Melbourne Cup
The Melbourne Cup is without a doubt Australia’s most famous horse race and has long been regarded as the ‘race which stops a nation’.
Race Type: Group 1
Distance: 3200 metres
Conditions: Handicap
Track: Flemington Racecourse.
Prizemoney: $8,560,000
Date: Tuesday 5 November 2024
Race Time: 3pm (AEST)
The race is certainly the highlight of the Spring Racing Carnival and includes a field of both Australian and International Horses all looking for a place in racing history.
Melbourne Cup Day 2024
Melbourne Cup Day – Race Schedule
Melbourne Cup Day typically features 10 races on the event card with Race 7 at 3pm the annual time slot for the big race. The Melbourne Cup is the only Group 1 race of the day alongside two Group 3’s and three Listed races to round out the schedule. (All race times listed are AEST)
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Time:
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Race:
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Race Name:
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Distance:
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10.45am
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R1
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1000m
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11.20am
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R2
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1800m
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12:00pm
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R3
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Subzero Handicap for grey horses
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1400m
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12.40pm
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R4
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Schweppervescence 3YO Plate
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1000m
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1.20pm
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R5
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Australian Heritage Cup BM96 |
2800m
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1.55pm
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R6
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Furphy Plate |
1800m
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3:00pm
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R7
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MELBOURNE CUP |
3200m
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3.50pm
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R8
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1400m
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4.35pm
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R9
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1400m
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5.15pm
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R10
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Channel 9 Trophy BM90 Handicap |
1400m
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Melbourne Cup Prize Money
The total prize money for the cup now stands at $8,560,000 making it one of the richest races in the world. The prize pool is split between the top 12 runners in the following amounts.
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Place:
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Prize Money:
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1st Prize:
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$4,400,000
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2nd Prize:
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$1,100,000
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3rd Prize:
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$550,000
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4th Prize:
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$350,000
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5th Prize:
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$230,000
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6th Prize:
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$160,000
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7th Prize:
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$160,000
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8th Prize:
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$160,000
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9th Prize:
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$160,000
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10th Prize:
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$160,000
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11th Prize:
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$160,000
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12th Prize:
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$160,000
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Past Melbourne Cup Winners
See table below for a snapshot of past winners of this nation stopping event, to view all past cup winners including jockeys and trainers then simply click through the link below.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Knight’s Choice | Robbie Dolan | John Symons & Sheila Laxon |
| 2023 | Without A Fight | Mark Zahra | Anthony & Sam Freedman |
| 2022 | Gold Trip | Mark Zahra | Ciaron Maher & D 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 | Corey Brown | Joseph O’Brien |
| 2016 | Almandin | Kerrin McEvoy | Robert Hickmott |
| 2015 | Prince of Penzance | Michelle Payne | Darren Weir |
| 2014 | Protectionist | Ryan Moore | Andreas Wöhler |
| 2013 | Fiorente | Damien Oliver | Gai Waterhouse |
| 2012 | Green Moon | Brett Prebble | Robert Hickmott |
| 2011 | Dunaden | C. Lemaire | Mikel Delzangles |
| 2010 | Americain | Gerard Mosse | Alain de Royer Dupre |
| 2009 | Shocking | C. Brown | Mark Kavanagh |
| 2008 | Viewed | B Shinn | Bart Cummings |
| 2007 | Efficient | M 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 | D Hall |
| 2002 | Media Puzzle | Damien Oliver | D Weld |
2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival
The Melbourne Cup Carnival is certainly the highlight of the Victorian spring racing season and is held each year at Flemington racecourse. The carnival features four days of world class racing and takes place in early November each year.
The first day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival kicks off with Derby Day on Saturday 2 November 2024. The feature race of the day is the Group 1 AAMI Victoria Derby over 2500m for three year olds. With a total of three Group 1 races on the cards this is a day for the racing purists.
Next up on the Tuesday 5th November 2024 is the big one, Melbourne Cup Day which features a ten race card program with the Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup over 3200m the obvious feature event of the day.
Later that same week on Thursday 7th November 2024 will see what is traditionally known as Ladies Day once again fill up the stands at Flemington for Oaks Day. The feature event of the day for some is the fashions on the field but for the racing fans it is the Group 1 Kennedy Oaks over 2500m for the fillies.
Rounding out the Cup Carnival is TAB Champions Stakes Day on Saturday 9th November 2024. Known now as “Family Day” the front lawn on the Flemington straight will be packed with kids and parents enjoying a relaxing picnic along with a host of other special activities set up by the VRC. There are three Group 1 feature race on the day with the Champions Sprint over 1200m, the Champions Mile over 1600m and the Champions Stakes over 2000m. It is a great way to finish off an action packed week of racing.
History Of Melbourne Cup Race
The Melbourne Cup two-mile handicap was introduced in 1861 and is now the richest handicap in the world with prize money of over $8,500,000.
Sponsored by the VRC, the Melbourne Cup is for 3 year olds and older and is run over a 3200 metre course. Held on the first Tuesday in November at the Flemington Racecourse, millions of Australians from all walks of life stand still to watch a single horse race that lasts no more than a couple of minutes.
The first ever Melbourne Cup was won by a horse called Archer with the event featuring 17 horses. The prize money on offer back then was £170 plus a prestigious gold watch. With over 150 years of history, the Melbourne Cup now draws over 100,000 people to Flemington Racecourse every year.
Flemington Racecourse – How To Get To The Melbourne Cup
The Melbourne Cup is held at Flemington Racecourse which is located in Melbourne, Victoria. The track is situated alongside the beautiful Maribyrnong River and the racecourse is now listed as National Heritage site.
Address: 400 Epsom Rd, Flemington VIC 3031, Australia
Telephone: 1300 727 575
Flemington racecourse has its own train station and many revellers will take the train to Flemington racecourse during the Melbourne Cup carnival. Trains for Flemington depart platforms 8 and 9 at Flinders Street Station. You can also take the No. 57 Tram, which will drop you off at the Epsom Road entrance to Flemington Racecourse.