The Warrnambool Cup is a popular Black-Type staying race run in early May as the highlight of the Warrnambool Cup Carnival.
The next edition of the Warrnambool Cup takes place at ‘The Bool’ on Thursday, May 7, 2026 as a potential early lead-up into the spring’s Melbourne Cup race.
2026 Warrnambool Cup Odds
The Warrnambool Cup 2026 betting odds will be available below the week of the race giving you access to the best autumn racing odds ahead of the $300,000 Listed showdown in May.
Warrnambool Cup Tips
Warrnambool Cup tips include looking for proven Group-class stayers with winning form over the mile-and-a-half distance and those with a good lead-up run from the autumn.
Backing horses aged between four and six is key in the Warrnambool Cup tipping as since 2002 the only winners outside this age range were Akzar (7YO in 2014) and Mystery Island (7YO in 2024) a decade apart, followed by veteran eight-year-old Smokin’ Romans (2025).
There is an even spread of winners from across the field barrier-wise with barriers 1 the most successful since 2005 producing four winners most recently Mystery Island in 2024.
The higher rated and weighted horses also make the best Warrnambool Cup betting tips as since 2011 the only winners to carry less than 56kg to victory were Master Of Arts (54kg in 2016), Witchachar Star (54kg in 2022), and Mystery Island (54kg in 2024).
2026 Warrnambool Cup Tips
Our Ladbrokes’ insider Warrnambool Cup 2026 betting tips and race selections will be detailed below the week of the race so stay tuned for the gallopers to back and sack in the autumn staying showdown.
The Warrnambool Cup Carnival is one of the most prestigious of the Country Cup Carnivals in Victoria and begins on the Wednesday with the Listed Wangoom Handicap (1200m) for the sprinters.
As for the Warrnambool Cup date, the end-of-autumn showdown is held on a Thursday and is the biggest event run at Warrnambool Racecourse, known as ‘The Bool’.
Contested over 2350m the race now offers a lucrative $300,000 in prize money and holds Listed status.
A time-honoured race, it was inaugurated back in 1873 and now serves as a nice lead-up into the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival in Queensland.
Originally run over the traditional cup distance of 3200m (two miles), the Warrnambool Cup has been contested over its current 2350m distance since 2002 with the exception of 2008 when it ran over a slightly amended 2360m.
The first Warrnambool Cup winner was Villiers who now has the Group 2 Villiers Stakes (1600m) in Sydney during the summer named in his honour.
From 1888 to 1894 it was called the Railway Stakes – not to be confused with the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) race held in Perth each November – before being renamed the Warrnambool Cup in 1895.
Warrnambool Cup Race Info
- Date: Thursday, May 7, 2026
- Track: Warrnambool Racecourse
- Distance: 2350m
- Conditions: Open Handicap
- Status: Listed
- Prize Money: $300,000
- First Run: 1873
2026 Warrnambool Cup Results
The official Warrnambool Cup Results 2026 and race finishing order will be published below when the race is run and won on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Warrnambool Cup Betting
Early Warrnambool Cup odds are out at bookmakers after nominations are taken the Wednesday or Thursday prior to the race and firm after the final field is announced the Monday of race week.
Proven stayers from local Melbourne-based stables sit high-up the Warrnambool Cup betting markets, as do any past Group winners down in grade for the event.
Mares are usually found at longer Warrnambool Cup odds with Dance With Her (2012) the last female galloper to beat home the boys in the event.
Too Close The Sun ($2.50 in 2020) was the last favourite in Warrnambool Cup betting to win.
Mystery Island (2024) scored a notable upset saluting at $14 in the Warrnambool Cup odds.
Warrnambool Cup Field
The Warrnambool Cup race field attracts a class line-up of in-form staying types out of a range of lead-up races in both Melbourne and Sydney over the autumn.
The Terang Cup (2150m) in mid-late April serves as a good lead-up race into the Warrnambool Cup field. Too Close The Sun (2020) was the last horse to complete the Terang Cup – Warrnambool Cup double.
Following a run in the Warrnambool Cup field many gallopers may head up to Brisbane for the winter targeting races like the Group 3 Premier’s Cup (2400m) at the end of May or even the Group 2 $1.2 million The Q22 (2200m) in June.
Warrnambool Cup nominations close the Wednesday or Thursday before the race runs a week later with the final field and barrier draw released on the Monday of race week.
2026 Warrnambool Cup Field
The official Warrnambool Cup 2026 Field & Barriers will be released by Racing Victoria the Monday before the race and published in full below so stay tuned to see what stayers make the starting line-up.
2026 Warrnambool Cup Nominations
The early Warrnambool Cup 2026 Nominations close the Wednesday or Thursday prior to the race and will be listed in full below once released.
Warrnambool Cup Form Guide
The Warrnambool Cup form guide details must know facts for punters including the trainers, jockeys, barriers and lead-up form of all the runners in the race.
Looking on the Warrnambool Cup form guide for horses aged four-years-old to six-years-old carrying at least 56kg is key.
The Warrnambool Cup form also reveals trainer Darren Weir prepared five straight winners between 2014-2018.
The form out of the Warrnambool Cup has gone on to hold-up in tougher races plenty of times over the years including in 2020 when the winner Too Close The Sun finished second in that summer’s Railway Stakes in WA.
The 2025 Warrnambool Cup stacked up beautifully, with runner‑up Torranzino returning in the spring to claim the Group 3 Ladbrokes Geelong Cup before a brave fifth in the $10 million Melbourne Cup.
2026 Warrnambool Cup Form Guide
A link to our comprehensive Warrnambool Cup 2026 Form Guide will be provided for punters below the week of the race.
Warrnambool Cup Race Distance
| Period | Distance |
|---|---|
| 1873-78 | 3200m |
| 1879 | 2800m |
| 1880-88 | 2000m |
| 1889-90 | 2400m |
| 1891-1903 | 2000m |
| 1904-2001 | 2200m |
| 2002-07 | 2350m |
| 2008 | 2360m |
| 2009-present | 2350m |
Past Warrnambool Cup Results
Multiple Warrnambool Cup Winners: Hissing Sid (2009 & 2010); Majestic Avenue (2000 & 2002); Puramaka (1977 & 1978); Spotted (1964 & 1965); Malvern Belle (1956 & 1957); Glenvue (1951 & 1954); Cluster (1902 & 1904); Canoona (1896 & 1897); Emancipation (1890 & 1893); Mesalliance (1880 & 1881).
Monde Special (2004) holds the Warrnambool Cup record winning in 2 minutes 26:04 seconds.
Notable horses to head the Warrnambool Cup race results in recent years include Master Of Arts (2016), Gallic Chieftain (2018), and Too Close The Sun (2020).
Recent Warrnambool Cup Winners
Recent Warrnambool Cup winners and placegetters dating back to the year 1970 are detailed in the below table.
| Year | Winner | Second | Third |
| 2026 | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2025 | Smokin’ Romans | Torranzino | Ziryab |
| 2024 | Mystery Island | No Apology | Little Mix |
| 2023 | Rolls | Not Usual Glorious | Swords Drawn |
| 2022 | Witchachar Star | Nerve Not Verve | Constantinople |
| 2021 | Le Don De Vie | Heart Of Puissance | Moonlight Maid |
| 2020 | Too Close The Sun | Mirimar | Sin To Win |
| 2019 | Furrion | Sheezdashing | Divanation |
| 2018 | Gallic Chieftain | Yogi | Romanesque |
| 2017 | High Church | Observational | Unfurl |
| 2016 | Master Of Arts | Vilanova | Swacadelic |
| 2015 | Tall Ship | Arch Fire | Lucciola |
| 2014 | Akzar | Westsouthwest | Shoreham |
| 2013 | Banca Mo | Muirfield | Shiny Buttons |
| 2012 | Dance With Her | Domesky | Hurdy Gurdy Man |
| 2011 | TInamou | Niwot | Streaky Fella |
| 2010 | Hissing Sid | Cruyfforme | Light Vision |
| 2009 | Hissing Sid | Our Smokin Joe | Joontoo Gemini |
| 2008 | Video Star | Sooze | Action Plan |
| 2007 | Sarrera | Douro Valley | Sentire |
| 2006 | New Kid In Town | Satinspin | Forest Knight |
| 2005 | True Courser | Graduated | Pretorius |
| 2004 | Monde Special | Riley Redwing | Al Zimer |
| 2003 | Gunnamatta | Terminus Prince | The A Train |
| 2002 | Majestic Avenue | Condies Fair | Touch The Groom |
| 2001 | Samosiera | Loch Torrindon | Collins Street |
| 2000 | Majestic Avenue | Collins Street | Showsky |
| 1999 | Jamestown | Casino Heights | Flaming Roberto |
| 1998 | Asagain | Oregon Star | Kristalero |
| 1997 | Seattle Hawk | Sunny Lane | Mrs Krause |
| 1996 | Billingsford | True Identity | French Resort |
| 1995 | Grey Alex | Sondheim | Big Barron |
| 1994 | Placido | Charleston Party | Hoodlum |
| 1993 | Favoured Boy | True Symbol | Royal Snack |
| 1992 | Bundoor’s Best | Lord Zamazaan | Mystery Adventure |
| 1991 | Mantlepiece | Rough Seas | Favoured Boy |
| 1990 | Down The Pitch | Pressman’s Choice | Tropine Queen |
| 1989 | Friar’s Delight | Durham Rivers | Scarvila |
| 1988 | Dandy Andy | Tristaplane | Friar’s Delight |
| 1987 | Top Banner | All Spades | Skipton Town |
| 1986 | Mint Master | Hollinger | Jo’naree |
| 1985 | Nicholas John | Skipton Town | Jamaica Inn |
| 1984 | Gun For Fun | Hollinger | Rare Decision |
| 1983 | Palomine | Stookland | Show Bag |
| 1982 | Little Tipsy | Top Ware | Game Choice |
| 1981 | Top Ware | Sarfraz | Durham Town |
| 1980 | Sarfraz | Licence Fee | Top Ware |
| 1979 | Warri Symbol | Macluen | Off Hand |
| 1978 | Puramaka | Mondeverde | Sky Castle |
| 1977 | Puramaka | Drumshambo | Devereux |
| 1976 | Four Leaf | Puramaka | Java Rose |
| 1975 | Latin Reign | Flash Future | Haarle |
| 1974 | Scotch & Dry | Sheltara | Norfolk Gem |
| 1973 | Arctic Ant | The Sharper | Fair Future |
| 1972 | Van Winkle | Tetrabine | Piping Lane |
| 1971* | Race Not Held | – | – |
| 1970 | Princess Camillo | Bay Cobbler | Bojon |
* Note: There was no Warrnambool Cup run in 1971 due to a rain-affected track.
FAQ
Who won the 2025 Warrnambool Cup?
The 2025 Warrnambool Cup was won by eight-year-old Ghibellines gelding Smokin’ Romans at $9 for trainer Ciaron Maher with jockey Ben Melham aboard on 59kg from barrier 2 to win by 0.15 lengths in a time of 2:31.21.
When is the Warrnambool Cup 2026?
Thursday, May 7, 2026What is the prize money for the Warrnambool Cup 2026?
$300,000
Where is the Warrnambool Cup 2026?
Warrnambool Racecourse, 2-64 Grafton Road, Warrnambool, VIC 3280.
How do I bet on the 2026 Warrnambool Cup?
Bet online or via the latest iOS/Android apps with Ladbrokes.
The first step is to create an account at ladbrokes.com.au. The process is quick and easy!
Once you've created your account you can make a deposit via credit card, or any other of our secure payment methods.
Next up, head to the racing page and find the race and runner that's right for you.
Which horse will win the 2026 Warrnambool Cup?
The best way to pick which horse will win the Warrnambool Cup is to take into account the form, assess the barriers, and consider the weight the horse will carry (among other factors). Check out ladbrokes.com.au in the lead up to the race for full form information.