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Melbourne Cup Nominations 2026
101 horses, 23 internationals and the deepest O'Brien hand yet — the September nominations set up the 2026 $10 million Melbourne Cup.
Nominations by the numbers
- 101total nominations
- 23international entries
- 16O'Brien family entries (Aidan 5, Joseph 11)
- 14Ciaron Maher entries — most by a local
The headline nominations
The champions: Half Yours returns to defend his Caulfield Cup–Melbourne Cup double as the recently crowned Victorian Horse of the Year, while 2024 winner Knight's Choice is back for another shot at Flemington glory.
The O'Brien operation: Joseph's 11 include Goodie Two Shoes (2025 runner-up), Prix Kergorlay winner Defiantly and James J Braddock, a placegetter in the Epsom Derby. Aidan's five are headed by Christmas Day, his Epsom Derby winner — the race that has somehow always escaped him.
The exotic entries: Japan's Stinger Glass, former champion hurdler Constitution Hill attempting a rare flat-racing reinvention, and Tawny Port carrying the golden ticket he earned in the Belmont Gold Cup in New York.
The local armies: Ciaron Maher (14 entries, including Middle Earth, third in 2025) and Chris Waller (12, including Aeliana and Green Spaces) hold the deepest domestic hands.
From 101 nominations to 24 runners
Nominations are only the beginning. The field is cut at successive declaration stages in September and October, with the ballot order — weighing Group wins, prizemoney and international ratings — determining who survives. Ballot-free golden tickets go to winners of the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate, Bart Cummings, Roy Higgins Quality, Lexus Archer Stakes, Moonee Valley Gold Cup, Geelong Cup and the international Ebor and Belmont Gold Cups. The final field of 24 plus emergencies is declared on Victoria Derby Day, 31 October 2026. The full mechanics are in our Cup field guide.
Frequently asked questions
How many horses are nominated for the 2026 Melbourne Cup?›
101 horses were nominated on 1 September 2026 — 78 locals and 23 internationals. Only 24 will make the final field.
Who trains the most Melbourne Cup nominees in 2026?›
Joseph O'Brien with 11, followed by Ciaron Maher (14 locals — most by an Australian trainer), Chris Waller (12) and Aidan O'Brien (5).
Is Constitution Hill nominated for the Melbourne Cup?›
Yes — the former champion hurdler is among the 23 international nominations, attempting a remarkable switch to flat racing at the highest level.