There are few race days in Australia that capture the imagination as much as the Melbourne Cup. The race stops the nation annually and is staged on the first Tuesday in November. All bookies and online sportsbooks are gearing up for the rush.
The Melbourne Cup is a horse racing spectacle that has captured the hearts of Australians and horse racing enthusiasts worldwide. Often referred to as "The race that stops a nation," this annual event is a true highlight on the Australian sporting calendar. But what makes the Melbourne Cup so special, and what are some fascinating facts that even kids can enjoy? Let's dive into the world of the Melbourne Cup and explore its rich history and unique characteristics.
Melbourne Cup: World Class Horse Race
One of the standout features of the Melbourne Cup is that it's open to horses three years old and above. This means that a variety of talented equine athletes can compete, adding to the excitement and unpredictability of the race. The Melbourne Cup is a thoroughbred flat racing event, which means it's all about speed and stamina.
The Long and Short of It
The Melbourne Cup's distance is another aspect that sets it apart. The race spans a challenging 3,200 meters (approximately 2.0 miles), making it one of the most demanding two-mile horse races globally. Interestingly, the race's distance has undergone a slight change over the years. Originally raced over two miles, equivalent to about 3,218 meters, it was adjusted to precisely 3,200 meters when Australia adopted the metric system in 1972. This change made the race 61 feet and 6 inches shorter. Rain Lover's 1968 race record of 3 minutes, 19.1 seconds was adjusted to 3 minutes, 17.9 seconds following the modification.
Did you know that Queen Elizabeth II did have a horse in the Melbourne Cup. The horse, named Arabian Story, competed in the Melbourne Cup in 1997 and finished in sixth place.
Here are some great statistics on the Melbourne Cup:
Barrier statistics
Over the last 22 years, the most successful barriers have been 5, 14, 10, 13, and 22, accounting for 14 victories
Barrier 5 has produced 8 wins, while barriers 10 and 19 have produced 7 wins
Barrier 11 has produced 6 wins, and barriers 1, 4, 6, 8, and 17 have produced 5 wins
Historically bad barriers include 18, 7, and 15, which have only accounted for 3 wins in the history of the Melbourne Cup
Lead-up race
The most successful lead-up race for the Melbourne Cup is the Caulfield Cup, which has seen 11 winners go on to claim Melbourne Cup success
Winning margins
The biggest winning margin is shared by Archer (1862) and Rain Lover (1968), with eight lengths
The tightest finish was Dunaden's 2011 win over Red Cadeaux, which took officials over five minutes to decide on the result via photo finish
Most successful owner
Lloyd Williams holds the record for the most Melbourne Cup wins by an owner, with 7 victories
Most successful jockey:
Bobby Lewis and Harry White share the record for the most Melbourne Cup wins by a jockey, with 4 victories each
Most successful trainer:
Bart Cummings holds the record for the most Melbourne Cup wins by a trainer, with 12 victories.
Fastest Melbourne Cup times
The top 3 fastest Melbourne Cup times are:
- 1990: Kingston Rule, 3:16.30
- 2002: Media Puzzle, 3:16.97
- 1989: Tawrrific, 3:17.50
Biggest upsets
Only four triple-figure roughies have won the Melbourne Cup, with The Pearl (100/1 in 1871), Wotan (100/1 in 1936), Old Rowley (100/1 in 1940), and Prince Of Penzance (100/1 in 2015) defying the odds
More Melbourne Cup Trivia
Most Wins by a Horse
Only five horses have won multiple Melbourne Cups, with the legendary Makybe Diva holding the record with three victories, all ridden by jockey Glen Boss:
- 3 wins: Makybe Diva (2003, 2004, 2005)
- 2 wins: Think Big (1974, 1975)
- 2 wins: Rain Lover (1968, 1969)
- 2 wins: Peter Pan (1932, 1934)
- 2 wins: Archer (1861, 1862)
Longest Odds Winners: Four horses have triumphed at 100-1 odds: The Pearl (1871), Wotan (1936), Old Rowley (1940), and Prince of Penzance (2015).
Shortest Odds Win: Phar Lap secured victory at 8/11 odds in 1930 ($1.73).
Favourites Win Percentage: Historically, 23% of favorites have emerged victorious in the Melbourne Cup, accounting for 34 out of 150 races.
Most Runs: Shadow King holds the record for running six times in seven years from 1929 to 1935, with placements ranging from 6th to 4th.
Oldest Winners: Three horses have triumphed at the age of eight: Toryboy in 1865, Catalogue in 1938, and Twilight Payment in 2020.
First Female Jockey Win: Michelle Payne made history in 2015 by becoming the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup, riding Prince of Penzance.
Record Winning Time: Kingston Rule set a blistering pace in 1990, with a record-breaking time of 3 minutes, 16.30 seconds.
Longest Win Margin: Archer in 1862 and Rain Lover in 1968 both secured their victories by a record 8-length margin.
Heaviest Weight Carried by Winner: Phar Lap holds the record for carrying the heaviest weight in the Cup's history, shouldering 68 kg in 1931 when he finished 8th.
Lightest Weight Carried by Winner: Banker claimed victory in 1863 while carrying a feather-light 34 kg.
Melbourne Cup:A Date to Remember
The Melbourne Cup is not just any horse race; it's a timeless tradition that takes place on the first Tuesday in November every year. This remarkable consistency has been upheld since 1861, with just one exception during the Second World War. The event is organized by the Victoria Racing Club and takes place at the renowned Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne.
Racing into the Afternoon
If you're wondering when the action begins, mark your calendars for 3:00 pm Melbourne time (AEST). This is when the Melbourne Cup race kicks off, and the excitement reaches its peak. It's a moment eagerly anticipated by racing enthusiasts and casual fans alike.
A Day of Festivities
The Melbourne Cup is not just a horse race; it's a day filled with festivities and traditions. Over 110,000 people gather to witness the race, creating a vibrant and electric atmosphere. Some attendees don traditional formal raceday attire, adding a touch of elegance to the occasion. However, what truly adds a unique flavor to the event is the array of imaginative and sometimes bizarre costumes worn by others. In 2005, a staggering 383,784 race fans attended the Melbourne Cup Carnival, making it an unforgettable spectacle.
A Glimpse into the Past
The history of the Melbourne Cup is rich and colorful. The inaugural Melbourne Cup in 1861 featured seventeen horses, and the grand prize included a gold watch and 170 pounds in cash. An interesting anecdote surrounds the first winner, Archer, who is rumored to have walked 800 kilometers to the racecourse from Nowra, New South Wales. However, there's also a possibility that he made the journey by ship. Regardless of the mode of travel, four thousand spectators witnessed Archer's victory.
Archer continued to make history by securing another win the following year. However, due to a late application from the owner, Archer missed the chance to compete for a third consecutive victory. This unfortunate turn of events led to a boycott by many owners, resulting in the smallest Melbourne Cup field in history, with just seven horses.
Beyond the Racetrack
While the Melbourne Cup is undoubtedly a major horse racing event, it also shines a spotlight on fashion. "Fashions On The Field" is a major focus of the day, and raceday fashion often garners as much attention as the race itself. One iconic moment occurred in 1965 when model Jean Shrimpton wore a miniskirt on Derby Day during Melbourne Cup week, sparking worldwide attention.
In Melbourne, the Melbourne Cup race day is a public holiday, allowing residents to fully immerse themselves in the festivities. In other parts of Australia, the race is a televised spectacle, with millions of viewers tuning in to watch and perhaps even place bets. Betting on the Melbourne Cup is a national tradition, with some opting for the TAB (the Australian betting office), while others participate in workplace cup "sweeps." In these office pools, each person contributes a small amount (such as $3) and randomly draws a horse. The excitement of cheering for your selected horse and hoping for a win adds to the overall thrill of the day. In 2000, it was estimated that a remarkable 80 percent of the adult Australian population placed bets on the Melbourne Cup.
The Melbourne Cup is just around the corner, and anticipation is building for the "race that stops the nation." With Australian and international horses set to gallop in the 3200-meter race for a staggering $8 million in prize money, it's an event that captures the hearts of racing enthusiasts and casual viewers alike. Before you dive into the excitement, here's your comprehensive cheat sheet with key facts and figures you need to know.
When and Where to Watch
Start Time: The Melbourne Cup is a timeless tradition held on the first Tuesday in November. In 2023, the race will commence at 3 pm AEDT on November 7. For viewers across Australia, here are the local start times:
- Victoria, NSW, ACT, and Tasmania: 3 pm
- Western Australia: 12 pm
- Northern Territory: 1:30 pm
- Queensland: 2 pm
- Adelaide: 2:30 pm
TV Coverage: Channel 10 will provide extensive coverage of the Melbourne Cup, starting at 10 am and continuing until 5:30 pm. If you prefer streaming, head to racing.com, or tune in to the racing channel on Foxtel.
Order of Entry
As of November 1, here's a sneak peek at some of the horses expected to participate in the 2023 Melbourne Cup:
Saddlecloth Number Horse Trainer Jockey Weight
1= WITHOUT A FIGHT (IRE) Anthony and Sam Freedman - 56.5kg
1= ABSURDE (FRA) Willie Mullins - 53kg
1= FUTURE HISTORY (GB) Ciaron Maher and David Eustace - 50kg
4 GOLD TRIP (FRA) Ciaron Maher, David Eustace - 58.5kg
5 ALENQUER (FRA) Mike Moroney - 56.5kg
6 BREAKUP (JPN) Tatsuya Yoshioka - 55kg
7 VAUBAN (FRA) Willie Mullins - 55kg
8 SOULCOMBE (GB) Chris Waller - 53.5kg
9 VOW AND DECLARE Danny O'Brien - 53kg
10 RIGHT YOU ARE Ciaron Maher and David Eustace - 53kg
11 MAGICAL LAGOON (IRE) Chris Waller - 51kg
12 VIRTUOUS CIRCLE (NZ) Liam Howley - 51kg
13 LASTOTCHKA (FRA) Jean-Marie Beguigne - 51kg
14 CLEVELAND (IRE) Kris Lees - 51.5kg
15 SHERAZ (FRA) Chris Waller - 51.5kg
16 DAQIANSWEET JUNIOR (NZ) Phillip Stokes - 51.5kg
17 VALIANT KING (GB) Joseph O'Brien - 50kg
18 ASHRUN (FRA) Ciaron Maher and David Eustace - 51.5kg
19 OKITA SOUSHI (IRE) Joseph O'Brien - 51.5kg
20 MILITARY MISSION (IRE) Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott - 50.5kg
21 SERPENTINE (IRE) Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott - 51kg
22 MORE FELONS (IRE) Chris Waller - 50.5kg
23 TRUE MARVEL (FRA) Matthew Smith - 50kg
24 INTERPRETATION (IRE) Ciaron Maher and David Eustace - 50kg
Favorites and Odds
As of 1 pm on November 2, VAUBAN, a French export, is leading the pack as the hot favorite with odds of 3.50 for a fixed odds win on tab.com.au. Following closely behind are GOLD TRIP at 4.50 and WITHOUT A FIGHT at 7.00 for a fixed odds win. ALENQUER, ASHRUN, and FUTURE HISTORY are all offering odds of 34.00 for a fixed odds win, while TRUE MARVEL holds the title for the longest odds at 201.00 for a fixed odds win.
Prize Money Breakdown
The Melbourne Cup is not just a race; it's a lucrative event with a total prize pool of $8 million, identical to the previous year. Here's the breakdown of the winnings:
- 1st Place: $4.4 million
- 2nd Place: $1.1 million
- 3rd Place: $550,000
- 4th Place: $350,000
- 5th Place: $230,000
- 6th to 12th Place: $160,000
The Melbourne Cup is more than just a horse race; it's a tapestry woven with history, tradition, and thrilling moments.
In Conclusion
The Melbourne Cup is more than just a horse race; it's a cultural phenomenon, a fashion showcase, and a day of national unity. Its rich history, unique traditions, and thrilling moments make it an event that's cherished by Australians of all ages. So, whether you're a young horse enthusiast or simply looking for a reason to celebrate, the Melbourne Cup offers something for everyone. As you settle in to watch this years Melbourne Cup, keep these insights in mind, and may the best horse and jockey prevail in this iconic race
It is one of the oldest and more prestigious turf races on the international calendar, with a field of horses aged three and older chasing immortality, and their share of the A$8 million purse. You can find out everything you need to know about the lucrative race here.
