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Melbourne Cup Horses 2024 | List of Runners

Post Impressionist and Soulcombe have been installed as the early joint-favourites for the 2024 Melbourne Cup after finishing in the top two places in the 2023 race. Will history repeat itself or could a new challenger upset the odds?

You can see all the confirmed Melbourne Cup runners and riders alongside their Melbourne Cup betting odds, in our horse-by-horse guide below. Tap the odds that appeal to open a Melbourne Cup betting account and place a bet, or find our Melbourne Cup tips and read how we see this year’s race unfolding.

Melbourne Cup 2024 Horses List

Odds correct at time of publishing and may be subject to change.

FAVOURITE

#1

SOULCOMBE

SOULCOMBE

Age: 5 / Form: 14372 / Trainer: Chris Waller

A Queen’s Cup victory at Flemington in 2022 showed he’s well suited to the track and he duly followed it up impressively when runner-up in the 2023 Melbourne Cup. Still young so may well return in 2024.

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FAVOURITE

#2

POST IMPRESSIONIST

Age: 5 / Form: 09791 / Trainer: William Haggas

A victory towards the end of 2023 has seen the 5 year old become fancied for the Melbourne Cup. He is still young and it will be interesting to see how he races in 2024 before he ends up at Flemington in the Queen’s Cup.

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#3

JUSTIN PALACE

Age: 5 / Form: 11324- / Trainer: Haruki Sugiyama

Justin Palace will be racing in Australia and the Melbourne Cup for the first time in 2024. The form of the 5 year old in it’s last 5 races has been good. Justin Palace has finished 1st twice, 2nd once, 3rd once and 4th once. The Melbourne Cup will be a new environment for Justin Palace, but right now, the bookies have the horse as one of the favourites to win the race.

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#4

WITHOUT A FIGHT

Age: 7 / Form: 11611- / Trainer: Anthony & Sam Freedman

Found impressive form since switching to the Anthony & Sam Freedman yard in Australia, winning three of four races, two at Eagle Farm and the latest in the Caulfield Cup on 21st October. That performance boosted hopes he could run well in the 2023 Melbourne Cup, and the expectations were justified as he came home over two lengths clear to give Mark Zahra back-to-back victories in the famous race.

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#5

T O ROYAL

Age: 6 / Form: 0/02-11 / Trainer: Inao Okada

Inao Okada trained gelding T O Royal will be coming to the Melbourne Cup for the first time in 2024. The form of the 6 year old at the start of 2024 has been very good, with T O Royal recording back-to-back 1st places finishes in February and March. At 3200m, T O Royal has impressed. The horse has never finished below the top 3 in 3200m races so far.

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#6

TOWER OF LONDON

Age: 4 / Form: 1249-1 / Trainer: Aiden O’Brien

Tower Of London will be one horse looking to challenge the favourites at the Melbourne Cup in Australia in 2024. The 4 year old trained by A P O’Brien has impressed, winning 4 of his 9 races over his career so far. The issue for Tower of London is that most of the 4 year old’s races have been around 1600m – 3000m. In his one race around 3200m, which is the same distance as the Melbourne Cup, Tower of London finished 9th.

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#7

GIAVELLOTTO

Age: 5 / Form: 9153-3 / Trainer: Marco Botti

Trained by Marco Botti, Irish horse Giavellotto is looking to race in the Melbourne Cup for the first time. The 5 year old has placed in the top 3 in 8 of his 11 races. With Giavellotto’s last win coming in May 2023, Marco Botti will be hoping that the horse can pick up some decent form ahead of the Melbourne Cup later this year.

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#8

isleofhopendreams

JUST FINE

Age: 5 / Form: 1/110-8 / Trainer: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott

Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott trained gelding that won three straight after coming to Australia in September 2023. That included an impressive battle against Spirit Ridge to claim the Group 1 Metropolitan. Unproven at 2m, he’ll need to show that toughness again over the gruelling Melbourne Cup trip to challenge in 2024.

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#9

MIDDLE EARTH

Age: 3 / Form:
2
1171 / Trainer: John & Thady Gosden

Three impressive wins show this son of Galileo has inherited at least some of his father’s considerable talent. The October victory at Ascot came at the expense of a fellow potential 2024 cup entrant, Chesspiece. Experience gained throughout this year’s racing calendar will also help if he ventures down under.

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#10

KOVALICA

Age: 4 / Form: 9250-4 / Trainer: Chris Waller

This 4-year-old has achieved a lot despite his young age. Already a Group 1 winner, having claimed the 2023 Queensland Derby. His best performances have come in races over 2000M, showing he could take to the long Melbourne Cup trip. Any improvement over this year could see him be a serious contender for the 2024 Cup.

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#11

ELEGANT ESCAPE

FIRST IMMORTAL

Age: 4 / Form: 12127- / Trainer: Mark & Levi Kavanagh

This inconsistent 4-year-old gelding must improve to land a blow in the 2024 Melbourne Cup. His two winning efforts in 2023 came at distances of over 2000M, and Mark Kavanagh has said he expects improvement. His age means he could improve enough over this year’s racing calendar to compete.

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#12

Sonnyboyliston

PROWESS

Age: 4 / Form: 1116- / Trainer: Roger James & Robert Wellwood

The promising Kiwi Mare has shown class on every run. Her 2023 Victories in the Bonecrusher and the Vinery Stud Stakes prove she has Group 1 quality. Trainer Roger James said last year, ‘She just does things I haven’t had another horse do’. Could challenge for the Melbourne Cup in 2024 if impressive performances continue.

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#13

ZARDOZI

Age: 3 / Form: 7121-0 / Trainer: James Cummings

An impressive young filly owned by powerhouse Godolphin. She has course form, having stylishly claimed the 2023 VRC Oaks. The daughter of the imperious Kingman has inherited some of her father’s abilities. The 3200M Cup distance is the only slight concern. It has a chance of running well in 2024.

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#14

DEAUVILLE LEGEND

LAND LEGEND

Age: 3 / Form: 27551 / Trainer: James Ferguson

French-born four-year-old won the ATC St Ledger on his Australian debut. He showed impressive staying power to see off Cleveland in that run. A son of Galileo, his pedigree suggests there could be more to come.

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#15

TOM KITTEN

Age: 3 / Weight: tbc / Jockey: tbc / Trainer: James Cummings

The son of a world champion sprinter, Harry Angel, this youngster displayed impressive form in 2023. Part of Godolphin’s ever-growing stable of remarkable horses, this three-year-old has already claimed a Group 1. James Cummings guided him to a win in the Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick.

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#16

APULIA

Age: 3 / Weight: tbc / Jockey: tbc / Trainer: Ben, Will & JD Hayes

Finished a close 2nd behind Riff Rocket in the Victoria Derby at Flemington and won the Moonee Valley Vase in 2023. Improvement has been consistent as he has gone up in race distances. The promise he’s shown as a three-year-old suggests he could run well if entered in the 2024 Melbourne Cup.

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#17

RIFF ROCKET

Age: 3 / Weight: tbc / Jockey: tbc / Trainer: Chris Waller

Finished a close 2nd behind Riff Rocket in the Victoria Derby at Flemington and won the Moonee Valley Vase in 2023. Improvement has been consistent as he has gone up in race distances. The promise he’s shown as a three-year-old suggests he could run well if entered in the 2024 Melbourne Cup.

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#18

VALIANT KING

Age: 4 / Weight: tbc / Jockey: tbc / Trainer: Chris Waller

This 4-year-old was a late withdrawal from the 2023 Melbourne Cup, which disappointed connections, given his impressive form leading up to the race. On multiple occasions, he has performed well at distances over 2000m, meaning he could be well suited to the gruelling trip.

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#19

MURAMASA

Age: 4 / Weight: tbc / Jockey: tbc / Trainer: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young

Three consecutive wins in late 2023 increased hopes that this four-year-old has the ability needed to take part in the 2024 Melbourne Cup. The final of those wins came over 2600m at Flemington, demonstrating he may be well suited to the demanding Cup distance. He still needs to prove himself against the highest quality competition.

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#20

GEAR UP

MILITARIZE

Age: 3 / Weight: tbc / Jockey: tbc / Trainer: Chris Waller

This Colt is part of the powerhouse Chris Waller’s yard. Already a three-time Grade 1 winner at his young age, the Melbourne Cup is a definite target in 2024. The biggest question remaining is if he has the stamina required. His best performances have come at considerably shorter distances than the mammoth 3200m Cup trip.

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#21

VAUBAN

Age: 6 / Weight: 55kg / Jockey: Ryan Moore / Trainer: W P Mullins

Vauban is an impressive dual Cheltenham Festival and Royal Ascot winner. Having landed the 2022 Triumph Hurdle, he switched to the flat and won the Copper Horse Handicap. He disappointed in the 2023 Melbourne Cup though, fading badly to finish 14th, as Willie Mullins’ wait for a Melbourne Cup winner goes on.

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#22


GOLD TRIP

GOLD TRIP

Age: 7 / Weight: 58.5kg / Jockey: James McDonald / Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace

Gold Trip’s form provided little hope of becoming the first back-to-back Melbourne Cup winner since Makybe Diva in 2004 and 2005. Sure enough, he came up well short in the end, 23 lengths adrift of the winner in 17th.

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#23

ABSURDE

Age: 6 / Weight: 53kg / Jockey: Zac Purton / Trainer: W P Mullins

Winner of the Ebor Handicap at York under a signature Frankie Dettori ride, he was sent over from Europe for the 2023 Melbourne Cup alongside Vauban, but both failed to stay the pace.

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#24

Realm of Flowers

SHERAZ

Age: 7 / Weight: 51.5kg / Jockey: tbc / Trainer: Chris Waller

A third-place finish in the 2023 Melbourne Cup shows this gelding has the stamina and ability to run well in Australia’s biggest race. Chris Waller will focus this year’s campaign on preparation for the 2024 edition. If he continues his improvement, he could trouble the frontrunners again.

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#25

LASTOTCHKA

Age: 5 / Weight: 51kg / Jockey: Craig A Williams / Trainer: Jean-Marie Beguigne

French filly made her debut outside of her home country in the 2023 Melbourne Cup. Was expected to handle the trip, but fell away towards the end of the race to finish 13th.

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#26


FUTURE HISTORY

Age: 6 / Weight: 50kg / Jockey: Hollie Doyle / Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace

Chris Maher and David Eustace must have had confidence in this gelding to ask Hollie Doyle to travel to Australia for the 2023 Melbourne Cup. Was right in contention 300 metres from home before fading to eventually finish back in 15th.

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#27

Grand promenade

MORE FELONS

Age: 4 / Weight: 50.5kg / Jockey: Jamie Kah / Trainer: Chris Waller

Two wins at distances just over 2m in 2021 suggested More Felons possessed enough stamina to outrun his long odds in the 2023 Melbourne Cup but had to make do with 12th place.

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#28

VOW AND DECLARE

Age: 8 / Weight: 53kg / Jockey: Billy Egan / Trainer: Danny O’Brien

This much-loved veteran won the 2019 Melbourne Cup for trainer Danny O’Brien and is still campaigning despite only winning twice since that victory. It would be a heartwarming result if he became the first horse to regain his crown since Peter Pan did it in 1932 and 1934. If he can rewind the clock and run to his absolute best, he sits a very nice price.

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#29

Gold Trip

ASHRUN

Age: 8 / Weight: 51.5kg / Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy / Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace

French runner that switched trainers to Ciaron Maher & David Eustace after 3 years away from the track. Came from way back in the 2023 Melbourne Cup to finish 4th without ever challenging for the major places.

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#30

CLEVELAND

CLEVELAND

Age: 6 / Weight: 51.5kg / Jockey: Michael Dee / Trainer: Kris Lees

Cleveland was scratched from the 2023 Melbourne Cup runners list after vets deemed he had an elevated temperature. He’ll hope for better luck if he returns to Flemington Park in 2024.

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#31


INTERPRETATION

Age: 6 / Weight: 50kg / Jockey: Teodore Nugent / Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace

His form from 2021 is impressive, but he hasn’t been able to replicate it in Australia. A 6th place finish in the 2023 Melbourne Cup was at the higher end of expectations though, providing some hope for the months ahead.

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#32

Francesco-Guardi

OKITA SOUSHI

Age: 6 / Weight: 51.5kg / Jockey: Dylan Gibbons / Trainer: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

From the Joseph O’Brien yard that have a terrific record in this race, with wins in 2017 and 2020. Royal Ascot winner too, when taking the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes under Ryan Moore.

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#33


DAQIANSWEET JUNIOR

Age: 6 / Weight: 51.5kg / Jockey: Daniel Stackhouse / Trainer: Phillip Stokes

This Phillip Stokes trained runner has produced its best form over the Melbourne Cup distance and did well when turning out in the 2023 race, holding his form to come home in 5th.

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#34


ATHABASCAN

Age: 5 / Weight: 55.5kg / Jockey: tbc / Trainer: John O’Shea

Back-to-back wins in September 2023 are the French-born runner’s best results since venturing down under. Improvement isn’t a certainty at five years old, but it could materialise over this campaign. John O’Shea will have to do a magnificent job this year to get this gelding to challenge in the Cup.

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#35


CHESSPIECE

Age: 3 / Weight: 55.5kg / Jockey: tbc / Trainer: Simon & Ed Crisford

This impressive 3-year-old is part of the powerhouse Godolphin stable. Trained by Simon & Ed Crisfor, his recent results don’t suggest he’s best suited to the long Melbourne Cup distance. Improvement will be required to land a substantial blow should connections take him down.

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Odds correct at time of publishing and may be subject to change

Melbourne Cup Lineup for 2024

It’s always useful to know the favourites when it comes to horse racing, but Melbourne Cup history has also taught us that they’re far from a sure-fire bet. In the past ten years, not one of the Melbourne Cup runners that went off as favourite has managed to win – the last to do so was Fiorente in 2013.

Not only that, but there’s the story of Prince of Penzance, who was anything but one of the Melbourne Cup favourites in 2015. He started the race at unlikely odds of 100.0, managed to win and has become known as one of the legendary Melbourne Cup horses, as well as a legend in horse racing history.

Melbourne Cup Confirmed Horses: The Race Results

The stakes were high with a field packed full of incredibly talented Melbourne Cup horses fighting to win a spot in racing history, but only one could be crowned the winner of the 2023 Melbourne Cup, one of the most famous horse races in the world.

Keep on eye of these horses reappearing on the confirmed Melbourne Cup lineup list as a number are expected to return in 2024 and could benefit from the experience of running the Flemington Park course last time round.

PositionsMelbourne Cup RunnersMelbourne Cup JockeysMelbourne Cup Betting Odds
1stWithout A FightMark Zahra$8
2ndSoulcombeJoao Moreira$9.50
3rdSherazBeau Mertens$151
4AshrunKerrin McEvoy$26
5Daqiansweet JuniorDaniel Stackhouse$51
6InterpretationTeodore Nugent$41
7AbsurdeZac Purton$9
8True MarvelBen E Thompson$151
9Vow And DeclareBilly Egan$31
10Military MissionRachel King$26
11Okita SoushiDylan Gibbons$101
12More FelonsJamie Kah$26
13LastotchkaCraig A Williams$26
14VaubanRyan Moore$5,50 fav
15Future HistoryHollie Doyle$18
16BreakupKohei Matsuyama$18
17Gold TripJames McDonald$6.50
18Virtuous CircleCraig Newitt$151
19SerpentineJye McNeil$41
20KalapourZac Lloyd$41
21alenqeurDamien Oliver$21
22Magical LagoonMark Du Plessis$101
Pulled upRight You AreJohn Allen$31

Melbourne Cup Past Winners

Repeat winners of the Melbourne Cup have been a rare occurrence of late. Archer was the first Melbourne Cup horse to complete the feat way back in 1861 and 1862, but only one horse has tasted success on more than one occasion in the 21st century. Makybe Diva first won the race in 2003, before doing so again a year later and completing the trifecta as the first and only three-time winner of the Melbourne Cup in 2005.

Melbourne Cup YearWinner
2023 Melbourne CupWithout A Fight
2022 Melbourne CupGold Trip
2021 Melbourne CupVerry Elleegant
2020 Melbourne CupTwilight Payment
2019 Melbourne CupVow And Declare
2018 Melbourne CupCross Counter
2017 Melbourne CupRekindling
2016 Melbourne CupAlmandin
2015 Melbourne CupPrince of Penzance
2014 Melbourne CupProtectionist
2013 Melbourne CupFiorente
2012 Melbourne CupGreen Moon
2011 Melbourne CupDunaden
2010 Melbourne CupAmericain

Melbourne Cup International Horses

With the Melbourne Cup being such an prestigious event, it’s no surprise that horses from all over the world are brought across to Victoria, Australia. This guarantees the calibre of the competition is as high as possible.

The international line-up at this pinnacle of horse racing seems to get stronger every year and that will surely be the case next year too. The 2023 Melbourne Cup saw legendary Irish trainer Willie Mullins make a concerted effort to target the race, sending both Vauban and Absurde all the way over from Europe. Both horses came up well short though, as Australia enjoyed a home victory with Without A Fight.

YearWinning HorseWinning TrainerCountry of Winning Trainer
2023Without A FightAnthony & Sam FreedmanAustralia
2022Gold TripCiaron Maher & David EustaceAustralia
2021Verry ElleegantChris WallerAustralia
2020Twilight PaymentJoseph Patrick O’BrienIreland
2019Vow and DeclareDanny O’BrienAustralia
2018Cross CounterCharlie ApplebyUnited Kingdom
2017RekindlingJoseph Patrick O’BrienIreland
2016AlmandinRobert HickmottAustralia
2015Prince of PenzanceDarren WeirAustralia
2014ProtectionistAndreas WohlerGermany
2013FiorenteGai WaterhouseAustralia

Qualifying for the Melbourne Cup

Only certain horses are allowed to take part in the Melbourne Cup 2024. As the Melbourne Cup 2024 will be oversubscribed, as usual, a ballot has to take place. Around 300-400 nominees will be whittled down to 24 on race day, helped by some events being ballot-exemption races.

What are the Melbourne Cup qualifying races?

Ballot-exemption races are much like the “win and you’re in” events for the Breeders’ Cup in America. Any horse winning a certain race will get automatic qualification to the Melbourne Cup.

Those races are the Andrew Ramsden (May), the Bart Cummings (October), The Caulfield Cup (October), The Cox Plate (October) and The Lexus Stakes (October).

What criteria must be met for horses to qualify for the Melbourne Cup?

Only those aged three and over can run in the Melbourne Cup. As long as a horse over this age is considered good enough and has enough stamina, they may run if not balloted out when the handicap weights are announced. Aside from weight and age, certain veterinary procedures are maintained, too, especially for those challenging from overseas.

Melbourne Cup horse entry fee

Although the main criteria to qualify as one of the Melbourne Cup horses is performances in previous races, there’s also entry fees that must be paid at every declaration stage. The fees can mount up so it’s important to have the backing of a team who are confident of regaining the costs by winning part of the prize pot.

Declaration StageMelbourne Cup Horse Entry Fees2024 Melbourne Cup Dates
First Nominations$1,000Tuesday 6th August
Late Nominations$5,500Tuesday 13th August
First Declarations$1,500Tuesday 10th September
Second Declarations$2,000Tuesday 1st October
Third Declarations$3,000Tuesday 15th October
Fourth Declarations$4,000Monday 28th October
Final Declarations$49,500Saturday 2nd November

Melbourne Cup Runners | Horses List 2024 FAQ

There are two main things needed for a horse to qualify for the Melbourne Cup. These are:

  • If the horse has won a ballot-free race in the lead up to the event
  • The weight of the handicap assigned to the horse

Seven horses have died at Melbourne Cup races, with the most recent death occurring last year when Anthony Van Dyck, unfortunately, had to be euthanised after an injury.

Yes, sometimes horses are occasionally scratched from the Melbourne Cup in the hours before the race. as happened with Lunar Flare last year. This may be due to unsuitable ground or some late concerns over a horse’s health.

Without A Fight won the 2023 Melbourne Cup, ahead of Soulcombe and Sheraz.

The Melbourne Cup betting fluctuates right up to the final minutes before the race. However, as things stand, Without A Fight and Soulcombe are the early favourites to win the next Melbourne Cup race.

Learn more about the Melbourne Cup race

For more information about the Melbourne Cup you can read the following pages:

18+ | Please play responsibly | What are you really gambling with? | Terms and Conditions apply | Commercial content