Known as ‘the race that stops a nation', the Melbourne Cup is the second richest prize in Australian racing following the $15 million The Everest held in Sydney.
Contested over the traditional two-mile Cup distance of 3200m, the Melbourne Cup is run and won on the first Tuesday of November annually at Flemington Racecourse.
Melbourne Cup 2020: Every lead-up run you need to see. Source: FOX SPORTS Half the battle when it comes to picking the Melbourne Cup winner is lining up formlines from Australia and abroad —. Melbourne Cup Fields & Odds; Since 1993, horses trained in the northern hemisphere have travelled to Melbourne each year to compete in the Melbourne Cup. In the very first year of this pilgrimage, the Irish-owned and Dermot Weld-trained Vintage Crop changed the Melbourne Cup.
The world's richest handicap race, first run in 1861 with Archer taking out the opening two editions of the event, now offers $8 million in prize money and is the jewel race of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.
The Melbourne Cup runs as Flemington Race 7 at 3:00pm (local time) and has been won by many greats of the turf, including a host of international raiders the first of the Northern-hemisphere champions being Vintage Crop (1993).
There has only been one triple Melbourne Cup winner with the mighty mare Makybe Diva securing her hat-trick from 2003-05.
Find out more about the iconic Melbourne Cup winners throughout history here.
Melbourne Cup 2020 – Quick Information
- Race Day: Tuesday, November 3rd, 2020
- Race Starts:3 PM (AEST)
- Track Location: Flemington Racecourse
- Track Surface: Turf
- Track Direction: Left-handed
- Race Distance: 3,200 metres
- Weight Conditions: Handicap
- Qualification: Three year olds and over
- Type: Thoroughbred
- Grade: Group 1
- Operator: Victoria Racing Club
- Prize Purse: $8,000,000
- Inaugural Race: 1861
- 2020 Melbourne Cup Winner: Twilight Payment
Melbourne cup 2020 RESULTS
The official 2020 Melbourne Cup results will be available below once the race takes place on Tuesday November 3, 2020 at 3:00pm (local Melbourne time).
- #6 Twilight Payment
- #21 Tiger Moth
- #12 Prince Of Arran
- #17 The Chosen One
The 2020 Melbourne Cup results saw Twilight Payment ($26) score a big upset win for Ireland's Joseph O'Brien, the Irish raider defeating fellow internationals Tiger Moth ($6.50) and Prince Of Arran ($9.50) with the latter running his third Melbourne Cup placing in as many years.
Kiwi galloper The Chosen One ran fourth, while the first of the Australian-trained horses over the line was Persan (5th) for Ciaron Maher & David Eustace.
The Melbourne Cup 2020 was marred by the loss of top-weight Anthony Van Dyck who was pulled up before the line and subsequently euthanised after fracturing his fetlock.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | TWILIGHT PAYMENT (IRE) | Joseph O'Brien | Jye McNeil | 12 | 55.5kg | $26 | ||
| 2 | 21 | TIGER MOTH (IRE) | Aidan O'Brien | Kerrin McEvoy | 0.4L | 22 | 52.5kg | 2.5kg | $6.50 |
| 3 | 12 | PRINCE OF ARRAN (GB) | Charlie Fellowes | Jamie Kah | 0.6L | 1 | 54.5kg | $9.50 | |
| 4 | 17 | THE CHOSEN ONE (NZ) | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | Daniel Stackhouse | 2.35L | 5 | 53.5kg | $41 | |
| 5 | 24 | PERSAN | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | Michael Dee | 2.45L | 19 | 51kg | 1.0kg | $41 |
| 6 | 5 | SIR DRAGONET (IRE) | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | Glen Boss | 3.45L | 14 | 55.5kg | $12 | |
| 7 | 7 | VERRY ELLEEGANT (NZ) | Chris Waller | Mark Zahra | 3.85L | 15 | 55.5kg | 0.5kg | $10 |
| 8 | 15 | RUSSIAN CAMELOT (IRE) | Danny O'Brien | Damien Oliver | 3.95L | 16 | 53.5kg | $13 | |
| 9 | 11 | FINCHE (GB) | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 4.7L | 6 | 54.5kg | $21 | |
| 10 | 18 | ASHRUN (FR) | Andreas Wohler | Declan Bates | 4.8L | 23 | 53kg | $26 | |
| 11 | 22 | OCEANEX (NZ) | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Dean Yendall | 5.55L | 17 | 51.5kg | $81 | |
| 12 | 19 | WARNING | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Luke Currie | 6.8L | 8 | 53kg | $41 | |
| 13 | 13 | SURPRISE BABY (NZ) | Paul Preusker | Craig Williams | 8.8L | 7 | 54.5kg | $6F | |
| 14 | 23 | MIAMI BOUND (NZ) | Danny O'Brien | Daniel Moor | 10.55L | 13 | 51kg | $41 | |
| 15 | 4 | MASTER OF REALITY (IRE) | Joseph O'Brien | Ben Melham | 10.75L | 11 | 56kg | $19 | |
| 16 | 16 | STEEL PRINCE (IRE) | Anthony & Sam Freedman | William Pike | 10.95L | 20 | 53.5kg | 1.0kg | $31 |
| 17 | 20 | ETAH JAMES (NZ) | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | Billy Egan | 12.7L | 21 | 52.5kg | $101 | |
| 18 | 3 | VOW AND DECLARE | Danny O'Brien | Jamie Mott | 13.95L | 4 | 57kg | $61 | |
| 19 | 8 | MUSTAJEER (GB) | Kris Lees | Michael Rodd | 14.95L | 2 | 55kg | $101 | |
| 20 | 9 | STRATUM ALBION (GB) | Willie Mullins | Jordan Childs | 17.95L | 9 | 55kg | $31 | |
| 21 | 10 | DASHING WILLOUGHBY (GB) | Andrew Balding | Michael Walker | 19.2L | 18 | 54.5kg | $101 | |
| 22 | 2 | AVILIUS (GB) | James Cummings | John Allen | 20.95L | 10 | 57kg | $61 | |
| FF | 1 | ANTHONY VAN DYCK (IRE) | Aidan O'Brien | Hugh Bowman | 3 | 58.5kg | $10 | ||
| SCRATCHED | 14 | KING OF LEOGRANCE (FR) | Danny O'Brien | Damian Lane | 0 |
*Table Credit: Racing Australia.
Melbourne Cup Betting 2020
There are many different ways to bet on the Melbourne Cup, we've included some of the most popular options below:
| Bet Type | How To Place This Type Of Bet In This Year's Melbourne Cup |
|---|---|
| Win Bet | Place your bet on the horse you think will take first place in this year's Melbourne Cup. |
| Place Bet | Place your bet on the horse you think will place in the top three finishers at this year's Melbourne Cup. Pays less than a win bet, but offers safer odds. |
| Each-Way Bet | If your runner finishes 1st in the Melbourne Cup, you will collect both the Win and the Place dividend. If your horse finishes 2nd or 3rd you will collect the Place dividend. |
| Quinella Bet | You must select the runners that finish 1st and 2nd in any order, within the Melbourne Cup, in order to win the Quinella. |
| Exacta Bet | You must select the runners that finish 1st and 2nd in the correct order, within the Melbourne Cup to win the Exacta. |
| Trifecta Bet | You must select runners to finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the correct order, within the Melbourne Cup to win the Trifecta. |
| First Four | You must select runners that finish 1st, 2nd ,3rd and 4th in the correct order, within the Melbourne Cup to win the First 4. |
| Quadrella Bet (Quaddie) | You must select the winners of four nominated races to win the Quaddie. This means you would have to select three other races apart from the Melbourne Cup, in order to be eligible to place a Quaddie. |
How To Bet On The Melbourne Cup in 2020
- Log in at neds.com.au
- Make a deposit, using your credit card, PayPal or other safe electronic method
- Make sure to check out form guide, once it's released
- Decide what kind of bet you're going to place (Win, Place, Each-Way, Trifecta + more betting options, please read our section on Melbourne Cup Betting above).
- Select the horse(s) for the race.
Melbourne Cup 2020 field
UPDATE: #14 KING OF LEOGRANCE (18) has been scratched from the Melbourne Cup Field having been found to be lame in the off fore leg.
The official Melbourne Cup 2020 field of final acceptances is announced by the VRC on the Saturday prior to the race following the action of Victoria Derby Day, Saturday October 31, live from Flemington Racecourse and will be published in full below.
The Melbourne Cup has a field limit of 24 starters and there are no emergency runners.
The 2020 Melbourne Cup final field and barrier draw has been confirmed with the Aidan O'Brien-trained Irish raider, Anthony Van Dyck, to carry the 58.5kg top weight from barrier three looking to go one better than his Caulfield Cup second.
Chris Waller's Caulfield Cup winning mare Verry Elleegant has a task if she is to do the double from gate 15, while the outside alley (24) belongs to the Lexus Hotham Stakes winner Ashrun.
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Penalty | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0330x25x12 | ANTHONY VAN DYCK (IRE) | Aidan O'Brien | Hugh Bowman | 3 | 58.5kg | 122 | |
| 2 | 54533×4626 | AVILIUS (GB) | James Cummings | John Allen | 10 | 57kg | 116 | |
| 0 | 21x395x900 | VOW AND DECLARE | Danny O'Brien | Jamie Mott (late alt) | 4 | 57kg | 115 | |
| 4 | 3354x6221x | MASTER OF REALITY (IRE) | Joseph O'Brien | Ben Melham | 11 | 56kg | 113 | |
| 5 | 44x2x222x1 | SIR DRAGONET (IRE) | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | Glen Boss | 14 | 55.5kg | 121 | |
| 6 | x70x7x2113 | TWILIGHT PAYMENT (IRE) | Joseph O'Brien | Jye McNeil | 12 | 55.5kg | 115 | |
| 7 | 42212×1411 | VERRY ELLEEGANT (NZ) | Chris Waller | Mark Zahra | 15 | 55.5kg | 0.5kg | 116 |
| 8 | x1225x0098 | MUSTAJEER (GB) | Kris Lees | Michael Rodd | 2 | 55kg | 114 | |
| 9 | 2104xPx72x | STRATUM ALBION (GB) | Willie Mullins | Jordan Childs | 9 | 55kg | 114 | |
| 10 | 14579×1140 | DASHING WILLOUGHBY (GB) | Andrew Balding | Michael Walker | 19 | 54.5kg | 112 | |
| 11 | x51257x335 | FINCHE (GB) | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 6 | 54.5kg | 112 | |
| 12 | 20x3x36x34 | PRINCE OF ARRAN (GB) | Charlie Fellowes | Jamie Kah | 1 | 54.5kg | 113 | |
| 13 | 132x415x29 | SURPRISE BABY (NZ) | Paul Preusker | Craig Williams | 7 | 54.5kg | 112 | |
| 14 | 9x211x2x03 | KING OF LEOGRANCE (FR) | Danny O'Brien | Damian Lane | 18 | 53.5kg | 109 | |
| 15 | 2x411x2123 | RUSSIAN CAMELOT (IRE) | Danny O'Brien | Damien Oliver | 16 | 53.5kg | 118 | |
| 16 | x4679x0331 | STEEL PRINCE (IRE) | Anthony & Sam Freedman | William Pike | 21 | 53.5kg | 1.0kg | 111 |
| 17 | 38572×1873 | THE CHOSEN ONE (NZ) | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | Daniel Stackhouse | 5 | 53.5kg | 111 | |
| 0 | 853x5x2241 | ASHRUN (FR) | Andreas Wohler | Declan Bates (late alt) | 24 | 53kg | 110 | |
| 19 | 755633×760 | WARNING | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Luke Currie | 8 | 53kg | 115 | |
| 20 | 6416341×04 | ETAH JAMES (NZ) | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | Billy Egan | 22 | 52.5kg | 106 | |
| 21 | 3x12x1 | TIGER MOTH (IRE) | Aidan O'Brien | Kerrin McEvoy | 23 | 52.5kg | 2.5kg | 114 |
| 22 | 07511×0003 | OCEANEX (NZ) | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Dean Yendall | 17 | 51.5kg | 108 | |
| 23 | 1x84x40661 | MIAMI BOUND (NZ) | Danny O'Brien | Daniel Moor | 13 | 51kg | 111 | |
| 24 | 3121112121 | PERSAN | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | Michael Dee | 20 | 51kg | 1.0kg | 107 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
Which Horse Will Win The Melbourne Cup in 2020
The best way to pick who will win the Melbourne Cup is to take into account the form, assess the barriers, consider the weight the horse will carry, among other factors.
Additional factors to take into considerations are as follows:
- Favourites – The favourites in Melbourne Cup betting have a poor record overall in the event.
- Barrier Hoodoo – No horse has ever claimed first place from barrier 18 while barrier 11 is considered the luckiest Melbourne Cup gate.
- Internationals Rule – Since the race opened up to contenders outside of Australia and New Zealand, the internationals from the Northern Hemisphere have dominated the Melbourne Cup results including in 2020 when three ran the trifecta: Twilight Payment (1st), Tiger Moth (2nd) and Prince Of Arran (3rd)
- Six Is It – Six-year-olds have the best recent record in the Melbourne Cup.
Melbourne Cup Last Place
If you want to place bet on which horse will place last in this year's Melbourne Cup results, then the table below will be of interest to you, displaying who took last place in the past ten years. Often Melbourne Cup sweeps pay out for the last placegetter, so keeping on the unlucky horse at the tail end of the field is popular.
| Melbourne Cup Race Year | Last Finishing Horse | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020* | Avilius | James Cummings | John Allen |
| 2019 | Rostropovich | David Hayes | Dwayne Dunn |
| 2018* | Red Cardinal | Darren Weir | Damien Oliver |
| 2017 | Gallante | Robert Hickmott | Michael Dee |
| 2016 | Rose Of Virginia | Lee & Shannon Hope | Ben E Thompson |
| 2015 | Snow Sky | Ed Dunlop | Gérald Mossé |
| 2014 | Admire Rakti | Tomoyuki Umeda | Zac Purton |
| 2013 | Verema | Alain de Royer-Dupré | Christophe Lemaire |
| 2012 | Ethiopia | Pat Carey | Rhys McLeod |
| 2011 | Modun | Saeed Bin Suroor | Kieran McEvoy |
| 2010 | Zavite | Anthony Cummings | Michael Walker |
| 2009 | Warringah | Chris Waller | Damien Oliver |
| 2008 | Honolulu | Aidan O'Brien | Colm O'Donoghue |
Real online betting apps free. *Note:
- 2020 Anthony Van Dyck was pulled-up 350m out from the line and subsequently euthanised due to fracturing his fetlock.
- 2018 The Cliffsofmoher failed to finish after fracturing a shoulder and sadly having to be subsequently euthanised post-race.
Melbourne Cup Favourites
Early favourites in Melbourne Cup 2020 betting include the Aidan O'Brien-trained Irish raider Tiger Moth, his top-weighted stablemate Anthony Van Dyck and Surprise Baby – an eye-catching fifth in the race last year – who is a son of the 2009 champion Shocking.
Fiorente ($7 in 2013) was the last Melbourne Cup favourite to win.
Melbourne Cup 2020 Form Guide
The final form guide will be available the week prior to the race following the final acceptances for the Melbourne Cup on Derby Day. You can check our full form guide closer to race day to see if the form guide for 2020's Melbourne Cup has been released.
Melbourne Cup 2020 Tips
Favourite: #1 Anthony Van Dyck ($7.50 at time of publish)
What Time Is The Melbourne Cup Run This Year
Best Bet: #13 Surprise Baby ($9 at time of publish)
Best Roughie: #23 Miami Bound ($34 at time of publish)
When Is The Melbourne Cup Run Each Year 2019
Our insider Melbourne Cup 2020 betting tips will be provided right here the week of the race and a full Melbourne Cup tipping preview available on the Neds Blog.
CLICK HERE FOR OUR COMPLETE 2020 MELBOURNE CUP PREVIEW & TIPSMelbourne Cup Race Day 2020
Race day takes place on Tuesday, the 3rd of November, 2020. Melbourne Cup Day is the second of the four-day Melbourne Cup Carnival. It follows on from Victoria Derby Day and runs on the first Tuesday of November annually. After Cup Day the Carnival continues with VRC Oaks Day on the Thursday and comes to a close with Mackinnon Stakes Day on the Saturday.
The key support races on the 2020 Melbourne Cup Day Race Card are the:
Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate, and the
Group 3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes.
Melbourne Cup Race Time 2020
The race is scheduled to start at 3 PM Australian Eastern Daylight time. Melbourne Cup start times for various states appear in the table below.
| State | Start Time |
|---|---|
| Western Australia | 12:00 PM |
| Queensland | 2:00 PM |
| Australian Capital Territory | 3:00 PM |
| Tasmania | 3:00 PM |
| Victoria | 3:00 PM |
| New South Wales | 3:00 PM |
| Northern Territory | 1.30 pm |
| South Australia | 2.30 pm |
Melbourne Cup 2020 Barrier Draw
The 2020 Melbourne Cup barrier draw will be released to the public on Saturday, October 31, 2020 at 7.30 pm following the VRC Derby Day racing action at Flemington Racecourse and published in full in our above Melbourne Cup Field section.
Melbourne Cup 2020 Nominations
The 2020 Melbourne Cup nominations close on Thursday August 27, 2020. You can view the full list of nominations on our Melbourne Cup 2020 Nominations page.
The Melbourne Cup 2020 nominations are now out with 174 early entries for the ‘race that stops a nation'. Reigning champion Vow And Declare is in the mix for Danny O'Brien along with a host of his quality stablemates such as VRC Oaks champ Miami Bound, the Adelaide Cup winner King Of Leogrance and SA Derby winner Russian Camelot.
There are 30 overseas raiders in the mix including dual Melbourne Cup placegetter Prince Of Arran for Charlie Fellowes and a bumper crop for Aidan and Joseph O'Brien.
Melbourne Cup 2020 first acceptances
Melbourne Cup 2020 second acceptances
Melbourne Cup Weights
Handicap conditions apply to this race. The early 2020 Melbourne Cup weights on the nominated horses were released on Tuesday September 8, 2020 and headed by the Aidan O'Brien-trained Irish raider Anthony Van Dyck (58.5kg).
Melbourne Cup 2020 Acceptance Dates
When Is The Melbourne Cup Run Each Year 2020
- 2020 Melbourne Cup Nominations: Closed on Thursday August 27, 2020 – 174 nominations taken
- 2020 Melbourne Cup Late Nominations: Closed on Tuesday September 1, 2020
- 2020 Melbourne Cup Weights: Declared on Tuesday September 8, 2020 – Anthony Van Dyck (58.5kg) top-weight
- 2020 Melbourne Cup First Declarations: Closed on Tuesday September 29, 2020 – 94 remaining runners
- 2020 Melbourne Cup Second Declarations: Closed on Tuesday October 13, 2020 – 65 still in the mix
- 2020 Melbourne Cup Third Declarations: Close on Monday October 26, 2020
- 2020 Melbourne Cup Final Field: Announced Saturday October 31, 2020 at 4:30pm (local time)
- 2020 Melbourne Cup Barrier Draw: Took place Saturday October 31, 2020 at 7:00pm (local time)
Melbourne Cup 2020 Scratchings
Scratchings close at 7:30 AM on Tuesday, the 3rd of November, 2020.
2020 Melbourne Cup Scratchings:
- #14 King Of Leogrance (18)
Melbourne Cup Prize Money
The Melbourne Cup prize purse is worth $8,000,000 in total, distributed from places first through to twelfth including $4.4 million going to the Melbourne Cup winner in 2020.
| Place | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| 1st | $4,400,000 |
| 2nd | $1,100,000 |
| 3rd | $550,000 |
| 4th | $350,000 |
| 5th | $230,000 |
| 6th | $160,000 |
| 7th | $160,000 |
| 8th | $160,000 |
| 9th | $160,000 |
| 10th | $160,000 |
| 11th | $160,000 |
| 12th | $160,000 |
Melbourne Cup Race Number
The Melbourne Cup runs as Flemington Race 7 on the 3rd of November, 2020 part of the Lexus Melbourne Cup Day, the second race day event of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. There are ten races in total that day at Flemington Racecourse.
Melbourne Cup Live
You can watch or listen to the 2020 Melbourne Cup live, across the following mediums.
When Is The Melbourne Cup Run Each Year Since
Telecast: Channel Seven
Pay television: Sky Racing 1 (channel 526 on Foxtel)
Radio: Radio Sport National
Streaming: 7Live
Melbourne Cup Sweep
All around the country, workplaces participate in putting together a Melbourne Cup sweep, allotting a horse (usually at random) to each person that decides to join the sweep. Please note that sweeps are a casual gambling environment organised among peers. You can learn more about sweeps here.
Melbourne Cup Tickets
Tickets for the Melbourne Cup Carnival are available through Ticketek. Note: Melbourne Cup tickets in 2020 are not on sale to the public due to COVID-19.
Melbourne Cup Carnival
The 2020 Melbourne Cup Carnival is from October 31st until the 7th of November, 2020
The first race day is the AAMI Victoria Derby Day on Saturday the 31st of October, followed by the Lexus Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday the 3rd of November. The next race meet is Kennedy Oaks Day on the Thursday the 5th of November, followed by the final race meet for the carnival, Mackinnon Stakes Day held on Saturday the the 7th of November, 2020.
Australian Horses In The Melbourne Cup
Australian horses in the 2020 Melbourne Cup field are headed by Surprise Baby whose sire Shocking won the race in 2009 and who ran an eye-catching fifth in the event last year along with Vow And Declare.
Vow And Declare in 2019 beat out a host of international fancies to become the last Australian horse to win the Melbourne Cup.
International Horses In The Melbourne Cup
International horses dominate the Melbourne Cup field each year. From 2010 – 2020 six internationally-trained raiders prepared from outside of Australian / New Zealand saluted in the Melbourne Cup most recently Cross Counter (2018) for Godolphin followed in 2020 by Twilight Payment (Joseph O'Brien) who beat fellow internationals Tiger Moth (2nd) and Prince Of Arran (3rd).
There are eight internationally-trained raiders from outside of Australia / New Zealand in the 2020 Melbourne Cup field with:
- #1 Anthony Van Dyck
- #4 Master Of Reality
- #6 Twilight Payment
- #9 Stratum Albion
- #10 Dashing Willoughby
- #12 Prince Of Arran
- #18 Ashrun
- #21 Tiger Moth
Grey Horse In The Melbourne Cup
Grey horses which have seen success in the Melbourne Cup include Subzero (first place in 1992), Gunsynd (third place in 1972) Manighar (fifth place in 2010). A total of six grey horses have won the Melbourne Cup throughout history.
Melbourne Cup Winners
Winners of the Melbourne Cup going back to 1999 displayed in the table below. If you would like to view the full list of Melbourne Cup winners, going all the way back to 1861, please visit our Melbourne Cup Winners page.
| Year | Winner | Trainer | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Twilight Payment | Joseph O'Brien | Jye McNeil | 3:17.34 |
| 2019 | Vow And Declare | Danny O'Brien | Craig Williams | 3:24.76 |
| 2018 | Cross Counter | Charlie Appleby | Kerrin McEvoy | 3:21.17 |
| 2017 | Rekindling | Joseph O'Brien | Corey Brown | 3:21.19 |
| 2016 | Almandin | Robert Hickmott | Kerrin McEvoy | 3:20.58 |
| 2015 | Prince Of Penzance | Darren Weir | Michelle Payne | 3:23.15 |
| 2014 | Protectionist | Andreas Wohler | Ryan Moore | 3:17.71 |
| 2013 | Fiorente | Gai Waterhouse | Damien Oliver | 3:20.30 |
| 2012 | Green Moon | Robert Hickmott | Brett Prebble | 3:20.45 |
| 2011 | Dunaden | Mikel Delzangles | Christophe Lemaire | 3:20.84 |
| 2010 | Americain | Alain de Royer Dupre | Gerald Mosse | 3:26.87 |
| 2009 | Shocking | Mark Kavanagh | Corey Brown | 3:23.87 |
| 2008 | Viewed | Bart Cummings | Blake Shinn | 3:20.40 |
| 2007 | Efficient | Graeme Rogerson | Michael Rodd | 3:23.34 |
| 2006 | Delta Blues | Katsuhiko Sumii | Yasunari Iwata | 3:21.42 |
| 2005 | Makybe Diva | Lee Freedman | Glen Boss | 3:19.79 |
| 2004 | Makybe Diva | Lee Freedman | Glen Boss | 3:28.55 |
| 2003 | Makybe Diva | David Hall | Glen Boss | 3:19.90 |
| 2002 | Media Puzzle | Dermot K Weld | Damien Oliver | 3:16.97 |
| 2001 | Ethereal | Sheila Laxon | Scott Seamer | 3:21.08 |
| 2000 | Brew | Michael Moroney | Kerrin McEvoy | 3:18.68 |
| 1999 | Rogan Josh | Bart Cummings | John Marshall | 3:19.64 |
History of the Melbourne Cup
When the Melbourne Cup was first run in 1861, there were two organising committees controlling horse racing in Victoria, the Victorian Turf Club (1852) and the Victorian Jockeys Club (1857).
The Melbourne Cup was introduced in 1861 by the Victorian Turf Club to trump the success of Victorian Jockey Club races such as the Two Thousand Guineas.
As a handicap race, the Melbourne Cup introduced a level of speculation that the club hoped would attract more entries, and therefore higher prize money. The two competing organisations disbanded in 1864, before merging to form the Victorian Racing Club, which has controlled racing in Victoria and the Melbourne Cup ever since.
Melbourne Cup 2020 second acceptances
Melbourne Cup Weights
Handicap conditions apply to this race. The early 2020 Melbourne Cup weights on the nominated horses were released on Tuesday September 8, 2020 and headed by the Aidan O'Brien-trained Irish raider Anthony Van Dyck (58.5kg).
Melbourne Cup 2020 Acceptance Dates
When Is The Melbourne Cup Run Each Year 2020
- 2020 Melbourne Cup Nominations: Closed on Thursday August 27, 2020 – 174 nominations taken
- 2020 Melbourne Cup Late Nominations: Closed on Tuesday September 1, 2020
- 2020 Melbourne Cup Weights: Declared on Tuesday September 8, 2020 – Anthony Van Dyck (58.5kg) top-weight
- 2020 Melbourne Cup First Declarations: Closed on Tuesday September 29, 2020 – 94 remaining runners
- 2020 Melbourne Cup Second Declarations: Closed on Tuesday October 13, 2020 – 65 still in the mix
- 2020 Melbourne Cup Third Declarations: Close on Monday October 26, 2020
- 2020 Melbourne Cup Final Field: Announced Saturday October 31, 2020 at 4:30pm (local time)
- 2020 Melbourne Cup Barrier Draw: Took place Saturday October 31, 2020 at 7:00pm (local time)
Melbourne Cup 2020 Scratchings
Scratchings close at 7:30 AM on Tuesday, the 3rd of November, 2020.
2020 Melbourne Cup Scratchings:
- #14 King Of Leogrance (18)
Melbourne Cup Prize Money
The Melbourne Cup prize purse is worth $8,000,000 in total, distributed from places first through to twelfth including $4.4 million going to the Melbourne Cup winner in 2020.
| Place | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| 1st | $4,400,000 |
| 2nd | $1,100,000 |
| 3rd | $550,000 |
| 4th | $350,000 |
| 5th | $230,000 |
| 6th | $160,000 |
| 7th | $160,000 |
| 8th | $160,000 |
| 9th | $160,000 |
| 10th | $160,000 |
| 11th | $160,000 |
| 12th | $160,000 |
Melbourne Cup Race Number
The Melbourne Cup runs as Flemington Race 7 on the 3rd of November, 2020 part of the Lexus Melbourne Cup Day, the second race day event of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. There are ten races in total that day at Flemington Racecourse.
Melbourne Cup Live
You can watch or listen to the 2020 Melbourne Cup live, across the following mediums.
When Is The Melbourne Cup Run Each Year Since
Telecast: Channel Seven
Pay television: Sky Racing 1 (channel 526 on Foxtel)
Radio: Radio Sport National
Streaming: 7Live
Melbourne Cup Sweep
All around the country, workplaces participate in putting together a Melbourne Cup sweep, allotting a horse (usually at random) to each person that decides to join the sweep. Please note that sweeps are a casual gambling environment organised among peers. You can learn more about sweeps here.
Melbourne Cup Tickets
Tickets for the Melbourne Cup Carnival are available through Ticketek. Note: Melbourne Cup tickets in 2020 are not on sale to the public due to COVID-19.
Melbourne Cup Carnival
The 2020 Melbourne Cup Carnival is from October 31st until the 7th of November, 2020
The first race day is the AAMI Victoria Derby Day on Saturday the 31st of October, followed by the Lexus Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday the 3rd of November. The next race meet is Kennedy Oaks Day on the Thursday the 5th of November, followed by the final race meet for the carnival, Mackinnon Stakes Day held on Saturday the the 7th of November, 2020.
Australian Horses In The Melbourne Cup
Australian horses in the 2020 Melbourne Cup field are headed by Surprise Baby whose sire Shocking won the race in 2009 and who ran an eye-catching fifth in the event last year along with Vow And Declare.
Vow And Declare in 2019 beat out a host of international fancies to become the last Australian horse to win the Melbourne Cup.
International Horses In The Melbourne Cup
International horses dominate the Melbourne Cup field each year. From 2010 – 2020 six internationally-trained raiders prepared from outside of Australian / New Zealand saluted in the Melbourne Cup most recently Cross Counter (2018) for Godolphin followed in 2020 by Twilight Payment (Joseph O'Brien) who beat fellow internationals Tiger Moth (2nd) and Prince Of Arran (3rd).
There are eight internationally-trained raiders from outside of Australia / New Zealand in the 2020 Melbourne Cup field with:
- #1 Anthony Van Dyck
- #4 Master Of Reality
- #6 Twilight Payment
- #9 Stratum Albion
- #10 Dashing Willoughby
- #12 Prince Of Arran
- #18 Ashrun
- #21 Tiger Moth
Grey Horse In The Melbourne Cup
Grey horses which have seen success in the Melbourne Cup include Subzero (first place in 1992), Gunsynd (third place in 1972) Manighar (fifth place in 2010). A total of six grey horses have won the Melbourne Cup throughout history.
Melbourne Cup Winners
Winners of the Melbourne Cup going back to 1999 displayed in the table below. If you would like to view the full list of Melbourne Cup winners, going all the way back to 1861, please visit our Melbourne Cup Winners page.
| Year | Winner | Trainer | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Twilight Payment | Joseph O'Brien | Jye McNeil | 3:17.34 |
| 2019 | Vow And Declare | Danny O'Brien | Craig Williams | 3:24.76 |
| 2018 | Cross Counter | Charlie Appleby | Kerrin McEvoy | 3:21.17 |
| 2017 | Rekindling | Joseph O'Brien | Corey Brown | 3:21.19 |
| 2016 | Almandin | Robert Hickmott | Kerrin McEvoy | 3:20.58 |
| 2015 | Prince Of Penzance | Darren Weir | Michelle Payne | 3:23.15 |
| 2014 | Protectionist | Andreas Wohler | Ryan Moore | 3:17.71 |
| 2013 | Fiorente | Gai Waterhouse | Damien Oliver | 3:20.30 |
| 2012 | Green Moon | Robert Hickmott | Brett Prebble | 3:20.45 |
| 2011 | Dunaden | Mikel Delzangles | Christophe Lemaire | 3:20.84 |
| 2010 | Americain | Alain de Royer Dupre | Gerald Mosse | 3:26.87 |
| 2009 | Shocking | Mark Kavanagh | Corey Brown | 3:23.87 |
| 2008 | Viewed | Bart Cummings | Blake Shinn | 3:20.40 |
| 2007 | Efficient | Graeme Rogerson | Michael Rodd | 3:23.34 |
| 2006 | Delta Blues | Katsuhiko Sumii | Yasunari Iwata | 3:21.42 |
| 2005 | Makybe Diva | Lee Freedman | Glen Boss | 3:19.79 |
| 2004 | Makybe Diva | Lee Freedman | Glen Boss | 3:28.55 |
| 2003 | Makybe Diva | David Hall | Glen Boss | 3:19.90 |
| 2002 | Media Puzzle | Dermot K Weld | Damien Oliver | 3:16.97 |
| 2001 | Ethereal | Sheila Laxon | Scott Seamer | 3:21.08 |
| 2000 | Brew | Michael Moroney | Kerrin McEvoy | 3:18.68 |
| 1999 | Rogan Josh | Bart Cummings | John Marshall | 3:19.64 |
History of the Melbourne Cup
When the Melbourne Cup was first run in 1861, there were two organising committees controlling horse racing in Victoria, the Victorian Turf Club (1852) and the Victorian Jockeys Club (1857).
The Melbourne Cup was introduced in 1861 by the Victorian Turf Club to trump the success of Victorian Jockey Club races such as the Two Thousand Guineas.
As a handicap race, the Melbourne Cup introduced a level of speculation that the club hoped would attract more entries, and therefore higher prize money. The two competing organisations disbanded in 1864, before merging to form the Victorian Racing Club, which has controlled racing in Victoria and the Melbourne Cup ever since.
Although the Melbourne Cup today is well-known in Australia for being run on the first Tuesday in November, this hasn't always been the case. The 1866 Melbourne Cup race was run on a Thursday, and in 1867 the Cup was run in October. It wasn't until 1875 that the race was run on the first Tuesday of November.
Although the three-handled loving cup is widely recognised as the traditional cup design, this has only been the case since 1919. Before then the cups came in a variety of styles, with each year having a completely original design. Some years no trophy was presented at all. In fact, for the first few decades of the race, it was more common for no trophy to be awarded.
