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Melbourne Cup Jockeys 2026
Six past Cup winners hold rides in this year's field, plus the strongest international bookings of the spring. Every confirmed rider, and what each is up against.
The key bookings
- James McDonald β rides Trustyourinstinct
Australia's champion rider and the 2021 Cup winner (Verry Elleegant). The strongest booking in the race β his task is overcoming barrier 18.
- Mark Zahra β rides Middle Earth
Won back-to-back Cups in 2022 (Gold Trip) and 2023 (Without A Fight). Chases a third from the rails draw.
- Jamie Melham β rides Future History
The reigning Cup-winning rider after Half Yours' 2025 Cups double. Picks up Greg Hickman's veteran from gate 12.
- Craig Williams β rides James J Braddock
The 2019 Cup winner (Vow And Declare) has the hardest job in the race β the carpark, barrier 24.
- Damian Lane β rides Wine Dark Sea
A world-class big-race rider still chasing a first Cup β but gate 23 asks plenty of Charlton's English stayer.
- Jye McNeil β rides Asterix
Won the 2020 Cup aboard Twilight Payment for Joseph O'Brien β this time he's on Waller's Kiwi.
- Robbie Dolan β rides Knight's Choice
Reunited with his 2024 $91 boilover winner, this time from barrier 2 with 5.5kg more weight.
- Wayne Lordan β rides Goodie Two Shoes
The Irish veteran went within a beat of Cup glory on this horse last year β second behind Half Yours.
- Ethan Brown β rides Point Of Law
Rides the favourite. His Geelong Cup steer on Australian debut was faultless; gate 9 gives him options.
- William Pike β rides Zakouma
The wizard of the west takes the ride on Begg's progressive stayer from the six-win gate 10.
- Harry Coffey β rides Shockletz
In doubt with a suspected broken collarbone from a Derby Day fall. Maher is giving him every chance β watch for a replacement announcement.
- Dylan Browne McMonagle β rides Sons And Lovers
Freed up by Defiantly's Derby-morning scratching and lands on O'Brien's topweight from gate 3.
Every rider in the 2026 Cup
| Jockey | Horse | Barrier |
|---|---|---|
| Dylan Browne McMonagle | Sons And Lovers | 3 |
| James McDonald | Trustyourinstinct | 18 |
| Robbie Dolan | Knight's Choice | 2 |
| Mark Zahra | Middle Earth | 1 |
| Jordan Childs | Vauban | 22 |
| Ray Dawson | Enfjaar | 8 |
| Ben Allen | Royal Supremacy | 21 |
| Damian Lane | Wine Dark Sea | 23 |
| Jye McNeil | Asterix | 6 |
| Wayne Lordan | Goodie Two Shoes | 19 |
| Sam Clipperton | Juja Kibo | 14 |
| Zac Lloyd | Hopewell Rock | 15 |
| Declan Bates | Onesmoothoperator | 13 |
| Tommy Berry | Soul Of Spain | 5 |
| Ben Melham | Zahrann | 11 |
| Rachel King | So You Are | 7 |
| Jamie Melham | Future History | 12 |
| Craig Williams | James J Braddock | 24 |
| Beau Mertens | Kizlyar | 20 |
| Ethan Brown | Point Of Law | 9 |
| Dean Yendall | Strictly Business | 4 |
| Jabez Johnstone | Mr Monaco | 16 |
| William Pike | Zakouma | 10 |
| Harry Coffey | Shockletz | 17 |
More 2026 Melbourne Cup coverage
Frequently asked questions
Who is the best jockey in the 2026 Melbourne Cup?βΊ
James McDonald is Australia's champion rider and a past Cup winner β but in a 24-horse handicap, the draw and the horse matter as much as the rider.
Has any jockey won the Melbourne Cup twice in a row?βΊ
Mark Zahra won consecutive Cups in 2022 and 2023 on different horses (Gold Trip, Without A Fight). He rides Middle Earth in 2026 chasing a third.
Who rides Trustyourinstinct in the 2026 Cup?βΊ
James McDonald β the standout booking of the race, though barrier 18 means he'll need to be at his brilliant best.