Who can forget the memorable first ever Melbourne Cup race in 1861 when the majestic Archer shot past the winning line with rider John Cutts to claim this iconic title? This beautiful stallion was five years old, 16.3 hands, and weighed in at 60.5kg. He came back the next year with trainer Ettienne De Mestre and repeated his winning streak.
What Makes a Melbourne Cup Winner?
Punters place their bets based on the age, sex, and weight of the competing thoroughbreds, and it can be a handy tool for forecasting your winners. Don’t leave behind the jockey and the trainer. These are all elements you have to consider when placing a bet.
Melbourne Cup Winners
We take a look at the horses that made history, and maybe it could help you pick your favourite and bet on the Melbourne Cup race.
| Year Won | Name | Age | Weight | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Vow & Declare | 4 | 52 | C Williams | D O’Brien |
| 2018 | Cross Counter | 3 | 51 | K McEvoy | C Appleby |
| 2017 | Rekindling | 4 | 51.5 | C Brown | J O’Brien |
| 2016 | Almandin | 7 | 52 | K McEvoy | R Hickmott |
| 2015 | Prince of Penzance | 6 | 53 | M Paine | D Weir |
| 2014 | Protectionist | 5 | 56.5 | R Moore | A Wohler |
| 2013 | Fiorente | 6 | 55 | D Oliver | G Waterhouse |
| 2012 | Green Moon | 6 | 53.5 | B Prebble | R Hickmott |
| 2011 | Dunaden | 6 | 54.5 | C Lemaire | M Delzangles |
| 2010 | Americain | 6 | 54.5 | G Moses | A Royer Dupre |
You can now get a good average of what the winners’ stats were over the last ten years at the Melbourne Cup. The average age of the previous ten winners was 5.3 years, with an average weight of 53.3 kg.
Let’s see if the previous ten years delivered different stats and if it’ll help you place sure bets at this year’s Melbourne Cup 2020.
| Year Won | Name | Age | Weight | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Shocking | 4 | 51 | C Brown | M Kavanagh |
| 2008 | Viewed | 5 | 53 | B Shinn | JB Cummings |
| 2007 | Efficient | 4 | 54.5 | M Rodd | G Rogerson |
| 2006 | Delta Blues | 6 | 56 | Y Iwata | K Sumii |
| 2005 | Makybe Diva | 7 | 58 | G Boss | L Freedman |
| 2004 | Makybe Diva | 6 | 55.5 | G Boss | L Freedman |
| 2003 | Makybe Diva | 5 | 51 | G Boss | D Hall |
| 2002 | Media Puzzle | 6 | 52.5 | D Oliver | D Weld |
| 2001 | Ethereal | 4 | 52 | S Seamer | S Laxon |
| 2000 | Brew | 6 | 49 | K McEvoy | M Maroney |
Here, the average age was also 5.3 years and the average weight clocked in at 53.2kg. So for the last 20 years, the average age and weight remained the same. Modern diets or training tricks do not deter these beautiful thoroughbreds. They are magnificent because of what they are.
If we look at Makybe Diva, the only mare that’s ever won the cup 3 years in a row, you’ll see that over those three years, she weighed between 51kg in 2003 up to 58kg in 2005. So it’s a pretty good indication that weight is not such a parallel to winning odds.
Whatever your specific betting secrets are, may this year at the Melbourne Cup 2020 bring you much joy and success. Happy betting.
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