The Melbourne Cup was first run in 1861 and taken out by fabled stayer Archer, with those at the track not to know that this race was to develop into the biggest in Victoria, then Australia and then the world.
In the modern years the best horses that can run a staying distance travel to Melbourne to contest the 3200m feature at Flemington Racecourse. The planning and thought behind these International raiders’ visits is extraordinary, but it was not always this way.
Our Melbourne Cup winners guide, will run you through every winner of the great race, including the successful trainers, jockeys and place-getters.
Recent Melbourne Cup Winners
2023: Without A Fight
Trainer Anthony & Sam Freedman
Jockey Mark Zahra
2022: Gold Trip
Trainer Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Jockey Mark Zahra
2021: Verry Elleegant
Trainer Chris Waller
Jockey James McDonald
2020: Twilight Payment
Trainer Joseph O’Brien
Jockey Jye McNeil
2019: Vow And Declare
Trainer Danny O’Brien
Jockey Craig Williams
2018: Cross Counter
Trainer Charlie Appleby
Jockey Kerrin McEvoy
2018: Cross Counter
Trainer Charlie Appleby
Jockey Kerrin McEvoy
2017: Rekindling
Trainer Joseph O’Brien
Jockey Corey Brown
2016: Almandin
Trainer Robert Hickmott
Jockey Kerrin McEvoy
2015 Prince Of Penzance
Trainer Darren Weir
Jockey Michelle Payne
2014 Protectionist
Trainer Andreas Wohler
Jockey Ryan Moore
2013: Fiorente
Trainer Gai Waterhouse
Jockey Damien Oliver
2012: Green Moon
Trainer Robert Hickmott
Jockey Brett Prebble
2011: Dunaden
Trainer Mikel Delzangles
Jockey Christophe Lemaire
2010: Americain
Trainer Alain de Royer Dupre
Jockey Gerarld Mosse
2009: Shocking
Trainer Mark Kavanagh
Jockey Corey Brown
The Complete Melbourne Cup Winners List From 1861 – 2021
Year
Horse
Jockey
Trainer
Colour
Sex
Age
Starters
Number
Barrier
Weight
2023
Without A Fight
M Zahra
A & S Freedman
Brown
Gelding
7
23
3
16
56.5
2022
Gold Trip
M Zahra
C Maher & D Eustace
Bay
Horse
6
22
1
13
57.5
2021
Verry Elleegant
J McDonald
Chris Waller
Brown
Mare
7
23
4
18
57
2020
Twilight Payment
J McNeil
Joseph O’Brien
Bay
H
8
23
6
12
55.5
2019
Vow And Declare
C Williams
Danny O’Brien
Bay
G
4
24
23
21
52
2018
Cross Counter
K McEvoy
Charlie Appleby
Bay
G
4
24
23
19
51
2017
Rekindling
C Brown
J O’Brien
Bay
H
4
23
22
4
51.5
2016
Almandin
K McEvoy
R Hickmott
Bay
G
7
23
17
17
52
2015
Prince of Penz.
M Payne
D Weir
Bay
G
6
24
19
1
53
2014
Protectionist
R Moore
A Wohler
Bay
H
5
22
5
11
56.5
2013
Fiorente
D Oliver
G Waterhouse
Brown
H
6
24
6
5
55
2012
Green Moon
B Prebble
R Hickmott
Bay
H
6
24
14
5
53.5
2011
Dunaden
C P Lemaire
M Delzangles
Bay
H
6
23
3
13
54.5
2010
Americain
G. Mosse
A De Royer-Dupre
Bay/Brown
H
6
23
8
11
54.5
2009
Shocking
C. Brown
M. Kavanagh
Bay
H
4
23
21
22
51
2008
Viewed
B. Shinn
J.B. Cummings
Bay
H
5
22
10
8
53
2007
Efficent
M. Rodd
G. Rogerson
Grey
G
4
21
6
10
54.5
2006
Delta Blues
Y. Iwata
K. Sumii
Bay
H
6
23
2
10
56
2005
Makybe Diva
G. Boss
L. Freedman
Bay
M
7
24
1
14
58
2004
Makybe Diva
G. Boss
L. Freedman
Bay
M
6
24
5
7
55.5
2003
Makybe Diva
G. Boss
D. Hall
Bay
M
5
23
12
14
51
2002
Media Puzzle
D. Oliver
D. Weld
Chesnut
G
6
19
14
3
52.5
2001
Ethereal
S. Seamer
S. Laxon
Bay
M
4
22
13
13
52
2000
Brew
K. McEvoy
M. Maroney
Bay
G
6
23
24
22
49
1999
Rogan Josh
J. Marshall
J.B. Cummings
Brown
G
7
24
17
21
50
1998
Jezabeel
C. Munce
B. Jenkins
Brown
M
6
25
22
16
51
1997
Might And Power
J. Cassidy
J. Denham
Bay/Brown
G
4
22
3
2
56
1996
Saintly
D. Beadman
J.B. Cummings
Chesnut
G
4
22
5
3
55.5
1995
Doriemus
D. Oliver
L. Freedman
Chesnut
G
5
21
6
21
54.5
1994
Jeune
Wayne Harris
D. Hayes
Chesnut
H
6
24
6
5
56.5
1993
Vintage Crop
Michael Kinane
D. Weld
Chesnut
G
7
24
6
5
55.5
1992
Subzero
Greg Hall
L. Freedman
Grey
H
4
21
8
14
54.5
1991
Lets Elope
S.R. King
J.B. Cummings
Chesnut
M
4
24
15
10
51
1990
Kingston Rule
D. Beadman
J.B. Cummings
Chesnut
H
5
24
8
1
53
1989
Tawrrific
R.S. Dye
L. Freedman
Bay
H
5
23
6
11
54
1988
Empire Rose
T. Allan
L.K.Laxon
Chesnut
M
6
22
11
20
53.5
1987
Kensei
L. Olsen
L.J.Bridge
Chesnut
G
5
21
8
4
51.5
1986
At Talaq
M. Clarke
C.S. Hayes
Bay
H
6
22
4
17
54.5
1985
What A Nuisance
P. Hyland
J.F. Meagher
Bay
G
7
23
13
17
52.5
1984
Black Knight
P. Cook
G.M. Hanlon
Bay/Brown
G
5
19
17
11
50
1983
Kiwi
J. Cassidy
E.S. Lupton
Chesnut
G
6
24
11
2
52
1982
Gurners Lane
L. Dittman
G.T. Murphy
Chesnut
G
4
23
4
22
56
1981
Just A Dash
P. Cook
T.J. Smith
Bay
G
4
22
7
9
53.5
1980
Beldale Ball
J. Letts
C.S. Hayes
Brown
H
5
22
15
22
49.5
1979
Hyperno
H. White
J.B. Cummings
Bay/Brown
G
6
22
2
11
56
1978
Arwon
H. White
G.M. Hanlon
Bay/Brown
G
5
22
12
20
50.5
1977
Gold And Black
J. Duggan
J.B. Cummings
Brown
G
5
24
2
14
57
1976
Van Der Hum
R.J. Skelton
L.H. Robinson
Chesnut
G
5
23
6
23
54.5
1975
Think Big
H. White
J.B. Cummings
Bay
G
5
20
2
3
58.5
1974
Think Big
H. White
J.B. Cummings
Bay
G
4
22
12
16
53
1973
Gala Supreme
F. Reys
R.J. Hutchins
Brown
G
4
24
15
24
49
1972
Piping Lane
J. Letts
G.M. Hanlon
Brown
G
6
22
16
11
48
1971
Silver Knight
R.B. Marsh
E. Temperton
Grey
H
4
21
8
15
55
1970
Bagdad Note
E.J. Didham
R. Heasley
Grey
G
5
23
4
13
54
1969
Rain Lover
J. Johnson
M.L. Robins
Bay
H
5
23
2
5
60.5
1968
Rain Lover
J. Johnson
M.L.Robins
Bay
H
4
26
11
24
51.5
1967
Red Handed
R. Higgins
J.B. Cummings
Chesnut
G
5
22
5
19
55
1966
Galilee
J. Miller
J.B. Cummings
Bay
G
4
22
4
14
56.5
1965
Light Fingers
R. Higgins
J.B. Cummings
Chesnut
M
4
26
14
6
52.5
1964
Polo Prince
R. Taylor
J.P. Carter
Bay
G
6
26
12
4
52
1963
Gatum Gatum
J. Johnson
H.G. Heagney
Brown
G
5
26
22
19
50
1962
Even Stevens
L. Coles
A. McGregor
Chesnut
H
5
26
6
21
53
1961
Lord Fury
R. Selkrig
F.B. Lewis
Brown
H
4
25
17
6
48
1960
Hi Jinx
W. A. Smith
T.H. Knowles
Bay
M
5
32
6
49
1959
Macdougal
P. Glennon
R.W. Roden
Bay
G
6
28
5
16
56
1958
Baystone
M. Schumacher
J. Green
Bay
G
6
29
7
10
55
1957
Straight Draw
N. McGrowdie
J.M. Mitchell
Bay
G
5
19
9
8
53
1956
Evening Peal
G. Podmore
E.D. Lawson
Brown
M
4
22
12
10
51
1955
Toparoa
N. Sellwood
T.J. Smith
Bay
G
7
24
11
19
48
1954
Rising Fast
J. Purtell
I.J. Tucker
Bay/Brown
G
5
25
1
8
59.5
1953
Wodalla
J. Purtell
R. Sinclair
Brown
H
4
21
9
5
52.5
1952
Dalray
W. Williamson
C.C. McCarthy
Bay
H
4
30
1
1
61
1951
Delta
N. Sellwood
M. McCarten
Brown
H
5
28
1
8
59.5
1950
Comic Court
P. Glennon
J. Cummings
Brown
H
5
26
1
14
59.5
1949
Foxami
W. Fellows
D. Lewis
Bay
H
4
31
5
12
54.5
1948
Rimfire
R. Neville
S. Boyden
Chesnut
G
6
30
25
23
45.5
1947
Hiraji
J. Purtell
J.W. McCurley
Grey
G
4
30
12
11
49.5
1946
Russia
D. Munro
E. Hush
Chesnut
H
6
35
1
1
57
1945
Rainbird
W. Cook
S. Evans
Chesnut
M
4
26
17
17
47.5
1944
Sirius
D. Munro
E. Fisher
Chesnut
H
4
23
4
4
53
1943
Dark Felt
V. Hartney
R. Webster
Brown
H
6
24
5
9
52.5
1942
Colonus
H. McCloud
F. Manning
Bay
H
4
24
19
24
45.5
1941
Skipton
W. Cook
J. Fryer
Chesnut
C
3
23
13
19
47.5
1940
Old Rowley
A. Knox
J.A. Scully
Chesnut
G
7
20
11
5
50
1939
Rivette
E. Preston
H. Bamber
Bay
M
6
26
12
4
48.5
1938
Catalogue
F. Shean
A. McDonald
Bay
G
8
22
5
17
52.5
1937
The Trump
A. Reed
S.W. Reid
Bay
G
5
28
10
8
53
1936
Wotan
O. Phillips
J. Fryer
Brown
H
4
20
15
6
49.5
1935
Maraboa
K. Voitre
L. Robertson
Bay
H
4
22
12
10
49.5
1934
Peter Pan
D. Munro
F. McGrath
Chesnut
H
5
22
1
25
61.5
1933
Hall Mark
J. O Sullivan
J. Holt
Chesnut
C
3
18
13
6
48
1932
Peter Pan
W. Duncan
F. McGrath
Chesnut
C
3
27
18
11
47
1931
White Nose
N. Percival
E.J. Hatwell
Brown/Black
H
5
14
14
12
43.5
1930
Phar Lap
J.E. Pike
H.R. Telford
Chesnut
G
4
15
1
13
62.5
1929
Nightmarch
R. Reed
A. McAulay
Brown
H
4
14
3
5
58
1928
Statesman
J. Munro
W. Kelso
Chesnut
H
4
17
8
19
51
1927
Trivalve
R. Lewis
J. Scobie
Chesnut
C
3
26
19
27
47
1926
Spearfelt
H. Cairns
V. O Neill
Brown
H
5
21
4
1
58.5
1925
Windbag
J. Munro
G. Price
Bay
H
4
28
2
25
58
1924
Backwood
P. Brown
R. Bradfield
Bay
H
6
18
9
7
51.5
1923
Bitalli
A. Wilson
J. Scobie
Brown
G
5
26
21
0
44.5
1922
King Ingodas
A. Wilson
J. Scobie
Brown
H
4
32
23
0
45
1921
Sister Olive
E. O Sullivan
J. Williams
Chesnut
F
3
25
24
0
44
1920
Poitrel
K. Bracken
H.J. Robinson
Chesnut
H
6
23
1
0
63.5
1919
Artilleryman
R. Lewis
P.T. Heywood
Brown
C
3
20
13
0
47
1918
Nightwatch
W. Duncan
R. Bradfield
Bay
G
5
27
24
0
42
1917
Westcourt
W. McLachlan
J. Burton
Brown
H
5
20
12
0
53
1916
Sasanof
F. Foley
M. Hobbs
Brown
G
3
28
28
0
43.5
1915
Patrobas
R. Lewis
C. Wheeler
Brown
C
3
24
19
0
47
1914
Kingsburgh
K.G. Meddick
I. Foulsham
Chesnut
C
4
28
25
0
43.5
1913
Posinatus
A. Shanahan
J. Chambers
Bay
G
5
20
8
0
49
1912
Piastre
A. Shanahan
R. O Connor
Bay
H
4
23
14
0
48.5
1911
The Parisian
R. Cameron
C. Wheeler
Brown
G
6
33
4
0
55
1910
Comedy King
W. McLachlan
J. Lynch
Brown/Black
H
4
30
16
0
49.5
1909
Prince Foote
W. McLachlan
F. McGrath
Bay
C
3
26
17
0
48
1908
Lord Nolan
J. Flynn
E. A. Mao
Bay
C
3
22
24
0
42.5
1907
Apologue
W. Evans
I. Earnshaw
Bay
H
5
19
18
0
48.5
1906
Poseidon
T. Clayton
I. Earmshaw
Bay
C
3
21
15
0
47
1905
Blue Spec
F. Bullock
W. Hickenbotham
Brown
H
6
27
12
0
51
1904
Acrasia
T. Clayton
A. E. Wills
Bay
M
7
34
19
0
47
1903
Lord Cardigan
N. Godby
A.E. Cornwell
Brown
C
3
24
22
0
41.5
1902
The Victory
R. Lewis
R. Bradfield
Bay
C
4
22
3
0
56
1901
Revenue
F. Dunn
H. Munro
Bay
G
5
19
10
0
49
1900
Clean Sweep
A. Richardson
James Scobie
Black
C
3
29
23
0
44.5
1899
Merriwee
V. Turner
J.Wilson jun.
Brown
C
3
28
22
0
47
1898
The Grafter
John Gough
W. Forrester
Brown
G
5
28
4
0
58
1897
Gaulus
S. Callinan
W. Forrester
Chesnut
H
6
29
20
0
48
1896
Newhaven
H.J. Gardiner
W. Hickenbotham
Chesnut
C
3
25
11
0
50.5
1895
Auraria
J. Stevenson
J.H. Hill
Brown
F
3
36
26
0
46.5
1894
Patron
H.G. Dawes
R. Bradfield
Chesnut
H
4
28
4
0
52
1893
Tarcoola
H. Cripps
J. Cripps
Bay
H
7
30
12
0
52.5
1892
Glenloth
G. Robson
M. Carmody
Brown
H
5
35
13
0
50.5
1891
Malvolio
G. Redfearn
J. Redfearn
Bay
H
4
34
9
0
52.5
1890
Carbine
R. Ramage
W. Hickenbotham
Bay
H
5
39
1
0
66
1889
Bravo
J. Anwin
T. Wilson
Bay
H
6
20
4
0
54
1888
Mentor
M. O Brien
W. Hickenbotham
Bay
H
4
28
8
0
52
1887
Dunlop
T. Sanders
J. Nicholson
Brown
H
5
18
4
0
52
1886
Jarsenal
W. English
H. Rayner
Brown
H
4
28
20
0
46.5
1885
Sheet Anchor
M. O Brien
T. Wilson
Brown
H
7
35
9
0
49.5
1884
Malua
A. Robertson
Isaac Foulsham
Bay
H
5
24
2
0
61
1883
Marini-Henri
J. Williamson
M. Fennelly
Bay
C
3
29
19
0
46.5
1882
The Assyrian
C. Hutchens
J.E. Savill
Brown
H
5
35
10
0
50.5
1881
Zulu
Jim Gough
T. Lamond
Black
H
4
33
39
0
36
1880
Grand Flaneur
T. Hales
T. Brown
Bay
C
3
22
20
0
42.5
1879
Darriwell
S. Cracknell
W.E. Dakin
Brown
H
5
27
11
0
46.5
1878
Calamia
T. Brown
E. de Mestre
Bay
H
5
30
6
0
51.5
1877
Chester
P. Pigott
E. de Mestre
Bay
C
3
33
19
0
43.5
1876
Briseis
P. St. Albans
James Wilson
Brown
F
3
33
0
40
1875
Wollomai
R. Batty
S. Moon
Bay
H
6
20
0
48
1874
Haricot
P. Pigott
S. Harding
Bay
G
4
18
0
41.5
1873
Don Juan
W. Wilson
James Wilson
Bay
H
4
24
0
43.5
1872
The Quack
W. Enderson
John Tait
Bay
H
6
22
0
49
1871
The Pearl
J. Cavanagh
John Tait
Bay
H
5
23
0
46
1870
Nimblefoot
J. Day
W. Lang
Bay
G
7
28
0
38
1869
Warrior
J. Morrison
R. Sevoir
Brown
G
6
26
0
55.5
1868
Glencoe
C. Stanley
John Tait
Chesnut
H
4
25
0
57.5
1867
Tim Whiffler
J. Driscoll
E. de Mestre
Bay
H
5
27
0
56
1866
The Barb
W. Davis
John Tait
Black
C
3
28
0
42
1865
Toryboy
E. Cavanagh
P. Miley
Grey
G
8
23
0
44.5
1864
Lantern
S. Davis
S. Mahon
Brown
C
3
19
0
39.5
1863
Banker
H. Chifney
Sam Waldock
Bay
C
3
7
0
33.5
1862
Archer
J. Cutts
E. de Mestre
Bay
H
6
20
0
64.5
1861
Archer
J. Cutts
E. de Mestre
Bay
H
5
17
0
60.5
Melbourne Cup winners — How Vintage Crop changed Australian racing!
The horse that undoubtedly changed the landscape of the Melbourne Cup was Vintage Crop, who travelled from Ireland with champion Irish trainer Dermot Weld and became the first horse trained outside Australia to win the great race.
Makybe Diva stands alone as the greatest Melbourne Cup horse, having won the race three times (2003-05), with only one other horse since 1970, the Bart Cummings-trained Think Big winning it multiple times (1974-75).
Here is a list of every Melbourne Cup winner. Please drop us a comment in the box below if you want further information about any winners of the Melbourne Cup. Our racing boffins are more than happy to help.
Melbourne Cup betting is available all year round, with odds generally being put up for the following year, soon after the race has been run and won. These horse betting sites that feature markets are generally the online bookmakers, with it possible to place a futures bet on the race from your own home.
The 2023 Melbourne Cup will be run on November 7, with Melbourne Cup betting sites now having markets available. In-fact Melbourne Cup odds are available all year round, with a market on the race that stops a nation launching soon after the running on the first Tuesday on November.
What horse will be added to the Melbourne Cup winners list in 2023?
Vauban is the $3.60 favourite with horse betting sites to win the 2023 Melbourne Cup, with the Irish stayer ticking plenty of boxes, including being trained by Willie Mullins. The former French horse has won four of six starts on the flat and three of eight over the jumps as he attempts to go one better than another Mullins’ trained stayer, Max Dynamite.
Gold Trip is on the second line of Melbourne Cup betting, with the defending champion again being set for the 3200m feature, and will take beating after a super-consistent campaign. Without A Fight ($7) and Soulcombe ($9) are the only other runners in single figure odds to win the 2023 Melbourne Cup.
You can read our horse racing tips to get the low-down on the Melbourne Cup, with our super preview of the great race due to go live over the weekend. Our racing expert believes he has found the Melbourne Cup winner for 2023.
Would it be possible to include the placegetters’ previous recent runs b4 running in the cup
R Symons
3 years ago
Brilliant Site.
R Symons
3 years ago
Looked at previous ‘lead all way’ winners
Martyn Lloyd
2 years ago
Thank you, listing all Melbourne cup winners and other details is very informative.One thing I would love to see listed alongside all winners is their official winning price, in fixed odds or tote odds or possibly both. Can you help me find out this information? Thanks.
Bill Holland
2 years ago
Thank you – check the barrier for Brew (2000), he was allocated 24 but with the withdrawal came into 23. Your site claims 22. Great information as it is easy to determine when saddle-cloth (numbers) were introduced and also barrier draws.
Gerson
2 years ago
For 2020, the winning horse Twilight Payment is gelding (g) instead of stallion (h) stated.
Jim
1 year ago
Think big won the cup in 1974/1975 not 1874/1875 as stated in your article
Thank you for most informative summary of our nations best! Do you have a record anywhere of the actual saddle cloth number of the horse who ran last each year?
Would it be possible to include the placegetters’ previous recent runs b4 running in the cup
Brilliant Site.
Looked at previous ‘lead all way’ winners
Thank you, listing all Melbourne cup winners and other details is very informative.One thing I would love to see listed alongside all winners is their official winning price, in fixed odds or tote odds or possibly both. Can you help me find out this information? Thanks.
Thank you – check the barrier for Brew (2000), he was allocated 24 but with the withdrawal came into 23. Your site claims 22. Great information as it is easy to determine when saddle-cloth (numbers) were introduced and also barrier draws.
For 2020, the winning horse Twilight Payment is gelding (g) instead of stallion (h) stated.
Think big won the cup in 1974/1975 not 1874/1875 as stated in your article
Thanks Jim, typo on our end!
very interesting
Thank you for most informative summary of our nations best! Do you have a record anywhere of the actual saddle cloth number of the horse who ran last each year?