Chances are you're about to lose.
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
One of the biggest events on the Warrnambool May Racing Carnival calendar, the Warrnambool Cup runs in early May at Warrnambool Racecourse - 'The Bool'.
Warrnambool Cup News
The Warrnambool Cup is the most anticipated race on the annual Warrnambool May Racing Carnival calendar in Victoria. Run over a staying distance of 2350m, the Warrnambool Cup field attracts a quality line-up of black-type gallopers from mainly local Melbourne-based stables and offers $300,000 in total prize money.
The Warrnambool Cup, traditionally held on the first Wednesday or Thursday in May, is one of Australia’s most renowned country races and it often attracts punting volumes far and above the average Listed status race.
Horses who compete in the Warrnambool Cup often have a decent season behind them already and are looking to wrap up their racing in the southern half of the country before either spelling for winter or heading north for the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival.
The 2025 Warrnambool Cup form was franked with the runner-up, Torranzino, returning in the spring to win the Group 3 Ladbrokes Geelong Cup before a brave fifth in the iconic $10 million Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday of November.
The 2026 Warrnambool Cup runs on Thursday May 7, 2026 at Warrnambool Racecourse, known as The ‘Bool’, as a potential early lead-up to the spring’s Melbourne Cup race.
| 2026 Warrnambool Cup | |
|---|---|
| Date: | Thursday May 7, 2026 |
| Track: | Warrnambool Racecourse |
| Distance: | 2350m |
| Conditions: | Open – Hcp |
| Status: | Listed |
| Prize Money: | $300,000 |
| Inaugurated: | 1873 |
2026 Warrnambool Cup Results
Stay tuned for the official 2026 Warrnambool Cup results and finishing order on Thursday May 7, 2026 and to see what stayers could be eyeing a Melbourne Cup run in the spring.
- 1st: TBD
- 2nd: TBD
- 3rd: TBD
Winning Margin: TBD
Winning Time: TBD
2026 Warrnambool Cup Betting
The season’s top Warrnambool Cup 2026 betting odds and market links to Ladbrokes.com.au will be available for punters at Races.com.au the week of the race.
Too Close The Sun ($2.50 in 2020) was the last favourite in Warrnambool Cup betting to salute for the punters.
There was a notable upset in 2024 with Mystery Island saluting at Warrnambool Cup odds of $14 for local horseman Shane Jackson.
2026 Warrnambool Cup Form
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2026 WARRNAMBOOL CUP FORM GUIDE
2026 Warrnambool Cup Tips
Stay tuned for our insider Warrnambool Cup 2026 Tips on the popular May event this season.
- To Win: TBD
2026 Warrnambool Cup Field
The Warrnambool Cup field attracts a strong line-up of stayers to The ‘Bool each May, many coming off lead-up runs out of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival races including the Group 2 Chairman’s Quality Handicap (2600m) run at Randwick over ‘The Championships’.
Plenty of the gallopers in the Warrnambool Cup field have contested previous editions of the race and there are also plenty of strong Victorian lead-up races to follow into the popular Listed feature including the Terang Cup (2150m) in mid-April. Too Close The Sun (2020) was the last horse to complete the Terang Cup – Warrnambool Cup double.
The Warrnambool Cup 2026 Final Field & Barriers will be announced below the week of the race.
2026 Warrnambool Cup Nominations
Early nominations for the Warrnambool Cup in 2026 are announced a week out from the race.
Warrnambool Cup History
The Warrnambool Cup had its inaugural run in 1873, when Villiers was first past the post after a gruelling 3200m run. The race distance has changed several times over the years and today sits at an acceptable staying distance of 2350m, less than the renowned Melbourne Cup distance of 3200m.
Warrnambool Cup Race Distance
| Period | Distance |
|---|---|
| 1873-78 | 3200m |
| 1879 | 2800m |
| 1880-88 | 2000m |
| 1889-90 | 2400m |
| 1891-1903 | 2000m |
| 1904-2001 | 2200m |
| 2002-07 | 2350m |
| 2008 | 2360m |
| 2009-present | 2350m |
The Warrnambool Cup is one of the oldest races in Victoria, with a long history of great fields and great races. One of the best displays of local pedigree, the Warrnambool Cup field has in recent years included a number of interstate horses and even some New Zealand stayers. Unlike a lot of country cup races, the Warrnambool Cup field is usually made up of genuine talent, with a number of notable horses finding their way onto the honour board.
Warrnambool Cup Results
The Warrnambool Cup winners and results going back to 1970 can be found in the table below.
| Year | Winner | Second | Third |
| 2026 | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2025 | Smokin’ Romans | Torranzino | Ziryab |
| 2024 | Mystery Island | No Apology | Little Mix |
| 2023 | Rolls | Not usual Glorious | Swords Drawn |
| 2022 | Witchachar Star | Nerve Not Verve | Constantinople |
| 2021 | Le Don De Vie | Heart Of Puissance | Moonlight Maid |
| 2020 | Too Close The Sun | Mirimar | Sin To Win |
| 2019 | Furrion | Sheezdashing | Divanation |
| 2018 | Gallic Chieftain | Yogi | Romanesque |
| 2017 | High Church | Observational | Unfurl |
| 2016 | Master Of Arts | Vilanova | Swacadelic |
| 2015 | Tall Ship | Arch Fire | Lucciola |
| 2014 | Akzar | Westsouthwest | Shoreham |
| 2013 | Banca Mo | Muirfield | Shiny Buttons |
| 2012 | Dance With Her | Domesky | Hurdy Gurdy Man |
| 2011 | TInamou | Niwot | Streaky Fella |
| 2010 | Hissing Sid | Cruyfforme | Light Vision |
| 2009 | Hissing Sid | Our Smokin Joe | Joontoo Gemini |
| 2008 | Video Star | Sooze | Action Plan |
| 2007 | Sarrera | Douro Valley | Sentire |
| 2006 | New Kid In Town | Satinspin | Forest Knight |
| 2005 | True Courser | Graduated | Pretorius |
| 2004 | Monde Special | Riley Redwing | Al Zimer |
| 2003 | Gunnamatta | Terminus Prince | The A Train |
| 2002 | Majestic Avenue | Condies Fair | Touch The Groom |
| 2001 | Samosiera | Loch Torrindon | Collins Street |
| 2000 | Majestic Avenue | Collins Street | Showsky |
| 1999 | Jamestown | Casino Heights | Flaming Roberto |
| 1998 | Asagain | Oregon Star | Kristalero |
| 1997 | Seattle Hawk | Sunny Lane | Mrs Krause |
| 1996 | Billingsford | True Identity | French Resort |
| 1995 | Grey Alex | Sondheim | Big Barron |
| 1994 | Placido | Charleston Party | Hoodlum |
| 1993 | Favoured Boy | True Symbol | Royal Snack |
| 1992 | Bundoor’s Best | Lord Zamazaan | Mystery Adventure |
| 1991 | Mantlepiece | Rough Seas | Favoured Boy |
| 1990 | Down The Pitch | Pressman’s Choice | Tropine Queen |
| 1989 | Friar’s Delight | Durham Rivers | Scarvila |
| 1988 | Dandy Andy | Tristaplane | Friar’s Delight |
| 1987 | Top Banner | All Spades | Skipton Town |
| 1986 | Mint Master | Hollinger | Jo’naree |
| 1985 | Nicholas John | Skipton Town | Jamaica Inn |
| 1984 | Gun For Fun | Hollinger | Rare Decision |
| 1983 | Palomine | Stookland | Show Bag |
| 1982 | Little Tipsy | Top Ware | Game Choice |
| 1981 | Top Ware | Sarfraz | Durham Town |
| 1980 | Sarfraz | Licence Fee | Top Ware |
| 1979 | Warri Symbol | Macluen | Off Hand |
| 1978 | Puramaka | Mondeverde | Sky Castle |
| 1977 | Puramaka | Drumshambo | Devereux |
| 1976 | Four Leaf | Puramaka | Java Rose |
| 1975 | Latin Reign | Flash Future | Haarle |
| 1974 | Scotch & Dry | Sheltara | Norfolk Gem |
| 1973 | Arctic Ant | The Sharper | Fair Future |
| 1972 | Van Winkle | Tetrabine | Piping Lane |
| 1971 (Race Not Held) | – | – | – |
| 1970 | Princess Camillo | Bay Cobbler | Bojon |
next to go
