Melbourne Cup 2024

The Melbourne Cup 2024 will be held at 3:00pm on Tuesday November 5, 2024.

Known as 'the race that stops a nation', the Melbourne Cup is Australia's most well-known horse race and the richest handicap in the world!

Held at Flemington Racecourse on the first Tuesday in November, the Melbourne Cup 2024 marks the 164th running of the famous race.

Melbourne Cup 2023 Results

The top three in the Melbourne Cup 2023 were:

1st - Without A Fight

2nd - Soulcombe

3rd - Sheraz

About The Melbourne Cup

The Melbourne Cup is the country’s most prestigious thoroughbred race and the richest two-mile contest in the global racing calendar.

The Melbourne Cup is a 3200m race for three-year-olds and over, run by the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Victoria.

It’s the pre-eminent race of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival and Melbourne Cup week and a day where people in Melbourne are given a public holiday to enjoy it.

This year the prize money stands at a handsome $8 million dollars, but it's the prestige of the race that mainly draws an all-star field of leading stayers from around the world. 

Steeped in tradition and folklore, the Melbourne Cup is deeply associated to names like Phar Lap, Tulloch and Makybe Diva, which are as recognisable as any in the annals of Australia's sporting history.

The 2024 Melbourne Cup will be held on Tuesday 5 November at 3:00pm (AEDT). Find your local race time.

Key dates for the Melbourne Cup 2023 were as follows to give you some idea of what to expect in 2024:

- Melbourne Cup Nominations: Tuesday 5 September, 2023
- Melbourne Cup 1st Acceptances: Tuesday 3 October, 2023
- Melbourne Cup 2nd Acceptances: Tuesday 14 October, 2023
- Melbourne Cup 3rd Acceptances: Monday 30 October, 2023
- Melbourne Cup Barrier Draw: Saturday 4 November, 2023
- Melbourne Cup Form Guide Released: Saturday 4 November, 2023
- Melbourne Cup Sweep Released on Punters: Saturday 4 November, 2023
- Melbourne Cup Day: Tuesday 7 November, 2023

Along with a huge crowd of people that pack the Flemington lawns, celebrities from Australia and around the world will be out in force in the ‘Birdcage’, Flemington's restricted area that's choc full of corporate marquees.

And, the annual Fashions On The Field is back bigger than ever, with prizes awarded for the best-dressed.

Melbourne Cup Day 2024 races

Melbourne Cup day at Flemington delivers 10 superb races right across the card, including the Cup itself.

Every single race is a high-quality affair and while the race numbers and times change every year, the list of Melbourne Cup day races pretty much stays the same. 

If you click on the race name below, it will take you to a Form Guide for that race, so you can get your punting started early! Here's the list of Melbourne Cup 2023 races to give you an idea of what to expect.

Melbourne Cup Day 2023 Races

Race No.	Race Name	Distance (m)
1	10:45AM G3 Darley Maribyrnong Plate	1000m
2	11:20AM LR Furphy Plate	1800m
3	12:00PM LR TAB Trophy	1800m
4	12:40PM The Schweppervescence Plate	1000m
5	1:20PM The Macca's Run	2800m
6	1:55PM MSS Security Subzero Handicap	1400m
7	3:00PM Lexus Melbourne Cup	3200m
8	3:50PM LR Howden Desirable Stakes	1400m
8	4:35PM G3 The Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes	1400m
10	5:15PM Paramount+ Trophy	1200m

Why does the Melbourne Cup stop the nation?

The Melbourne Cup, Australia's most prestigious horse racing event, is more than just a horse race; it's a cultural phenomenon that captures the nation's attention every year. Known as "the race that stops a nation," the Melbourne Cup holds a unique and profound historical relevance to Australian society and has become an integral part of the Australian identity. 

The Melbourne Cup has a rich heritage. First held in 1861, The Cup has a storied history spanning over a century and a half. Its longevity and continuity have made it an enduring tradition that links generations of Australians.

Since 1874, the Melbourne Cup has always been celebrated on the first Tuesday of November, effectively creating a public holiday for the event in the state of Victoria. This tradition allows people from all walks of life to come together, taking a break from their daily routines to partake in the festivities.

For more information check out our Punters Melbourne Cup History. 

Melbourne Cup Carnival

The Melbourne Cup race itself is just part of the entertainment across the four-day racing bonanza that is the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

The first of these days is Victoria Derby day on the Saturday before the Melbourne Cup. This day features three Group 1 races at Flemington, which are the Empire Rose Stakes, Coolmore Stud Stakes and Victoria Derby itself.

Derby Day also includes the Group 3 Lexus Hotham Stakes which is the last Melbourne Cup ballot exemption race and the last chance for a horse to earn a golden ticket into the Cup.

The second day of the Melbourne Cup carnival is Melbourne Cup day itself on the first Tuesday of November.

The third day of the Melbourne Cup carnival is Oaks Day on the Thursday after the race, which features the Group 1 VRC Oaks.

And, to wrap things up on the Saturday after the Cup is Champions Day, which boasts another three Group 1 races in the Champions Sprint, Champions Mile and VRC Champions Stakes.

The process of whittling down the 24 entrants in the Melbourne Cup Field 2024 will start from around August or September 2024. Exact dates for nominations will be confirmed later in 2024.

For the Melbourne Cup 2023, a total of 132 horses were nominated for the 163rd running. That figure included 15 internationals. It is hoped by the Victorian Racing club that many of those 15 internationals do head to the Melbourne Cup after only two internationally-trained horses competed in the Melbourne Cup 2022. 

Along with the Melbourne Cup nominations process, there were seven horses who earned their spots in the 2023 Melbourne Cup through ballot exemption races.

Please click here for the Melbourne Cup 2024 Horses Runner-by Runner Profiles we've done on the horses featuring in the big race, which will be available in full closer to the race.

The Melbourne Cup Field 2024 will be revealed at the end of Victoria Derby Day (November 2, 2024) racing, just a few days before the 2024 Melbourne Cup.

At the conclusion of Derby Day racing, the Melbourne Cup barrier draw will be held. This was the 2023 field below following the barrier draw.

Melbourne Cup 2023 Field

No	Last 10	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Barrier	Weight	Penalty	Hcp Rating
1	x2570x4135	GOLD TRIP (FR)	Ciaron Maher & David Eustace	James McDonald	2	58.5kg		122
2	x69x00x059	ALENQUER (FR)	Michael Moroney	Damien Oliver	9	56.5kg		110
3	1x20x11x61	WITHOUT A FIGHT (IRE)	Anthony & Sam Freedman	Mark Zahra	16	56.5kg	1.0kg	118
4	x110x340x8	BREAKUP (JPN)	Tatsuya Yoshioka	Kohei Matsuyama	18	55kg		114
5	11x234211x	VAUBAN (FR)	Willie Mullins	Ryan Moore	3	55kg		114
6	1x682x1437	SOULCOMBE (GB)	Chris Waller	Joao Moreira	4	53.5kg		115
7	3127x1261x	ABSURDE (FR)	Willie Mullins	Zac Purton	8	53kg		110
8	11121x2505	RIGHT YOU ARE	Ciaron Maher & David Eustace	John Allen	15	53kg		114
9	x22460x022	VOW AND DECLARE	Danny O'Brien	Billy Egan	19	53kg		115
10	6x50x49621	CLEVELAND (IRE)	Kris Lees	Michael Dee	23	52kg	0.5kg	109
11	x22410x762	ASHRUN (FR)	Ciaron Maher & David Eustace	Kerrin McEvoy	11	51.5kg		109
12	706x0x0074	DAQIANSWEET JUNIOR (NZ)	Phillip Stokes	Daniel Stackhouse	12	51.5kg		105
13	0x11x513x0	OKITA SOUSHI (IRE)	Joseph O'Brien	Dylan Gibbons (a)	20	51.5kg		109
14	2x295x0808	SHERAZ (FR)	Chris Waller	Beau Mertens	22	51.5kg		105
15	7x1x23x41x	LASTOTCHKA (FR)	Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr)	Craig Williams	21	51kg		106
16	5x0x06x906	MAGICAL LAGOON (IRE)	Chris Waller	Mark Du Plessis	7	51kg		106
17	319x920141	MILITARY MISSION (IRE)	Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott	Ms Rachel King	5	51kg	0.5kg	107
18	20x129x243	SERPENTINE (IRE)	Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott	Jye McNeil	1	51kg		110
19	x8802x0908	VIRTUOUS CIRCLE (NZ)	Liam Howley	Craig Newitt	6	51kg		112
20	1265x728x5	MORE FELONS (IRE)	Chris Waller	Ms Jamie Kah	24	50.5kg		106
21	154x721213	FUTURE HISTORY (GB)	Ciaron Maher & David Eustace	Hollie Doyle	13	50kg		109
22	536Px32591	INTERPRETATION (IRE)	Ciaron Maher & David Eustace	Teo Nugent	17	50kg		103
23	213x3L7331	KALAPOUR (IRE)	Kris Lees	Zac Lloyd (a)	14	50kg		106
24	02813x8080	TRUE MARVEL (FR)	Matthew Smith	Ben Thompson	10	50kg		102

Please check the Melbourne Cup Odds comparison regularly as Melbourne Cup betting markets can change very quickly.

The Melbourne Cup is the pinnacle of the horse racing season in Australia and is the race many people - whether they're regular punters or not - want to have a bet on.

Whether you're a seasoned punter, or you only place a wager once a year, you should try your luck on the Melbourne Cup and our Melbourne Cup Odds comparison will help you get the best return for your bet.

Who will win the Melbourne Cup 2024?

It’s tough to predict who'll win the Melbourne Cup 2024 as all 24 horses have a chance of winning the race.

Fortunately at Punters, we have the best possible tipping tools to help you pick the Melbourne Cup 2024 winner. On top of that, we deliver tons of Melbourne Cup tips from some of the best tipsters in the business along with full Melbourne Cup horse profiles with detailed Melbourne Cup form.

Melbourne Cup 2024 predictions

We’ll have our Melbourne Cup 2024 predictions on the Melbourne Cup tips page after the release of the barrier draw at the conclusion of the Victoria Derby day racing on November 2, 2024.

There's no shortage of Melbourne Cup tips flying around when it comes to the big day.

Our Flemington experts, led by James Lamb, will crunch the form from all angles and analyse all the runners leading up to the Melbourne Cup 2024. 

There is one race of the year where everybody has a bet: the Melbourne Cup. You’d better too, or risk being called UnAustralian!

But there’s no need to venture down to the local tote for the pleasure of standing in a long queue on race day! Fortunately for punters it's never been easier to back your preferred nag! You can bet online from anywhere, with your phone, with a wide range of bookmakers who are all keen to take your bet on Melbourne Cup day. Our Melbourne Cup betting page lists all the key betting deals available on this year's Cup!

Bookmakers like TAB understand that the Melbourne Cup is a popular time and offer a range of great deals and features depending on the state you live in. So take your time to compare all the features and offers available from each bookie for Melbourne Cup 2024 – and back the Melbourne Cup winner from wherever you are.

This means that you will be able to take advantage of the betting offers made available during the Melbourne Cup.

Punting on the Cup? Make sure you secure the best value by visiting our Melbourne Spring Carnival Futures Odds page. There you will find the Futures Markets for all the major Spring Carnival races, including the Melbourne Cup. But remember, these are Futures Markets, so please note plenty of changes can occur. 

Our Odds Comparison tool compares the price of every runner to help you get the best available price. 

It makes sense to compare Melbourne Cup odds and value in the market, so you get the best return on your bet.

Learn all about the Melbourne Cup jockeys, the fearless athletes responsible for guiding the runners over the most famous two-mile trip in the country.

We've all the key info on local and international riders and their overall achievements on the big stage - both here and abroad!

The Melbourne Cup Order Of Entry is released by Racing Victoria and the Victoria Racing Club in October in 2024. It’s the best guide as to which horses will be in the Melbourne Cup 2024.

There's nothing worse than backing a Melbourne Cup horse in the early markets only to realise it isn't going to make the Cup field 😤. As horses compete throughout the Spring Carnival, the order can change as they’re re-rated due to their performances.

On top of that, other horses can pass the ballot clause which can give them a shot at the Cup.

The field is whittled down to the final 24 horses, which compete in the Melbourne Cup. Note that there are no emergencies in the Melbourne Cup – if any of the 24 horses in the final field are scratched, the field size is simply reduced.

* Note that the order changes in the lead up to the Cup so we'll update this page regularly from September onwards to reflect that.

Date:	5 November 2024
Time:	3 pm (EADT)
Track:	Flemington Racecourse
Distance:	3200m
Race number:	7
Status:	Group One
Field size:	24 (max)
Prize money:	$8 million
2023 winner:	Without A Fight
Fastest time:	3.16.30 - Kingston Rule (1990)
Most wins by a horse:	3 - Makybe Diva
Most wins by a jockey:	4 - Bobby Lewis and Harry White
Most wins by a trainer:	12 - Bart Cummings
Most winning barrier:	Barrier 5
Most winning weight:	54.5kg

We will publish the complete Melbourne Cup Results instantly, just after the race is completed. We'll show every horse and how they performed be it 1st, 2nd, 3rd or last.

MELBOURNE CUP RESULTS

In 2023 the Melbourne Cup Prize Money is at $8 million. This includes $250,000 in trophies for connections. We'll keep you posted if there's any increase for 2024.

Finishing Position	Prize Money
1st	$4,400,000
2nd	$1,100,000
3rd	$550,000
4th	$350,000
5th	$230,000
6th - 12th	$160,000

MELBOURNE CUP SWEEP

Year	Winner	Second	Third
2023	Without A Fight	Soulcombe	Sheraz
2022	Gold Trip	Emissary	High Emocean
2021	Verry Elleegant	Incentivise	Spanish Mission
2020	Twilight Payment ($26)	Tiger Moth	Prince Of Arran
2019	Vow And Declare ($11)	Prince Of Arran	Il Paradiso
2018	Cross Counter ($9.00)	Marmelo	A Prince of Arran
2017	Rekindling ($17.00)	Johannes Vermeer	Max Dynamite
2016	Almandin ($11.00)	Heartbreak City	Hartnell
2015	Prince of Penzance ($126.00)	Max Dynamite	Criterion
2014	Protectionist ($8.00)	Red Cadeaux	Who Shot Thebarman
2013	Fiorente ($7.50)	Red Cadeaux	Mount Athos

Want more? See our complete list of Melbourne Cup Winners.

The initial Melbourne Cup weights 2024 will be released on a date to be confirmed. In 2023 they were released on September 19 2023 and can be found through the link below. Please note these may change a little depending on upcoming results.

The 2023 winner Without A Fight carried 56.5kg, while 2022 winner Gold Trip carried 57.5kg to victory.

The nominations for the 2024 race will lob in either August or September 2024 and there's sure to be some very classy horses targeting this year's race.

And keep checking in on these pages because we'll post all the latest updates to the Melbourne Cup 2024 weights and Melbourne Cup Order Of Entry as soon as they come to hand!

When available, read up on the Melbourne Cup 2024 Trainers. We've got all the key info on local and international trainers; it's a pretty star-studded line-up too! We'll tell you which horses they've entered in this year's race and what their best result has been to date.

Find the early Futures markets for the Melbourne Cup 2024 and check out the latest Melbourne Cup favourites 2024.

These Odds are being updated all the time, so make sure you check them regularly. 

What is the Melbourne Cup and when is it held?

The Melbourne Cup is the most prestigious and historic thoroughbred horse race in Australia. The Melbourne Cup is held at Melbourne's Flemington racecourse on the first Tuesday of November each year. Traditionally the race starts at 3:00pm. Boasting a long tradition as it's been held since 1861, the Melbourne Cup is a 3200 metre staying race contested by 24 horses. Such is the honour of being a Melbourne Cup winner, horses are brought in from all over the world to be in the race. Melbourne Cup day is a public holiday in Melbourne but is watched by people all over Australia and is referred to as the race that stops a nation.

Who won last year's Melbourne Cup?

The Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained Without A Fight won the Melbourne Cup 2023. Mark Zahra rode Without A Fight home in the race that stops a nation.

What distance is the Melbourne Cup?

The Melbourne Cup is run over 3200m. It generally takes them about 3 mins 20 sec.

Who will win 2024 Melbourne Cup?

You get the best chance of picking the Melbourne Cup winner by keeping up to date with all the news and previews prior to the Melbourne Cup with Punters. Your chances of picking the Melbourne Cup winner are boosted even more by using all the awesome Form Guide Tools we have available for Punters+ members. You can use some of these tools for free, but to unlock everything with Punters+, head HERE.

What are the 4 days of Melbourne Cup?

The four days of the Melbourne Cup are Victoria Derby Day, Melbourne Cup day, VRC Oaks Day and Champions Stakes Day. Derby day is important for the Cup as one of the races that day, the Lexus Archer/Hotham stakes is the last chance for a horse to make the Melbourne Cup field, with the winner earning a golden ticket to the race. There are also three Group 1 races that day, with the biggest being the Victoria Derby. After the day's racing is completed, the barrier draw for the Melbourne Cup will take place as the final field is now known.

The second day is Melbourne Cup day itself on the first Tuesday of November where 10 races are run at Flemington. This is followed by Oaks day on the Thursday after the Melbourne Cup. Oaks day has traditionally been a Ladies day at the races and features the Group 1 VRC Oaks as the main race on the card.

And, this is followed by the newly renamed Champions day on the Saturday after the Melbourne Cup. This day was previously known as Stakes day but changed names in 2022 and now includes three Group 1 races, including the VRC Champions Stakes that has previously been called the Mackinnon Stakes. The four days of the Melbourne Cup are often referred to as the Melbourne Cup carnival.

How much is a ticket to the Melbourne Cup?

Ticket prices for the Melbourne Cup 2024 are yet to be confirmed. For the Melbourne Cup 2023, an adult ticket costs $95 ($71 concession). Junior tickets for 12-17 year olds are $29 while children under 12 are free. Family tickets are available for $190. There was an early bird Melbourne Cup special on offer in 2023 but these tickets were only available until July 31. For more info on ticketing and Melbourne Cup hospitality packages, check out our Melbourne Cup tickets section for more details on how and where to purchase your Melbourne Cup tickets. 

Who is the favourite for the Melbourne Cup 2024?

As of January 2024, the Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained Without A Fight is the favourite to complete a Melbourne Cup double and win the race for a second consecutive year. 

When does Melbourne Cup betting start?

Melbourne Cup betting generally starts immediately after the previous year’s Cup is run! As the most famous race on the Australian calendar, bookmakers are keen to have markets up right through the year, and will generally start taking early bets up to twelve months out from the race. If you are looking to place a bet on the Melbourne Cup, make sure you do so through our recommended bookmakers, TAB.

Where can I get best Melbourne Cup odds?

The Punters odds comparison page shows Melbourne Cup odds for all bookmakers, side by side. Just head there and pick the best odds – it’s that simple. Bookies like TAB tend to offer good odds for Melbourne Cup horses.

Where can I get Melbourne Cup tips?

Head to Punters to get Melbourne Cup tips from our panel of experts. Closer to the Melbourne Cup, we will analyse all the available information and predict the winners. If you feel confident in our tips you can place your bet through one of the major Australian bookies, like TAB.

Where can I bet on the Melbourne Cup?

Wondering where to bet on the Melbourne Cup? The easiest way is to do it from the comfort of home via your smartphone. Head to the Punters Bookmaker Guide to find the best option for you. If you feel confident in your Melbourne Cup horse choice then you can place your bet through one of the major Australian bookies. At Punters, we recommend the TAB. You can also head down to your local TAB and bet from there in person as well.

Where is Melbourne Cup 2024?

The Melbourne Cup 2024 will be held at Flemington racecourse in Melbourne. All four days of the Melbourne Cup carnival are held at Flemington, which sometimes accommodates 100,000 spectators on the lawn for the running of a Melbourne Cup. For more info on ticketing and Melbourne Cup hospitality packages at Flemington, check out our Melbourne Cup tickets section for more details on tickets and where to purchase them.

What horse to pick for Melbourne Cup?

With 24 good quality horses to choose from it’s sometimes tough to pick a horse for the Melbourne Cup. That being said, you can get a great chance of picking the Melbourne Cup-winning horse by keeping up to date with all the news and previews prior to the Melbourne Cup with Punters. And, to make it even easier to pick a Melbourne Cup horse, you can use all the fantastic Form Guide Tools we have available for Punters+ members. You can use some of these tools for free, but to unlock everything with Punters+, head HERE.

Who gets Melbourne Cup day off?

Melbourne Cup Day is a public holiday for the whole state of Victoria unless a local holiday has been arranged by a non-metro council. It was only in 2008, though, that the Victorian government passed legislation making Melbourne Cup day a public holiday for all council areas across the entire state, although they still left some wiggle room for other councils to have a public holiday to celebrate a local race or occasion.

What is Saturday after Melbourne Cup called?

The Saturday after the Melbourne Cup is now officially called TAB Champions Stakes Day. This includes 10 races at Flemington, including the Champions Stakes. This day has gone through a number of name changes in recent times, making it a little confusing. Up until 2022, it was mainly just referred to as Stakes day, but Racing Victoria decided to up the ante a little in 2022 and refer to it as Champions Stakes day. To this end, RV changed the name of the Mackinnon Stakes to the Champions Stakes and the Darley Sprint Classic became the Champions Sprint. RV also increased prize money on several races and moved the Cantala Stakes from Derby day to this Saturday renaming it the Champions Mile. This move was part of a bid to counter the growing influence of Sydney's rich races on the Melbourne Spring carnival.

What is the prize money for the Melbourne Cup 2024?

The overall prize money for the Melbourne Cup 2023 was $8 million dollars. We'll provide any updates on 2024 prize money as they are released.

The prize for winning first place in the 2023 Melbourne Cup is $4,400,000, with the winning owners, trainer, and jockey also awarded versions of the Melbourne Cup trophy. The winning horses' strapper will also be presented with a trophy. For a full breakdown of how the prize money is allocated, check out our Melbourne Cup Prize Money section.

Is Melbourne Cup always on a Tuesday?

The Melbourne Cup is traditionally held on the first Tuesday of November. This hasn't always been the case, though, as the very first Melbourne Cup was held on Thursday November 7 1861. It wasn't until 1875 that the Melbourne Cup was held on a Tuesday - on that occasion the second Tuesday of November - but from 1877 onwards a full public holiday was gazetted for the first Tuesday in November for the Cup to be held on. There have been some changes to this, with the Melbourne Cup sometimes being held on a Saturday during wartime.

How much is a jockey paid?

The average jockey salary in Australia is $80,496. However, a jockey's salary is often dependent on their reputation and performance. Most jockeys are self-employed and control their own training, career progression and for whom they work.

In general, Jockeys are entitled to 5 percent of the prize money earned and will usually also receive a small amount for booking the ride. The riding fee is $225. For the Melbourne Cup, with prize money at $4,400,000, a five percent share is $220,000. For more information head to our Melbourne Cup jockeys page.

Is it OK to wear black to Melbourne Cup?

It is definitely ok to wear black to the Melbourne Cup, but the Melbourne Cup is also traditionally a day that celebrates lots of colour, so moving away from black is a good idea as well. For more information head to our Melbourne Cup Fashion page.

Can you wear jeans to the races?

If you have purchased a general admission ticket to the Melbourne Cup or any race meeting at Flemington, you can wear jeans to the races. However, jeans are not acceptable for ladies or men in the members’ enclosures at Flemington. They are also not allowed in dining enclosures and corporate hospitality as well. For more information head to our Melbourne Cup Fashion page.

Can you take food into Melbourne Cup?

Yes, you can take food into Flemington for the Melbourne Cup. This is generally a pretty good idea as food prices at the Melbourne Cup can be quite expensive.

What is the most successful number in the Melbourne Cup?

The most successful numbers in the Melbourne Cup are 4 and 12, which boast 11 wins.

How many horses are in the Melbourne Cup?

There are 24 horses running in the Melbourne Cup. This is the final field number for the Cup and there are no emergencies. This means that if a horse is scratched in the days before the Melbourne Cup there will be one less horse running in the race. For the Melbourne Cup 2024, the process of finding this final field of 24 horses will start in August or September when the first nominations for the race are announced. There are sometimes up to 200 horses initially nominated for the Cup and from there the process of whittling that down to 24 will begin. For more information head to our Melbourne Cup Field page.

What is the biggest horse race in the world?

In terms of prize money, the biggest horse race in the world is the Saudi Cup with a whopping $30,974,616 AUD on offer or $20 million USD. After the Saudi Cup, The Everest in Sydney has the second-highest prize money with $20,000,000 AUD ahead of the Dubai World Cup ($18584769 AUD) and The Golden Eagle ($10,000,000 AUD).

The Melbourne Cup is at ninth on the prize money list at a more than respectable $8,000,000 AUD. But in terms of history and prestige, the Melbourne Cup is right up there with one of the biggest horse races in the world. The Melbourne Cup is alongside other historic horse races with long traditions like the Epsom Derby, the Grand National at Aintree, the Kentucky Derby and the Breeders Classic.

What is the biggest horse race in Australia?

When it comes to prize money, nothing beats The Everest in Australia with $20,000,000 in prize money. This is followed by The Golden Eagle ($10,000,000) and then the Melbourne Cup ($8,000,000). However, when it comes to tradition, prestige and media attention there is nothing bigger than the Melbourne Cup. After all, it's the only race in Australia that gives people a public holiday and isn’t called the race that stops a nation for nothing.

Why are the roses yellow at the Melbourne Cup?

The roses are yellow on Melbourne Cup day as the yellow rose flower signifies the race that truly does stop the nation and traditionally, men wear a yellow rose on the day on the lapels of their jackets to signify the big day.

What day is Melbourne Cup 2024?

Melbourne Cup day in 2024 will be Tuesday November 5, 2024. Once again, this is the first Tuesday of November.

When was the last favourite to win Melbourne Cup?

It's been 10 years since we've had a favourite take out the Cup, with 2013 winner Fiorente being the last favourite to win the Melbourne Cup. Prior to that, Makybe Diva was the last favourite to win the Cup when she won the third of her hat-trick in 2005. Sadly Fiorente, who was brought to Australia from Ireland by trainer Gai Waterhouse, passed away in May 2023 at the age of 15 following a long illness. For more information head to our Melbourne Cup favourites 2024 page. 

How often has the favourite won the Melbourne Cup?

The favourites have a pretty good record in the Melbourne Cup with a 23 percent winning rate as 34 of 150 races have been won by the favourite. For more information head to our Melbourne Cup favourites 2024 page. 

How many times has the favourite won the Melbourne Cup?

The favourite has won the Melbourne Cup in 34 of 150 races at a winning rate of 23 percent. For more information head to our Melbourne Cup favourites 2024 page. 

How many horses are in the Melbourne Cup 2024?

There should be 24 horses running in the Melbourne Cup. This is the final field number for the Cup that is finalised on Derby Day, which is November 2, 2024. However, there are no emergencies so if a horse is scratched between Derby day and Melbourne Cup day there will be one less horse running in the race. For the Melbourne Cup 2024, the process of finding this final field of 24 horses will start in August or September 2024. when the first nominations for the race are announced. For more information head to our Melbourne Cup Field page.

Can men go to Oaks Day?

Yes. Even though VRC Oaks Day is traditionally referred to as Ladies Day there are no restrictions on men attending Oaks day at Flemington.

What happens on Melbourne Cup day?

Melbourne Cup day is a huge day at Flemington for the races. Stewards will generally inspect the track at around 6:00am to give the final track rating ahead of the race day commencing. The first of 10 races often occurs around 10:45 am, with races completing just after 5:00pm usually.

Patrons can arrive at Flemington early on and gates open from 8:30am. Some people even kick things off with breakfast in the car park around the racecourse. For the Melbourne Cup itself, there is an hour-long break in the races prior to the Cup, allowing for entertainment and the national anthem, along with all the horses parading for the crowd. The Melbourne Cup usually takes place at 3:00pm and is Race 7 on the card. For more information head to our Melbourne Cup Day guide.

Do kids go to school on Melbourne Cup day?

Kids go to school in all other states except Victoria on Melbourne Cup day. For Victoria, Melbourne Cup day is a public holiday right across the state. For some lucky students, their school will do a curriculum day on the Monday before the Cup, giving them a four-day weekend. 

Has the Melbourne Cup always been at 3pm?

The Melbourne Cup hasn’t always been run at 3pm. Prior to 2005 it was run just after 3pm but has since been brought forward to the 3pm local time. There is a one hour gap before the race for Melbourne Cup entertainment and the national anthem and a one-hour break before race 8 as well in order to capture and recognise the atmosphere and prestige around the Melbourne Cup. Some presentation ceremonies are also held in the hour after the Cup as well.

Why is the Melbourne Cup called the race that stops the nation?

The Melbourne Cup is called the race that stops a nation because it’s the most prestigious horse racing event in Australia and also a cultural phenomenon that captures the nation's attention every year. The Melbourne Cup holds a unique and profound historical relevance to Australian society and has become an integral part of the Australian identity since first being held in 1861. 

What race is week before Melbourne Cup?

In the week before the Melbourne Cup there is Victoria Derby day at Flemington on the Saturday before the Cup, featuring the Group 1 Victoria Derby, an historic and prestigious race of its own. There is a full outline of all the Melbourne Cup carnival races HERE. A week before Derby day is Cox Plate day at Moonee Valley and the week before that is Caulfield Cup day. There really is a smorgasbord of serious racing during the Victorian spring, but to check out all the racing that’s happening, head to our Melbourne Spring Carnival page.

How many races are there on Melbourne Cup day?

There are 10 races on Melbourne Cup day at Flemington. The Melbourne Cup is usually race 7 on the day, with the first race generally commencing at 10:45am. Elsewhere, the $3 million dollar The Big Dance is also held on Melbourne Cup day up in Sydney at the Randwick meeting. For more information head to our Melbourne Cup Day guide.

What horses have won the Melbourne Cup twice?

Makybe Diva is the most successful Melbourne Cup horse ever, winning the Cup three times: 2003, 2004 and 2005. Four other horses have won the Melbourne Cup twice: Archer (1861, 1862), Peter Pan (1932, 1934), Rain Lover (1968, 1969) and Think Big (1974, 1975). For more information head to our Melbourne Cup History page.

Who was the first horse to win the Melbourne Cup?

The first horse to win the Melbourne Cup was Archer in 1861. And, the NSW visitor did it again the following year in 1862. For more information head to our Melbourne Cup History page.

Did Phar Lap win the Melbourne Cup?

Phar Lap won the 1930 Melbourne Cup with jockey Ken Pike. He also competed in the 1929 and 1931 Melbourne Cups, but received a severe weight handicap in both these races. Forced to carry the grandstand in 1931, Phar Lap was beaten by the E.J. Hartwell-trained White Noise. This horse, White Noise, was owned and bred by Hugh Patterson McLachlan the great-grandfather of the AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan. For more information head to our Melbourne Cup History page.

What barrier has never won a Melbourne Cup?

Barrier 18 has never won a Melbourne Cup.

Who is the most successful Melbourne Cup jockey?

The most successful Melbourne Cup jockeys are Bobby Lewis (1902, 1915, 1919, 1927) and Harry White (1974, 1975, 1978, 1979) who are tied on four wins apiece. For more information head to our Melbourne Cup Jockeys page.

Who is the most successful Melbourne Cup trainer?

The most successful Melbourne Cup trainer is Bart Cummings. He wasn't known as the Cups King for nothing as he won 12 Melbourne Cups from 1965 all the way through to 2008. Next on the list is Etienne de Mestre with five Melbourne Cup wins, including the first two Melbourne Cups with Archer. Lee Freedman is also on five Melbourne Cup wins, with three of those coming in a row with Makybe Diva from 2003-2005. For more information head to our Melbourne Cup Trainers page.

What is the name of the most famous Melbourne Cup winner?

Phar Lap (1930) is probably the most famous Melbourne Cup winner, followed closely by three-time winner Makybe Diva. 

Who is the best horse in Australia?

It is really tough to tell who the best horse is in Australia as there are several Group 1 winners to choose from. For the 2021-22 season, the Australian Champion Race Horse of the year was the Chris Waller-trained Nature Strip while the following year it was won by the James Cummings-trained Anamoe. 

MELBOURNE CUP DAY INFORMATION