Who won the 2021 Melbourne Cup?

Verry Elleegant wins 2021 Melbourne Cup
Who won the 2021 Melbourne Cup? (Scott Barbour/Racing Photos)

The 2021 Melbourne Cup was a big one for several reasons. The crowds were back, the sun was out, and we had one of the best-backed favourites in the great race’s history. But who won the Melbourne Cup in 2021?

Incentivise was the punters’ pick several weeks out. Going off at $2.80, the five-year-old gelding was touted as the shortest-priced elect since Phar Lap. On sheer volume of money, Incentivise was the best-supported horse in Melbourne Cup history.

For a long while, it looked like the market had it spot on. But Verry Elleegant had other ideas. Under a superb steer from James McDonald, the champion mare burst from midfield in the straight and had it won with a couple of furlongs to go.

With that, Verry Elleegant brought up her 10th Group 1 victory and cemented her status as one of Australia’s great racehorses, while McDonald and trainer Chris Waller each claimed their first Melbourne Cup win.

Incentivise ran a strong race to finish second, holding off the international Spanish Mission in third and the lightweight chance Floating Artist in fourth. See the complete 2021 Melbourne Cup results.


Verry Elleegant wins the 2021 Melbourne Cup


2021 Melbourne Cup results & dividends

Place No. Colours Horse Trainer Jockey Win Place
1st 4 Verry Elleegant Verry Elleegant Chris Waller James McDonald $16.50 $4.50
2nd 2 Incentivise Incentivise Peter Moody Brett Prebble $2
3rd 3 Spanish Mission Spanish Mission Andrew Balding Craig Williams $3.30
4th 22 Floating Artist Floating Artist C Maher & D Eustace Teo Nugent
Quinella $18.60
Trifecta $356.10
First Four $4829.70

Related posts