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Melbourne Cup 2026
The $10 million race that stops a nation runs at 3:00pm AEDT on Tuesday 3 November 2026 at Flemington. Here's everything building toward it: nominations, key dates, the early market and every leading contender.
Road to the Cup: key dates
Tuesday 1 September 2026
Nominations released β 101 entries, including 23 internationals
Late September
First declarations β the order of entry starts to firm
Mid October
Second declarations β international raiders commit after quarantine
Saturday 31 October 2026
Victoria Derby Day β final field of 24 declared and barrier draw conducted
Tuesday 3 November 2026, 3:00pm AEDT
The $10 million Melbourne Cup at Flemington
Early market: 2026 Melbourne Cup favourites
Opening prices from the major bookmakers (July 2026) β the market will ebb and flow through the spring. Compare live prices on our odds page.
- Half Yours$10Reigning Cups double winner; topweight loomsT. & C. McEvoy
- Aeliana$11ATC Derby & Tancred winner; Caulfield Cup launchpadC. Waller
- Sir Delius$11WFA star; Cox Plate first, Cup decision to followWaterhouse & Bott
- Al Riffa$15French-bred class; travel not confirmedJ. O'Brien (IRE)
- Calandagan$15French stayer; Ascot campaign firstF-H. Graffard (FR)
- Green Spaces$162026 ATC Derby winner; Caulfield Cup aimC. Waller
- Middle Earth$182025 Cup third; proven at the tripC. Maher
The international brigade
Twenty-three internationals were among the 101 nominations β and the O'Briens own the biggest hand. Joseph O'Brien, a two-time Cup winner already (Rekindling 2017, Twilight Payment 2020), entered 11 including Goodie Two Shoes (2025 runner-up), Prix Kergorlay winner Defiantly and Epsom Derby placegetter James J Braddock. Aidan O'Brien nominated five, headed by Christmas Day, winner of the 2026 Epsom Derby β the great white whale of Aidan's career, the one race he's never won.
Beyond Ireland: Japan's Stinger Glass, former champion hurdler Constitution Hill (seeking a remarkable flat-racing encore), US golden ticket holder Tawny Port, and French staying hope Calandagan are all in the mix. Read the full picture on our Melbourne Cup nominations page.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Melbourne Cup 2026?βΊ
Tuesday 3 November 2026, at 3:00pm AEDT, at Flemington Racecourse over 3200 metres.
Who is favourite for the Melbourne Cup 2026?βΊ
Half Yours at around $10, from Aeliana and Sir Delius at $11. The market will move dramatically through October as lead-up races are run.
When is the 2026 Melbourne Cup barrier draw?βΊ
Saturday 31 October 2026 on Victoria Derby Day at Flemington β the final field, saddlecloth numbers and barriers are declared that afternoon.
How much is the 2026 Melbourne Cup worth?βΊ
$10 million in total prizemoney, with $4.5 million to the winner β the world's richest handicap.