Which letters win more Melbourne Cups?
If we’re going to get right down in to the facts, figures, statistics and form of the 2023 Melbourne Cup, we need to look at which alphabetical letter gives our punters the best chance of Cup success.
The most successful Melbourne Cup letter is “T” having won the cup 17 times; not only did the Letter “T” take out the 2020 Melbourne Cup with Twilight Payment crossing the line in first but also had Tiger Moth come in second place. In something of a rarity, The Map and Trust In You will attempt to make it win number 18 for “T” in 2024.
The letter “P” is the second most successful Melbourne Cup letter having won two of the past ten Melbourne Cup with Protectionist in 2014, and Prince Of Penzance in 2015; and has won 14 of the 163 Melbourne Cups. But you have to go way back to 1972 to find the previous “P” winner, Piping Lane. In 2023 there will Positivity carrying the hopes of “P”.
“M’ and “S” are next most successful letters for Melbourne Cup winning horses with 12 wins each, although “M” hasn’t won since 2005 with the last of Makybe Diva’s three Melbourne Cup wins. “M” won the cup four years in a row between Makybe Diva and Media Puzzle in 2002. Shocking was the last “S” winner in 2009.
Okita Soushi and Onesmoothoperator will carry the torch for “O” to win The Cup this year. They will look to break a losing run of outs for “O” that has continued unabated since 1940 when Old Rowley won the race.
Horses starting with the letters “I”, “Q”, “”U”, “X” and “Y” have never won the Melbourne Cup. Only Interpretation can have any impact on that statistic this year.
Notably “V” has won five Melbourne Cup two out of the last five years with Vow And Declare in 2019 and Verry Elleegant in 2021. In 2023 Vauban and Valiant King will carry the hopes of “V” backers.
Useful stats to remember while you consider you best picks and tips for this years race while reading our 2024 Melbourne Cup betting guide.
Bet on the 2024 Melbourne Cup
Melbourne Cup Winners By Letters
| Starting Initial | Wins | Last |
|---|---|---|
| A | 11 | 2016 |
| B | 11 | 2000 |
| C | 9 | 2018 |
| D | 9 | 2011 |
| E | 5 | 2007 |
| F | 2 | 2013 |
| G | 11 | 2022 |
| H | 5 | 1979 |
| I | 0 | – |
| J | 3 | 1998 |
| K | 5 | 1990 |
| L | 6 | 1991 |
| M | 12 | 2005 |
| N | 4 | 1929 |
| O | 1 | 1940 |
| P | 14 | 2015 |
| Q | 0 | – |
| R | 10 | 2017 |
| S | 12 | 2009 |
| T | 18 | 2020 |
| U | 0 | – |
| V | 5 | 2021 |
| W | 9 | 2023 |
| X | 0 | – |
| Y | 0 | – |
| Z | 1 | 1881 |
2024 Melbourne Cup Final Field
1. Vauban (11)
- T: Willie Mullins
- J: William Buick
- W: 55.5kg
- F: 21342
- Age: 7YO
- Colour: Chestnut
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Galiway (GB)
- Dam: Waldfest (GB)
2. Buckaroo (21)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Joao Moreira
- W: 54.5kg
- F: 22118
- Age: 6YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Fastnet Rock
- Dam: Roheryn (IRE)
3. Circle Of Fire (24)
- T: Ciaron Maher
- J: Mark Zahra
- W: 54.5kg
- F: 098×1
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Almanzor (FR)
- Dam: Fiery Sunset (GB)
4. Warp Speed (3)
- T: Noboru Takagi
- J: Akira Sugawara
- W: 54.5kg
- F: 0x523
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Drefong (USA)
- Dam: Deep Love (JPN)
5. Kovalica (17)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Damian Lane
- W: 53.5kg
- F: 6243x
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Ocean Park (NZ)
- Dam: Vitesse (NZ)
6. Sharp ‘N’ Smart (15)
- T: Graeme & Deborah Rogerson
- J: Michael Dee
- W: 53.5kg
- F: 3020x
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Redwood (GB)
- Dam: Queen Margaret (NZ)
7. Just Fine (13)
- T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
- J: Jye McNeil
- W: 53kg
- F: 01050
- Age: 7YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Sea The Stars (IRE)
- Dam: Bint Almatar (USA)
8. Land Legend (18)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Zac Purton
- W: 53kg
- F: 3160x
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Chestnut
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Galileo (IRE)
- Dam: Landikusic (IRE)
9. Absurde (7)
- T: Willie Mullins
- J: Kerrin McEvoy
- W: 52.5kg
- F: x14x1
- Age: 7YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Fastnet Rock
- Dam: Incroyable (USA)
10. Athabascan (2)
- T: John O’Shea & Tom Charlton
- J: Zac Lloyd
- W: 52kg
- F: 1008x
- Age: 6YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Almanzor (FR)
- Dam: Alzubra (GB)
11. Knight’s Choice (6)
- T: John Symons & Sheila Laxon
- J: Robbie Dolan
- W: 51.5kg
- F: 5009x
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Extreme Choice
- Dam: Midnight Pearl
12. Okita Soushi (10)
- T: Ciaron Maher
- J: Jamie Kah
- W: 51kg
- F: 1208x
- Age: 7YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Galileo (IRE)
- Dam: Amicus
13. Onesmoothoperator (12)
- T: Brian Ellison
- J: Craig Williams
- W: 51kg
- F: 1471x
- Age: 7YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Dialed In (USA)
- Dam: Sueno D’Oro (USA)
14. Zardozi (4)
- T: James Cummings
- J: Andrea Atzeni
- W: 51kg
- F: 54256
- Age: 4YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Kingman (GB)
- Dam: Chanderi (GB)
15. Sea King (1)
- T: Harry Eustace
- J: Hollie Doyle
- W: 50.5kg
- F: 1×631
- Age: 6YO
- Colour: Brown
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Sea The Stars (IRE)
- Dam: Pamona (IRE)
16. Valiant King (22)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Craig Newitt
- W: 50.5kg
- F: 906×6
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Grey
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Roaring Lion (USA)
- Dam: Assembly (USA)
17. Fancy Man (19)
- T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald
- J: Ron Stewart
- W: 50kg
- F: 635×0
- Age: 7YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Pride of Dubai
- Dam: Fancy (IRE)
18. Interpretation (14)
- T: Ciaron Maher
- J: Teo Nugent
- W: 50kg
- F: 26800
- Age: 7YO
- Colour: Brown
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Galileo (IRE)
- Dam: Daldiyna (FR)
19. Manzoice (8)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Declan Bates
- W: 50kg
- F: 7032x
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Almanzor (FR)
- Dam: Choice (NZ)
20. Mostly Cloudy (16)
- T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young
- J: Karis Teetan
- W: 50kg
- F: 044×2
- Age: 6YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Harzand (IRE)
- Dam: Clarinda (FR)
21. Positivity (20)
- T: Andrew Forsman
- J: Winona Costin
- W: 50kg
- F: 8712x
- Age: 4YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Almanzor (FR)
- Dam: Pussy O’Reilly (NZ)
22. Saint George (9)
- T: Ciaron Maher
- J: Tyler Schiller
- W: 50kg
- F: 5948x
- Age: 5YO
- Colour: Grey
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Roaring Lion (USA)
- Dam: Lady Dragon (IRE)
23. The Map (23)
- T: Dan Clarken & Oopy MacGillivray
- J: Rachel King
- W: 50kg
- F: 6509x
- Age: 6YO
- Colour: Bay
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Alpine Eagle
- Dam: This Moment
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