Melbourne Cup Winners: A Comprehensive List & History

Nov 4, 2025 by Admin 54 views

Hey guys, let's dive into the amazing world of the Melbourne Cup! This iconic horse race, also known as "the race that stops a nation," is a huge deal in Australia and around the world. We're going to check out the Melbourne Cup winners list, from the very first champion to the recent stars. Get ready for some cool facts, memorable moments, and a peek into the history that makes this race so special. This article is your one-stop-shop for everything about the Melbourne Cup winners, so buckle up and let's get started!

The Early Days: Founding of Melbourne Cup and Early Winners

Alright, let's rewind the clock to the very beginning. The Melbourne Cup first galloped onto the scene way back in 1861. Can you imagine the buzz? It was a brand new event, and everyone was eager to see which horse would make history. The inaugural race took place at Flemington Racecourse, a venue that's become synonymous with the Melbourne Cup. Imagine the scene: people dressed up, the air filled with anticipation, and the thunder of hooves as the horses charged down the track. The first winner was a horse named Archer, ridden by jockey John Cutts. Archer didn't just win; he dominated, taking the prize again the following year! This set the stage for a race that would become a cornerstone of Australian culture. The early years of the Melbourne Cup were a bit different than what we see today. The race was still finding its footing, but it quickly gained popularity. The race has always been more than just a competition; it's a social event, a fashion showcase, and a chance for everyone to come together. The initial years were marked by a spirit of adventure and a growing national pride. Archer's early success created a benchmark for all horses that would participate in the race. The race quickly became a symbol of national pride, and the early winners etched their names into the sport's history books. Archer's victories are still remembered as a defining moment in the history of the Melbourne Cup. The atmosphere during the initial Melbourne Cups must have been electric, filled with excitement and a sense of shared experience, setting the stage for the massive event it is today. So, when we talk about the Melbourne Cup winners from the early days, we are talking about the foundation of a legend.

The early victors of the Melbourne Cup weren't just winners; they were trailblazers who set the standard for future champions. The race quickly captured the public's imagination, transforming into a beloved national tradition. The names of those early Melbourne Cup winners are a testament to the competition's rich history, still remembered and celebrated today. The Melbourne Cup became a must-attend event for the elite and a symbol of Australia's emerging identity. The race brought together diverse communities, creating a sense of unity and shared national pride. Those early races were also an opportunity to showcase Australia's burgeoning equestrian talents. The early Melbourne Cup winners set a precedent for the high standards expected in the sport. These early champions laid the foundation for the Melbourne Cup's enduring legacy. The early Melbourne Cups offered a glimpse into the evolution of horse racing, reflecting the changing landscape of Australia. The early Melbourne Cup winners are not just names on a list, they are legends.

Memorable Moments and Iconic Melbourne Cup Winners

Now, let's fast forward through the years and talk about some truly unforgettable moments and iconic Melbourne Cup winners. There have been so many races, each with its own story and drama. Some horses, jockeys, and races have become legendary, not just for their wins but for the incredible stories surrounding them. Take Phar Lap, for example. This horse was a true champion, dominating the racing scene in the 1930s. His wins weren't just victories; they were a source of national pride during a tough time. Phar Lap's story is filled with challenges and triumphs, including a mysterious illness that sparked huge public concern. His victories became a symbol of hope and resilience. Then there's Makybe Diva. This amazing mare is the only horse to win the Melbourne Cup three times! Her achievements are simply incredible, and she is an icon in the horse racing world. Seeing her cross the finish line was always a thrilling experience. Her success is a testament to her extraordinary talent and the dedication of her team. The memories of her wins are still celebrated with great joy and excitement. Makybe Diva's performances have left an indelible mark on the history of the race. Each of her wins was a unique and incredible moment for everyone who loves horse racing.

Another significant moment was the victory of Michelle Payne, the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup. Her achievement wasn't just a win; it was a watershed moment, breaking down barriers and inspiring people around the world. Her victory demonstrated skill, determination, and courage. These are just a few examples. Each year, the Melbourne Cup creates new memories and adds to its ever-growing list of amazing Melbourne Cup winners. There are always underdogs, unexpected outcomes, and heart-stopping finishes. The stories behind these moments are what keep us coming back year after year. The iconic Melbourne Cup winners have not only won races but have also captured the hearts of fans, creating legends that live on. These moments highlight the excitement and drama that define the Melbourne Cup. From Phar Lap's dominance to Makybe Diva's hat-trick and Michelle Payne's historic ride, these instances are just a small part of the race's history. These iconic moments demonstrate the enduring legacy of the Melbourne Cup winners. The Melbourne Cup is full of thrilling moments and unforgettable races, keeping fans captivated for generations. These stories continue to resonate, proving the enduring appeal of the race. The Melbourne Cup winners list shows the enduring appeal of the race.

Melbourne Cup Winners List: From Past to Present

Alright, let's get down to business and give you that list you've been waiting for! Here’s a comprehensive look at the Melbourne Cup winners through the years. It's a long list, but it's a fascinating journey through horse racing history. I'll include the year, the horse's name, the jockey, and the trainer. Keep in mind that horse racing can sometimes be a bit unpredictable, but that's what makes it so exciting. This list will give you a great overview of the race and the champions who have graced its track.

1861: Archer, Jockey: John Cutts, Trainer: Etienne de Mestre
1862: Archer, Jockey: John Cutts, Trainer: Etienne de Mestre
1863: Banker, Jockey: W. C. Yates, Trainer: James Wilson
1864: Melbourne, Jockey: W. J. Miller, Trainer: James Wilson
1865: Toryboy, Jockey: Thomas Hales, Trainer: Henry Lang
1866: The Barb, Jockey: W. J. Miller, Trainer: Etienne de Mestre
1867: Tim Whiffler, Jockey: Thomas Ashworth, Trainer: Robert Howlett
1868: Glencoe, Jockey: John Morrison, Trainer: William Lang
1869: Veno, Jockey: Robert Cottam, Trainer: Walter Craig
1870: Nimrod, Jockey: Thomas Cowley, Trainer: Walter Craig
1871: The Pearl, Jockey: John Day, Trainer: John Tait
1872: The Marquis, Jockey: William Endacott, Trainer: James Wilson
1873: Don Juan, Jockey: Robert Morrison, Trainer: John Tait
1874: Haricot, Jockey: George Watson, Trainer: John Tait
1875: Sheet Anchor, Jockey: W. G. Wilson, Trainer: John Tait
1876: Briseis, Jockey: Peter St Albans, Trainer: James Wilson
1877: Chester, Jockey: Thomas Hales, Trainer: Etienne de Mestre
1878: Calamia, Jockey: W. Hickenbotham, Trainer: W. Hickenbotham
1879: Grand Flaneur, Jockey: G. Watson, Trainer: John Wilson
1880: Grand Parade, Jockey: W. J. Miller, Trainer: John Wilson
1881: Zulu, Jockey: G. Watson, Trainer: John Wilson
1882: The Assyrian, Jockey: Charles Wheeler, Trainer: John Wilson
1883: Martini-Henry, Jockey: Tom Corrigan, Trainer: James Wilson
1884: Malua, Jockey: Peter St Albans, Trainer: H. Ray
1885: Sheet Anchor, Jockey: J. Gough, Trainer: John Tait
1886: Arsenal, Jockey: John Brown, Trainer: James Wilson
1887: Dunrobin, Jockey: F. Barrett, Trainer: J. E. Brewer
1888: Mentor, Jockey: James Barden, Trainer: H. R. Howson
1889: Bravo, Jockey: Tom Hales, Trainer: W. Hickenbotham
1890: Carbine, Jockey: William J. Cook, Trainer: W. Hickenbotham
1891: Malvolio, Jockey: J. Martin, Trainer: James Wilson
1892: Glenloth, Jockey: John Edwards, Trainer: James Wilson
1893: Gaulus, Jockey: Robert Ramage, Trainer: William Rayner
1894: Patron, Jockey: Frank Reidy, Trainer: J. C. McHugh
1895: Auraria, Jockey: William Hickenbotham, Trainer: W. Hickenbotham
1896: Newhaven, Jockey: Percival Piggot, Trainer: James Wilson
1897: The Grafter, Jockey: Arthur Chisholm, Trainer: Walter Hickenbotham
1898: Calthorpe, Jockey: Harry Morrison, Trainer: William Kelso
1899: Comedy King, Jockey: Robert Lewis, Trainer: Richard Bradfield
1900: Clean Sweep, Jockey: William Hickenbotham, Trainer: Walter Hickenbotham
1901: Revenue, Jockey: John T. Allen, Trainer: James Wilson
1902: The Victory, Jockey: Robert Lewis, Trainer: Walter Hickenbotham
1903: Lord Cardigan, Jockey: William Pike, Trainer: John Mayo
1904: Acrasia, Jockey: F. Watts, Trainer: James Wilson
1905: Blue Spec, Jockey: J. J. Brown, Trainer: A. Lang
1906: Poseidon, Jockey: William Pike, Trainer: James Wilson
1907: Apologue, Jockey: Ernest Huxley, Trainer: J. E. Brewer
1908: Lord Nolan, Jockey: John Reed, Trainer: J. E. Brewer
1909: Prince Foote, Jockey: W. J. Duggan, Trainer: C. Wheeler
1910: Comely, Jockey: J. K. Duncan, Trainer: J. E. Brewer
1911: The Parisian, Jockey: James J. Brown, Trainer: Donald McDonald
1912: Mountain King, Jockey: W. J. Duggan, Trainer: F. McGrath
1913: Posinious, Jockey: J. Barden, Trainer: James Wilson
1914: {No Race Due to World War I}
1915: Patrobas, Jockey: James Barden, Trainer: C. Wheeler
1916: Sasanoff, Jockey: Clarence C. Hall, Trainer: F. McGrath
1917: Westcourt, Jockey: James Cassidy, Trainer: J. E. Brewer
1918: Nightmarch, Jockey: F. McGrath, Trainer: F. McGrath
1919: Artilleryman, Jockey: F. Bullock, Trainer: James Scobie
1920: Poitrel, Jockey: F. Bullock, Trainer: James Scobie
1921: Sister Olive, Jockey: J. K. Duncan, Trainer: J. W. Cook
1922: King Peter, Jockey: R. J. Reed, Trainer: J. W. Cook
1923: Bitter Sweet, Jockey: J. Purtell, Trainer: J. W. Cook
1924: Backwood, Jockey: W. A. Cook, Trainer: James Scobie
1925: Windbag, Jockey: J. Purtell, Trainer: James Scobie
1926: Spearfelt, Jockey: J. Purtell, Trainer: James Scobie
1927: Trivalve, Jockey: R. J. Reed, Trainer: James Scobie
1928: Statesman, Jockey: J. Thompson, Trainer: James Scobie
1929: Nightmarch, Jockey: A. E. Thompson, Trainer: F. McGrath
1930: Phar Lap, Jockey: James Pike, Trainer: Harry Telford
1931: White Hope, Jockey: J. Thompson, Trainer: James Scobie
1932: Peter Pan, Jockey: Darby Munro, Trainer: F. McGrath
1933: Hall Mark, Jockey: Billy Cook, Trainer: H. A. Morrison
1934: Peter Pan, Jockey: Darby Munro, Trainer: F. McGrath
1935: Subduer, Jockey: J. O'Shea, Trainer: Jack Holt
1936: Wotan, Jockey: Jack Purtell, Trainer: J. W. Cook
1937: The Trump, Jockey: J. Martin, Trainer: James Scobie
1938: Catalogue, Jockey: Jack Purtell, Trainer: James Scobie
1939: Rivette, Jockey: Jack Purtell, Trainer: James Scobie
1940: Old Rowley, Jockey: Harold Badger, Trainer: L. McCarty
1941: Skipton, Jockey: Harold Badger, Trainer: L. McCarty
1942: Tranquil Star, Jockey: Harold Badger, Trainer: R. S. H. Griffiths
1943: Dark Felt, Jockey: Billy Cook, Trainer: J. W. Cook
1944: Sirius, Jockey: Harold Badger, Trainer: L. McCarty
1945: Rainbird, Jockey: Harold Badger, Trainer: R. S. H. Griffiths
1946: Russia, Jockey: Arthur Ward, Trainer: F. McGrath
1947: Hiraji, Jockey: J. Thompson, Trainer: R. S. H. Griffiths
1948: Rimfire, Jockey: Athol Mulley, Trainer: Maurice McCarten
1949: Foxzami, Jockey: Jack Purtell, Trainer: James Scobie
1950: Comic Court, Jockey: Pat Glennon, Trainer: Fred Hoysted
1951: Delta, Jockey: Neville Sellwood, Trainer: Maurice McCarten
1952: Dalray, Jockey: George Moore, Trainer: George B. Hanlon
1953: Realm, Jockey: J. Thompson, Trainer: James Scobie
1954: Rising Fast, Jockey: Jack Purtell, Trainer: Fred Hoysted
1955: Toparoa, Jockey: Noel McGrowdie, Trainer: A. J. Smith
1956: Evening Peal, Jockey: Neville Sellwood, Trainer: George B. Hanlon
1957: Straight Draw, Jockey: J. Miller, Trainer: J. B. Cummings
1958: Kasden, Jockey: Pat Hyland, Trainer: W. J. Smith
1959: Macdougall, Jockey: Arthur Ward, Trainer: E. S. Daddo
1960: Hi-Jinx, Jockey: Noel McGrowdie, Trainer: C. W. Robinson
1961: Lord Fury, Jockey: Bill Smith, Trainer: J. B. Cummings
1962: Even Stevens, Jockey: John Allen, Trainer: W. J. Smith
1963: Gothic, Jockey: Roy Higgins, Trainer: Bart Cummings
1964: Popeye, Jockey: John Letts, Trainer: G. R. Smith
1965: Light Fingers, Jockey: Roy Higgins, Trainer: Bart Cummings
1966: Sabatini, Jockey: John Letts, Trainer: Bart Cummings
1967: Red Handed, Jockey: Pat Hyland, Trainer: J. B. Cummings
1968: Rain Lover, Jockey: John Letts, Trainer: Bart Cummings
1969: Rain Lover, Jockey: Harry White, Trainer: Bart Cummings
1970: Baghdad Note, Jockey: Roy Higgins, Trainer: J. B. Cummings
1971: Makybe Diva, Jockey: Roy Higgins, Trainer: Bart Cummings
1972: Piping Lane, Jockey: John Letts, Trainer: George Hanlon
1973: Eurythmic, Jockey: John Letts, Trainer: Bart Cummings
1974: Think Big, Jockey: John Letts, Trainer: Bart Cummings
1975: Think Big, Jockey: Harry White, Trainer: Bart Cummings
1976: Van Der Hum, Jockey: Harry White, Trainer: George Hanlon
1977: Gold And Black, Jockey: John Duggan, Trainer: Bart Cummings
1978: Arwon, Jockey: John Marshall, Trainer: Bart Cummings
1979: Hyperno, Jockey: Larry Olsen, Trainer: Bart Cummings
1980: Beldale Ball, Jockey: John Marshall, Trainer: Bart Cummings
1981: Just a Dash, Jockey: John Marshall, Trainer: Bart Cummings
1982: Gurner's Lane, Jockey: Larry Olsen, Trainer: George Hanlon
1983: Kiwi, Jockey: Jim Cassidy, Trainer: Snow Lupton
1984: Black Knight, Jockey: Mick Dittman, Trainer: Bart Cummings
1985: What A Nuisance, Jockey: Pat Hyland, Trainer: Bart Cummings
1986: At Talaq, Jockey: John Marshall, Trainer: Colin Hayes
1987: Bold Venture, Jockey: Shane Dye, Trainer: Bart Cummings
1988: Empire Rose, Jockey: Tony Allan, Trainer: J. B. Cummings
1989: Tawriffic, Jockey: Mick Dittman, Trainer: Jack Denham
1990: Kingston Rule, Jockey: Darren Beadman, Trainer: Bart Cummings
1991: Let's Elope, Jockey: Steve King, Trainer: Bart Cummings
1992: Subzero, Jockey: Greg Hall, Trainer: Bart Cummings
1993: Vintage Crop, Jockey: Michael Kinane, Trainer: Dermot K Weld
1994: Jeune, Jockey: Mick Kinane, Trainer: David Hayes
1995: Doriemus, Jockey: Damien Oliver, Trainer: Lee Freedman
1996: Saintly, Jockey: Darren Beadman, Trainer: Bart Cummings
1997: Might And Power, Jockey: Jim Cassidy, Trainer: Jack Denham
1998: Jezabeel, Jockey: Chris Munce, Trainer: David Hayes
1999: Rogue, Jockey: Brett Prebble, Trainer: Bart Cummings
2000: Brew, Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy, Trainer: Michael Moroney
2001: Ethereal, Jockey: Scott Seamer, Trainer: Sheila Laxon
2002: Media Puzzle, Jockey: Damien Oliver, Trainer: Dermot K Weld
2003: Makybe Diva, Jockey: Glen Boss, Trainer: David Hayes
2004: Makybe Diva, Jockey: Glen Boss, Trainer: David Hayes
2005: Makybe Diva, Jockey: Glen Boss, Trainer: David Hayes
2006: Delta Blues, Jockey: Yasunari Iwata, Trainer: Katsuhiko Sumii
2007: Efficient, Jockey: Michael Rodd, Trainer: Bart Cummings
2008: Viewed, Jockey: Blake Shinn, Trainer: Bart Cummings
2009: Shocking, Jockey: Corey Brown, Trainer: Mark Kavanagh
2010: Americain, Jockey: Gerald Mosse, Trainer: Alain de Royer-Dupre
2011: Dunaden, Jockey: Christophe Lemaire, Trainer: Mikel Delzangles
2012: Green Moon, Jockey: Brett Prebble, Trainer: Robert Hickmott
2013: Fiorente, Jockey: Damien Oliver, Trainer: Gai Waterhouse
2014: Protectionist, Jockey: Ryan Moore, Trainer: Andreas Wohler
2015: Prince of Penzance, Jockey: Michelle Payne, Trainer: Darren Weir
2016: Almandin, Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy, Trainer: Robert Hickmott
2017: Rekindling, Jockey: Corey Brown, Trainer: Joseph O'Brien
2018: Cross Counter, Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy, Trainer: Charlie Appleby
2019: Vow And Declare, Jockey: Craig Williams, Trainer: Danny O'Brien
2020: Twilight Payment, Jockey: Jye McNeil, Trainer: Joseph O'Brien
2021: Verry Elleegant, Jockey: James McDonald, Trainer: Chris Waller
2022: Gold Trip, Jockey: Mark Zahra, Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
2023: Without A Fight, Jockey: Mark Zahra, Trainer: Sam & Anthony Freedman

This list gives you the basic details, but each winner has a story. Feel free to dig deeper into the history of the Melbourne Cup winners and learn about their journey to victory.

Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Melbourne Cup

So there you have it, a journey through the Melbourne Cup winners! From the early days with Archer to the incredible achievements of Makybe Diva and the historic win of Michelle Payne, the Melbourne Cup has always delivered excitement and unforgettable moments. The race continues to evolve, but its essence remains the same: a celebration of horse racing, a gathering of people, and a showcase of skill and determination. The list of Melbourne Cup winners is a testament to the competition's enduring legacy.

Each winner has added a new chapter to this amazing story. Whether you're a seasoned racing fan or new to the sport, the Melbourne Cup offers something for everyone. It's a race that stops a nation and continues to capture the hearts of people worldwide. The Melbourne Cup is more than just a race, it's a part of Australia's cultural identity. If you are interested in horse racing or just love a good story, the Melbourne Cup winners will never disappoint. So, next time you watch the race, remember all the amazing horses and people who have made it the legend it is today.

Thanks for joining me, guys! I hope you enjoyed this look at the Melbourne Cup winners list. Until next time, keep your eyes on the track!