Melbourne Cup Tips & Odds
Nicknamed “the race that stops a nation”, the Melbourne Cup is the centrepiece of the Australian sporting calendar and is staged at Flemington on the first Tuesday of November each year. The contest is so significant that parts of Australia observe a public holiday for it, and in terms of cultural impact it is often compared to the Grand National in the UK. Read More
Run over two miles on the Flat, the Melbourne Cup is a searching test of stamina that combines elite staying talent with the intrigue of a handicap. With millions in prize money on offer and growing interest from British racing fans, the 2026 renewal is already attracting attention. You can find the latest odds and early analysis for this year’s race below.
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Our 2026 Melbourne Cup Tips
What is the Melbourne Cup?
The Melbourne Cup is the biggest race in the Australian calendar, and is a Group 1 handicap over a distance of two miles. Held at Flemington in Victoria, the race is hugely popular, and is watched live in over 70 countries from around the world. As you would expect, Australian-trained horses have a strong grip on the race, though the prize money has continued to increase, the challenge from overseas is getting stronger and stronger.
Traditionally, British raiders have had a terrible time of things in the race, though the tide is slowly turning, and Cross Counter became the first British trained horse to win the race for Charlie Appleby in 2018. The Irish have fared slightly better, and the Dermot Weld-trained Vintage Crop was Northern Hemisphere winner of the race in 1993. Since then, Media Puzzle (2002), Rekindling (2017) and Twilight Payment (2020) have all taken the trophy back to Ireland.
What happened in the 2025 Melbourne Cup?
HALF YOURS was a worthy winner of the race in 2025, coming home with a wet sail up the inside to take the lead from Goodie Two Shoes and win in commanding style.
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Last 10 Melbourne Cup Winners
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Half Yours | Jamie Melham | Tony & Calvin McEvoy |
| 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 & David 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 |
Melbourne Cup 2026 FAQs
When is the 2026 Melbourne Cup?
The 2026 Melbourne Cup takes place on Tuesday 3 November 2026. The race is run annually on the first Tuesday in November at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne.
What time is the Melbourne Cup in the UK?
The Melbourne Cup is scheduled to jump at 3:00pm local time in Australia, which is typically around 4:00am UK time. The exact UK start time can vary slightly depending on daylight saving adjustments.
How far is the Melbourne Cup?
The Melbourne Cup is run over 3200 metres, which is just under two miles. It is one of the longest and most demanding Flat races in the world.
Is the Melbourne Cup a handicap?
Yes, the Melbourne Cup is a handicap race. Each runner is allocated a weight by the official handicapper based on its rating, meaning higher-rated horses must carry more weight than their rivals.