The Melbourne Cup is tagged “the race that stops the nation” and it certainly stops its home state of Victoria. It takes place on the first Tuesday of November and that is an annual public holiday in Victoria, which only adds to the fervour and excitement around the race. The contest itself was first run in 1861, meaning it has some serious history. It also offers some serious riches, with over £4m in prize money up for grabs. Flemington Racecourse is the host venue for this famous 3,200m (just under two miles) contest and the Melbourne Cup is open to any horse aged three and up.
It is the highlight of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival and sees tens of thousands of fans turn up to cheer on their horses. The record attendance came in 2003 when almost 123,000 people watched the race. Unsurprisingly domestic horses lead the way in terms of winners but there have been around 20 victors from beyond Australia or New Zealand over the years. Makybe Diva is the only horse to win the race three times, scoring a hat-trick of wins consecutively from 2003 onwards.
2023
- 1st - Without A Fight 7/1, Jockey: Mark Zahra, Trainer: Anthony & Sam Freedman
- 2nd - Soulcombe 17/2, Jockey: Joao Moreira, Trainer: Chris Waller
- 3rd - Sheraz 150/1, Jockey: Beau Mertens, Trainer: Chris Waller
- 4th - Ashrun 25/1, Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy, Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
2022
- 1st - Gold Trip 20/1, Jockey: Mark Zahra, Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
- 2nd - Emissary 25/1, Jockey: Patrick Moloney, Trainer: Michael Moroney
- 3rd - High Emocean 40/1, Jockey: Teodore Nugent, Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
- 4th - Deuville Legend 17/5F, Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy, Trainer: James Ferguson
2021
- 1st - Verry Elleegant 17/1, Jockey: James McDonald, Trainer: Chris Waller
- 2nd - Incentivise 19/10F, Jockey: Brett Prebble, Trainer: Peter Moody
- 3rd - Spanish Mission 9/1, Jockey: Craig Williams, Trainer: Ciaron Andrew Balding
- 4th - Floating Artist 10/1, Jockey: Teodore Nugent, Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
2020
- 1st - Twilight Payment 25/1, Jockey: Jye McNeil, Trainer: Joseph O’Brien
- 2nd - Tiger Moth 11/2, Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
- 3rd - Prince Of Arran 17/2, Jockey: Charlie Fellowes, Trainer: Jamie Kah
- 4th - The Chosen One 40/1, Jockey: Daniel Stackhouse, Trainer: Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman
2019
- 1st - Vow and Declare 10/1, Jockey: Craig Williams, Trainer: Danny O'Brien
- 2nd - Prince of Arran 20/1, Jockey: Michael Walker, Trainer: Charlie Fellowes
- 3rd - Il Paradiso 14/1, Jockey: Wayne Lordan, Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
2018
- 1st - Cross Counter 8/1, Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy, Trainer: Charlie Appleby
- 2nd - Marmelo 13/1, Jockey: Hugh Bowmen, Trainer: Hughie Morrison
- 3rd - Prince of Arran 19/1, Jockey: Michael Walker, Trainer: Charlie Fellowes
2017
- 1st - Rekindling 15/1, Jockey: Corey Brown, Trainer: Joseph O'Brien
- 2nd - Johannes Vermeer 10/1, Jockey: Ben Melham, Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
- 3rd - Max Dynamite 15/1, Jockey: Zac Purton, Trainer: Willie Mullins
2016
- 1st - Almandin (GER) 16/1, Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy, Trainer: Robert Hickmott
- 2nd - Heartbreak City (FR) 12/1, Jockey: Joao Moreira, Trainer: Tony Martin
- 3rd - Hartnell (GB) 4/1, Jockey: James McDonald, Trainer: John O'Shea
2015
- 1st - Prince of Penzance 50/1, Jockey: Michelle Payne, Trainer: Darren Weir
- 2nd - Max Dynamite 9/1, Jockey: Frankie Dettori, Trainer: Willie Mullins
- 3rd - Criterion 13/1, Jockey: Michael Walker, Trainer: David Hayes & Tom Dabernig
2014
- 1st - Protectionist 7/1, Jockey: Ryan Moore, Trainer: Andreas Wohler
- 2nd - Red Cadeaux 20/1, Jockey: Gerald Mosse, Trainer: Ed Dunlop
- 3rd - Who Shot Thebarman 20/1, Jockey: Glen Boss, Trainer: Chris Waller