The 2021 Melbourne Cup was a big one for several reasons. The crowds were back, the sun was out, and we had one of the best-backed favourites in the great race’s history. But who won the Melbourne Cup in 2021?
The 2021 Melbourne Cup was a big one for several reasons. The crowds were back, the sun was out, and we had one of the best-backed favourites in the great race’s history. But who won the Melbourne Cup in 2021?

The 2021 Melbourne Cup was a big one for several reasons. The crowds were back, the sun was out, and we had one of the best-backed favourites in the great race’s history. But who won the Melbourne Cup in 2021?
Incentivise was the punters’ pick several weeks out. Going off at $2.80, the five-year-old gelding was touted as the shortest-priced elect since Phar Lap. On sheer volume of money, Incentivise was the best-supported horse in Melbourne Cup history.
For a long while, it looked like the market had it spot on. But Verry Elleegant had other ideas. Under a superb steer from James McDonald, the champion mare burst from midfield in the straight and had it won with a couple of furlongs to go.
With that, Verry Elleegant brought up her 10th Group 1 victory and cemented her status as one of Australia’s great racehorses, while McDonald and trainer Chris Waller each claimed their first Melbourne Cup win.
Incentivise ran a strong race to finish second, holding off the international Spanish Mission in third and the lightweight chance Floating Artist in fourth. See the complete 2021 Melbourne Cup results.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnknyFFp_n0
| Place | No. | Colours | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Win | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 4 | Verry Elleegant | Chris Waller | James McDonald | $16.50 | $4.50 | |
| 2nd | 2 | Incentivise | Peter Moody | Brett Prebble | $2 | ||
| 3rd | 3 | Spanish Mission | Andrew Balding | Craig Williams | $3.30 | ||
| 4th | 22 | Floating Artist | C Maher & D Eustace | Teo Nugent | |||
| Quinella | $18.60 | ||||||
| Trifecta | $356.10 | ||||||
| First Four | $4829.70 | ||||||