While much of the pre-race focus on the Melbourne Cup 2013 becomes about the fashion, the day’s festivities, the eccentric spectators and the spectacle, at the end of it all the ‘race that stops a nation’ is about 24 star horses.

Due to jump as Flemington Race 7 at 3:00pm (AEST) the $6 million Group 1 Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) is the richest race of its kind in the world.

The prestige and prize money, the Melbourne Cup winner taking out an incredible $3.6 million, see the capacity 24-horse Melbourne Cup field attracted the best locals, internationals and imports from around the world.

It is no different this year with the Melbourne Cup horses arguably the best we’ve seen in recent years.

Below is a quick rundown on the 24 Melbourne Cup 2013 horses so you have a little fact to say about each when they’re name is drawn at the office Melbourne Cup sweep this spring!

2013 Melbourne Cup Horses – Quick Facts

#1 – 2011 winner Dunaden ($41) will wear the No. 1 saddlecloth and jump from barrier 1 carrying the 58.5kg topweight

#2 – Reigning champ Green Moon ($34) is back in barrier 10 to defend their title

#3 – Runner-up to Duanden two years ago, Red Cadeaux ($61) has a horror barrier 23 draw this year

#4 – Owner Lloyd Williams has six horses the top fancy of which is Sea Moon ($15)

#5 – International raider Brown Panther ($19) has a gun barrier six draw and is a dour stayer with great two mile form

#6 – Current favourite in the Melbourne Cup odds is the Gai Waterhouse-trained Fiorente ($7.50) with an ace barrier five draw

#7 – Foreteller ($51) is one of two chances for top Sydney trainer Chris Waller but might not stay the distance

#8 – Early money coming for market mover Dandino ([link text=”$11″]) who is an international that debuted down under with a Caulfield Cup second

#9 – A Group 1 winner last year, Ethiopia ($81) was injured in running and finished dead last in the Melbourne Cup 12 months ago

#10 – There has been 11 winners of the Caulfield Cup – Melbourne Cup double and Fawkner ($19) is out to make it a doze

#11 – There has been three triple figure roughies to score a massive Melbourne Cup upset and Sydney Cup winner Mourayan ($126) has form to be the fourth

#12 – Lovely draw (nine) for The Metropolitan winner Seville ($17) to be ridden by Saturday’s Victoria Derby winning jockey Hugh Bowman

#13 – Trainer Mark Kavanagh won the 2009 Melbourne Cup with Shocking and has set Super Cool ($51) for this race for a long time

#14 – Gate two for another Williams-owned runner Masked Marvel ($31) out to improve on a Cox Plate 13^th

#15 – Pre-barrier draw favourite Mount Athos ($9) eased out to $9 after coming up with 22, prepared by Luca Cumani (father of the lovely Francesca) and ran fifth in this last year

#16 – Strong international presence this year including the Godophin-owned Royal Empire ([link text=”$21″]) who is out to hand connections with their maiden win, they’ve come close preparing a number of Melbourne Cup bridesmaids over the years

#17 – A few imports that run down under for the first time in the Cup including Michael Moroney’s Irish St Leger winner Voleuse De Coeurs ($15)

#18 – Horse number 18 in barrier 18, Chris Waller’s Hawkspur ($17) is out to become the first ever Melbourne Cup winner to jump from this hoodoo gate

#19 – A nice 53.5kg lightweight brings Irish raider Simenon ($20) into the mix, debuted here in the Herbert Power when third to Sea Moon and history says that first-up run gives them an advantage over internationals going straight into the Cup

#20 – There are a few underrated roughies and Ibicenco ($81) prepared by Black Caviar’s trainer Peter Moody is one, won the Geelong Cup last start and if it rains will love the mud

#21 – One of only two mares in the mix Verema ($12) is prepared by Alain de Royer Dupre who won with Americain (2010) and this fellow French visitor won the Prix Kergorlay (3000m) last start with 58.5kg, she is a 53kg lightweight in gate three

#22 – Aussie-trained mare doing it for the locals, Dear Demi ($19) boasts top form with a Caulfield Cup third followed by her Mackinnon second on Saturday, Chris Munce rides with just 51kg

#23 – French-trained import for Waterhouse, shooting for her first win, other trainers are saying Tres Blue’s ($21) form back home was outstanding and they have nothing on their back with just 51kg but out wide in 20

#24 – Horse 24 in gate 24, Ruscello ($51) is Australian-owned and staying put after this, the 50kg lightweight of the bunch and only just snuck in after their Lexus win on the weekend

Stay tuned to Races.com.au for our famous Melbourne Cup 2013 form guide and betting analysis.

In the meantime, start to use your growing knowledge on the Melbourne Cup horses to pick an early winner and back them at DOUBLE their fixed win price only online at Ladbrokes.com.au!

2013 Melbourne Cup Horses & Field

*All odds quoted are Fixed Win from Ladbrokes.com.au and subject to change