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Bet on the 2025 Melbourne Cup Field

To bet on the potential runners in the 2025 Melbourne Cup field head to Ladbrokes.com.au via the links the table below.

Melbourne Cup 2025 Results

Flemington R7

Final Race time: 

1st 14. Half Yours (8) J: Jamie Melham 53kg T: Tony & Calvin McEvoy	9.00WIN	3.50PLACE
2nd 20. Goodie Two Shoes (20) J: W M Lordan 51.5kg T: Joseph O'Brien	31.00WIN	8.50PLACE
3rd 7. Middle Earth (13) J: Ethan Brown 54.5kg T: Ciaron Maher	26.00WIN	8.00PLACE
4th 21. River Of Stars (14) J: Beau Mertens 51.5kg T: Chris Waller	19.00WIN	6.00PLACE
5th 23. Torranzino (18) J: Celine Gaudray 51kg T: Paul Preusker	34.00WIN	9.00PLACE
6th 4. Vauban (2) J: Blake Shinn 56.5kg T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott	21.00WIN	6.50PLACE
7th 1. Al Riffa (19) J: Mark Zahra 59kg T: Joseph O'Brien	7.50WIN	3.10PLACE
8th 9. Absurde (4) J: Kerrin McEvoy 53.5kg T: Willie Mullins	19.00WIN	6.00PLACE
9th 13. Changingoftheguard (24) J: Tim Clark 53kg T: Kris Lees	61.00WIN	14.00PLACE
10th 8. Meydaan (22) J: James McDonald 54kg T: Simon & Ed Crisford	26.00WIN	7.50PLACE
11th 17. Furthur (7) J: Michael Dee 52kg T: Andrew Balding	41.00WIN	11.00PLACE
12th 3. Arapaho (15) J: Rachel King 56.5kg T: Bjorn Baker	31.00WIN	8.50PLACE
13th 10. Flatten The Curve (17) J: Thore Hammer-Hansen 53.5kg T: Henk Grewe	21.00WIN	6.50PLACE
14th 12. Smokin' Romans (11) J: Ben Melham 53.5kg T: Ciaron Maher	67.00WIN	15.00PLACE
15th 22. Royal Supremacy (21) J: Robbie Dolan 51kg T: Ciaron Maher	34.00WIN	8.50PLACE
16th 24. Valiant King (10) J: Jye McNeil 51kg T: Chris Waller	9.50WIN	3.70PLACE
18th 15. More Felons (23) J: Tommy Berry 53kg T: Chris Waller	41.00WIN	11.00PLACE
19th 6. Presage Nocturne (9) J: Stephane Pasquier 55.5kg T: Alessandro Botti	5.50WIN	2.80PLACE
20th 18. Parchment Party (3) J: John R Velazquez 52kg T: William I Mott	71.00WIN	14.00PLACE
21st 19. Athabascan (1) J: Declan Bates 51.5kg T: John O'Shea & Tom Charlton	61.00WIN	15.00PLACE
22nd 11. Land Legend (16) J: Joao Moreira 53.5kg T: Chris Waller	61.00WIN	14.00PLACE
23rd 5. Chevalier Rose (5) J: Damian Lane 55.5kg T: Hisashi Shimizu	51.00WIN	13.00PLACE
24th 2. Buckaroo (12) J: Craig Williams 57kg T: Chris Waller	14.00WIN	4.60PLACE

For current odds on all of our live racing markets, please visit www.ladbrokes.com.au/racing. Data retrieved: 05/11/2025 12:43:35 AM (Australia/Brisbane)

View Results

The Melbourne Cup field is made up of the world’s best staying types with both local Australian gallopers and international raiders fighting it out for the richest handicap prize every November.

Held on the first Tuesday of November each year at Melbourne’s famous Flemington Racecourse the Melbourne Cup field features a capacity 24 starters and has no emergencies.

Every spring the Melbourne Cup field of final acceptances is released on the Saturday before Melbourne Cup Day. The live announcement of the Melbourne Cup field is made from Flemington at around 6:00pm (local time), with the official Melbourne Cup final acceptances closing to connections at 4:30pm (AEDT) after the action of Victoria Derby Day.

2025 Melbourne Cup Field

The Melbourne Cup 2025 Field & Barriers will be published below as soon as the final 24 Melbourne Cup horses are confirmed by Racing Victoria on the Saturday prior to Melbourne Cup Day – Saturday November 1st, 2025. 

The official Lexus Melbourne Cup 2025 final field and barriers are now out with Caulfield Cup winner Half Yours the narrow favourite drawn well in barrier 8.

Click here for a full run down on the 2025 Melbourne Cup field and barriers.

Click here for the complete 2025 Melbourne Cup Barrier Draw Statistics.

2025 Melbourne Cup Field Dates

2025 Melbourne Cup field and nomination announcement dates:

• 2025 Melbourne Cup Nominations: Closed on Tuesday September 2, 2025 @ 12:00pm (Melbourne time) – attracted 120 nominations including 19 internationals. 
• 2025 Melbourne Cup Late Entries: Close on Tuesday September 9, 2025 @ 12:00pm (Melbourne time).
• 2025 Melbourne Cup First Declarations: Closed on Tuesday, September 30, 2025 @ 12:00pm (Melbourne time) – 66 remaining hopefuls.
• 2025 Melbourne Cup Handicaps: Weights were declared Tuesday, September 16, 2025 – Via Sistina & Al Riffa equal 59kg topweights. 
• 2025 Melbourne Cup Second Declarations: Closed on Tuesday October 14, 2025 @ 12:00pm – 51 remain after 2 subsequent withdrawals from the original 53 second acceptances taken. 
• 2025 Melbourne Cup Third Declarations: Closed on Monday October 27, 2025 @ 12:00pm (Melbourne time) – 40 remaining runners including 11 internationals.
• 2025 Melbourne Cup Final Field: Announced Saturday November 1, 2025, at 4:30pm (Melbourne time) on Victoria Derby Day.
• 2025 Melbourne Cup Barrier Draw: Takes place on Saturday November 1, 2025, at 6:30pm (Melbourne time) following the Derby Day racing.

2025 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 2025 field this spring.

Click here to view the likely 2025 Melbourne Cup field following the Cox Plate Day race results and third acceptances.

2025 Melbourne Cup Jockeys

The confirmed 2025 Melbourne Cup jockeys will be updated below as connections lock in a rider for their Melbourne Cup contenders.

The Melbourne Cup 2025 riders must be declared by 4:30pm (local time) on Saturday the 1st of November 2025. 

See what jockeys have locked in a ride aboard one of the 24 Melbourne Cup horses this spring.

Confirmed 2025 Melbourne Cup Jockeys

• Mark Zahra – Al Riffa (Joseph O’Brien)
• Damian Lane – Chevalier Rose (Hisashi Shimizu)
• John Velazquez – Parchment Party (William Mott)
• Celine Gaudray – Torranzino (Paul Preusker)
• James McDonald – Meydaan (Simon & Ed Crisford)
• Rachel King – Arapaho (Bjorn Baker)
• Kerrin McEvoy – Absurde (Willie Mullins)
• Thore Hammer-Hansen  – Flatten The Curve (Henk Grewe)
• Jamie Melham – Half Yours (Tony & Calvin McEvoy
• Stephane Pasquier – Presage Nocturne (Alessandro Botti)
• Blake Shinn – Vauban (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott)
• Ethan Brown – Middle Earth (Ciaron Maher)
• Tim Clark – Changingoftheguard (Kris Lees)
• Tommy Berry – More Felons (Chris Waller)
• Michale Dee – Furthur (Andrew Balding)
• Harry Coffey – Onesmoothoperator (Brian Ellison)
• Declan Bates – Athabascan (John O’Shea & Tom Charlton)
• Wayne Lordan – Goodie Two Shoes (Joseph O’Brien)
• Beau Mertens – River Of Stars (Chris Waller)
• Robbie Dolan – Royal Supremacy (Ciaron Maher)
• Jye McNeil – Valiant King (Chris Waller)
• Craig Williams – Buckaroo (Chris Waller)
• Ben Melham – Smokin’ Romans (Ciaron Maher)
• Joao Moreira – Land Legend (Chris Waller)

Mark Zahra to ride Al Riffa: Zahra has been locked in to ride the 59kg topweight, Irish raider Al Riffa, in his bid at a third Melbourne Cup trophy in four years. Zahra famously went back-to-back on Gold Trip (2022) and Without A Fight (2023) and gets a chance to partner one of the best in betting in 2025 with Joesph O’Brien’s galloper coming off a dominant four-length win in the Group 1 Irish St Leger to stamp his credentials as a genuine Cup contender.

John Velazuez to ride Parchment Party: American Hall of Fame jockey Velazuez will be down under for the historic ride on Parchment Party when William Mott’s Belmont Gold Cup winner becomes the first US trained horse to contest the Melbourne Cup.

Damian Lane to ride Chevalier Rose: Lane is set to partner Hisashi Shimizu’s Japanese raider in the Cup field with the veteran Deep Impact eight-year-old a proven Group 2 winner up to 3600m.

Celine Gaudray to ride Torranzino: Gaudry will make her Melbourne Cup debut aboard Torranzino after the duo combined to claim a golden ticket entry into the ‘race that stops a nation’ via a Ladbrokes Geelong Cup upset on October 23.

James McDonald to ride Meydaan: J-Mac has been confirmed as the new rider for UK raider Meydaan. Meydaan, a five-year-old by Frankel, was previously ridden by Andrea Atzeni in the Caulfield Cup, where he finished ninth after a tough run caught three-wide from barrier five. Despite missing Derby Day to ride Autumn Glow in the $10 million Golden Eagle, McDonald will be at Flemington for Cup week and now takes over the reins on Meydaan.

Rachel King to ride Arapaho: Rachel King has been confirmed to ride Arapaho in the 2025 Melbourne Cup. The experienced jockey reunites with the Bjorn Baker-trained stayer, who earned his spot in the Cup field after consistent performances this spring. Arapaho, known for his staying ability and toughness highlighted by his Sydney Cup win, will be looking to improve on his previous Cup effort when 11^th to Gold Trip in 2022, and King’s familiarity with the horse is a major asset heading into the big race.

Kerrin McEvoy to ride Absurde: McEvoy has been confirmed to ride Absurde, teaming up with the Willie Mullins-trained Irish stayer who’s back for his third crack at the race after finishing seventh in 2023 and fifth in 2024. McEvoy, a three-time Cup winner, was impressed with Absurde during trackwork at Werribee, noting the gelding’s sharpness and maturity. Absurde arrived off a strong third in the Irish St. Leger and comes in via a Caulfield Cup 7th.

Thore Hammer-Hansen to ride Flatten The Curve: Thore Hammer-Hansen has been confirmed to ride German raider Flatten The Curve in Cup. The Danish-born jockey, who’s been making waves in Australia, will partner the dour stayer trained by Henk Grewe. Flatten The Curve is proven up to 3700m overseas and recently won back-to-back races over two miles or further including a 3319m event by 5.5 lengths with 57kg back in August.

Jamie Melham to ride Half Yours: Jamie Melham is confirmed to ride Half Yours who is out to become just the 13^th horse in history to complete the Spring Cups double. The pairing comes off a historic win in the Caulfield Cup, where Melham became the first female jockey to claim victory in the prestigious 2400m spring major. Half Yours, trained by Tony and Calvin McEvoy, surged late to win the Caulfield Cup and earned a 2kg penalty for the Melbourne Cup, lifting his weight from 51kg to 53kg. Despite the added impost, connections have declared it’s “all systems go” for the Cup, with Melham retaining the ride.

Stephane Pasquier to ride Presage Nocturne: Pasquier will continue his partnership with the French-trained stayer after a strong showing in the Caulfield Cup. Presage Nocturne, trained by Alessandro Botti, finished a credible fourth in the 2025 Caulfield Cup, and connections have expressed confidence in his progression heading into the Melbourne Cup. The grey son of Wootton Bassett has built a solid record in Europe and now looks to peak over two miles at Flemington. Pasquier, a seasoned international jockey, retains the ride after guiding the horse through his Australian campaign, and the pair will be looking to improve on their Caulfield effort with a strong staying test in the Cup.

Blake Shinn to ride Vauban: Shinn, who rode Viewed to victory in the 2008 Melbourne Cup, will partner Irish import Vauban in the 2025 race for the Waterhouse & Bott yard. Vauban has his third Melbourne Cup tilt after a 14^th in 2023 and 11^th last year when prepared by Willie Mullins.

Ethan Brown to ride Middle Earth: Brown partnered Ciaron Maher’s import Middle Earth to finish third in the Group 3 JRA Cup at Moonee Valley, reigniting the import’s Melbourne Cup ambitions. Brown sticks aboard for the two-mile classic with Middle Earth sure to appreciate a drop in weight from 60kg to 54.5kg.

Tim Clark to ride Changingoftheguard: Clark has been confirmed to ride Changingoftheguard for trainer Kris Lees, adding another seasoned Group 1 jockey to the lineup for this year’s race. Changingoftheguard, an Irish import formerly trained by Aidan O’Brien, has won just one of his starts in Australia to date in the Listed Tatt’s Cup over 2400m at Randwick in early September and was last seen crossing fourth with 60kg behind Torranzino in the Geelong Cup.

Tommy Berry to ride More Felons: Berry has been booked to continue associations with More Felons having ridden the import for his three latest starts this prep. Trained by Chris Waller, More Felons has been steadily building toward the two-mile test at Flemington having shown promise since arriving in Australia including a strong finish in the Group 1 The Metrop (4^th) only 1.34 lengths beaten and fourth again in the Group 3 St Leger over 2600m at Randwick on October 18.

Michael Dee to ride Furthur: Dee has been confirmed to ride Furthur for British trainer Andrew Balding. The Group 3 winning grey, who races as a four-year-old down under, is one of the emerging international contenders targeting the 3200m Flemington feature. The young horse has shown solid staying form in Europe and arrives in Australia with a progressive profile suited to the Cup’s testing distance. Dee, a Caulfield Cup and Victoria Derby-winning rider, brings tactical versatility and big-race experience to the partnership.

Harry Coffey to ride Onesmoothoperator: Onesmoothoperator, trained in the UK by Brian Ellison, secured his place in the Melbourne Cup field with a dominant win in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup on Cox Plate eve. Mark Zahra guided the gelding to victory with a cold ride from the back, slicing through the field to win eased down — a performance that earned the horse a 1kg penalty, lifting his Cup weight to 53kg, but it is Coffey who will be aboard for the 3200m feature.

Declan Bates to ride Athabascan: Bates has been confirmed to ride OTI Racing’s Athabascan in Cup, securing a key booking for the John O’Shea and Tom Charlton-trained stayer. Athabascan earned his place in the Cup field with his strong run for second behind Onesmoothoperator in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup atoning for his three previous unplaced spring performances.

Wayne Lordan to ride Goodie Two Shoes: Lordan has been confirmed to ride Goodie Two Shoes teaming up with trainer Joseph O’Brien for another tilt at Australia’s greatest race. Fastnet Rock mare Goodie Two Shoes, one of two Cup runners for O’Brien alongside current race favourite Al Riffa, arrives in Melbourne as an outsider in the market but with solid European staying form. Lordan’s booking adds experience with the Irish jockey having previously ridden in major races across the globe. While Al Riffa is the stable’s headline act, Goodie Two Shoes has been working well at Werribee quarantine and is expected to relish the step up to 3200m at Flemington as she’s proven up to 3419m in Europe.

Beau Mertens to ride River Of Stars: Mertens is locked in to partner Chris Waller’s Sea the Stars mare continuing his association with the seven-year-old import after partnering her huge Caulfield Cup second earlier this spring when only a half-length beaten as a 90/1 outsider. River Of Stars has emerged as a genuine staying prospect this campaign and produced a bold front-running effort in the 2025 Caulfield Cup, leading into the first turn under Mertens before being overhauled late by Half Yours. Despite finishing second, the performance was full of merit and earned her a spot in the Melbourne Cup field.

Robbie Dolan to ride Royal Supremacy: Dolan is confirmed to ride Royal Supremacy in stepping in after his original mount, Knight’s Choice, was ruled out due to a stable illness. Dolan, who famously won the 2024 Melbourne Cup aboard Knight’s Choice at odds of $91, will now partner Royal Supremacy, the Group 1 The Metropolitan winner in Sydney. Maher’s Irish-bred stayer surged into Cup contention with a powerful win at Randwick, showcasing a sharp turn of foot and strong staying ability over 2400m before a credible Caulfield Cup fifth.

Jye McNeil to ride Valiant King: McNeil will partner the flying Chris Waller trained Valiant King, continuing his association with the in-form stayer after guiding him to victory in The Bart Cummings. The Roaring Lion grey secured his place in the Melbourne Cup field with a dominant win in the Group 3 Bart Cummings (2520m) at Flemington, where McNeil produced a perfectly timed ride to storm home from off the pace and win by 2¾ lengths. That victory granted the five-year-old a ballot exemption, locking in his spot for the 3200m feature on Tuesday. McNeil, who famously won the 2020 Melbourne Cup aboard Twilight Payment, brings proven Cup-winning credentials and a calm tactical style that suits Valiant King’s strong-finishing profile. The pair will be aiming to replicate their Flemington success on the biggest stage of all. Valiant King went on to run the ideal lead-up when third in the Caulfield Cup.

Craig Williams to ride Buckaroo: Williams is confirmed to ride Buckaroo taking the reins of the Cox Plate runner-up for trainer Chris Waller. Buckaroo surged into Melbourne Cup contention after a gallant second-place finish behind Via Sistina in the Ladbrokes Cox Plate, prompting part-owner Ozzie Kheir to push for a Cup campaign. With his form peaking and a strong spring preparation that includes placings in the Underwood Stakes (2^nd) and Might And Power (3^rd), Buckaroo now shapes as a serious threat over 3200m at Flemington. Williams, a Melbourne Cup-winning jockey aboard Vow And Declare in 2019, will ride Buckaroo on 57kg.

Ben Melham to ride Smokin’ Romans: Melham is confirmed to ride Smokin’ Romans in reuniting with the Ciaron Maher-trained stayer for another crack at the two-mile classic. Smokin’ Romans, a seasoned campaigner and former Group 1 Turnbull Stakes winner from 2022, has earned his place in the Cup field following consistent performances throughout the spring. Most recently, he contested the Moonee Valley Gold Cup, where Melham partnered him over 2500m, finishing eighth behind Onesmoothoperator.

Joao Moreira to ride Land Legend: Brazilian star Moreira will partner Land Legend for Chris Waller in the 2025 Melbourne Cup, continuing his association with the lightly weighted stayer who is out to atone for back-to-back last place efforts in the Turnbull (14th) and Caulfield Cup (18th).

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Of course, betting on the Melbourne Cup field opens at bookies around the country including Ladbrokes.com.au before even the Melbourne Cup nominations are taken.

Melbourne Cup odds are open nearly all year round with futures betting offering great prices, the favourite paying over $20, for those that want to get in on the action early.

To check out the latest Melbourne Cup betting markets for this year’s showdown head to Ladbrokes.com.au, the country’s most trusted bookie for Melbourne Cup odds.

It is a long process to whittle down all the hopeful horses to reveal the official Melbourne Cup field. Things start in late August or early September when the Melbourne Cup nominations are taken, with numbers usually exceeding 150 early entries. First declaration stage narrows down the number of Melbourne Cup horses a month later at the start of October by as much as half. Second declarations follow about three weeks on at the end of October before the final declaration or acceptance stage on Victoria Derby Day.

2025 Melbourne Cup Third Acceptances

The 2025 Melbourne Cup third acceptances will be published below once announced by Racing Victoria (RV) on Monday the 27th of October 2025 at midday local time.

The Lexus Melbourne Cup 2025 third acceptances have left 40 remaining hopefuls including the Joesph O’Brien trained favourite and 59kg topweight Al Riffa to be ridden by Mark Zahra and Chris Waller’s Cox Plate runner-up Buckaroo who will be partnered by Craig Williams.

Click here to read more on the official 2025 Melbourne Cup third acceptors.

2025 Melbourne Cup Third Acceptances: Quick Glance

• 40 third acceptors
• 11 remaining international raiders led by 59kg top weight Al Riffa
• Al Riffa leads the latest all-in Melbourne Cup betting markets at $6 through Ladbrokes.com.au
• Five ballot exempt contenders remain with Half Yours, Onesmoothoperator, Parchment Party, Torranzino and Valiant King
• 8 chances for trainer Chris Waller led by Caulfield Cup third placed Valiant King and Cox Plate runner-up Buckaroo

2025 Melbourne Cup Second Acceptances

The 2025 Melbourne Cup second acceptances closed on Tuesday October 14, 2025, at 12:00pm (local time) with 51 horses left in the mix. 

The big news following the Melbourne Cup second declarations was the withdrawal of race favourite Sir Delius on vets’ orders. Click here for the full story.

2025 Melbourne Cup Second Acceptances: Quick Glance

• 53 second acceptances taken but 2 subsequent withdrawals leave 51 remaining runners
• Via Sistina (targeting Cox Plate) and Aeliana notable withdrawals for Waller
• 8 remain for Chris Waller led by The Bart Cummings winner Valiant King
• Sir Delius subsequently withdrawn on vets’ orders from the Melbourne Cup and Cox Plate
• 11 internationals still in the mix
• Joseph O’Brien’s Irish raider and topweight Al Riffa new $5 favourite through Ladbrokes.com.au

Remaining Ballot Exempt Horses 

• Valiant King – Group 3 The Bart Cummings winner
• Deakin – Listed Roy Higgins Quality winner
• Revelare – Group 3 Lexus Archer Stakes winner
• Parchment Party – Group 3 Belmont Gold Cup winner

Click here to view the full 2025 Melbourne Cup second acceptances.

2025 Melbourne Cup First Acceptances

The 2025 Melbourne Cup first acceptances will be published below once announced by Racing Victoria (RV) on Tuesday the 30th of September 2025 at midday local time.

The Melbourne Cup 2025 first acceptances attracted 66 stayers led by recent Turnbull Stakes – Underwood Stakes double champion Sir Delius.

Click here to view the full 2025 Melbourne Cup first acceptances.

2025 Melbourne Cup First Acceptances: Quick Glance

• 66 total first acceptances taken
• Down from 72 in 2024
• 11 international nominees (up from 6 at the same stage last year)
• Horses from Ireland, America, Japan, Germany and the UK all remain in Melbourne Cup contention
• Sir Delius for Waterhouse & Bott $5 top fancy at Ladbrokes.com.au
• Joesph O’Brien’s Irish raider Al Riffa second favourite at $6 through Ladbrokes.com.au
• Al Riffa and unlikely final acceptor Via Sistina 59kg top-weights
• Defending champion Knight’s Choice withdrawn
• Last year’s third placegetter Okita Soushi also ruled out
• 14 for Chris Waller chasing his second trophy (down from 27 at nomination stage)
• Parchment Party, Revelare and Deakin ballot exempt horses paid up for at first acceptance stage

2025 Melbourne Cup Nominations & Weights

The 2025 Melbourne Cup nominations will be listed below as soon as they are released by Racing Victoria (RV) on Tuesday the 2nd of September 2025 at midday local time.

The 2025 Melbourne Cup nominations closed on Tuesday September 2, 2025, at 12:00pm (local time), attracting 120 early entries including 19 internationals. 

The 2025 Lexus Melbourne Cup nominations feature last year’s champion Knight’s Choice who won at 90/1 in 2024 along with Ciaron Maher’s third placegetter Okita Soushi, while master trainer Chris Waller has 27 nominees including Via Sistina.

The 2025 Melbourne Cup weights have been released with Joseph O’Brien’s Irish St Leger winner Al Riffa and the Chris Waller trained 2024 Cox Plate winning mare Via Sistina the equal 59kg topweights.

For the full list of Lexus Melbourne Cup weights and the Order of Entry as of 16 September 2025, please click here.

2025 Melbourne Cup Nominations: Quick Glance

Click here to read more on the key early contenders in the official 2025 Melbourne Cup nominations.

Click here to view the complete list of 2025 Lexus Melbourne Cup nominations.