The Melbourne Cup has a rich history and the jockeys who have participated in the race have left an enduring legacy. These skilled individuals have tamed the lightning power of equestrian athletes, producing unforgettable moments in Australian horse racing.
They have shown courage, finesse, and an unerring understanding of their steeds, becoming legends in their own right. In this article, we explore the illustrious history of the Melbourne Cup, paying tribute to the remarkable jockeys who have shaped its story. From the first winners to the record-breakers, their thrilling stories weave a rich chronicle of triumph, tragedy, and tenacity that capture the spirit of this iconic race.
The Finest in the Saddle: Distinguished Jockeys in Melbourne Cup History
Craig Williams, Photo: IMAGO
Craig Williams
Riding at the top of the game for close to 20 years, Craig Williams is one of the best-regarded jockeys in Australia.
In the 2000 Australasian Oaks, Williams rode his first Group 1 winner on Grand Echezeaux. After that, he took up riding duties at the yard of trainer Mick Channon in England. Williams also rode regularly in Hong Kong and in Dubai before returning to Australia.
Williams has ridden some high-class horses in his time, including Miss Finland. He won the Caulfield Cup on Dunaden too, himself a winner of the Melbourne Cup, as well as Group 1 wins in various countries.
Kerrin McEvoy, Photo: IMAGO
Kerrin McEvoy
Star jockey Kerrin McEvoy began riding in 1997. He was the second youngest rider to win the Melbourne Cup when scoring on Brew, aged only 20 in the year 2000.
After placing in the Cup again in 2022 for Godolphin, he landed a job with the major owner. McEvoy was given the role as second jockey to the owners in Europe behind Frankie Dettori.
McEvoy rode 120 winners for the Godolphin while in Europe. Six of those were in Group 1’s. After returning home, he won another Melbourne Cup on Almandin (2016) and many other top-class races.
Damien Oliver, Photo: IMAGO
Damien Oliver
Initially riding in Perth, ever-popular jockey Damien Oliver moved to Melbourne in the 80’s. That move was to make him a massive success in the sport.
Oliver is famed for his rare feat of winning the Australian racing ‘grand slam’. He has won the Melbourne Cup, Cox Plate, Caulfield Cup and the Golden Slipper.
As well as winning the Melbourne Cup aboard Fiorente and Doriemus, Damien Oliver was on board for the major European breakthrough winner Media Puzzle for trainer Dermot Weld. Oliver was inducted into Australia’s Racing Hall of Fame in 2008.
Michelle Payne, Photo: IMAGO
Michelle Payne
Michelle Payne began riding in 2001, winning her very first race at Ballarat. Hailing from a large racing family, Payne has won hundreds of races but did take a bad fall in 2004. Her mishap at Sandown led to a fractured skull and bruising on the brain which nearly ended her career.
Having overcome her difficulties, Payne rode her maiden Group 1 winner in 2009. She took down the Toorak Handicap on Allez Wonder at Caulfield, riding for legend Bart Cummings.
Payne’s major claim to fame is that she was the first female winning rider of the Melbourne Cup. She rode Prince Of Penzance to success at Flemington in 2015.
Ryan Moore, Photo: IMAGO
Ryan Moore
Often regarded as the world’s best jockey, Ryan Moore can be seen all around the globe riding in Group 1 events.
Moore took up race-riding at 16, riding for his father Gary Moore and top trainer Richard Hannon. He also spent time riding for Sir Michael Stoute before moving to Ballydoyle, the Irish operation run by Aidan O’Brien.
Continuing to also ride for many trainers in England, Moore’s time in Ireland has been a huge success. He has ridden many Classic winners but also took the Melbourne Cup in 2014 aboard Protectionist.
Glen Boss, Photo: IMAGO
Glen Boss
Quite understandably, Glen Boss is remembered by many for his association with Makybe Diva. As well as riding the three-time Cup heroine, he was also a winner of dozens of other top-class races down the years.
Queensland man Boss started riding in 1986 when only 15 years old. By ’94 he had moved to Sydney where his career took off. He won the Chipping Norton and the Golden Slipper during a great period.
Including the Melbourne Cup, Glen Boss rode more than 80 Group 1 winners. His famous 2019 Doncaster Mile win was the seventh of his career.
Gerald Mosse, Photo: IMAGO
Gerald Mosse
French great Gerald Mosse has been riding since 1983. Winning the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 1990, Mosse became a household name in world racing and backed up that win with many more around the world.
Mosse spent time as the leading rider for the Aga Khan, while also taking in Hong Kong. He is one of very few riders to have ridden 500 winners in the territory.
In 2010, Gerald Mosse became the first French rider to take the Melbourne Cup. He guided Americain home that day, a high point of his long career.
Mick Kinane, Photo: IMAGO
Mick Kinane
Multiple Irish and English Classic winner Mick Kinane was one of the stars of world racing. Irish Champion jockey 13 times, Kinane was associated with many top horses over the decades.
Kinane’s peak came when he became first rider for Coolmore and Aidan O’Brien having been retained previously by John Oxx. With the Coolmore team, he won many Group 1 events in England, USA, Ireland and France.
As well as being remembered as the jockey of the great Sea The Stars, Kinane is associated with Vintage Crop, 1993 Melbourne Cup winner.
Harry White, Photo: IMAGO
Harry White
Harry White was a top-class jockey, one famous for his association with Bart Cummings, king of the Melbourne Cup. He also rode regularly for Angus Armanasco and George Hanlon.
White was on board for Think Big’s two Melbourne Cup wins in 1974 and 1975. He also rode Cummings’ winner Hyperno in 1979 and Hanlon’s Arwon in 1978. He is tied with Bobbie Lewis for the most wins in the Cup.
In a career lasting 35 years White won an incredible 2,112 races. He entered the Hall of Fame in Australia in 2003.
Jim Johnson
One of very few jockeys to have won the Melbourne Cup on three occasions, Jim Johnson is a great of the game. He is remembered by many for his unorthodox riding style which led to him essentially standing up.
While Harry White rarely used the whip, Jim Johnson was terrific with it in a finish. He won the Adelaide Jockeys Premiership 4 times. He also took the Caulfield Cup and the Cox Plate.
Johnson is seen as one of the greatest of all time in Australia. He was given his place in the Hall of Fame in 2009.
Jack Purtell
Jack Purtell was a great of the track. Born in 1921 and known as Gentleman Jack, Purtell began riding at the tender age of only 15. He won three Melbourne Cups as a rider before heading off to Europe where he won the Oaks on fillies in both England and Ireland.
Purtell’s three Cup victories came on Hiraji in 1947, Wodalla in 1953 and Rising Fast in 1954. He may have won a good number more if not heading to Europe. Purtell also won four Cox Plates and won fully 19 times aboard Comic Court.
Darby Munro
The great Darby Munro helped his father Hugh train from when he was around ten years old. Racing was in his blood. He went on to be one of the best jockeys of his era, gaining fame on his own merit.
Darby rose to fame in 1927 when winning the Prospect Handicap ahead of his brother, Jim. Known for being good in a tight finish, Munro won three Melbourne Cups. His wins in the race came aboard Peter Pan in 1934, Sirius in 1944 and Russia in 1946. Only Harry White and Bobbie Lewis rode more Cup winners.
Bill McLachlan
Bill McLachlan was known around the circuit as ‘Midge’ or ‘Midget’. He was the first rider to win the Melbourne Cup three times.
Midge had won the Melbourne Cup already on Prince Foote and Comedy King in 1909 and 1910 when he landed his treble in 1917. Then, he rode Westcourt to land the race to great fanfare.
Successful in both Australia and South Africa, McLachlan won two Caulfield Cups and two Sydney Cups. He rode in England after his top domestic success, winning over 50 times there to add to his remarkable international success.
Bobbie Lewis
Victoria’s own Bobbie Lewis is a true Melbourne Cup legend. His amazing career saw Lewis win over 900 races which is a staggering feat.
Lewis had associations with some of the best in the game. He rode for James Scobie among others. He ended his career with four Melbourne Cup wins, tying him in the all-time list with Harry White at the very top.
As well as leading the way in the Melbourne Cup, Lewis won more VRC Derbies, VRC Oaks and SAJC St Legers than any other jockey. He will prove very hard to match.
Peter St Albans
The story of Peter St Albans has always been one of the most fascinating in the world of horse racing. He is the youngest jockey to have ever won the Melbourne Cup, officially at the age of 13. In fact, he may well have been only 11 when he actually won the race in 1876.
He was given his Cup winning mount on Briseis after the regular jock couldn’t get down to 6st4lbs, just 39 kilos. St Albans took the ride and won in front of a bumper crowd of 75,000 at Flemington Racecourse.
