Melbourne Cup 2025 Ultimate Guide – Schedule, Date, Race Day Times, Field, Horses, Odds, How to Watch, Winners List
By Sportshistori.com | Published: Oct.17, Updated Oct 27, 2025
Australia’s most iconic horse race, the Melbourne Cup 2025, returns on Tuesday 4 November 2025, bringing together world-class stayers, global trainers and millions of racing fans. Known as “the race that stops a nation,” the $10 million Group 1 classic will again be staged over 3200 metres at Flemington Racecourse. The Cup is more than a sporting contest — it’s a national spectacle of racing, fashion and music. Last year’s surprise winner, Knight’s Choice, raised the stakes and added fresh intrigue to Cup week; now the focus shifts to the new generation of challengers and the international raiders arriving for Flemington. With futures markets already active and entertainment line-ups locked in, anticipation is building across Australia and New Zealand, with UK and US fans tuning in via international broadcast partners.
Sportshistori.com Brings here is your complete guide to Melbourne Cup 2025 — from date and start time to the field, how to watch, odds, tips and the recent winners list.
What Date Is the Melbourne Cup in 2025?
The Melbourne Cup 2025 will be run on Tuesday, 4 November 2025 — the traditional first Tuesday of November. This fixed date anchors Cup week and the broader Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington Racecourse.
What Time Does the Melbourne Cup Start?
The Melbourne Cup main event race is scheduled for 3:00 PM AEDT at Flemington. Expect full broadcast coverage to begin several hours earlier with undercard races and pre-race analysis. (For UK viewers this is 4:00 AM GMT; for US East Coast it will be 11:00 PM ET the previous day.)
Wellington (NZ) 5:00pm
London (GB) 6:00am
Munich (Germany) 7:00am
New York (USA) 1:00am
Singapore 1:00pm
Dubai (UAE) 9:00am
Cape Town (South Africa) 7:00am
Tokyo (Japan) 2:00pm
Buenos Aires (Argentina) 2:00am
New Dehli (India) 10:30am
2025 Cox Plate Ultimate Guide – Date, Time, Field, Horses, Odds, Location, How to watch, Prize Money
Where Will the Melbourne Cup Race Be Held?
The Cup is staged at Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne — home of the Melbourne Cup since its inception in 1861. Managed by the Victoria Racing Club (VRC), Flemington’s long home straight and two-lap 3200m course provide the classic Cup challenge.
Who Won Last Year’s Melbourne Cup?
The 2024 Melbourne Cup was won by Knight’s Choice, adding a dramatic chapter to Flemington lore. The late surge and upset result make the 2025 renewal even more unpredictable as connections and punters reassess contenders.
What is the Prize Money of the Melbourne Cup 2025? Full breakdown
The total prize pool for Melbourne Cup 2025 is AUD $10,000,000. The winner’s share is approximately $4.4 million, with significant payouts to the placed finishers — making the Cup one of the world’s richest staying handicaps.
Of that $4.5m to the winner, the owners get 85 percent, the trainer gets 10 percent, and the jockey gets five percent.
Second place gets $1.1 million, third $560,000, fourth $360,000, fifth $240,000, and sixth to 12th placings get $160,000 each.
Connections of the runners that finish 13th to 24th now earn their owners $100,000 each.
How to Watch the Melbourne Cup 2025 Live
In Australia: live on Channel 7 and via 7plus (stream).
In New Zealand: coverage via Sky Racing NZ / TAB Trackside.
UK: expect coverage on Sky Sports Racing.
USA: coverage via TVG / FanDuel TV or partner services.
Sportshistori.com will provide live updates, odds and replay clips throughout Cup Day.
What Channel Is the Melbourne Cup On?
Channel 7 holds Australia’s free-to-air broadcast rights and will televise full Cup Day coverage. Pay-TV and specialist channels (Sky Racing, Racing.com) also provide simultaneous coverage and expert race analysis.
How to Stream the Melbourne Cup Live Online
Stream the race in Australia on 7plus (free account). NZ viewers can use Sky Go or TAB streaming. Internationally, streaming is available through broadcaster apps (Sky Sports Racing, FanDuel TV). Bookmaker streaming (TAB, Sportsbet, Ladbrokes) is also common for account holders.
Who Has the Melbourne Cup TV Rights?
The Seven Network (7 & 7plus) holds the main Australian TV rights for the Melbourne Cup Carnival. Sky Sports Racing manages UK rights; TVG/FanDuel and affiliates provide US distribution under international agreements.
2025 Melbourne Cup Race Day Start Times & Full Schedule
Cup Day features a 10-race card at Flemington, beginning around 10:45 AM AEDT with the Melbourne Cup as Race 7 at 3:00 PM AEDT. The day includes fashion events, live music sets and extended coverage windows — check Sportshistori.com for the final race times on race morning.
Race 1 – 10:45AM G3 Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000 METRES)
Race 2 – 11:20AM LR TAB Trophy (1800 METRES)
Race 3 – 12:00PM MSS Security Subzero Handicap (1400 METRES)
Race 4 – 12:40PM The Schweppervescence Plate (1000 METRES)
Race 5 – 1:20PM Australian Heritage Cup (2800 METRES)
Race 6 – 1:55PM LR Furphy Plate (1800 METRES)
Race 7 – 3:00PM G1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200 Metres)
Race 8 – 3:50PM LR The Amanda Elliott (1400 METRES)
Race 9 – 4:35PM G3 The Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (1400 METRES)
Race 10 – 5:15PM Channel 9 Trophy (1400 METRES)
Melbourne Cup 2025 Order of Entry, List, Field, Runners & Horses.
The final field is 24 runners after the barrier draw (held the Saturday before the Cup). Nominations close earlier in spring and horses qualify through performances, ballot-free races, and handicap ratings. Expect challengers from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the UK and Ireland. Sportshistori.com will publish the confirmed field, jockeys, barriers and weights following the official announcement.
A total of 53 horses hold entries for the Melbourne Cup ahead of confirmations and final declarations.
53 horses remain in the hunt for the race and Chris Waller leads the way with nine runners in the mix, including Bart Cummings winner Valiant King, as well as Birdman, Buckaroo, Land Legend and River Of Stars, among others.
The final Melbourne Cup field will be made public on the Saturday, November 1.
See the list of 40 gallopers below:
As of MON, October 27
1. Half Yours (Tony & Calvin McEvoy) Jamie Melham 53kg ($6)
2. Onesmoothoperator (Brian Ellison) Harry Coffey 53kg ($15)
3. Parchment Party (William Mott) John Velazquez 52kg ($51)
4. Torranzino (Paul Preusker) Celine Gaudray 51kg ($34)
5. Valiant King (Chris Waller) Jye McNeil 51kg ($7)
6. Al Riffa (Joesph O’Brien) Mark Zahra 59kg ($6)
7. Buckaroo (Chris Waller) Craig Williams 57kg ($8)
8. Arapaho (Bjorn Baker) Rachel King 56.5kg ($51)
9. Vauban (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott) Blake Shinn 56.5kg ($34)
10. Chevalier Rose (Hisashi Shimizu) Damian Lane 55.5kg ($34)
11. Presage Nocturne (Alessandro Botti) Stephane Pasquier 55.5kg ($9)
12. Furthur (Andrew Balding) Michael Dee 52kg ($21)
13. Middle Earth (Ciaron Maher) Ethan Brown 54.5kg ($34)
14. Meydaan (Simon & Ed Crisford) James McDonald 54kg ($13)
15. Land Legend (Chris Waller) TBC 53.5kg ($101)
16. Smokin’ Romans (Ciaron Maher) Ben Melham 53.5kg ($101)
17. Absurde (Willie Mullins) Kerrin McEvoy 53.5kg ($18)
18. Flatten The Curve (Henk Grewe) Thore-Hammer Hansen 53.kg ($51)
19. River Of Stars (Chris Waller) Beau Mertens 51.5kg ($15)
20. More Felons (Chris Waller) Tommy Berry 53kg ($51)
21. Goodie Two Shoes (Joseph O’Brien) Wayne Lordan 51.5kg ($51)
22. Changingoftheguard (Kris Lees) Tim Clark 53kg ($101)
23. Athabascan (John O’Shea & Tom Charlton) Declan Bates 51.5kg ($81)
24. Royal Supremacy (Ciaron Maher) Robbie Dolan 51kg ($26)
25. Mark Twain (Rogert James & Robert Wellwood) TBC 51kg ($101)
26. Birdman (Chris Waller) TBC 51kg ($34)
27. Post Impressionist (Anthony & Sam Freedman) TBC 51kg ($201)
28. Scary (Emma-Lee & David Browne) TBC 51kg ($101)
29. Trav (Raymond Connors) TBC 51kg ($201)
30. Etna Rosso (Chris Waller) TBC 51kg ($301)
Deakin, Parchment Party, Revelare and Valiant King are guaranteed a run having won exemption races.
Who Is the Favorite for the Melbourne Cup 2025?
Early markets name Sir Delius among frontrunners, but odds will shift with the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and other lead-ups. Keep an eye on European and Japanese stayers as well as locally proven two-mile performers from Maher, Waller and Waterhouse stables.
Melbourne Cup 2025 Tips & Predictions
Look for horses with strong 3200m stamina, proven sectional closing speed and form over heavy or soft tracks. European stayers often carry lighter weights; home-trained stayers benefit from local acclimatisation. Sportshistori.com’s expert panel will publish favourites, value picks and race-day bets as markets firm.
Melbourne Cup 2025 Entertainment Line-Up
The Melbourne Cup Carnival combines racing with a major entertainment program — headline acts, DJs, and the Birdcage events. The VRC will reveal the complete music and celebrity roster ahead of Cup week. Expect headline sets on Cup Day and big-name performers across Derby, Oaks and Champions Stakes days.
Melbourne Cup Winners List (2007–2024)
A roll call of recent champions — who have written Cup history at Flemington:
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2024 — Knight’s Choice — J: Robbie Dolan — T: John Symons & Sheila Laxon
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2023 — Without A Fight — J: Mark Zahra — T: Anthony & Sam Freedman
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2022 — Gold Trip — J: Mark Zahra — T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
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2021 — Verry Elleegant — J: James McDonald — T: Chris Waller
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2020 — Twilight Payment — J: Jye McNeil — T: Joseph O’Brien
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2019 — Vow And Declare — J: Craig Williams — T: Danny O’Brien
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2018 — Cross Counter — J: Kerrin McEvoy — T: Charlie Appleby
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2017 — Rekindling — J: Corey Brown — T: Joseph O’Brien
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2016 — Almandin — J: Kerrin McEvoy — T: Robert Hickmott
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2015 — Prince Of Penzance — J: Michelle Payne — T: Darren Weir
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2014 — Protectionist — J: Ryan Moore — T: Andreas Wohler
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2013 — Fiorente — J: Damien Oliver — T: Gai Waterhouse
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2012 — Green Moon — J: Brett Prebble — T: Robert Hickmott
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2011 — Dunaden — J: Christophe Lemaire — T: Mikel Delzangles
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2010 — Americain — J: Gerard Mosse — T: Alain de Royer Dupre
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2009 — Shocking — J: Corey Brown — T: Mark Kavanagh
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2008 — Viewed — J: Blake Shinn — T: Bart Cummings
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2007 — Efficient — J: Michael Rodd — T: Graeme Rogerson
(This list covers winners from 2007 through 2024 — updated with details available. Sportshistori.com will maintain an extended past-winners archive for deeper history.)
Melbourne Cup 2025 Odds – Top 24 Field
Bookmakers (TAB, Sportsbet, Ladbrokes) publish futures and fixed-odds markets through spring. Expect heavy market movement after key races (Caulfield Cup, Hotham Stakes). Sportshistori.com will refresh odds and provide value plays and market analysis as fields lock in.
How Many Horses Run in the Melbourne Cup?
The Cup accepts 24 starters in the final field. Entries are determined by a combination of nominations, handicap weights and ballot exemptions from key “golden ticket” races.
Who Won the 2024 Melbourne Cup?
Knight’s Choice took the 2024 Cup in a memorable finish. That upset reshaped markets and narratives heading into 2025 — trainers, owners and punters will all reassess their Cup strategies this spring.
How Much Do You Get for Winning the Melbourne Cup?
The winner’s prize is about AUD $4.4 million from the $10 million purse, plus trophies and significant prestige. The runner-up receives roughly $1.1 million, with payments down the order — ensuring meaningful payouts across the top 12.
What Year Was the First Melbourne Cup Run?
The inaugural Melbourne Cup ran in 1861, won by Archer. From that first stirring finish the Cup has grown into a cultural and sporting institution that still captivates national attention every November.
Melbourne Cup Record Time
The record time is 3:16.3, set by Kingston Rule in 1990. That benchmark has stood for decades; rough tracks and race tempo mean it remains a tough record to challenge.
How Long Is the Melbourne Cup Race?
The race distance is 3,200 metres (two miles) — a pure staying test that rewards stamina, race sense and timing across two laps of Flemington.
How Long Does the Melbourne Cup Last?
The actual race runs for approximately 3½ minutes, though the entire Cup Day experience — from fashion to form analysis to the post-race celebrations — extends across many hours for attendees and television audiences.
Where to buy Melbourne Cup 2025 Tickets & How to Attend
Buy official tickets through the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) website and authorised sellers (early bird and hospitality packages sell quickly).
Options include General Admission, Members’ Enclosure, Birdcage and corporate hospitality. Travel packages for fans from New Zealand, the UK and the USA are available via VRC partners and specialist tour operators.
Melbourne Cup Carnival tickets can be purchased via Victoria Racing Club or Ticketmaster.
Quick Practical Tips (Australia / NZ / UK / USA)
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Australia/NZ: Book rail or car travel early — Flemington is busy and trains fill up on Cup Day. Use 7plus and TAB streaming for on-the-go viewing.
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UK/USA viewers: Check local listings for Sky Sports Racing or FanDuel TV; convert 3:00 PM AEDT to your local time (UK: 4:00 AM GMT; US ET: 11:00 PM previous day).
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Betting: Use reputable bookmakers (TAB, Sportsbet, Ladbrokes) and check final fields before placing bets — scratches and barrier changes can shift odds.
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