4 Nov 2025
HISTORY
The Melbourne Cup is Australia’s most famous annual Thoroughbred horse racing event in Victoria and is known locally as “the race that stops the nation”.
At A$10 million prizemoney offered, the Melbourne Cup is the richest “2 Miles” handicap race in the world and the race is held on the first Tuesday of November. This day is also a public holiday in Melbourne.
The race, which is run over 3,200 metres and open for horses which are aged 3-years-old and over, is the highlight of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival at the Flemington Racecourse.
The Melbourne Cup has a long tradition, with its first race held in 1861. It was originally run over two miles but was shortened to 3,200 metres in 1972 when Australia adopted the metric system.
The Melbourne Cup Trophy is worth a staggering $250,000 on top of the A$10 million in prizemoney. Affectionately known as the “Loving Cup”, the 18-carat gold Melbourne Cup trophy's three handles symbolise the relationship between the winning jockey, trainer and owner and its timber base is hand-turned from Australian Black Wattle. The trophy is awarded to the winning horse's owner.
RACE INFORMATION
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Prize Money
A$10 million
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Distance
3,200 metres
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Surface
Turf Track
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Open To
3YO+
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Date of Race
Tuesday, 4 November 2025
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Conditions
Handicap
RECORDS
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Speed record at present distance of 3,200m:3:16.30 - KINGSTON RULE (1990)
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Most wins by an Owner (7 wins):Lloyd Williams (1981, 1985, 2007, 2012, 2016, 2017 & 2020)
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Most wins by a Trainer (12 wins):Bart Cummings (1965, 1966, 1967, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1990, 1991, 1996, 1999 & 2008)
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Most wins by a Jockey (4 wins):Bobbie Lewis (1902, 1915, 1919 & 1927)
Harry White (1974, 1975, 1978, 1979) -
First female winning jockey:Michelle Payne (2015)
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Most wins by a Horse (3 wins):MAKYBE DIVA (2003, 2004 & 2005)
TIMELINE OF NOTABLE EVENTS
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1861First Melbourne Cup was contested with 17 runners
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1875The first time the race was held on the first Tuesday in November
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1960The race was televised live to Sydney
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1972Distance of the race was reduced to 3,200 metres
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1987First female jockey,
Clare Lindop participated in the race -
2003The biggest crowd of 122,736 was recorded in Flemington Racecourse for the race
PAST 5 YEARS WINNERS
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2024KNIGHT'S CHOICEJockey: Robbie Dolan
Trainer: John Symons & Sheila Laxon -
2023WITHOUT A FIGHTJockey: Mark Zahra
Trainer: Sam and Anthony Freedman -
2022GOLD TRIPJockey: Mark Zahra
Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace -
2021VERRY ELLEEGANTJockey: James McDonald
Trainer: Chris Waller -
2020TWILIGHT PAYMENTJockey: Jye McNeil
Trainer: Joseph O'Brien