Who are the internationals in the 2024 Melbourne Cup?

The race that stops a nation has had winners from all parts of Europe and even Japan, further solidifying its status as a true international event.

Every year international raiders flock to Australian shores to try to win our greatest race.

In 2024, despite Melbourne Cup Internationals having to satisfy very strict criteria to join the field in the race that stops the nation; five international horses remain in contention to win The Cup.

2024 Melbourne Cup Horses

Vauban Silks

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)
Buckaroo Silks

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)
Circle Of Fire Silks

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)
Warp Speed Silks

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)
Kovalica Silks

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)
Sharp N Smart Silks

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)
Just Fine Silks

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)
Land Legend Silks

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)
Absurde Silks

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)
Athabascan Silks

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)
Knight's Choice Silks

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
Okita Soushi Silks

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
Onesmoothoperator Silks

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)
Zardozi Silks

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)
Sea King Silks

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)
Valiant King Silks

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)
Fancy Man Silks

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)
Interpretation Silks

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)
Manzoice Silks

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)
Mostly Cloudy Silks

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)
Positivity Silks

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)
Saint George Silks

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)
The Map Silks

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
Trust In You Silks

24. Trust In You (5)

  • T: Bruce Wallace & Grant Cooksley
  • J: Mark Du Plessis
  • W: 50kg
  • F: 44036
  • Age: 6YO
  • Colour: Brown
  • Sex: Gelding
  • Sire: Sweynesse
  • Dam: Shinko Bay (NZ)

2024 Melbourne Cup International Horses

. The 2024 Melbourne Cup will see one of the lightest international raider representations in The Cup for some time, with just five true internationals vying to win our greatest race.

Warp Speed, Vauban, Absurde, Sea King and Onesmoothoperator are set to run.


For a full breakdown on the international horse chances in the race that stops the nation, see our full feature race guides:

Warp Speed silks

Warp Speed (3)

T: Noboru Takagi
J: Akira Sugawara
  • Age: 6YO
  • Color: Bay
  • Sex: Horse
  • Sire: Drefong (USA)
  • Dam: Deep Love (JPN)

Warp Speed 2024 Melbourne Cup Odds

Win: +3000

Place: +525

Best odds at Bet365


Career stats for Warp Speed

  • Career: 23: 4-3-4
  • Flemington: 0: 0-0-0
  • Distance: 1: 0-0-0
  • Wet: 3: 0-0-0
  • Good: 20: 4-3-4
  • Group 1: 5: 0-1-1
  • Win %: 17%
  • Place %: 48%

Melbourne Cup results for Warp Speed

Warp Speed will be having his first attempt at the Melbourne Cup in 2024.


Recent Form for Warp Speed

Date Race Track Distance Placing Jockey Barrier Weight Odds Margin
Oct 19 Caulfield Cup Caulfield 2400m 13/18 Akira Sugawara 16 54.5kg $31.00 16.3L

Can Warp Speed win the 2024 Melbourne Cup?

The sole Japanese runner in the race, Warp Speed, will appreciate getting back on top of the ground after seemingly struggling on a softer surface in the Caulfield Cup. He has been aimed at the Melbourne Cup for some time, and Noboru Takagi and his stable will have him raring to go on the first Tuesday in November. He draws barrier three and will gain a cosy run in transit, but it all depends whether he can compete with some of the more fancied runners here and there is doubts.


T: Willie Mullins (11)
J: William Buick
  • Age: 7YO
  • Color: Chestnut
  • Sex: Gelding
  • Sire: Galiway (GB)
  • Dam: Waldfest (GB)

Vauban 2024 Melbourne Cup Odds

Win: +500

Place: +125

Best odds at Neds


Career stats for Vauban

  • Career: 20: 8-5-2
  • Flemington: 1: 0-0-0
  • Distance: 6: 2-2-1
  • Wet: 11: 5-3-1
  • Good: 9: 3-2-1
  • Group 1: 10: 3-3-1
  • Win %: 40%
  • Place %: 75%

Melbourne Cup results for Vauban

Year Placing Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Odds Margin
2023 14/23 Willie Mullins Ryan Moore 3 55kg $5.50 13.4L

Recent Form for Vauban

Date Race Track Distance Placing Jockey Barrier Weight Odds Margin
Sep 15 Irish St Leger Curragh 2816m 2/6 William Buick 6 62kg $9 2.3L
Aug 23 Lonsdale Cup York 3319m 1/9 William Buick 4 59.5kg $6.50

Can Vauban win the 2024 Melbourne Cup?

Willie Mullins brings 2023 Melbourne Cup favourite Vauban back for another crack at the great race, and following a rough showing 12 months prior, could it be a second time lucky for the European gun? Since his run in last year’s Cup, the son of Galiway has hardly run a poor race back home and has chased home superstar stayers Kyprios in two of his last four starts. He was last seen finishing second, beaten 2.3 lengths behind Kyprios in Group 1 company, which stands out like a sore thumb here. He only carries 0.5kg more than last year and from barrier 11, look for William Buick to have him settled midfield with cover throughout. He would prefer a Soft track, but on class alone, he is a deserving favourite and will be hard to beat.


T: Willie Mullins
J: Kerrin McEvoy
  • Age: 7YO
  • Color: Bay
  • Sex: Gelding
  • Sire: Fastnet Rock
  • Dam: Incroyable (USA)

Win: +900

Place: +220

Best odds at Dabble


Career stats for Absurde

  • Career: 21: 6-6-2
  • Flemington: 1: 0-0-0
  • Distance: 3: 0-0-0
  • Wet: 7: 2-0-0
  • Good: 10: 4-4-0
  • Group 1: 1: 0-0-0
  • Win %: 29%
  • Place %: 67%

Melbourne Cup results for Absurde

Year Placing Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Odds Margin
2023 7/23 Willie Mullins Zac Purton 8 53kg $9 5.45L

Recent Form for Absurde

Date Race Track Distance Placing Jockey Barrier Weight Odds Margin
Aug 31 Chester Stakes Chester 2916m 1/7 Daniel Tudhope 1 61kg $3.50
Aug 17 Irish St Leger Trial Curragh 2816m 4/5 Colin Keane/td> 5 61kg $3.75 31L

Can Absurde win the 2024 Melbourne Cup?

The second of Willie Mullins’ pair, Absurde, also returns to Flemington chasing Melbourne Cup glory. The seven-year-old son of Fastnet Rock has been racing inconsistently in the UK with a win over the hurdles back in March and a win in Listed company on August 31 his best efforts. In between those runs came a 31-length defeat to Grosvenor Square who was expected to be hard to beat if he came to Flemington. There isn’t much star power in this year’s Cup field, so a forward showing is expected, and despite being a +900 fancy, he is another punters should be looking to take on.


Sea King silks

Sea King (1)

T: Harry Eustace
J: Hollie Doyle (50kg)
  • Age: 6YO
  • Color: Brown
  • Sex: Gelding
  • Sire: Sea The Stars (IRE)
  • Dam: Pamona (IRE)

Sea King 2024 Melbourne Cup Odds

Win: +900

Place: +220

Best odds at Dabble


Career stats for Sea King

  • Career: 20: 7-1-2
  • Flemington: 0: 0-0-0
  • Distance: 0: 0-0-0
  • Wet: 7: 2-0-2
  • Good/Syn: 12: 4-1-0
  • Group 1: 0: 0-0-0
  • Win %: 35%
  • Place %: 50%

Melbourne Cup results for Sea King

Sea King will be having his first attempt at the Melbourne Cup in 2024.


Recent Form for Sea King

Date Race Track Distance Placing Jockey Barrier Weight Odds Margin
Oct 30 Bendigo Cup Bendigo 2400m 1/15 Declan Bates 3 54.5kg $6.00
Aug 24 Ebor Handicap York 2816m 6/20 Luke Morris 9 58.5kg $13.00 4.8L

Can Sea King win the 2024 Melbourne Cup?

Sea King could not have been anymore impressive when saluting in the Bendigo Cup and on the six-day backup cannot be dismissed in the Melbourne Cup. Harry Eustace has had this race pencilled in a long way out for this son of Sea The Stars and the ease of which he disposed of a strong Bendigo Cup field has him right in the mix on Tuesday. Barrier one is a slight concern considering how keen he was underneath runners on his Australian debut, but if Hollie Doyle can have him one off the rail as they leave the home straight, Sea King will be in this for a long way.


Onesmoothoperator

Onesmoothoperator (12)

T: Brian Ellison
J: Craig Williams (51kg)
  • Age: 7YO
  • Color: Bay
  • Sex: Gelding
  • Sire: Dialed In (USA)
  • Dam: Sueno D’oro

Onesmoothoperator 2024 Melbourne Cup Odds

Win: +600

Place: +140

Best odds at Neds


Career stats for Onesmoothoperator

  • Career: 37: 5-11-5
  • Flemington: 0: 0-0-0
  • Distance: 8: 1-3-1
  • Wet: 3: 0-1-0
  • Good/Syn: 34: 5-10-5
  • Group 1: 0: 0-0-0
  • Win %: 13%
  • Place %: 55%

Melbourne Cup results for Onesmoothoperator

This will be Onesmoothoperator’s first attempt at Melbourne Cup glory.


Recent Form for Onesmoothoperator

Date Race Track Distance Placing Jockey Barrier Weight Odds Margin
Oct 23 Geelong Cup Geelong 2400m 1/13 Craig Williams 9 54kg $14.00
Sep 7 September Stakes Kempton Park (AW) 2414m 4/7 Ben Robinson/td> 6 60.5kg $34.00 7L
Aug 24 Ebor Handicap York 2816m 7/20 Connor Beasley/td> 5 59.5kg $34.00 5L

Can Onesmoothoperator win the 2024 Melbourne Cup?

Onesmoothoperator was utterly dominant in his Australian debut when saluting in the Group 3 Geelong Cup on October 23. The seven-year-old gelding was forced to sustain a long run and did so with ease going on to win by 2.3 despite pulling up lame post-race. With that in mind and a cut heel almost derailing his Melbourne Cup hopes, Onesmoothoperator could be a bit vulnerable on Tuesday. Having said that, if he produces anything close to what he put forward at Geelong, then the 3200m should not be an issue and his turn of foot will take him a long way in this year’s Melbourne Cup.



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