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The $500,000 Ballarat Cup is a Listed staying event held towards the end of November or early December at Ballarat Racecourse.
Ballarat Cup News
The 2025 Ballarat Cup is a 2000m event held at Ballarat Racecourse in late November or early December each year at the very tail end of the Victorian Spring Racing Carnival.
2025 Ballarat Cup Finishing Order
Stay tuned for the official 2025 Ballarat Cup result and finishing order on Saturday December 6, 2025.
- 1st: No. 4 Berkeley Square ($9)
- 2nd: No. 13 Cadmus
- 3rd: No. 9 Statuario
Winning Margin: 2.75 lengths
Winning Time: 2:02.58
Dan O’Sullivan’s six-year-old son of Territories, Berkeley Square ($9), unleased a powerful finishing burst looming up inside the final 200m before hitting the lead and running away to successfully defend his title in the 2025 Ballarat Cup results on Saturday. Breaking a year long drought, the gelding made it back-to-back Ballarat Cup victories when saluting by 2.75 lengths in a stylish return to winning form.
Ballarat Cup 2025 Results
|
1st
4. Berkeley Square (13)
J: Luke Nolen 58kg
T: Dan O'Sullivan |
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2nd
13. Cadmus (5)
J: Patrick Moloney 54kg
T: Anthony & Sam Freedman |
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3rd
9. Statuario (7)
J: Lachlan Neindorf 54kg
T: Emma-Lee & David Browne |
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4th
2. Kingswood (6)
J: John Allen 59kg
T: Gavin Bedggood |
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5th
5. Detonator Jack (9)
J: Declan Bates 58kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
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6th
6. Saint George (14)
J: Craig Williams 56kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
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7th
11. Firm Agreement (3)
J: Ryan Houston 54kg
T: Annabel & Rob Archibald |
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8th
3. Air Assault (1)
J: Jason Holder 58kg
T: Andrew Gluyas |
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9th
14. Ocean Beyond (8)
J: Luke Currie 54kg
T: Simon Ryan |
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10th
7. Poison Chalice (4)
J: Damian Lane 54.5kg
T: Paul Preusker |
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11th
1. Casino Seventeen (2)
J: Harry Coffey 59.5kg
T: Gavin Bedggood |
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12th
15. Ghetto Supastar (10)
J: Teo Nugent 54kg
T: Mick Shepherdson |
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13th
12. Promises Kept (11)
J: Beau Mertens 54kg
T: Michael Hickmott |
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14th
10. Shaiyhar (12)
J: Dean Yendall 54kg
T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young |
A Listed event, the Ballarat Cup is worth a generous $500,000 in total prize money making it one of the richest provincial Victorian cups. It is held under open handicap conditions and tends to attract some pretty solid talent each year.
Some lead-up races worth watching include other cup events such as the Kyneton Cup or the Bendigo Cup. The 2017 Ballarat Cup winner Grand Dreamer improved on a lead-up third in the Kyneton Cup for his win.
The Group 3 Eclipse Stakes (1800m) run at Sandown’s Ladbrokes Park the Saturday before also serves as a good Ballarat Cup lead-up. Kiwia (5th in 2018) was the last Ballarat Cup winner to come out of the Eclipse Stakes. Kiwia returned in 2019 to enjoy back-to-back Ballarat Cup wins.
Many country runners, and even some metro types, often contest several country cups as part of their campaign. Other staying events during the Melbourne Cup Carnival are also often contested by horses on their way to the Ballarat Cup.
The Ballarat Cup represents the end of the spring racing carnival in Victoria, as it’s the last black-type meet and the last feature day.
Plenty of quality gallopers contest the Ballarat Cup, the form of which has stacked-up in tougher races including the 2013 winner The Offer backing-up the following autumn to win the 2014 edition of the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m).
The 2022 Ballarat Cup form was franked with the second placed mare Atishu going on to run third next-up in the $2 million The Ingham (1600m) in Sydney. She also returned in 2023 and won the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) and Group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m).
The 2024 Ballarat Cup third placegetter, Globe, went on to frank the form the following spring with a win in the 2025 Group 1 Might And Power at Caulfield.
The 2025 Ballarat Cup ran on Saturday December 6, 2025 offering $500,000 in stakes and saw Dan O’Sullivan’s defending champion Berkeley Square ($9) successfully defend his title by nearly three lengths.
| Ballarat Cup 2025 | |
|---|---|
| Date: | Saturday December 6, 2025 |
| Racecourse: | Ballarat Racecourse |
| Distance: | 2000m |
| Race Type: | Handicap |
| Status: | Listed |
| Prize Money: | $500,000 |
2025 Ballarat Cup Betting
The season’s top Ballarat Cup 2025 betting markets and end-of-spring betting odds will be open at Ladbrokes.com.au on the Listed Victorian Cups race and provided here at Races.com.au.
Captain Envious ($3.70 in 2023) was the last favourite in Ballarat Cup betting to win.
2025 Ballarat Cup Form Guide
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2025 BALLARAT CUP FORM GUIDE
2025 Ballarat Cup Tips
Stay tuned for our insider Ballarat Cup 2025 Tips on the half-a-million-dollar showdown this spring.
To Win: No. 2 Kingswood
KINGSWOOD (6) has firmed back into Ballarat Cup favouritism at time of publish and I’m happy to be on the punters’ pick.
Gavin Bedggood’s talented Roaring Lion entire heads to the track for the first time but brings in some solid spring form lines including his eye-catching Listed Cup Day Plate win over 1800m at HQ on November 4 where he showed plenty of fight to deny a nice type in Saint George.
He goes up from 57.5kg to 59kg this weekend but Johnny Allen sticks aboard from a favourable gate six draw where he is likely to settle handy on speed.
The fit horse in the mix, he should relish getting up in trip boasting a good record at the distance (4:2-1-1) and that’s the big plus.
After his gritty Black-Type victory at Flemington last start, I expect him to improve up in trip, and with the right run in transit, he has all the credentials to put himself in the finish again.
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4th
2. Kingswood (6)
J: John Allen 59kg
T: Gavin Bedggood |
2025 Ballarat Cup Field
The Ballarat Cup field usually attracts quite a few metro runners from Melbourne, which is only around 100km away. Sometimes the odd handy runner from Sydney will head down to run in the Ballarat Cup field chasing the lucrative end-of-spring prize money on offer.
Following a run in the Ballarat Cup field, the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) in early December makes a nice next-up target and the last to do the double was Pilote D’Essai (2016).
The 2025 Ballarat Cup field and barriers are set for release on the Wednesday before the race and will be published in full below.
The Ballarat Cup 2025 final field features a quality line-up of summer staying types with an open market narrowly led by the rails-drawn Air Assault coming via a sixth when two lengths beaten in the Cranbourne Cup last month.
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Probable Weight | Penalty | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5×27658251 | CASINO SEVENTEEN | Gavin Bedggood | Harry Coffey | 2 | 59.5kg | 104 | ||
| 2 | 5x1165x281 | KINGSWOOD (GB) | Gavin Bedggood | John Allen | 6 | 59kg | 103 | ||
| 3 | 30464×8116 | AIR ASSAULT | Andrew Gluyas | Jason Holder | 1 | 58kg | 101 | ||
| 4 | 0x08466435 | BERKELEY SQUARE | Dan O’Sullivan | Luke Nolen | 14 | 58kg | 101 | ||
| 5 | 7×60577524 | DETONATOR JACK (NZ) | Ciaron Maher | Declan Bates | 9 | 58kg | 101 | ||
| 6 | 3x84950x22 | SAINT GEORGE (GB) | Ciaron Maher | Craig Williams | 15 | 56kg | 97 | ||
| 7 | 487745×635 | POISON CHALICE (NZ) | Paul Preusker | Damian Lane | 4 | 54.5kg | 55kg | 94 | |
| 8 | x6800x0799 | POSITIVITY (NZ) | Andrew Forsman | Luke Cartwright (a) | 12 | 54kg | 94 | ||
| 9 | 3120×34520 | STATUARIO | Emma-Lee & David Browne | Lachlan Neindorf | 7 | 54kg | 93 | ||
| 10 | 1333046×03 | SHAIYHAR (IRE) | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Dean Yendall | 13 | 54kg | 91 | ||
| 11 | 722200×990 | FIRM AGREEMENT | Annabel & Rob Archibald | Ryan Houston (a) | 3 | 54kg | 90 | ||
| 12 | 4212205×65 | PROMISES KEPT | Michael Hickmott | Beau Mertens | 11 | 54kg | 90 | ||
| 13 | x500x50360 | CADMUS (IRE) | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Patrick Moloney | 5 | 54kg | 86 | ||
| 14 | 43640×8473 | OCEAN BEYOND (NZ) | Simon Ryan | Luke Currie | 8 | 54kg | 78 | ||
| 15 | 29594×0433 | GHETTO SUPASTAR | Michael Shepherdson | Teo Nugent | 10 | 54kg | 67 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
2025 Ballarat Cup Nominations
Early Ballarat Cup nominations for 2025 close the Monday of race week and will be updated below once announced.
| Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Hcp Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30464×8116 | AIR ASSAULT | G | 5 | Andrew Gluyas | 101 |
| 2 | 239820×086 | BELTORO | G | 8 | Robert Hickmott | 81 |
| 3 | 0x08466435 | BERKELEY SQUARE | G | 6 | Dan O’Sullivan | 101 |
| 4 | 61628×5005 | BIANCO VILANO | G | 7 | Ron Stubbs | 78 |
| 5 | x500x50360 | CADMUS (IRE) | G | 7 | Anthony & Sam Freedman | 86 |
| 6 | 5×27658251 | CASINO SEVENTEEN | G | 8 | Gavin Bedggood | 104 |
| 7 | 1241×00252 | CRAFTY BOSS | G | 6 | Geoff Withers | 73 |
| 8 | 0x53411162 | DARKNCONFIDENTIAL | G | 4 | Stuart Gower | 79 |
| 9 | 7×60577524 | DETONATOR JACK (NZ) | G | 7 | Ciaron Maher | 101 |
| 10 | 722200×990 | FIRM AGREEMENT | G | 4 | Annabel & Rob Archibald | 90 |
| 11 | 750×903436 | FUTURE HISTORY (GB) | G | 8 | Ciaron Maher | 100 |
| 12 | 61x1246x70 | GARACHICO (GB) | G | 7 | Dominic Sutton | 91 |
| 13 | 29594×0433 | GHETTO SUPASTAR | G | 6 | Michael Shepherdson | 67 |
| 14 | 411114×831 | HOWLIN’ RAIN | G | 6 | Cindy Alderson | 83 |
| 15 | 5x1165x281 | KINGSWOOD (GB) | H | 6 | Gavin Bedggood | 103 |
| 16 | 391044×981 | LE ZEBRA (NZ) | G | 5 | Emma-Lee & David Browne | 83 |
| 17 | 223112×843 | LIBERAMI (NZ) | G | 5 | Robbie Griffiths | 84 |
| 18 | 43640×8473 | OCEAN BEYOND (NZ) | G | 8 | Simon Ryan | 78 |
| 19 | 487745×635 | POISON CHALICE (NZ) | G | 6 | Paul Preusker | 94 |
| 20 | x6800x0799 | POSITIVITY (NZ) | M | 5 | Andrew Forsman | 94 |
| 21 | 1461206×15 | PRECIOUS CHARM | M | 6 | Symon Wilde | 82 |
| 22 | 4212205×65 | PROMISES KEPT | G | 6 | Michael Hickmott | 90 |
| 23 | 908×766141 | REGAL LION (NZ) | G | 7 | Gavin Bedggood | 83 |
| 24 | 3x84950x22 | SAINT GEORGE (GB) | G | 6 | Ciaron Maher | 97 |
| 25 | 1333046×03 | SHAIYHAR (IRE) | G | 7 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | 91 |
| 26 | 3120×34520 | STATUARIO | G | 4 | Emma-Lee & David Browne | 93 |
| 27 | 0904142123 | TIKEMYSON (NZ) | G | 6 | Symon Wilde | 74 |
| 28 | x371813x72 | VERDAD | G | 5 | Robbie Griffiths | 90 |
| 29 | 11x7397x80 | VICTORIA ROAD (IRE) | G | 6 | Ciaron Maher | 105 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
Ballarat Cup History
The Ballarat Turf Club was established in 1854, making it one of the oldest racing organisations in Victoria. For some time now, Ballarat Cup Day has been the biggest meet of the year at Dowling Forest Racecourse, often drawing almost 20,000 people.
Not too long ago, the Ballarat Cup occupied a Wednesday slot as a mid-week event. However, it was moved to Sunday in 2011 in order to allow greater attendance and accommodate more metro runners. As of 2014, the Ballarat Cup has been run on a Saturday. It is the only black type meet in Victoria and NSW on that day, so attracts considerable punting attention. The Group 1 Railway Stakes and Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes are held over at Ascot in Perth on the same day.
Notable recent Ballarat Cup winners include My Bentley (2010), The Offer (2013), and Junoob (2015).
Berkeley Square (2024 & 2025) was the last back-to-back Ballarat Cup winner.
Ballarat Cup results, place getters and winning times since 2000 are provided below.
Ballarat Cup Winners
| Year | Place | Horse | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Ballarat Cup |
1st | Berkeley Square | 2 minutes 02.58 seconds |
| 2nd | Cadmus | ||
| 3rd | Statuario | ||
| 2024 Ballarat Cup |
1st | Berkeley Square | 2 minutes 01.67 seconds |
| 2nd | Lady In Pink | ||
| 3rd | Globe | ||
| 2023 Ballarat Cup |
1st | Captain Envious | 2 minutes 5.36 seconds |
| 2nd | Young Werther | ||
| 3rd | Just Folk | ||
| 2022 Ballarat Cup |
1st | Bankers Choice | 2 minutes 8.28 seconds |
| 2nd | Atishu | ||
| 3rd | Sirileo Miss | ||
| 2021 Ballarat Cup |
1st | Zayydani | 2 minutes 5.19 seconds |
| 2nd | Yonkers | ||
| 3rd | Vanna Girl | ||
| 2020 Ballarat Cup |
1st | Irish Flame | 2 minutes 2.79 seconds |
| 2nd | Affair To Remember | ||
| 3rd | Game Keeper | ||
| 2019 Ballarat Cup |
1st | Kiwia | 2 minutes 3.74 seconds (over 2000m) |
| 2nd | Double You Tee | ||
| 3rd | Another Dollar | ||
| 2018 Ballarat Cup |
1st | Kiwia | 2 minutes 20.59 seconds |
| 2nd | Pilote D’essai | ||
| 3rd | Life Less Ordinary | ||
| 2017 Ballarat Cup |
1st | Grand Dreamer | 2 minutes 25.79 seconds |
| 2nd | Oncidium Ruler | ||
| 3rd | Grey Lion | ||
| 2016 Ballarat Cup |
1st | Pilote D’Essai | 2 minutes 14.14 seconds |
| 2nd | Scherzoso | ||
| 3rd | Manageress | ||
| 2015 Ballarat Cup |
1st | Junoob | 2 minutes 18.45 seconds |
| 2nd | Wales | ||
| 3rd | Sonntag | ||
| 2014 Ballarat Cup |
1st | Mujadale | 2 minutes 17.8 seconds |
| 2nd | At First Sight | ||
| 3rd | Fat Al | ||
| 2013 Ballarat Cup |
1st | The Offer | 2 minutes 25.1 seconds |
| 2nd | Pelicano | ||
| 3rd | Hurdy Gurdy Man | ||
| 2012 Ballarat Cup |
1st | King Diamond | 2 minutes 18.4 seconds |
| 2nd | Pelicano | ||
| 3rd | Exceptionally | ||
| 2011 Ballarat Cup |
1st | Domesky | 2 minutes 19.2 seconds |
| 2nd | Rothera | ||
| 3rd | Sean Baile Mor | ||
| 2010 Ballarat Cup |
1st | My Bentley | 2 minutes 17.0 seconds |
| 2nd | Kidnapped | ||
| 3rd | Allanthus | ||
| 2009 Ballarat Cup |
1st | Itstheone | 2 minutes 14.4 seconds |
| 2nd | Gallions Reach | ||
| 3rd | Davcon | ||
| 2008 Ballarat Cup |
1st | Daka’s Gem | 2 minutes 21.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Sentire | ||
| 3rd | Banana Man | ||
| 2007 Ballarat Cup |
1st | Sentire | 2 minutes 23.9 seconds |
| 2nd | Bowl Along | ||
| 3rd | Red Riviera | ||
| 2006 Ballarat Cup |
1st | Rubijon | 2 minutes 17.3 seconds |
| 2nd | Upstaged | ||
| 3rd | Lancettier | ||
| 2005 Ballarat Cup |
1st | Command N Conquer | 2 minutes 17.4 seconds |
| 2nd | Maneroo Lue | ||
| 3rd | Steelworker | ||
| 2004 Ballarat Cup |
1st | Just The Part | 2 minutes 15.4 seconds |
| 2nd | Irish Crusader | ||
| 3rd | Demerger | ||
| 2003 Ballarat Cup |
1st | Western Waters | 2 minutes 16.2 seconds |
| 2nd | Delvecchio | ||
| 3rd | Dance On Wood | ||
| 2002 Ballarat Cup |
1st | Varsilayos | 2 minutes 15.0 seconds |
| 2nd | As You Would | ||
| 3rd | Sale Of Century | ||
| 2001 Ballarat Cup |
1st | Aquiver | 2 minutes 14.0 seconds |
| 2nd | Varsilayos | ||
| 3rd | Adolescence | ||
| 2000 Ballarat Cup |
1st | Royal Caliph | 2 minutes 18.5 seconds |
| 2nd | Luther | ||
| 3rd | Laebeel | ||
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