The race that stops a nation has had winners from all parts of Europe and Japan, further solidifying its status as a true international event. Every year international raiders flock to Australian shores to try to win our greatest race. Who are this year’s Internationals and can they win The Cup?
Who are the internationals in the 2024 Melbourne Cup?
The race that stops a nation has had winners from all parts of Europe and even Japan, further solidifying its status as a true international event.
Every year international raiders flock to Australian shores to try to win our greatest race.
In 2024, despite Melbourne Cup Internationals having to satisfy very strict criteria to join the field in the race that stops the nation; five international horses remain in contention to win The Cup.
2024 Melbourne Cup Horses
1. Vauban (11)
- T: Willie Mullins
- J: William Buick
- W: 55.5kg
- F: 21342
- Age: 7YO
- Colour: Chestnut
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Galiway (GB)
- Dam: Waldfest (GB)
2. Buckaroo (21)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Joao Moreira
- W: 54.5kg
- F: 22118
- Age: 6YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Fastnet Rock
- Dam: Roheryn (IRE)
3. Circle Of Fire (24)
- T: Ciaron Maher
- J: Mark Zahra
- W: 54.5kg
- F: 098×1
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Almanzor (FR)
- Dam: Fiery Sunset (GB)
4. Warp Speed (3)
- T: Noboru Takagi
- J: Akira Sugawara
- W: 54.5kg
- F: 0x523
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Drefong (USA)
- Dam: Deep Love (JPN)
5. Kovalica (17)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Damian Lane
- W: 53.5kg
- F: 6243x
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Ocean Park (NZ)
- Dam: Vitesse (NZ)
6. Sharp ‘N’ Smart (15)
- T: Graeme & Deborah Rogerson
- J: Michael Dee
- W: 53.5kg
- F: 3020x
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Redwood (GB)
- Dam: Queen Margaret (NZ)
7. Just Fine (13)
- T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
- J: Jye McNeil
- W: 53kg
- F: 01050
- Age: 7YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Sea The Stars (IRE)
- Dam: Bint Almatar (USA)
8. Land Legend (18)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Zac Purton
- W: 53kg
- F: 3160x
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Chestnut
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Galileo (IRE)
- Dam: Landikusic (IRE)
9. Absurde (7)
- T: Willie Mullins
- J: Kerrin McEvoy
- W: 52.5kg
- F: x14x1
- Age: 7YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Fastnet Rock
- Dam: Incroyable (USA)
10. Athabascan (2)
- T: John O’Shea & Tom Charlton
- J: Zac Lloyd
- W: 52kg
- F: 1008x
- Age: 6YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Almanzor (FR)
- Dam: Alzubra (GB)
11. Knight’s Choice (6)
- T: John Symons & Sheila Laxon
- J: Robbie Dolan
- W: 51.5kg
- F: 5009x
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Extreme Choice
- Dam: Midnight Pearl
12. Okita Soushi (10)
- T: Ciaron Maher
- J: Jamie Kah
- W: 51kg
- F: 1208x
- Age: 7YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Galileo (IRE)
- Dam: Amicus
13. Onesmoothoperator (12)
- T: Brian Ellison
- J: Craig Williams
- W: 51kg
- F: 1471x
- Age: 7YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Dialed In (USA)
- Dam: Sueno D’Oro (USA)
14. Zardozi (4)
- T: James Cummings
- J: Andrea Atzeni
- W: 51kg
- F: 54256
- Age: 4YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Kingman (GB)
- Dam: Chanderi (GB)
15. Sea King (1)
- T: Harry Eustace
- J: Hollie Doyle
- W: 50.5kg
- F: 1×631
- Age: 6YO
- Colour: Brown
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Sea The Stars (IRE)
- Dam: Pamona (IRE)
16. Valiant King (22)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Craig Newitt
- W: 50.5kg
- F: 906×6
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Grey
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Roaring Lion (USA)
- Dam: Assembly (USA)
17. Fancy Man (19)
- T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald
- J: Ron Stewart
- W: 50kg
- F: 635×0
- Age: 7YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Pride of Dubai
- Dam: Fancy (IRE)
18. Interpretation (14)
- T: Ciaron Maher
- J: Teo Nugent
- W: 50kg
- F: 26800
- Age: 7YO
- Colour: Brown
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Galileo (IRE)
- Dam: Daldiyna (FR)
19. Manzoice (8)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Declan Bates
- W: 50kg
- F: 7032x
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Almanzor (FR)
- Dam: Choice (NZ)
20. Mostly Cloudy (16)
- T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young
- J: Karis Teetan
- W: 50kg
- F: 044×2
- Age: 6YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Harzand (IRE)
- Dam: Clarinda (FR)
21. Positivity (20)
- T: Andrew Forsman
- J: Winona Costin
- W: 50kg
- F: 8712x
- Age: 4YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Almanzor (FR)
- Dam: Pussy O’Reilly (NZ)
22. Saint George (9)
- T: Ciaron Maher
- J: Tyler Schiller
- W: 50kg
- F: 5948x
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Grey
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Roaring Lion (USA)
- Dam: Lady Dragon (IRE)
23. The Map (23)
- T: Dan Clarken & Oopy MacGillivray
- J: Rachel King
- W: 50kg
- F: 6509x
- Age: 6YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Alpine Eagle
- Dam: This Moment
2024 Melbourne Cup International Horses
. The 2024 Melbourne Cup will see one of the lightest international raider representations in The Cup for some time, with just five true internationals vying to win our greatest race.
Warp Speed, Vauban, Absurde, Sea King and Onesmoothoperator are set to run.
For a full breakdown on the international horse chances in the race that stops the nation, see our full feature race guides:
Warp Speed (3)
T: Noboru Takagi
J: Akira Sugawara
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Drefong (USA)
- Dam: Deep Love (JPN)
Warp Speed 2024 Melbourne Cup Odds
Career stats for Warp Speed
- Career: 23: 4-3-4
- Flemington: 0: 0-0-0
- Distance: 1: 0-0-0
- Wet: 3: 0-0-0
- Good: 20: 4-3-4
- Group 1: 5: 0-1-1
- Win %: 17%
- Place %: 48%
Melbourne Cup results for Warp Speed
Warp Speed will be having his first attempt at the Melbourne Cup in 2024.
Recent Form for Warp Speed
| Date | Race | Track | Distance | Placing | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Odds | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 19 | Caulfield Cup | Caulfield | 2400m | 13/18 | Akira Sugawara | 16 | 54.5kg | $31.00 | 16.3L |
Can Warp Speed win the 2024 Melbourne Cup?
The sole Japanese runner in the race, Warp Speed, will appreciate getting back on top of the ground after seemingly struggling on a softer surface in the Caulfield Cup. He has been aimed at the Melbourne Cup for some time, and Noboru Takagi and his stable will have him raring to go on the first Tuesday in November. He draws barrier three and will gain a cosy run in transit, but it all depends whether he can compete with some of the more fancied runners here and there is doubts.
- Age: 7YO
- Color: Chestnut
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Galiway (GB)
- Dam: Waldfest (GB)
Vauban 2024 Melbourne Cup Odds
Career stats for Vauban
- Career: 20: 8-5-2
- Flemington: 1: 0-0-0
- Distance: 6: 2-2-1
- Wet: 11: 5-3-1
- Good: 9: 3-2-1
- Group 1: 10: 3-3-1
- Win %: 40%
- Place %: 75%
Melbourne Cup results for Vauban
| Year | Placing | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Odds | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 14/23 | Willie Mullins | Ryan Moore | 3 | 55kg | $5.50 | 13.4L |
Recent Form for Vauban
| Date | Race | Track | Distance | Placing | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Odds | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 15 | Irish St Leger | Curragh | 2816m | 2/6 | William Buick | 6 | 62kg | $9 | 2.3L |
| Aug 23 | Lonsdale Cup | York | 3319m | 1/9 | William Buick | 4 | 59.5kg | $6.50 | – |
Can Vauban win the 2024 Melbourne Cup?
Willie Mullins brings 2023 Melbourne Cup favourite Vauban back for another crack at the great race, and following a rough showing 12 months prior, could it be a second time lucky for the European gun? Since his run in last year’s Cup, the son of Galiway has hardly run a poor race back home and has chased home superstar stayers Kyprios in two of his last four starts. He was last seen finishing second, beaten 2.3 lengths behind Kyprios in Group 1 company, which stands out like a sore thumb here. He only carries 0.5kg more than last year and from barrier 11, look for William Buick to have him settled midfield with cover throughout. He would prefer a Soft track, but on class alone, he is a deserving favourite and will be hard to beat.
- Age: 7YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Fastnet Rock
- Dam: Incroyable (USA)
Career stats for Absurde
- Career: 21: 6-6-2
- Flemington: 1: 0-0-0
- Distance: 3: 0-0-0
- Wet: 7: 2-0-0
- Good: 10: 4-4-0
- Group 1: 1: 0-0-0
- Win %: 29%
- Place %: 67%
Melbourne Cup results for Absurde
| Year | Placing | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Odds | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 7/23 | Willie Mullins | Zac Purton | 8 | 53kg | $9 | 5.45L |
Recent Form for Absurde
| Date | Race | Track | Distance | Placing | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Odds | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 31 | Chester Stakes | Chester | 2916m | 1/7 | Daniel Tudhope | 1 | 61kg | $3.50 | – |
| Aug 17 | Irish St Leger Trial | Curragh | 2816m | 4/5 | Colin Keane/td> | 5 | 61kg | $3.75 | 31L |
Can Absurde win the 2024 Melbourne Cup?
The second of Willie Mullins’ pair, Absurde, also returns to Flemington chasing Melbourne Cup glory. The seven-year-old son of Fastnet Rock has been racing inconsistently in the UK with a win over the hurdles back in March and a win in Listed company on August 31 his best efforts. In between those runs came a 31-length defeat to Grosvenor Square who was expected to be hard to beat if he came to Flemington. There isn’t much star power in this year’s Cup field, so a forward showing is expected, and despite being a +900 fancy, he is another punters should be looking to take on.
Sea King (1)
T: Harry Eustace
J: Hollie Doyle (50kg)
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Brown
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Sea The Stars (IRE)
- Dam: Pamona (IRE)
Sea King 2024 Melbourne Cup Odds
Career stats for Sea King
- Career: 20: 7-1-2
- Flemington: 0: 0-0-0
- Distance: 0: 0-0-0
- Wet: 7: 2-0-2
- Good/Syn: 12: 4-1-0
- Group 1: 0: 0-0-0
- Win %: 35%
- Place %: 50%
Melbourne Cup results for Sea King
Sea King will be having his first attempt at the Melbourne Cup in 2024.
Recent Form for Sea King
| Date | Race | Track | Distance | Placing | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Odds | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 30 | Bendigo Cup | Bendigo | 2400m | 1/15 | Declan Bates | 3 | 54.5kg | $6.00 | – |
| Aug 24 | Ebor Handicap | York | 2816m | 6/20 | Luke Morris | 9 | 58.5kg | $13.00 | 4.8L |
Can Sea King win the 2024 Melbourne Cup?
Sea King could not have been anymore impressive when saluting in the Bendigo Cup and on the six-day backup cannot be dismissed in the Melbourne Cup. Harry Eustace has had this race pencilled in a long way out for this son of Sea The Stars and the ease of which he disposed of a strong Bendigo Cup field has him right in the mix on Tuesday. Barrier one is a slight concern considering how keen he was underneath runners on his Australian debut, but if Hollie Doyle can have him one off the rail as they leave the home straight, Sea King will be in this for a long way.
Onesmoothoperator (12)
T: Brian Ellison
J: Craig Williams (51kg)
- Age: 7YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Dialed In (USA)
- Dam: Sueno D’oro
Onesmoothoperator 2024 Melbourne Cup Odds
Career stats for Onesmoothoperator
- Career: 37: 5-11-5
- Flemington: 0: 0-0-0
- Distance: 8: 1-3-1
- Wet: 3: 0-1-0
- Good/Syn: 34: 5-10-5
- Group 1: 0: 0-0-0
- Win %: 13%
- Place %: 55%
Melbourne Cup results for Onesmoothoperator
This will be Onesmoothoperator’s first attempt at Melbourne Cup glory.
Recent Form for Onesmoothoperator
| Date | Race | Track | Distance | Placing | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Odds | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 23 | Geelong Cup | Geelong | 2400m | 1/13 | Craig Williams | 9 | 54kg | $14.00 | – |
| Sep 7 | September Stakes | Kempton Park (AW) | 2414m | 4/7 | Ben Robinson/td> | 6 | 60.5kg | $34.00 | 7L |
| Aug 24 | Ebor Handicap | York | 2816m | 7/20 | Connor Beasley/td> | 5 | 59.5kg | $34.00 | 5L |
Can Onesmoothoperator win the 2024 Melbourne Cup?
Onesmoothoperator was utterly dominant in his Australian debut when saluting in the Group 3 Geelong Cup on October 23. The seven-year-old gelding was forced to sustain a long run and did so with ease going on to win by 2.3 despite pulling up lame post-race. With that in mind and a cut heel almost derailing his Melbourne Cup hopes, Onesmoothoperator could be a bit vulnerable on Tuesday. Having said that, if he produces anything close to what he put forward at Geelong, then the 3200m should not be an issue and his turn of foot will take him a long way in this year’s Melbourne Cup.