Royal Ascot
16–20 June 2026
Melbourne Cup 2026 — Odds, Facts & Betting Guide
3 November 2026 · Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia
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The Melbourne Cup is "the race that stops a nation" — Australia's most famous horse race, run over 3,200 metres at Flemington on the first Tuesday of November. The 2026 running is on 3 November.
A staying handicap with a large international field, the Cup draws huge UK betting interest as a once-a-year flutter, with each-way betting on big fields the norm. Jamie Melham made history in 2025 aboard Half Yours, becoming the first woman to ride the winner since Michelle Payne in 2015.
Where to find the latest odds
All odds are indicative only and subject to change. New customers only. T&Cs apply. 18+.
Melbourne Cup: fast facts
- The Melbourne Cup is run over 3,200 metres at Flemington Racecourse on the first Tuesday of November.
- It is known as 'the race that stops a nation', with a public holiday in Melbourne on Cup day.
- First run in 1861, it is the world's most famous staying handicap.
- Jamie Melham won the 2025 Cup on Half Yours, the first female jockey to win since Michelle Payne in 2015.
- Knight's Choice won the 2024 Cup at odds of 81, one of the biggest-priced winners in recent memory.
- The race regularly attracts international stayers from Europe, Ireland and Japan.
Past winners
| Year | Winner | Key detail |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Half Yours | Jamie Melham became the first female-ridden winner since 2015 |
| 2024 | Knight's Choice | Won at 81, a huge-priced winner in a photo finish |
| 2023 | Without A Fight | Mark Zahra's second consecutive Cup |
| 2022 | Gold Trip | Won under Mark Zahra |
| 2021 | Verry Elleegant | Beat the favourite Incentivise |
| 2020 | Twilight Payment | Irish-trained winner for Joseph O'Brien |
| 2019 | Vow And Declare | First Australian-bred winner in years |
| 2018 | Cross Counter | First British-trained winner, for Charlie Appleby |
| 2017 | Rekindling | Joseph O'Brien-trained winner |
| 2016 | Almandin | Won under Kerrin McEvoy |
How to bet on Melbourne Cup
The Melbourne Cup is a big-field staying handicap, so each-way betting is the standard approach, with bookmakers often paying extra places. For UK punters it's frequently a once-a-year bet, and the international runners give a familiar form line to follow.
Ante-post markets open well in advance and reward those tracking which European and Japanese stayers are being aimed at Flemington. Weight, barrier draw and proven two-mile stamina are the key form pointers.
As 2024's 81 winner showed, the Cup throws up big-priced shocks, which is part of its charm. Treat it as a fun flutter, bet each-way on a sensible budget, and never stake more than you'd happily lose on a 24-runner handicap.
Popular markets
- Win and each-way
- Ante-post
- Forecast and tricast
- Top international runner
- Winning nationality of trainer
- Placepot
Melbourne Cup 2026: your questions answered
When is the Melbourne Cup 2026?
The 2026 Melbourne Cup is on Tuesday 3 November at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne.
Who won the Melbourne Cup in 2025?
Half Yours won the 2025 Melbourne Cup, ridden by Jamie Melham — the first female jockey to win since Michelle Payne in 2015.
How far is the Melbourne Cup?
It is run over 3,200 metres (about two miles), a true test of stamina.
Why is it called the race that stops a nation?
The Cup is so embedded in Australian culture that much of the country pauses to watch, and Melbourne has a public holiday on Cup day.
Can British horses win the Melbourne Cup?
Yes — international raiders have a strong recent record, including British-trained Cross Counter in 2018 and several Irish-trained winners.