The Melbourne Cup has a long and fabled history that has produced a litany of facts and figures that can help us find punters find the 2023 winner.
Our experts have already given you their Melbourne Cup best bets and produced our in-depth 2023 Melbourne Cup runner by runner race preview, so without distracting from their sound logic, we’re going to find you the 2023 Melbourne Cup winner by applying the Melbourne Cup statistics of all previous winners.
Let’s start with the 2023 Melbourne Cup field and whittle it down horse by horse.
Melbourne Cup
Group One 2023 Betting Guide
Date: | Tuesday, November 7, 2023 |
Time: | 3:00PM |
Location: | Flemington Racecourse |
Prize Money: | $8,000,000 |
Distance: | 3200m |
2022 Winner: | Gold Trip | Jockey: Mark Zahra | Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace |
This Melbourne Cup betting guide is designed to give you the ultimate leg-up ahead of the 2023 running of the race that stops a nation, which will be held on Tuesday, November 7.
Melbourne Cup betting is open all-year round but ramps up in the week leading up to the 3200m battle for stayers run at Flemington Racecourse. You can navigate our Melbourne Cup betting guide using the links on our page menu, which will send you to the information you are seeking.
The Melbourne Cup is the pinnacle of racing in Australia and one of the most popular races for punters around the world. Considered to be “the race that stops the nation,” the Melbourne Cup is held on the first Tuesday of November and attracts not only the biggest racing crowd each year but also the most money bet on one race.
The 2022 running of the Melbourne Cup was taken out by Gold Trip, trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace under Mark Zahra.
1. Gold Trip (2)
- T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
- J: James McDonald
- W: 58.5kg
- F: 0x4135
- Age: 7YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Outstrip (GB)
- Dam: Sarvana (USA)
2.00
2. Alenquer (9)
- T: Michael Moroney
- J: Damien Oliver
- W: 56.5kg
- F: 00×059
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Adlerflug (GER)
- Dam: Wild Blossom (GER)
9.25
3. Without A Fight (16)
- T: Anthony & Sam Freedman
- J: Mark Zahra
- W: 56.5kg
- F: x11x61
- Age: 7YO
- Color: Brown
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Teofilo (IRE)
- Dam: Khor Sheed (GB)
2.80
4. Breakup (18)
- T: Tatsuya Yoshioka
- J: Kohei Matsuyama
- W: 55kg
- F: 0340×8
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Chestnut
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Novelist (IRE)
- Dam: Little Dun (USA)
5.50
5. Vauban (3)
- T: Willie Mullins
- J: Ryan Moore
- W: 55kg
- F: 34211x
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Chestnut
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Gallway (GB)
- Dam: Waldfest (IRE)
1.60
6. Soulcombe (4)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Joao Moreira
- W: 53.5kg
- F: 2×1437
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Frankel (GB)
- Dam: Ribbons (GER)
3.60
7. Absurde (8)
- T: Willie Mullins
- J: Zac Purton
- W: 53kg
- F: 7×1261
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Fastnet Rock (AUS)
- Dam: Incroyable (IRE)
6.50
8. Right You Are (15)
- T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
- J: John Allen
- W: 53kg
- F: 1×2505
- Age: 7YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: So You Think (NZ)
- Dam: Leica Ding (NZ)
16.00
9. Vow And Declare (19)
- T: Danny O’Brien
- J: Billy Egan
- W: 53kg
- F: 60×022
- Age: 8YO
- Color: Chestnut
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Declaration Of War (USA)
- Dam: Geblitzt (NZ)
8.50
10. Cleveland (23)
- T: Kris Lees
- J: Michael Dee
- W: 52kg
- F: x49621
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Camelot (GB)
- Dam: Venus de Milo (IRE)
6.50
11. Ashrun (11)
- T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
- J: Kerrin McEvoy
- W: 51.5kg
- F: 10×762
- Age: 8YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Authorized (IRE)
- Dam: Ashantee (GER)
9.50
12. Daqiansweet Junior (12)
- T: Phillip Stokes
- J: Daniel Stackhouse
- W: 51.5kg
- F: 0x0074
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay or Brown
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Sweet Orange (USA)
- Dam: Paulette (NZ)
18.00
13. Okita Soushi (20)
- T: Joseph O’Brien
- J: Dylan Gibbons
- W: 51.5kg
- F: 115130
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Stallion
- Sire: Galileo (IRE)
- Dam: Amicus (UNR)
16.00
14. Sheraz (22)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Beau Mertens
- W: 51.5kg
- F: 1×2341
- Age: 7YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Sea The Stars (IRE)
- Dam: Shemiyla (IRE)
23.00
15. Lastotchka (21)
- T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr
- J: Craig Williams
- W: 51kg
- F: 1×2341
- Age: 4YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Myboycharlie (IRE)
- Dam: Muthia (GB)
6.50
16. Magical Lagoon (7)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Mark Du Plessis
- W: 51kg
- F: 06×906
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Galileo (IRE)
- Dam: Night Lagoon (GB)
18.00
17. Military Mission (5)
- T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
- J: Rachel King
- W: 51kg
- F: 920141
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Grey/Brown
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Mastercraftsman (IRE)
- Dam: Atlantic Isle (GB)
9.50
18. Serpentine (1)
- T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
- J: Jye McNeil
- W: 51kg
- F: 129243
- Age: 7YO
- Color: Chestnut
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Galileo (IRE)
- Dam: Remember When (IRE)
10.00
19. Virtuous Circle (6)
- T: Liam Howley
- J: Craig Newitt
- W: 51kg
- F: 2×0908
- Age: 4YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Almanzor (FR)
- Dam: She Is Stryking
34.00
20. More Felons (24)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Jamie Kah
- W: 50.5kg
- F: 657285
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Churchill (IRE)
- Dam: Pivotalia (IRE)
8.50
21. Future History (13)
- T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
- J: Hollie Doyle
- W: 50kg
- F: 721213
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Showcasing (GB)
- Dam: Likelihood (USA)
7.00
22. Interpretation (17)
- T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
- J: Teo Nugent
- W: 50kg
- F: x32591
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Brown
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Galileo (IRE)
- Dam: Daldiyna (FR)
15.00
23. Kalapour (14)
- T: Kris Lees
- J: Zac Lloyd
- W: 50kg
- F: 3L7331
- Age: 7YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: War Command (IRE)
- Dam: Daldiyna (FR)
11.00
24. True Marvel (10)
- T: Matthew Smith
- J: Ben Thompson
- W: 50kg
- F: 138080
- Age: 8YO
- Color: Brown
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Masked Marvel (GB)
- Dam: Anecdotique (GB)
26.00
Melbourne Cup Winners By Age
More than half of the Melbourne Cup winners have come from either four-year-old or five-year-old horses, with 90 wins combined from 162 runnings to date. The next best being a a six-year-old with 34 wins.
Last year’s winner, Gold Trip, won the race as a six-year-old and will attempt to win back-to-back cups this year as a seven-year-old.
With no three-year-olds running this year, we will stick with the the tried and true pattern of winners and exclude all the seven-year-old and eight-year-olds from 2023 cup contention, leaving just 15 2023 Melbourne Cup horses to choose from.
1. Gold Trip (2)
- T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
- J: James McDonald
- W: 58.5kg
- F: 0x4135
- Age: 7YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Outstrip (GB)
- Dam: Sarvana (USA)
2.00
2. Alenquer (9)
- T: Michael Moroney
- J: Damien Oliver
- W: 56.5kg
- F: 00×059
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Adlerflug (GER)
- Dam: Wild Blossom (GER)
9.25
4. Breakup (18)
- T: Tatsuya Yoshioka
- J: Kohei Matsuyama
- W: 55kg
- F: 0340×8
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Chestnut
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Novelist (IRE)
- Dam: Little Dun (USA)
5.50
5. Vauban (3)
- T: Willie Mullins
- J: Ryan Moore
- W: 55kg
- F: 34211x
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Chestnut
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Gallway (GB)
- Dam: Waldfest (IRE)
1.60
6. Soulcombe (4)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Joao Moreira
- W: 53.5kg
- F: 2×1437
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Frankel (GB)
- Dam: Ribbons (GER)
3.60
7. Absurde (8)
- T: Willie Mullins
- J: Zac Purton
- W: 53kg
- F: 7×1261
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Fastnet Rock (AUS)
- Dam: Incroyable (IRE)
6.50
8. Right You Are (15)
- T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
- J: John Allen
- W: 53kg
- F: 1×2505
- Age: 7YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: So You Think (NZ)
- Dam: Leica Ding (NZ)
16.00
9. Vow And Declare (19)
- T: Danny O’Brien
- J: Billy Egan
- W: 53kg
- F: 60×022
- Age: 8YO
- Color: Chestnut
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Declaration Of War (USA)
- Dam: Geblitzt (NZ)
8.50
10. Cleveland (23)
- T: Kris Lees
- J: Michael Dee
- W: 52kg
- F: x49621
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Camelot (GB)
- Dam: Venus de Milo (IRE)
6.50
11. Ashrun (11)
- T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
- J: Kerrin McEvoy
- W: 51.5kg
- F: 10×762
- Age: 8YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Authorized (IRE)
- Dam: Ashantee (GER)
9.50
12. Daqiansweet Junior (12)
- T: Phillip Stokes
- J: Daniel Stackhouse
- W: 51.5kg
- F: 0x0074
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay or Brown
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Sweet Orange (USA)
- Dam: Paulette (NZ)
18.00
13. Okita Soushi (20)
- T: Joseph O’Brien
- J: Dylan Gibbons
- W: 51.5kg
- F: 115130
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Stallion
- Sire: Galileo (IRE)
- Dam: Amicus (UNR)
16.00
14. Sheraz (22)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Beau Mertens
- W: 51.5kg
- F: 1×2341
- Age: 7YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Sea The Stars (IRE)
- Dam: Shemiyla (IRE)
23.00
15. Lastotchka (21)
- T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr
- J: Craig Williams
- W: 51kg
- F: 1×2341
- Age: 4YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Myboycharlie (IRE)
- Dam: Muthia (GB)
6.50
16. Magical Lagoon (7)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Mark Du Plessis
- W: 51kg
- F: 06×906
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Galileo (IRE)
- Dam: Night Lagoon (GB)
18.00
17. Military Mission (5)
- T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
- J: Rachel King
- W: 51kg
- F: 920141
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Grey/Brown
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Mastercraftsman (IRE)
- Dam: Atlantic Isle (GB)
9.50
18. Serpentine (1)
- T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
- J: Jye McNeil
- W: 51kg
- F: 129243
- Age: 7YO
- Color: Chestnut
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Galileo (IRE)
- Dam: Remember When (IRE)
10.00
19. Virtuous Circle (6)
- T: Liam Howley
- J: Craig Newitt
- W: 51kg
- F: 2×0908
- Age: 4YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Almanzor (FR)
- Dam: She Is Stryking
34.00
20. More Felons (24)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Jamie Kah
- W: 50.5kg
- F: 657285
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Churchill (IRE)
- Dam: Pivotalia (IRE)
8.50
21. Future History (13)
- T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
- J: Hollie Doyle
- W: 50kg
- F: 721213
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Showcasing (GB)
- Dam: Likelihood (USA)
7.00
22. Interpretation (17)
- T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
- J: Teo Nugent
- W: 50kg
- F: x32591
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Brown
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Galileo (IRE)
- Dam: Daldiyna (FR)
15.00
23. Kalapour (14)
- T: Kris Lees
- J: Zac Lloyd
- W: 50kg
- F: 3L7331
- Age: 7YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: War Command (IRE)
- Dam: Daldiyna (FR)
11.00
24. True Marvel (10)
- T: Matthew Smith
- J: Ben Thompson
- W: 50kg
- F: 138080
- Age: 8YO
- Color: Brown
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Masked Marvel (GB)
- Dam: Anecdotique (GB)
26.00
Melbourne Cup Winners By Name Starting Letter
The most popular starting letter of Melbourne Cup horse names has been “T” with 17 wins in the race.
Next best is the letter “P” with 14 wins, but the important stat is that the letters “I”, “Q”, “U”, “X” and “Y” have never won the cup.
That’s bad news for 2023 Melbourne Cup horse Interpretation as the stats say “I” horse names never win – out he comes.
The letters “O” and “Z” have won just the one Melbourne Cup each which does not bode well for Japan’s 2023 Melbourne Cup horse, Okita Soushi – out he goes.
2. Alenquer (9)
- T: Michael Moroney
- J: Damien Oliver
- W: 56.5kg
- F: 00×059
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Adlerflug (GER)
- Dam: Wild Blossom (GER)
9.25
4. Breakup (18)
- T: Tatsuya Yoshioka
- J: Kohei Matsuyama
- W: 55kg
- F: 0340×8
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Chestnut
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Novelist (IRE)
- Dam: Little Dun (USA)
5.50
5. Vauban (3)
- T: Willie Mullins
- J: Ryan Moore
- W: 55kg
- F: 34211x
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Chestnut
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Gallway (GB)
- Dam: Waldfest (IRE)
1.60
6. Soulcombe (4)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Joao Moreira
- W: 53.5kg
- F: 2×1437
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Frankel (GB)
- Dam: Ribbons (GER)
3.60
7. Absurde (8)
- T: Willie Mullins
- J: Zac Purton
- W: 53kg
- F: 7×1261
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Fastnet Rock (AUS)
- Dam: Incroyable (IRE)
6.50
10. Cleveland (23)
- T: Kris Lees
- J: Michael Dee
- W: 52kg
- F: x49621
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Camelot (GB)
- Dam: Venus de Milo (IRE)
6.50
12. Daqiansweet Junior (12)
- T: Phillip Stokes
- J: Daniel Stackhouse
- W: 51.5kg
- F: 0x0074
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay or Brown
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Sweet Orange (USA)
- Dam: Paulette (NZ)
18.00
13. Okita Soushi (20)
- T: Joseph O’Brien
- J: Dylan Gibbons
- W: 51.5kg
- F: 115130
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Stallion
- Sire: Galileo (IRE)
- Dam: Amicus (UNR)
16.00
15. Lastotchka (21)
- T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr
- J: Craig Williams
- W: 51kg
- F: 1×2341
- Age: 4YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Myboycharlie (IRE)
- Dam: Muthia (GB)
6.50
16. Magical Lagoon (7)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Mark Du Plessis
- W: 51kg
- F: 06×906
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Galileo (IRE)
- Dam: Night Lagoon (GB)
18.00
17. Military Mission (5)
- T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
- J: Rachel King
- W: 51kg
- F: 920141
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Grey/Brown
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Mastercraftsman (IRE)
- Dam: Atlantic Isle (GB)
9.50
19. Virtuous Circle (6)
- T: Liam Howley
- J: Craig Newitt
- W: 51kg
- F: 2×0908
- Age: 4YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Almanzor (FR)
- Dam: She Is Stryking
34.00
20. More Felons (24)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Jamie Kah
- W: 50.5kg
- F: 657285
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Churchill (IRE)
- Dam: Pivotalia (IRE)
8.50
21. Future History (13)
- T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
- J: Hollie Doyle
- W: 50kg
- F: 721213
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Showcasing (GB)
- Dam: Likelihood (USA)
7.00
22. Interpretation (17)
- T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
- J: Teo Nugent
- W: 50kg
- F: x32591
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Brown
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Galileo (IRE)
- Dam: Daldiyna (FR)
15.00
Cup Winners By Barrier
The most winners of the great race have started from barrier 11 but only one horse has ever won the cup from barrier 18, Verry Elleegant in 2021.
Breakup was unlucky enough to draw barrier 18 this year and the stats say that it can’t win – he comes out.
Barriers 1,7,8, and 12 have also only ever won the cup once.
So we can also put the pen through Absurde (barrier 8), Daqiansweet Junior (12), and Magical Lagoon (7).
2. Alenquer (9)
- T: Michael Moroney
- J: Damien Oliver
- W: 56.5kg
- F: 00×059
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Adlerflug (GER)
- Dam: Wild Blossom (GER)
9.25
4. Breakup (18)
- T: Tatsuya Yoshioka
- J: Kohei Matsuyama
- W: 55kg
- F: 0340×8
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Chestnut
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Novelist (IRE)
- Dam: Little Dun (USA)
5.50
5. Vauban (3)
- T: Willie Mullins
- J: Ryan Moore
- W: 55kg
- F: 34211x
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Chestnut
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Gallway (GB)
- Dam: Waldfest (IRE)
1.60
6. Soulcombe (4)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Joao Moreira
- W: 53.5kg
- F: 2×1437
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Frankel (GB)
- Dam: Ribbons (GER)
3.60
7. Absurde (8)
- T: Willie Mullins
- J: Zac Purton
- W: 53kg
- F: 7×1261
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Fastnet Rock (AUS)
- Dam: Incroyable (IRE)
6.50
10. Cleveland (23)
- T: Kris Lees
- J: Michael Dee
- W: 52kg
- F: x49621
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Camelot (GB)
- Dam: Venus de Milo (IRE)
6.50
12. Daqiansweet Junior (12)
- T: Phillip Stokes
- J: Daniel Stackhouse
- W: 51.5kg
- F: 0x0074
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay or Brown
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Sweet Orange (USA)
- Dam: Paulette (NZ)
18.00
15. Lastotchka (21)
- T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr
- J: Craig Williams
- W: 51kg
- F: 1×2341
- Age: 4YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Myboycharlie (IRE)
- Dam: Muthia (GB)
6.50
16. Magical Lagoon (7)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Mark Du Plessis
- W: 51kg
- F: 06×906
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Galileo (IRE)
- Dam: Night Lagoon (GB)
18.00
17. Military Mission (5)
- T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
- J: Rachel King
- W: 51kg
- F: 920141
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Grey/Brown
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Mastercraftsman (IRE)
- Dam: Atlantic Isle (GB)
9.50
19. Virtuous Circle (6)
- T: Liam Howley
- J: Craig Newitt
- W: 51kg
- F: 2×0908
- Age: 4YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Almanzor (FR)
- Dam: She Is Stryking
34.00
20. More Felons (24)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Jamie Kah
- W: 50.5kg
- F: 657285
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Churchill (IRE)
- Dam: Pivotalia (IRE)
8.50
21. Future History (13)
- T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
- J: Hollie Doyle
- W: 50kg
- F: 721213
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Showcasing (GB)
- Dam: Likelihood (USA)
7.00
Cup Winners By Horse Colour
Bay coloured horses have won twice as many Melbourne Cups as any other colour of horse. The worst colour of Melbourne Cup horses are Grey, Bay or Brown, Black or Brown, and Black. All combined those coloured horses have won just 15 cups. So we can rule out Military Mission (Grey or Brown).
2. Alenquer (9)
- T: Michael Moroney
- J: Damien Oliver
- W: 56.5kg
- F: 00×059
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Adlerflug (GER)
- Dam: Wild Blossom (GER)
9.25
5. Vauban (3)
- T: Willie Mullins
- J: Ryan Moore
- W: 55kg
- F: 34211x
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Chestnut
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Gallway (GB)
- Dam: Waldfest (IRE)
1.60
6. Soulcombe (4)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Joao Moreira
- W: 53.5kg
- F: 2×1437
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Frankel (GB)
- Dam: Ribbons (GER)
3.60
10. Cleveland (23)
- T: Kris Lees
- J: Michael Dee
- W: 52kg
- F: x49621
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Camelot (GB)
- Dam: Venus de Milo (IRE)
6.50
15. Lastotchka (21)
- T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr
- J: Craig Williams
- W: 51kg
- F: 1×2341
- Age: 4YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Myboycharlie (IRE)
- Dam: Muthia (GB)
6.50
17. Military Mission (5)
- T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
- J: Rachel King
- W: 51kg
- F: 920141
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Grey/Brown
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Mastercraftsman (IRE)
- Dam: Atlantic Isle (GB)
9.50
19. Virtuous Circle (6)
- T: Liam Howley
- J: Craig Newitt
- W: 51kg
- F: 2×0908
- Age: 4YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Almanzor (FR)
- Dam: She Is Stryking
34.00
20. More Felons (24)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Jamie Kah
- W: 50.5kg
- F: 657285
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Churchill (IRE)
- Dam: Pivotalia (IRE)
8.50
21. Future History (13)
- T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
- J: Hollie Doyle
- W: 50kg
- F: 721213
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Showcasing (GB)
- Dam: Likelihood (USA)
7.00
The Cup Winners By Sex Of Horse
In the age of equality it will shock many to know that the males dominate the Melbourne Cup winners lists.
Just 16 Melbourne Cup winners of the race have been Mares or Fillies – and three of those wins were all down to just one mare – the great Makybe Diva.
So we can rule out Lastotchka (Mare).
2. Alenquer (9)
- T: Michael Moroney
- J: Damien Oliver
- W: 56.5kg
- F: 00×059
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Adlerflug (GER)
- Dam: Wild Blossom (GER)
9.25
5. Vauban (3)
- T: Willie Mullins
- J: Ryan Moore
- W: 55kg
- F: 34211x
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Chestnut
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Gallway (GB)
- Dam: Waldfest (IRE)
1.60
6. Soulcombe (4)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Joao Moreira
- W: 53.5kg
- F: 2×1437
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Frankel (GB)
- Dam: Ribbons (GER)
3.60
10. Cleveland (23)
- T: Kris Lees
- J: Michael Dee
- W: 52kg
- F: x49621
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Camelot (GB)
- Dam: Venus de Milo (IRE)
6.50
15. Lastotchka (21)
- T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr
- J: Craig Williams
- W: 51kg
- F: 1×2341
- Age: 4YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Myboycharlie (IRE)
- Dam: Muthia (GB)
6.50
19. Virtuous Circle (6)
- T: Liam Howley
- J: Craig Newitt
- W: 51kg
- F: 2×0908
- Age: 4YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Almanzor (FR)
- Dam: She Is Stryking
34.00
20. More Felons (24)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Jamie Kah
- W: 50.5kg
- F: 657285
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Churchill (IRE)
- Dam: Pivotalia (IRE)
8.50
21. Future History (13)
- T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
- J: Hollie Doyle
- W: 50kg
- F: 721213
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Showcasing (GB)
- Dam: Likelihood (USA)
7.00
Melbourne Cup Roughies
In the long history of the race there have been only four winners who started $101 (100/1) or longer on race day.
This year there is only one 2023 Melbourne Cup horse left in our calculations priced $101 or longer, so we are going to put the pen through this Melbourne Cup roughie.
2. Alenquer (9)
- T: Michael Moroney
- J: Damien Oliver
- W: 56.5kg
- F: 00×059
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Adlerflug (GER)
- Dam: Wild Blossom (GER)
9.25
5. Vauban (3)
- T: Willie Mullins
- J: Ryan Moore
- W: 55kg
- F: 34211x
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Chestnut
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Gallway (GB)
- Dam: Waldfest (IRE)
1.60
6. Soulcombe (4)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Joao Moreira
- W: 53.5kg
- F: 2×1437
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Frankel (GB)
- Dam: Ribbons (GER)
3.60
10. Cleveland (23)
- T: Kris Lees
- J: Michael Dee
- W: 52kg
- F: x49621
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Camelot (GB)
- Dam: Venus de Milo (IRE)
6.50
19. Virtuous Circle (6)
- T: Liam Howley
- J: Craig Newitt
- W: 51kg
- F: 2×0908
- Age: 4YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Almanzor (FR)
- Dam: She Is Stryking
34.00
20. More Felons (24)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Jamie Kah
- W: 50.5kg
- F: 657285
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Churchill (IRE)
- Dam: Pivotalia (IRE)
8.50
21. Future History (13)
- T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
- J: Hollie Doyle
- W: 50kg
- F: 721213
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Showcasing (GB)
- Dam: Likelihood (USA)
7.00
Cup Winners By How Many Words In Name
We’ve whittled down our list of potential cup winners from the full field of 24 horses to just seven potential winners.
In the history of the Melbourne Cup there have been just 7 winners to have crossed the line having three words in their name. With just seven horses left, we are so far on the right side of history with just one and two-word horse names left in contention.
2. Alenquer (9)
- T: Michael Moroney
- J: Damien Oliver
- W: 56.5kg
- F: 00×059
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Adlerflug (GER)
- Dam: Wild Blossom (GER)
9.25
5. Vauban (3)
- T: Willie Mullins
- J: Ryan Moore
- W: 55kg
- F: 34211x
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Chestnut
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Gallway (GB)
- Dam: Waldfest (IRE)
1.60
6. Soulcombe (4)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Joao Moreira
- W: 53.5kg
- F: 2×1437
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Frankel (GB)
- Dam: Ribbons (GER)
3.60
10. Cleveland (23)
- T: Kris Lees
- J: Michael Dee
- W: 52kg
- F: x49621
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Camelot (GB)
- Dam: Venus de Milo (IRE)
6.50
20. More Felons (24)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Jamie Kah
- W: 50.5kg
- F: 657285
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Churchill (IRE)
- Dam: Pivotalia (IRE)
8.50
21. Future History (13)
- T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
- J: Hollie Doyle
- W: 50kg
- F: 721213
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Showcasing (GB)
- Dam: Likelihood (USA)
7.00
Melbourne Cup Winners By Weight Carried
The modern Melbourne Cup has changed significantly from what it was in the early years, and so too have the weights the horses are allotted in the race.
In the past 20 years no single winner of the race has carried less than 51kgs, and only the great Makybe Diva (58kgs) has carried more than 57kgs to victory.
All remaining horses satisfy the weight handicap requirements.
2. Alenquer (9)
- T: Michael Moroney
- J: Damien Oliver
- W: 56.5kg
- F: 00×059
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Adlerflug (GER)
- Dam: Wild Blossom (GER)
9.25
5. Vauban (3)
- T: Willie Mullins
- J: Ryan Moore
- W: 55kg
- F: 34211x
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Chestnut
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Gallway (GB)
- Dam: Waldfest (IRE)
1.60
6. Soulcombe (4)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Joao Moreira
- W: 53.5kg
- F: 2×1437
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Frankel (GB)
- Dam: Ribbons (GER)
3.60
10. Cleveland (23)
- T: Kris Lees
- J: Michael Dee
- W: 52kg
- F: x49621
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Camelot (GB)
- Dam: Venus de Milo (IRE)
6.50
20. More Felons (24)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Jamie Kah
- W: 50.5kg
- F: 657285
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Churchill (IRE)
- Dam: Pivotalia (IRE)
8.50
21. Future History (13)
- T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
- J: Hollie Doyle
- W: 50kg
- F: 721213
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Showcasing (GB)
- Dam: Likelihood (USA)
7.00
Melbourne Cup Winners By Saddlecloth Number
Being a handicap race, the Melbourne Cup results do favour horses higher in the order of entry.
The most successful number is number 1 with 13 cup winners, including last year’s winner Gold Trip.
The least successful numbers are 16,18,20 and 21.
Number 21 is the worst of all cup numbers, having won just the two races.
With history against him, we’ll take out Future History.
2. Alenquer (9)
- T: Michael Moroney
- J: Damien Oliver
- W: 56.5kg
- F: 00×059
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Adlerflug (GER)
- Dam: Wild Blossom (GER)
9.25
5. Vauban (3)
- T: Willie Mullins
- J: Ryan Moore
- W: 55kg
- F: 34211x
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Chestnut
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Gallway (GB)
- Dam: Waldfest (IRE)
1.60
6. Soulcombe (4)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Joao Moreira
- W: 53.5kg
- F: 2×1437
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Frankel (GB)
- Dam: Ribbons (GER)
3.60
10. Cleveland (23)
- T: Kris Lees
- J: Michael Dee
- W: 52kg
- F: x49621
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Camelot (GB)
- Dam: Venus de Milo (IRE)
6.50
20. More Felons (24)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Jamie Kah
- W: 50.5kg
- F: 657285
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Churchill (IRE)
- Dam: Pivotalia (IRE)
8.50
21. Future History (13)
- T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
- J: Hollie Doyle
- W: 50kg
- F: 721213
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Showcasing (GB)
- Dam: Likelihood (USA)
7.00
Melbourne Cup winners by jockey silks colours
Navy blue and royal blue have been very successful with 21 Melbourne Cup wins, with the last being Jye McNeil on Twilight Payment in 2020.
Blue has been in the colours of 61 Melbourne Cup winners, narrowly ahead of black with 58 wins.
18 cup winning jockeys have worn black as their main colour, the most recent of those was Damien Oliver on Fiorente in 2013.
Red has featured in the winning jockey’s colours 48 times, yellow or gold 45 times, and green has won 23 Melbourne Cups.
The history of the race is not on the side of this year’s cup favourite, Vauban, with pink and lime featuring well down the jockeys silks colour rankings.
Vauban – out.
2. Alenquer (9)
- T: Michael Moroney
- J: Damien Oliver
- W: 56.5kg
- F: 00×059
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Adlerflug (GER)
- Dam: Wild Blossom (GER)
9.25
5. Vauban (3)
- T: Willie Mullins
- J: Ryan Moore
- W: 55kg
- F: 34211x
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Chestnut
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Gallway (GB)
- Dam: Waldfest (IRE)
1.60
6. Soulcombe (4)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Joao Moreira
- W: 53.5kg
- F: 2×1437
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Frankel (GB)
- Dam: Ribbons (GER)
3.60
10. Cleveland (23)
- T: Kris Lees
- J: Michael Dee
- W: 52kg
- F: x49621
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Camelot (GB)
- Dam: Venus de Milo (IRE)
6.50
20. More Felons (24)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Jamie Kah
- W: 50.5kg
- F: 657285
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Churchill (IRE)
- Dam: Pivotalia (IRE)
8.50
2023 Melbourne Cup Winner By The Numbers
After that exhaustive process we have left ourselves with just four potential candidates for our 2023 Melbourne Cup bets.
2. Alenquer (9)
- T: Michael Moroney
- J: Damien Oliver
- W: 56.5kg
- F: 00×059
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Adlerflug (GER)
- Dam: Wild Blossom (GER)
9.25
6. Soulcombe (4)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Joao Moreira
- W: 53.5kg
- F: 2×1437
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Frankel (GB)
- Dam: Ribbons (GER)
3.60
10. Cleveland (23)
- T: Kris Lees
- J: Michael Dee
- W: 52kg
- F: x49621
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Horse
- Sire: Camelot (GB)
- Dam: Venus de Milo (IRE)
6.50
20. More Felons (24)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Jamie Kah
- W: 50.5kg
- F: 657285
- Age: 5YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Churchill (IRE)
- Dam: Pivotalia (IRE)
8.50
The Melbourne Cup By The Numbers Winner
Having reached our final four horses we don’t want to single out any one horse as they are all good each way odds and worthy of our interest knowing we have the weight of numbers and Melbourne Cup history on our side and riding with us.