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The countdown to the 2026 Melbourne Cup is well and truly on, and as the likely field begins to take shape following third acceptances, attention has turned to the all-important Melbourne Cup 2026 jockey bookings.
With a provisional field of 24 emerging for the Group 1 $10.2 million Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on Tuesday, November 3, a number of leading local and international riders have already secured their mounts for Australia’s greatest race.
While final declarations, veterinary clearances and the 2026 Melbourne Cup barrier draw are still to come, the current list of confirmed Melbourne Cup jockeys provides a fascinating insight into how connections are approaching this year’s edition of the ‘race that stops a nation’.
International Star Power Among Melbourne Cup Jockeys
The 2026 Melbourne Cup field is set to feature some of the world’s best riders, headed by international stars Ryan Moore, Christophe Lemaire, and James McDonald.
Champion Irish jockey Ryan Moore has been booked for topweight Sons And Lovers, one of five likely runners for master Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien. The accomplished European stayer will carry 57.5kg on Australian debut as connections look to add another Melbourne Cup to an already glittering international résumé.
Sons And Lovers is currently one of a host of horses sitting around $26 in the latest all-in Melbourne Cup odds online at Ladbrokes.
Japanese superstar Christophe Lemaire returns to Melbourne Cup action aboard Japan’s leading hope Stinger Glass who is paying $17 to win the iconic two-mile showdown at time of publish. The rider famously won the race aboard Dunaden in 2011 and partners a horse with proven staying credentials over marathon distances in Japan.
Meanwhile, Melbourne Cup-winning jockey James McDonald has secured the ride on Irish raider Trustyourinstinct for O’Brien. The Curragh Cup winner is currently among the leading fancies in the market at $9 with Ladbrokes and will attempt to give McDonald his second success in the famous Flemington staying feature following his victory aboard Verry Elleegant in 2021.
Confirmed Melbourne Cup Jockeys 2026
The following rider bookings have already been confirmed for the likely Melbourne Cup field:
- Sons And Lovers (GB) – Ryan Moore
- Stinger Glass (JPN) – Christophe Lemaire
- Trustyourinstinct (IRE) – James McDonald
- Defiantly (FR) – Dylan Browne McMonagle
- Middle Earth (GB) – Mark Zahra
- Knight’s Choice – Robbie Dolan
- Juja Kibo (IRE) – Sam Clipperton
- Saint George (GB) – Blake Shinn
- Goodie Two Shoes (IRE) – Wayne Lordan
- Soul Of Spain (IRE) – Tommy Berry
- Onesmoothoperator (USA) – Declan Bates
- Zahrann (IRE) – Ben Melham
- Hopewell Rock (IRE) – Zac Lloyd
- James J Braddock (IRE) – Craig Williams
- Point Of Law (GB) – Ethan Brown
- Mr Monaco (GB) – Jabez Johnstone (a)
- Zakouma – William Pike
- Shockletz (NZ) – Harry Coffey
Several key rides remain open at the time of writing, including those aboard Vauban, Royal Supremacy, Wine Dark Sea, Asterix, and Strictly Business.
Maher Dominates the Melbourne Cup Picture
No trainer holds a stronger hand heading towards Flemington than Ciaron Maher, with eight runners currently occupying spots inside the likely Melbourne Cup field.
Among Maher’s headline chances is Point Of Law, who surged to the top of Melbourne Cup 2026 betting following his impressive Geelong Cup victory. The Frankel gelding will again be partnered by Ethan Brown, who retains the ride after steering him to a ballot-free Melbourne Cup berth.
Maher’s Cup squad also includes:
- Middle Earth (GB) – Mark Zahra
- Juja Kibo (IRE) – Sam Clipperton
- Saint George (GB) – Blake Shinn
- Zahrann (IRE) – Ben Melham
- Mr Monaco (GB) – Jabez Johnstone
- Shockletz (NZ) – Harry Coffey
- Royal Supremacy (IRE) – Rider TBC
The stable has already secured four golden tickets into the race through Point Of Law, Mr Monaco, Shockletz, and Juja Kibo, ensuring a powerful presence in the final field.
Juja Kibo Continues Fairytale Rise
One of the spring’s great stories belongs to Juja Kibo and jockey Sam Clipperton.
The Irish import secured his Melbourne Cup place by winning both The Metropolitan and Saturday’s Moonee Valley Gold Cup, earning a ballot-free exemption and firming significantly in all-in Cup betting.
Clipperton’s comeback story has added further intrigue. Eighteen months after stepping away from race riding, the popular Sydney hoop has returned to the biggest stage and now finds himself aboard one of the spring’s most improved stayers in Australia’s most famous race.
Following the Moonee Valley Gold Cup, Juja Kibo firmed from $26 into $15 in Melbourne Cup betting and now sits among the leading contenders.
Joseph O’Brien Chasing Third Melbourne Cup Triumph
Already successful with Rekindling (2017) and Twilight Payment (2020), Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien once again arrives with a formidable hand.
His likely Melbourne Cup team currently includes:
- Trustyourinstinct (IRE) – James McDonald
- Defiantly (FR) – Dylan Browne McMonagle
- Sons And Lovers (GB) – Ryan Moore
- Goodie Two Shoes (IRE) – Wayne Lordan
- James J Braddock (IRE) – Craig Williams
Among them, Defiantly earned his way to Australia with victory in the Prix Kergorlay, while Goodie Two Shoes returns after finishing runner-up in the 2025 Melbourne Cup.
The booking of Craig Williams for James J Braddock adds further intrigue, with the three-time Melbourne Cup-winning jockey hoping to add another chapter to his outstanding record in the race.
Former Melbourne Cup Winners Return
Several familiar names feature among this year’s confirmed Melbourne Cup jockeys.
Robbie Dolan renews his partnership with Knight’s Choice, the horse that delivered him Melbourne Cup glory in 2024.
Mark Zahra, a three-time Melbourne Cup-winning rider, takes the ride aboard Maher’s Middle Earth, while the aforementioned veterans of the sport, Craig Williams and James McDonald, both chase further success in Australia’s richest staying handicap.
International star Wayne Lordan also returns aboard 2025 Melbourne Cup runner-up Goodie Two Shoes, hoping to go one better this year.
Young Guns Earn Coveted Melbourne Cup Opportunities
The 2026 Melbourne Cup field also showcases the next generation of riding talent.
Outstanding young rider Zac Lloyd has secured the mount on Hopewell Rock after impressing connections during a successful riding stint in Europe.
Meanwhile apprentice Jabez Johnstone has earned a dream ride aboard Mr Monaco after guiding the stayer to victory in The Bart Cummings, which secured automatic entry into the Melbourne Cup.
At the other end of the weights, Harry Coffey partners lightweight mare Shockletz, who enters the race with just 51kg after earning exemption through her victory in the Lexus Archer Stakes and is bred to win being a daughter of 2009 Melbourne Cup champion Shocking.
Melbourne Cup Rider Bookings Still to Be Finalised
Despite the lengthy list of confirmed Melbourne Cup jockey engagements, several notable horses remain without confirmed riders.
Among those still to lock in their hoops are:
- Vauban (FR)
- Royal Supremacy (IRE)
- Wine Dark Sea (GB)
- Asterix (NZ)
- Strictly Business
Those bookings are expected to be among the final pieces of the puzzle before the field is officially declared.
The road to the 2026 Melbourne Cup continues with several key milestones still ahead:
- Final acceptances on Saturday afternoon
- Mandatory veterinary and CT scan clearances
- Remaining Melbourne Cup jockey confirmations
- The official Melbourne Cup barrier draw
- Final field declarations
Until then, Point Of Law remains the horse atop the market, Trustyourinstinct heads the international challenge, and the powerful teams of Ciaron Maher and Joseph O’Brien appear set to dominate both the field and the conversation.
For racing fans searching for the latest Melbourne Cup 2026 jockeys, confirmed Melbourne Cup riders, and Melbourne Cup jockey bookings, the picture is becoming clearer by the day as Australia’s greatest race rapidly approaches.
Melbourne Cup 2026 Odds
| 1. Point Of Law | ||
| 2. Trustyourinstinct | ||
| 3. Defiantly | ||
| 4. Saint George | ||
| 5. Shockletz | ||
| 6. James J Braddock | ||
| 7. Juja Kibo | ||
| 8. Enfjaar | ||
| 9. Hopewell Rock | ||
| 10. Stinger Glass | ||
| 11. Middle Earth | ||
| 12. Goodie Two Shoes | ||
| 13. Mr Monaco | ||
| 14. Sons And Lovers | ||
| 15. Zahrann | ||
| 16. Zakouma | ||
| 17. Kings Valley | ||
| 18. Kizlyar | ||
| 19. Knight’s Choice | ||
| 20. Pinhole | ||
| 21. So You Are | ||
| 22. Soul Of Spain | ||
| 23. The Euphrates | ||
| 24. Vauban |
