2027 Melbourne Cup horses
We’ll update this page as nominations, acceptances and the final field are announced. Look for the staying form to build through spring as local and international runners tackle the lead-up races.
2026 Melbourne Cup declared field
This is the 2026 field as declared. Asterix was scratched on race day, leaving 23 starters.
| No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SONS AND LOVERS (GB) | Joseph O’Brien | Dylan Browne McMonagle | 3 | 57.5kg |
| 2 | TRUSTYOURINSTINCT (IRE) | Joseph O’Brien | James McDonald | 18 | 57kg |
| 3 | KNIGHT’S CHOICE | John Symons & Sheila Laxon | Robbie Dolan | 2 | 56.5kg |
| 4 | MIDDLE EARTH (GB) | Ciaron Maher | Mark Zahra | 1 | 56.5kg |
| 5 | VAUBAN (FR) | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Jordan Childs | 22 | 56.5kg |
| 6 | ENFJAAR (IRE) | Roger Varian | Ray Dawson | 8 | 56kg |
| 7 | ROYAL SUPREMACY (IRE) | Ciaron Maher | Ben Allen | 21 | 56kg |
| 8 | WINE DARK SEA (GB) | Harry Charlton | Damian Lane | 23 | 56kg |
| 9 | ASTERIX (NZ) | Chris Waller | Jye McNeil | 6 | 55kg |
| 10 | GOODIE TWO SHOES (IRE) | Joseph O’Brien | Wayne Lordan | 19 | 55kg |
| 11 | JUJA KIBO (IRE) | Ciaron Maher | Sam Clipperton | 14 | 55kg |
| 12 | HOPEWELL ROCK (IRE) | George Boughey | Zac Lloyd | 15 | 54.5kg |
| 13 | ONESMOOTHOPERATOR (USA) | Tim Fitzsimmons | Declan Bates | 13 | 54.5kg |
| 14 | SOUL OF SPAIN (IRE) | Chris Waller | Tommy Berry | 5 | 54.5kg |
| 15 | ZAHRANN (IRE) | Ciaron Maher | Ben Melham | 11 | 54.5kg |
| 16 | SO YOU ARE | Bjorn Baker | Ms Rachel King | 7 | 54kg |
| 17 | FUTURE HISTORY (GB) | Gregory Hickman | Ms Jamie Melham | 12 | 53.5kg |
| 18 | JAMES J BRADDOCK (GB) | Joseph O’Brien | Craig Williams | 24 | 53.5kg |
| 19 | KIZLYAR (IRE) | Joseph O’Brien | Beau Mertens | 20 | 53.5kg |
| 20 | POINT OF LAW (GB) | Ciaron Maher | Ethan Brown | 9 | 53kg |
| 21 | STRICTLY BUSINESS | Thomas Carberry | Dean Yendall | 4 | 53kg |
| 22 | MR MONACO (GB) | Ciaron Maher | Jabez Johnstone (a) | 16 | 52.5kg |
| 23 | ZAKOUMA | Grahame Begg | William Pike | 10 | 52kg |
| 24 | SHOCKLETZ (NZ) | Ciaron Maher | Harry Coffey | 17 | 51kg |
View the declared 2026 Melbourne Cup field, jockeys, barriers and weights. For scratchings and the finishing order, see the 2026 Melbourne Cup results.
Historic Melbourne Cup horses
Every Melbourne Cup winner will forever be recognised as a champion in the races long history some have stood above the rest.
Makybe Diva is a prime example of this having won three consecutive Melbourne Cups in 2003, 2004 and 2005.
Australia’s most famous racehorse Phar Lap won the race in 1930 after finishing third the year beforehand. In 1931 the champion was forced to carry 68kg in the Cup and subsequently finished in 8th position.
Multiple Melbourne Cup Winners
During the long history of the Melbourne Cup there have only been a handful of runners who have won the Cup on more than once occasion.
| Winner | Years Won |
|---|---|
| Makybe Diva | 2003, 2004, 2005 |
| Think Big | 1974, 1975 |
| Rain Lover | 1968, 1969 |
| Peter Pan | 1932, 1934 |
| Archer | 1861, 1862 |
Makybe Diva in the Melbourne Cup
Makybe Diva is the most successful horse in the history of the Melbourne Cup having won the race on 3 consecutive occasions.
Many believe that no horse will ever match the achievement again and given how only a handful have won the race twice it’s likely that no horse will accomplish the feat in this lifetime.
Glen Boss was fortunate enough to ride the champion in each of her 3 Melbourne Cup wins.
When is the Melbourne Cup field finalised?
The 2025 Melbourne Cup field will be announced on Victoria Derby Day night which is the 1st of November at around 6pm.
How many horses are in the Melbourne Cup?
The Melbourne Cup field is made up of 24 horses with no emergencies.
