The 2026 Lexus Melbourne Cup field ran at Flemington on Tuesday November 3, 2026, with Point Of Law ($7F) winning for trainer Ciaron Maher and jockey Ethan Brown ‘
2026 Melbourne Cup Results
2026 Melbourne Cup winner Point Of Law led an all Ciaron Maher-trained trifecta. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
The official Melbourne Cup 2026 results revealing the 2026 Melbourne Cup winner will be published right here once the race is run and won on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
#20 Point Of Law
#15 Zahrann
#11 Juja Kibo
The 2026 Melbourne Cup results produced a race domination for trainer Ciaron Maher, who saddled the trifecta in the 166th running of Australia’s greatest race. Geelong Cup winner Point Of Law ($7F) continued his meteoric rise with a stunning victory under Ethan Brown, becoming the most lightly raced Melbourne Cup winner in history at just his sixth career start. The progressive son of Frankel stormed home to defeat stablemates Zahrann and Juja Kibo, while Irish raider Sons And Lovers finished fourth. The victory also completed the coveted Geelong Cup-Melbourne Cup double, the first since Dunaden in 2011, and delivered Maher his second Melbourne Cup triumph following Gold Trip’s success in 2022.
The 2026 Melbourne Cup field is where the ‘race that stops a nation’ truly comes to life, bringing together the world’s best stayers for Australia’s most famous horse race at Flemington on the first Tuesday of November. From international raiders and proven Group 1 performers to local hopes and emerging staying stars, the Melbourne Cup 2026 field is sure to be packed with elite spring betting opportunities, and genuine contenders chasing a place in racing history. This is your home for the official Melbourne Cup final field in 2026, including not only the list of the 24 stayers lining up in the $10.2 million two-mile classic but also the official Melbourne Cup 2026 barrier draw, jockey bookings, weights, runner profiles, and the latest market movers as the road to Cup Day reaches its climax. Whether you’re researching the Melbourne Cup field 2026 to bet on the next winner of this historic event or looking for the runner capable of capturing the coveted trophy, Ladbrokes has every horse, every barrier, and every key piece of form covered.
Betting on the 2026 Melbourne Cup Field
Bet on the horses set to line up in the Melbourne Cup 2026 field from early futures markets months out from the event, all-in betting on the confirmed Melbourne Cup 2026 nominations all the way to the confirmed 2026 Melbourne Cup field of 24!
Melbourne Cup 2026 Results
Flemington R7 – Lexus Melbourne Cup (G1)
FinalRace time:
1st
20. Point Of Law (9)
53kg141×1
J: Ethan BrownT: Ciaron Maher
7.00WIN
2.90PLACE
2nd
15. Zahrann (11)
54.5kgx4106
J: Ben MelhamT: Ciaron Maher
31.00WIN
8.50PLACE
3rd
11. Juja Kibo (14)
55kgx3211
J: Sam ClippertonT: Ciaron Maher
13.00WIN
4.50PLACE
4th
1. Sons And Lovers (3)
57.5kg44512
J: Dylan Browne McmonagleT: Joseph O’brien
26.00WIN
7.50PLACE
5th
7. Royal Supremacy (21)
56kg1×910
J: Ben AllenT: Ciaron Maher
51.00WIN
12.00PLACE
6th
24. Shockletz (17)
51kg64162
J: Harry CoffeyT: Ciaron Maher
9.50WIN
3.60PLACE
7th
18. James J Braddock (24)
53.5kg136×6
J: Craig WilliamsT: Joseph O’brien
27.00WIN
7.50PLACE
8th
16. So You Are (7)
54kg21111
J: Rachel KingT: Bjorn Baker
11.00WIN
3.80PLACE
9th
12. Hopewell Rock (15)
54.5kg3612x
J: Zac LloydT: George Boughey
7.00WIN
2.90PLACE
10th
4. Middle Earth (1)
56.5kg87898
J: Mark ZahraT: Ciaron Maher
16.00WIN
5.00PLACE
11th
2. Trustyourinstinct (18)
57kg21214
J: James McDonaldT: Joseph O’brien
9.50WIN
3.60PLACE
12th
3. Knight’s Choice (2)
56.5kgx0930
J: Robbie DolanT: J G Symons & S Laxon
41.00WIN
9.50PLACE
13th
14. Soul Of Spain (5)
54.5kg68378
J: Tommy BerryT: Chris Waller
26.00WIN
7.50PLACE
14th
23. Zakouma (10)
52kgx6650
J: William PikeT: Grahame Begg
27.00WIN
7.50PLACE
15th
6. Enfjaar (8)
56kg381×3
J: Ray DawsonT: Roger Varian
23.00WIN
7.00PLACE
16th
19. Kizlyar (20)
53.5kg1x2x0
J: Beau MertensT: Joseph O’brien
61.00WIN
12.00PLACE
17th
22. Mr Monaco (16)
52.5kgx4013
J: Jabez JohnstoneT: Ciaron Maher
26.00WIN
7.50PLACE
18th
21. Strictly Business (4)
53kg2×000
J: Dean YendallT: Thomas Carberry
71.00WIN
16.00PLACE
19th
8. Wine Dark Sea (23)
56kg151×0
J: Damian LaneT: Harry Charlton
41.00WIN
10.00PLACE
20th
17. Future History (12)
53.5kgx3249
J: Jamie MelhamT: Gregory Hickman
67.00WIN
15.00PLACE
21st
13. Onesmoothoperator (13)
54.5kg9×090
J: Declan BatesT: Tim Fitzsimmons
67.00WIN
15.00PLACE
22nd
10. Goodie Two Shoes (19)
55kgx8210
J: Wayne LordanT: Joseph O’brien
23.00WIN
7.00PLACE
23rd
5. Vauban (22)
56.5kg133×9
J: Jordan ChildsT: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
61.00WIN
13.00PLACE
9. Asterix (6)SCRATCHED:
For current odds on all of our live racing markets, please visit www.ladbrokes.com.au/racing. Data retrieved: 03/11/2026 03:06:16 PM (Australia/Brisbane)
The capacity 24-horse Melbourne Cup field for the ‘race that stops a nation’ is officially released on the Saturday before the $10.2 million feature takes place on the first Tuesday of November annually. After the racing action on Victoria Derby Day is when punters get a first glimpse at the stayers that will face off in that year’s field.
The 2026 Melbourne Cup Final Field & Barrier Draw is released on Derby Day at Flemington after the racing action on Saturday, October 31, 2026, revealing the 24 Melbourne Cup Horses.
The Melbourne Cup 2026 Barrier Draw can be viewed live at Racing.com.
The official Melbourne Cup 2026 Field and Confirmed Barriers have been released with Ciaron Maher’s impressive Ladbrokes Geelong Cup winner Point Of Law drawing ideally in gate nine with the lightly raced four-year-old current co-favourite with Joseph O’Brien’s well-backed Irish raider Trustyourinstinct who drew wider out in gate 18 for jockey James McDonald.
The Melbourne Cup field features no emergencies so if a horse is scratched after final acceptances than the two-mile showdown will run under capacity. There are plenty of lead-up races offering a chance for runners outside the Melbourne Cup ballot order of 24 to make the field including the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate.
Betting on the possible horses in the Melbourne Cup field is open nearly all year round, but the Melbourne Cup odds really firm once the final line-up is confirmed.
Key 2026 Lexus Melbourne Cup Field & Acceptance Dates
Entry & Acceptance Stages
Date
Nominations/Entries
12:00pm Tuesday 1 September
Late Nominations
12:00pm Tuesday 8 September
Weights Released
12:00pm Thursday 17 September
First Declarations
12:00pm Tuesday 29 September
Second Declarations
12:00pm Tuesday 13 October
Third Declarations
10:00am Monday 26 October
Final/Fourth Declarations
4:30pm Saturday 31 October
Melbourne Cup 2026 Acceptance Dates
2026 Melbourne Cup Nominations: Close on Tuesday, September 1, 2026 @ 12:00pm (Melbourne time)
2026 Melbourne Cup Late Entries: Close on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 @ 12:00pm (Melbourne time).
2026 Melbourne Cup First Declarations: Close on Tuesday, September 29, 2026 @ 12:00pm (Melbourne time).
2026 Melbourne Cup Handicaps: Weights are declared on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
2026 Melbourne Cup Second Declarations: Close on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 @ 12:00pm.
2026 Melbourne Cup Third Declarations: Close on Monday, October 26, 2026 @ 10:00pm (Melbourne time).
2026 Melbourne Cup Final Field: Announced Saturday October 31, 2026 @ 4:30pm (Melbourne time) on Victoria Derby Day.
2026 Melbourne Cup Barrier Draw: Takes place on Saturday, October 31, 2026 @ 6:30pm (Melbourne time) following the Derby Day racing.
2026 Melbourne Cup News & Field Updates
Stay tuned for the breaking news on the horses and jockeys that are in and out of the Melbourne Cup 2026 field this spring.
Melbourne Cup Jockeys 2026
The official 2026Melbourne Cup jockeys must be declared by 4:30pm (Melbourne time) on Saturday the 31st of October 2026 and will be updated in our above Melbourne Cup Field section.
Stay tuned here for the confirmed 2026 Melbourne Cup jockeys. See what jockeys have locked in a ride aboard one of the 24 Melbourne Cup horses this spring.
Confirmed 2026 Melbourne Cup Jockeys
Sons And Lovers (Joseph O’Brien) – Dylan Browne McMonagle
Trustyourinstinct (Joseph O’Brien) – James McDonald
Middle Earth (Ciaron Maher) – Mark Zahra
Vauban (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott) – Jordan Childs
Knight’s Choice (John Symons & Sheila Laxon) – Robbie Dolan
James J Braddock (Joseph O’Brien) – Craig Williams
Future History (Gregory Hickman) – Jamie Melham
Kizlyar (Joseph O’Brien) – Beau Mertens
Point Of Law (Ciaron Maher) – Ethan Brown
Strictly Business (Thomas Carberry) – Dean Yendall (late alt)
Mr Monaco (Ciaron Maher) – Jabez Johnstone (a)
Zakouma (Grahame Begg) – William Pike
Shockletz (Ciaron Maher) – Harry Coffey
Melbourne Cup 2026 Third Acceptances
The 2026 Melbourne Cup third acceptances close on Monday, October 26, 2026, at 10:00pm (Melbourne time).
The official Lexus Melbourne Cup 2026 third acceptancesare now out featuring 39 horses still in the hunt including Ciaron Maher’s Geelong Cup winner and current all-in favourite at Ladbrokes, Point Of Law, and an eight-strong contingent for Ireland’s Joesph O’Brien headed by Trustyourinstinct.
Melbourne Cup 2026 Third Acceptances: At A Glance
39 horses remain in contention
15 runners withdrawn at third acceptance stage
Aeliana officially out of Melbourne Cup calculations
Birdman also withdrawn
James McDonald confirmed for Joseph O’Brien’s Trustyourinstinct
Joseph O’Brien retains five international raiders
Ciaron Maher continues to boast the strongest local team
Geelong Cup winner Point Of Law remains market leader at $7 through Ladbrokes
Melbourne Cup 2026 Second Acceptances
The Lexus Melbourne Cup 2026 second acceptances close on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 @ 12:00pm (Melbourne time).
The 2026 Melbourne Cup second acceptances have been taken with 58 remaining chances including 13 international raiders with the Joseph O’Brien-trained Irish stayer Defiantly narrow favourite in the latest all-in markets.
2026 Melbourne Cup Second Acceptances: At a Glance
58 horses remain
13 horses withdrawals at second declaration stage
Ciaron Maher leading trainer with 14 second acceptors
Chris Waller retains 9 contenders headed by Aeliana, Ohope Wins, Pinhole, Birdman and Valiant King
Joseph O’Brien has 9 remaining entries, including market elect Defiantly and fellow internationals James J Braddock and Trustyourinstinct
Defiantly heads all-in Melbourne Cup betting at $9 through Ladbrokes
Half Yours remains on track to defend his Melbourne Cup title and become the race’s first dual winner since Makybe Diva (2003-05)
19 of the 22 Caulfield Cup runners have also accepted for the Melbourne Cup, highlighting Saturday’s race as a key lead-up
International hopes remain strong with runners from Ireland, England, and Japan, including Defiantly, Wine Dark Sea and Stinger Glass
Melbourne Cup 2026 First Acceptances
The 2026 Melbourne Cup first acceptances closed on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 12:00pm (Melbourne time).
The Lexus Melbourne Cup 2026 first acceptances are now out leaving 71 remaining hopefuls including 13 internationals led by last year’s Spring Cups double hero Half Yours and Joseph O’Brien’s impressive Group 2 Prix Kergolay winning Irish raider Defiantly.
2026 Melbourne Cup First Acceptances: At a Glance
71 horses remain in contention
58 Australian-trained runners and 13 international contenders left from Ireland, England, and Japan
Ciaron Maher leading trainer with 14 acceptors including Zahrann, Shockletz and Middle Earth
Chris Waller retains 9 contenders headed by Aeliana, Soulcombe, Valiant King and Birdman
Defiantly (Joseph O’Brien, Ireland) heads latest all-in 2026 Melbourne Cup betting at $9
Half Yours remains on track to defend his 2025 Melbourne Cup crown as the $10 second favourite in futures markets
Melbourne Cup 2026 Nominations
The 2026Melbourne Cup nominations close on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 12:00pm (Melbourne time).
The 2026 Lexus Melbourne Cup nominations feature 101 horses (down from 120 last year) including 23 internationals (up from 19 last year) and featuring the defending champion Half Yours.
2026 Melbourne Cup Nominations: Quick Glance
101 total nominations received for the 166th Melbourne Cup
78 Australian-trained stayers and 23 international contenders
Entries from England, Ireland, Japan and the USA
Half Yours returns as the defending Melbourne Cup champion
Ciaron Maher submits 14 nominations as he chases a second Cup
Chris Waller enters 12 runners, including rising star Aeliana
Joseph O’Brien leads the internationals with 11 nominees, including golden ticket winner Defiantly and last year’s runner-up Goodie Two Shoes
Aidan O’Brien nominates five, headlined by Christmas Day, the Epsom Derby winner
Japan represented by Stinger Glass on the 20-year anniversary of Delta Blues’ historic Cup victory
Fan favourite Constitution Hill among the northern hemisphere entries
Golden ticket qualifiers: Zakouma, Tawny Port, Defiantly
Additional ballot exemption pathways include the Archer Stakes, Bart Cummings, Caulfield Cup, Moonee Valley Gold Cup and Geelong Cup
