Melbourne Cup

Publication date: 19 Aug 2022

About the Melbourne Cup

The Melbourne Cup is one of the most important annual sporting events in Australia.

It is run by the Victoria Racing Club. The Melbourne Cup is known as The Race that Stops the Nation. It’s a day off only in the state of Victoria, but Australians still find the time and opportunity to watch the race.

The symbol of the Melbourne Cup is the cornflower.

Official Melbourne Cup website

2023 Melbourne Cup

The 2023 Melbourne Cup will be held on 7 November in Flemington Racecourse, Victoria, Australia.

Melbourne Cup history

The history of the Melbourne Cup dates back to 1861. At that time, settlers from England brought their favourite sport with them and organized a two-mile race with a prize money of £170 plus a gold watch. Seventeen jockeys took part in the first event.

Today the prize fund of the Melbourne Cup is A$5 million.

According to statistics, more than 700 million spectators from 120 countries watch the event.

Only one horse (Makybe Diva) managed to win the Melbourne Cup 3 times in a row.

In 1987, Mary Lyndon, the first female jockey, took part in the competition.

Michelle Payne is the first woman to win the Melbourne Cup, her horse’s name is Prince of Penzance. 

Previous Melbourne Cup results

The year Venue Results
2021 Flemington Racecourse, Australia Jockey: James MacDonald

Horse: Verry Elleegant

2020 Flemington Racecourse, Australia Jockey: Jye McNeil

Horse: Twilight Payment

2019 Flemington Racecourse, Australia Jockey: Craig Williams

Horse: Vow And Declare

2024 Melbourne Cup

Information on the dates of the next Melbourne Cup is not yet available.

Keep an eye on the dates of horse racing and other events in our Sports Events Calendar.

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