 Montefilia David Payne Jason Collett 11 55.5kg $11
    5 Numerian Melbourne Cup 2022 Numerian Annabel Neasham Tommy Berry 7 55.5kg $61
    6 Without A Fight Melbourne Cup 2022 Without A Fight Simon & Ed Crisford William Buick 18 55.5kg $11
    7 Camorra Melbourne Cup 2022 Camorra Ben & JD Hayes Ben Melham 17 55kg $41
    8 Deauville Legend Melbourne Cup 2022 Deauville Legend James Ferguson Kerrin McEvoy 9 55kg $3.80
    9 Stockman Melbourne Cup 2022 Stockman Joseph Pride Sam Clipperton 2 54kg $34
    10 Vow And Declare Melbourne Cup 2022 Vow And Declare Danny O’Brien Blake Shinn 4 54kg $18
    11 Young Werther Melbourne Cup 2022 Young Werther Danny O’Brien Damian Lane 21 54kg $26
    12 Hoo Ya Mal Melbourne Cup 2022 Hoo Ya Mal Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Craig Williams 15 53.5kg $21
    13 Serpentine Melbourne Cup 2022 Serpentine Robert Hickmott John Allen 23 53.5kg $61
    14 Daqiansweet Junior Melbourne Cup 2022 Daqiansweet Junior Phillip Stokes Daniel Moor 13 53kg $51
    15 Grand Promenade Melbourne Cup 2022 Grand Promenade Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Harry Coffey 1 53kg $61
    16 Arapaho Melbourne Cup 2022 Arapaho Bjorn Baker Rachel King 19 52.5kg $101
    17 Emissary Melbourne Cup 2022 Emissary Mike Moroney Patrick Moloney 3 51.5kg $21
    18 Lunar Flare Melbourne Cup 2022 Lunar Flare Grahame Begg Michael Dee 12 51.5kg $21
    19 Smokin' Romans Melbourne Cup 2022 Smokin’ Romans Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Jamie Kah 16 51.5kg $21
    20 Tralee Rose Melbourne Cup 2022 Tralee Rose Symon Wilde Dean Yendall 22 51kg $101
    21 Point Nepean Melbourne Cup 2022 Point Nepean Robert Hickmott Wayne Lordan 20 51kg $71
    22 High Emocean Melbourne Cup 2022 High Emocean Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Teo Nugent 8 50kg $51
    23 Interpretation Melbourne Cup 2022 Interpretation Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Craig Newitt 6 50kg $41
    24 Realm Of Flowers Melbourne Cup 2022 Realm Of Flowers Anthony & Sam Freedman Damien Thornton 5 50kg $15

  • 2021 Melbourne Cup Field
    No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Odds
    1 Twilight Payment Melbourne Cup 2021 Twilight Payment Joseph O’Brien Jye McNeil 2 58kg $11
    2 Incentivise Melbourne Cup 2021 Incentivise Peter Moody Brett Prebble 16 57kg $2.50
    3 Spanish Mission Melbourne Cup 2021 Spanish Mission Andrew Balding Craig Williams 14 57kg $9
    4 Verry Elleegant Melbourne Cup 2021 Verry Elleegant Chris Waller James McDonald 19 57kg $15
    5 Explosive Jack Melbourne Cup 2021 Explosive Jack C Maher & D Eustace John Allen 4 54kg $51
    6 The Chosen One Melbourne Cup 2021 The Chosen One M Baker & A Forsman Damian Lane 5 54kg $61
    7 Delphi Melbourne Cup 2021 Delphi A & S Freedman Damien Oliver 3 53.5kg $41
    8 Ocean Billy Melbourne Cup 2021 Ocean Billy Chris Waller Damian Thornton 13 53.5kg $101
    9 Selino Melbourne Cup 2021 Selino Chris Waller Ron Stewart 24 53.5kg $151
    10 Johnny Get Angry Melbourne Cup 2021 Johnny Get Angry Denis Pagan Lachlan King 22 53kg $101
    11 Knights Order Melbourne Cup 2021 Knights Order G Waterhouse & A Bott Daniel Stackhouse 9 53kg $201
    12 Persan Melbourne Cup 2020 Persan C Maher & D Eustace Luke Currie 11 53kg $31
    13 Carif Melbourne Cup 2021 Carif P & P Snowden Blaike McDougall 8 52.5kg $201
    14 Master Of Wine Melbourne Cup 2021 Master Of Wine Team Hawkes Fred Kersley 6 52.5kg $101
    15 Pondus Melbourne Cup 2020 Pondus Robert Hickmott Rachel King 1 52.5kg $41
    16 Grand Promenade Melbourne Cup 2021 Grand Promenade C Maher & D Eustace Kerrin McEvoy 21 52kg $21
    17 Miami Bound Melbourne Cup 2021 Miami Bound Danny O’Brien Patrick Moloney 17 52kg $151
    18 Port Guillaume Melbourne Cup 2021 Port Guillaume Ben & JD Hayes Harry Coffey 23 52kg $151
    19 She's Ideel Melbourne Cup 2021 She’s Ideel Bjorn Baker Craig Newitt 20 52kg $101
    20 Future Score Melbourne Cup 2021 Future Score Matt Cumani Dean Yendall 15 51.5kg SCR
    21 Tralee Rose Melbourne Cup 2021 Tralee Rose Symon Wilde Dean Holland 12 51kg $17
    22 Floating Artist Melbourne Cup 2021 Floating Artist C Maher & D Eustace Teo Nugent 10 50kg $18
    23 Great House Melbourne Cup 2021 Great House Chris Waller Michael Dee 7 50kg $31
    24 Sir Lucan Melbourne Cup 2021 Sir Lucan G Waterhouse & A Bott Glen Boss 18 50kg $26

  • 2020 Melbourne Cup Field
    No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Odds
    1 Anthony Van Dyck Melbourne Cup 2020 Anthony Van Dyck Aidan O’Brien Hugh Bowman 3 58.5kg $8.50
    2 Avilius Melbourne Cup 2020 Avilius James Cummings John Allen 10 57kg $51
    3 Vow And Declare Melbourne Cup 2020 Vow And Declare Danny O’Brien Jamie Mott 4 57kg $51
    4 Master Of Reality Melbourne Cup 2020 Master Of Reality Joseph O’Brien Ben Melham 11 56kg $26
    5 Sir Drgonet Melbourne Cup 2020 Sir Dragonet C Maher & D Eustace Glen Boss 14 55.5kg $10
    6 Twilight Payment Melbourne Cup 2020 Twilight Payment Joseph O’Brien Jye McNeil 12 55.5kg $31
    7 Verry Ellegant Melbourne Cup 2020 Verry Elleegant Chris Waller Mark Zahra 15 55.5kg $13
    8 Mustajeer Melbourne Cup 2020 Mustajeer Kris Lees Michael Rodd 2 55kg $101
    9 Stratum Albion Melbourne Cup 2020 Stratum Albion Willie Mullins Jordan Childs 9 55kg $47
    10 Dashing Willoughby Melbourne Cup 2020 Dashing Willoughby Andrew Balding Michael Walker 19 54.5kg $101
    11 Finche Melbourne Cup 2020 Finche Chris Waller James McDonald 6 54.5kg $19
    12 Prince Of Arran Melbourne Cup 2020 Prince Of Arran Charlie Fellowes Jamie Kah 1 54.5kg $12
    13 Surprise Baby Melbourne Cup 2020 Surprise Baby Paul Preusker Craig Williams 7 54.5kg $9.50
    14 King Of Leogrance Melbourne Cup 2020 King Of Leogrance Danny O’Brien Damian Lane 18 53.5kg SCR
    15 Russian Camelot Melbourne Cup 2020 Russian Camelot Danny O’Brien Damien Oliver 16 53.5kg $13
    16 Steel Prince Melbourne Cup 2020 Steel Prince A & S Freedman William Pike 21 53.5kg $44
    17 The Chosen one Melbourne Cup 2020 The Chosen One M Baker & A Forsman Daniel Stackhouse 5 53.5kg $42
    18 Ashrun Melbourne Cup 2020 Ashrun Andreas Wohler Declan Bates 24 53kg $23
    19 Warning Melbourne Cup 2020 Warning A & S Freeman Luke Currie 8 53kg $51
    20 Etah James Melbourne Cup 2020 Etah James C Maher & D Eustace Billy Egan 22 52.5kg $201
    21 Tiger Moth Melbourne Cup 2020 Tiger Moth Aidan O’Brien Kerrin McEvoy 23 52.5kg $8.60
    22 Oceanex Melbourne Cup 2020 Oceanex M Price & M Kent jnr Dean Yendall 17 51.5kg $101
    23 Miamia Bound Melbourne Cup 2020 Miami Bound Danny O’Brien Daniel Moor 21 51kg $41
    24 Persan Melbourne Cup 2020 Persan C Maher & D Eustace Michael Dee 20 51kg $42


Recent Melbourne Cup results

  • PLACE HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WIN ODDS PLACE ODDS
    1st GOLD TRIP Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Mark Zahra +2000 +480
    2nd EMISSARY Mike Moroney Patrick Moloney +640
    3rd HIGH EMOCEAN Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Teo Nugent +800
    4th DEAUVILLE LEGEND James Ferguson Kerrin McEvoy
    QUINELLA: $251.30
    TRIFECTA: $16,494.00
    FIRST FOUR: $102,785.00

  • PLACE HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WIN ODDS PLACE ODDS
    1st VERRY ELLEGANT Chris Waller James McDonald $16.50 $4.50
    2nd INCENTIVISE Peter Moody Brett Prebble $2.00
    3rd SPANISH MISSION Andrew Balding Craig Williams $3.30
    4th FLOATING ARTIST Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Teo Nugent
    QUINELLA: $18.60
    TRIFECTA: $356.10
    FIRST FOUR: $4829.70

  • PLACE HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WIN ODDS PLACE ODDS
    1st TWILIGHT PAYMENT Joseph O’Brien Jye McNeil $26.00 $6.00
    2nd TIGER MOTH Aidan O’Brien Kerrin McEvoy $2.75
    3rd PRINCE OF ARRAN Charlie Fellows Ms Jamie Kah $3.40
    4th THE CHOSEN ONE Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman Daniel Stackhouse
    QUINELLA: $97.20
    TRIFECTA: $1806.00
    FIRST FOUR: $38,939.00


Key Melbourne Cup dates in history

  • The first incarnation of the Melbourne Cup was run on a Thursday way back in 1861. It is now one of the most time-honoured sporting events in Australian history, running every year since. It even survived the two World Wars.
  • After starting small, the event quickly gathered steam and, by 1873, it was so popular that people were shirking their work and family responsibilities to make sure they were able to watch the race. This led to it being declared a public holiday by authorities in Victoria that year.
  • The first bookmakers were given licences to operate at Flemington in 1882. The TAB first operated that year, although it wasn’t a recognised entity until 1961.
  • The race was dominated by Australian-trained horses until 1993, when Vintage Crop became the first international raider to win the Melbourne Cup. These days, there are often 30 or more nominations from overseas horses.
  • 154 years after the running of the first Melbourne Cup, experienced rider Michelle Payne created history, becoming the first female jockey to ride the winner of the race that stops the nation, aboard Prince of Penzance, paying an astonishing $101 to win. The story of her victory has since been sold to a movie production company.

Tips on how to bet on the Melbourne Cup

We mentioned it’s the biggest single punting event in Australia and we weren’t lying. Australians drop more than $200 million on the race each year – that’s about nine bucks per head of population. It’s an amazing figure, but there are riches to be made.

Because there is rarely a sure-fire winner, win and place odds are superb even at the top end of the market. With outsiders often sneaking into the top four, exotics can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Race Day Punter Celebrates

Outside of the major betting companies, there are often cup sweeps, usually at workplaces or gatherings of friends and families, where people can buy in and get random horses drawn out of a hat. Winners and place getters usually get the spoils of the prize pool, and the last place getter will usually get their money back.

Here’s a short list of some of the ways you can bet on the Melbourne Cup:

  • Win bets are fairly self explanatory. You select the horse you want to win, decide how much you want to bet on it and hope it crosses the finish line first. It’s not rocket science. We would advise that you check the form guide and try to make an informed decision, but the usual rules of punting go out the door on Melbourne Cup day.
  • More chances, lower odds. The horse you back with your place bet must run either first, second, or third for you to win cash.
  • A bit of a hedge, this gives you the enhanced winner’s odds, while also giving you an opportunity to secure a consolation if the horse runs a drum. So if it runs first, you get a dividend for both the win and place bet, while if it comes in second or third, you forfeit the win wager, but still get a pay out on the place.
  • It gets a little harder here. With quinella bets, you need two or more selections and at least two of your picks must finish first and second in the race for you to collect cash. It doesn’t matter what order they come in, provided they are boxed.
  • An exacta is similar to a quinella, except you must select the exact order in which your horses will finish. So your selections must come first and second in the race, in the order that you pick them. You can have more than one selection to finish first and more than one to finish second, but the bet will cost you more.
  • Pick two or more horses and provided two of them finish either first, second, or third, your duet is a winner. Long story short, your picks can come first and second, first and third, or second and third, and you still win.
  • One of the most popular exotics, this is picking the first three horses to finish. A standard trifecta requires you to pick the exact finishing order of each selection; a boxed trifecta, which costs a little extra, has no such requirement. It’s not as easy as it sounds, though, especially when there are 24 horses in the race.
  • This of this as a trifecta on steroids. Instead of three, you need four correct finishers – first, second, third and fourth – to collect your bet. It’s near on impossible, but, if you manage it, you can get rich. In 2013, the first four in the cup paid more the $1 million in some states. Not bad juice if you can get it.
  • You can bet on the Melbourne Cup all year round. Online bookies will often put out markets for the next race moments after the completion of that year’s run. Odds will fluctuate greatly as more horses nominate and those horses that win big races get direct entry.


Quick tips for betting on the Melbourne Cup

  • First and foremost, make sure you’re punting within your means, even if it is the Melbourne Cup. Don’t spend the rent money on a Cup runner in the hopes of getting it back. It’s bad business. Make sure all your obligations are met and then use your disposable income.
  • Make sure you have multiple betting accounts. This is how you find the best odds on your Melbourne Cup runner – and take advantage of the best betting conditions you will find.
  • Check the form! Yes, we know said this is out the door, because, for many people, it’s the only time they will bet in the season, but even finding out how the horse has fared over distance races and in recent outings can help inform your decision.

Notable Melbourne Cup runners and champions

Winning the Melbourne Cup does not guarantee legend status. Some horses, for whatever reason, become household names. Others win the race and then fade into obscurity. It’s all about the story in most cases. The tear jerkers or the super winners often make their way into the nation’s collective heart.

Here are some of our best and brightest winners:

  • Mighty Phar Lap, whose name transcends the race, won the Melbourne Cup in 1930, during the Great Depression.

    Phar Lap
    Phar Lap is one of the greatest thoroughbreds to ever race in the Melbourne Cup.
  • Archer was the first ever winner of the Melbourne Cup in 1861. It went back to back a year later.
  • Only five horses have won the race more than once. Perhaps the most memorable of those was the superstar Makybe Diva, which took home the cup three years in a row from 2003 to 2005.
  • Kingston Rule won the race in 1990 with a record time of 3.16.3.
  • Martini-Henry was the first internationally bred horse to win the cup, way back in 1883. More than 100 years later, in 1993, Irish stayer Vintage Crop became the first overseas-based runner to win it. Since then, the influence of horses from the UK, Ireland, France, Germany and Japan has grown significantly.
  • Sheila Laxon became the first woman to officially win the Melbourne Cup when her horse Ethereal won the 2001 race. We say ‘officially’ because Mrs Allan McDonald was credited as her husband for Catalogue’s 1938 at a time when women were not allowed to attain horse training licences in Australia.
  •  Phar Lap was a hero of the people in very dark times.
  • Fighting through the loss of his brother, fellow jockey Jason Oliver, top Melbourne hoop Damien Oliver steered his mount, Media Puzzle to victory in 2002, fighting back tears as he remembered his brother moments after the race.
  • One trainer stands above all in Melbourne Cups. That is the great Bart Cummings, who has won the race a record 12 times, his first in 1965 and most recent in 2008. The next best are Lee Freedman and Etienne de Mestre, with five each.

Interesting Melbourne Cup facts


  • The race isn’t exactly two miles (3219 metres). It used to be, but was shortened in 1972 to 1.988 miles (3200 metres) when Australia adopted the metric system.
  • While these days it attracts the most glamorous pap from across the spectrum of the sporting and entertainment world, the Melbourne Cup was once visited by the great American author Mark Twain. His 1895 visit prompted him to muse: “Nowhere in the world have I encountered a festival of people that has such a magnificent appeal to the whole nation. The Cup astonishes me.” That’s a pretty good review, in any one’s language.
  • In a bid to encourage more women to attend the cup, the first Fashions on the Field was held in 1962. These days the fine frocks and fancy suits are all the rage at the cup, with both men and women buying into the competitions, with big prizes for best dressed available.
  • The limit for runners is 24, but that wasn’t always the case. We would not have wanted to be a jockey when the largest field of 39 runners trotted onto the track in 1890.
  • While the prize money is what winners really want, the Melbourne Cup trophy is actually worth an amazing $175,000. It’s made out of 18 carat gold every year, has three handles and is known as ‘The Loving Cup’.

List of Melbourne Cup winners

YEAR WINNER JOCKEY TRAINER
2022 Gold Trip Mark Zahra Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
2021 Verry Elleegant James McDonald Chris Waller
2020 Twilight Payment Jye McNeil Joseph O’Brien
2019 Vow And Declare Craig Williams Danny O’Brien
2018 Cross Counter Kerrin McEvoy Charlie Appleby
2017 Rekindling Damien Lane Joseph O’Brien
2016 Almandin Kerrin McEvoy Robert Hickmott
2015 Prince of Penzance Michelle Payne Darren Weir
2014 Protectionist Ryan Moore Andreas Wohler
2013 Fiorente Damien Oliver Gai Waterhouse
2012 Green Moon Brett Prebble Robert Hickmott
2011 Dunaden Christophe Lemaire Mikel Delzangles
2010 Americain Gerald Mosse Alain de Royer-Dupre
2009 Shocking Corey Brown Mark Kavanagh
2008 Viewed Blake Shinn Bart Cummings
2007 Efficient Michael Rodd Graeme Rogerson
2006 Delta Blues Yasunari Iwata Katsuhiko Sumii
2005 Makybe Diva Glen Boss Lee Freedman
2004 Makybe Diva Glen Boss Lee Freedman
2003 Makybe Diva Glen Boss David Hall
2002 Media Puzzle Damien Oliver Dermot K. Weld
2001 Ethereal Scott Seamer Sheila Laxon
2000 Brew Kerrin McEvoy Mike Moroney
1999 Rogan Josh John Marshall Bart Cummings
1998 Jezabeel Chris Munce Brian Jenkins
1997 Might and Power Jim Cassidy Jack Denham
1996 Saintly Darren Beadman Bart Cummings
1995 Doreimus Damien Oliver Lee Friedman
1994 Jeune Wayne Harris David Hayes
1993 Vintage Crop Michael Kinane Dermot K. Weld
1992 Subzero Greg Hall Lee Freedman
1991 Let’s Elope Steven King Bart Cummings
1990 Kingston Rule Darren Beadman Bart Cummings
1989 Tawriffic Shane Dye Lee Freedman
1988 Empire Rose Tony Allan Laurie Laxon
1987 Kensei Larry Olsen Les J. Bridge
1986 At Talaq Michael Clarke C. S. Hayes
1985 What A Nuisance Pat Hyland John Meagher
1984 Black Knight Peter Cook George Hanlon
1983 Kiwi Jim Cassidy Ewen S. Lipton
1982 Gurner’s Lane Mick Dittman Geoff T. Murphy
1981 Just A Dash Peter Cook T. J. Smith
1980 Beldale Ball John Letts C. S. Hayes
1979 Hyperno Harry White Bart Cummings
1978 Arwon Harry White George Hanlon
1977 Gold and Black John Duggan Bart Cummings
1976 Van der Hum Robert J. Skelton Len H. Robinson
1975 Think Big Harry White Bart Cummings
1974 Think Big Harry White Bart Cummings
1973 Gala Supreme Frank Reys Ray J. Hutchins
1972 Piping Lane John Letts George Hanlon
1971 Silver Knight R. Bruce Marsh Eric Temperton
1970 Baghdad Note Midge Didham Robert Heasley
1969 Rain Lover Jim Johnson Mick L. Robins
1968 Rain Lover Jim Johnson Mick L. Robins
1967 Red Handed Roy Higgins Bart Cummings
1966 Galilee John Miller Bart Cummings
1965 Light Fingers Roy Higgins Bart Cummings
1964 Polo Prince Ron Taylor John B. Carter
1963 Gatum Gatum Jim Johnson H. Graeme Heagney
1962 Even Stevens Les Coles Arch McGregor
1961 Lord Fury Ray Selkrig Frank B. Lewis
1960 Hi Jinx William A. Smith Trevor H. Knowles
1959 Macdougal Pat Glennon Richard W. Roden
1958 Baystone Mel Schumacher Jack Green
1957 Straightdraw Noel L. McGrowdie J. M. Mitchell
1956 Evening Peel George Podmore E. D. Lawson
1955 Toparoa Neville Selwood T. J. Smith
1954 Rising Fast Jack Purtell Ivan Tucker
1953 Wodalla Jack Purtell Robert Sinclair
1952 Dalray Bill Williamson C. C. McCarthy
1951 Delta Neville Selwood Maurice McCarten
1950 Comic Court Pat Glennon J. M. Cummings
1949 Foxzami William Fellows D. Lewis
1948 Rimfire Ray Neville Stan Boyden
1947 Hiraji Jack Purtell J. W. McCurley
1946 Russia Darby Munro E. Hush
1945 Rainbird Billy Cook S. Evans
1944 Sirius Darby Munro E. Fisher
1943 Dark Felt Vic Hartney Ray Webster
1942 Colonus H. McLeod F. Manning
1941 Skipton Billy Cook J. Fryer
1940 Old Rowley Andy Knox J. A. Scully
1939 Rivette Ted Preston Harry Bamber
1938 Catalogue F. Shean Mrs. Allan McDonald
1937 The Trump Ashleigh Reed S. W. Reid
1936 Wotan Ossie Phillips J. Fryer
1935 Marabou K. Voitre Lou Robertson
1934 Peter Pan Darby Munro Frank McGrath, Sr.
1933 Hall Mark J. O’Sullivan Jack Holt
1932 Peter Pan Bill Duncan Frank McGrath, Sr.
1931 White Nose N. Percival E. J. Hatwell
1930 Phar Lap James E. Pike Harry R. Telford
1929 Nightmarch Roy Reed A. McAulay
1928 Statesman James L. Munro William Kelso
1927 Trivalve Bobby Lewis James Scobie
1926 Spearfelt Hugh Harold Cairns V. O’Neill
1925 Windbag James L. Munro George R. Price
1924 Backwood Bunty Brown Richard Bradfield
1923 Bitalli Titch Wilson James Scobie
1922 King Ingoda Titch Wilson James Scobie
1921 Sister Olive Ted O’Sullivan J. Williams
1920 Poitrel Ken Bracken H. J. Robinson
1919 Artilleryman Bobby Lewis P. T. Heywood
1918 Night Watch Bill Duncan Richard Bradfield
1917 Westcourt William H. McLachlan Joe Burton
1916 Sasanof F. Foley M. Hobbs
1915 Patrobas Bobby Lewis C. Wheeler
1914 Kingsburgh George Meddick Isaac Foulsham
1913 Posinatus A. Shanahan J. Chambers
1912 Piastre A. Shanahan R. O’Connor
1911 The Parisian R. Cameron C. Wheeler
1910 Comedy King William H. McLachlan James Lynch
1909 Prince Foote William H. McLachlan Frank McGrath, Sr.
1908 Lord Nolan J. R. Flynn E. A. Mayo
1907 Apologue Bill Evans Isaac Earnshaw
1906 Poseidon Tom Clayton Isaac Earnshaw
1905 Blue Spec Frank Bullock Walter Hickenbotham
1904 Arcasia Tom Clayton A. E. Wills
1903 Lord Cardigan Norman Godby A. E. Cornwell
1902 The Victory Bobby Lewis Richard Bradfield
1901 Revenue Frederick J. Dunn Hugh Munro
1900 Clean Sweep Andrew Richardson James Scobie
1899 Merriwee V. Turner James Wilson, Jr.
1898 The Grafter John Gough William Forrester
1897 Gaulus Stephen Callinan William Forrester
1896 Newhaven H. J. Gardiner Walter Hickenbotham
1895 Auraria J. Stevenson J. H. Hill
1894 Patron Henry G. Dawes Richard Bradfield
1893 Tarcoola Herbert Cripps Joseph Cripps
1892 Glenloth G. Robson M. Carmody
1891 Malvolio G. Redfearn J. Redfearn
1890 Carbine Robert Ramage Walter Hickenbotham
1889 Bravo Jack Anwin T. Wilson
1888 Mentor Mick O’Brien Walter Hickenbotham
1887 Dunlop Tommy Sanders J. Nicholson
1886 Arsenal W. English H. Rayner
1885 Sheet Anchor Mick O’Brien T. Wilson
1884 Malua Alick Robertson Isaac Foulsham
1883 Martini-Henry J. Williamson Michael Fennelly
1882 The Assyrian C. Hutchins J. E. Savill
1881 Zulu Jim Gough T. Lamond
1880 Grand Flaneur Thomas Hales T. Brown
1879 Darriwell S. Cracknell W. E. Dakin
1878 Calamia T. Brown Etienne de Mestre
1877 Chester P. Pigott Etienne de Mestre
1876 Briseis Peter St. Albans James Wilson
1875 Wollomai R. Batty S. Moon
1874 Haricot P. Pigott S. Harding
1873 Don Juan W. Wilson James Wilson
1872 The Quack W. Enderson John Tait
1871 The Pearl J. Cavanagh John Tait
1870 Nimblefoot J. Day W. Lang
1869 Warrior J. Morrison R. Sevior
1868 Glencoe C. Stanley John Tait
1867 Tim Whiffler John Driscoll Etienne de Mestre
1866 The Barb W. Davis John Tait
1865 Toryboy E. Cavanagh P. Miley
1864 Lantern S. Davis S. Mahon
1863 Banker H. Chifney Sam Waldock
1862 Archer John Cutts Etienne de Mestre
1861 Archer John Cutts Etienne de Mestre

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