How many runners are in the 2026 Melbourne Cup?

24 runners, declared on Victoria Derby Day (Saturday 31 October 2026). Ciaron Maher saddles seven of them and Joseph O'Brien five.

Who is the best horse in the 2026 Melbourne Cup field?

On ratings it's the topweight Sons And Lovers (57.5kg), with Trustyourinstinct the best-credentialled European form. The market, though, is all about Point Of Law — the $7 favourite after his Geelong Cup win.

Which Melbourne Cup 2026 runner has the best barrier?

Favourite Point Of Law drew the ideal barrier 9, while Zahrann landed barrier 11 — the most successful gate in Cup history with nine winners — and Soul Of Spain barrier 5, with nine more.

Race.com.au

Melbourne Cup Runners 2026

All 24 runners in Tuesday's $10 million race, rated one by one — the form, the gate, the rider and the verdict on each chance after the Derby Day draw.

Runner by runner

1.Sons And Lovers$2057.5kg · barrier 3 · Dylan Browne McMonagle · Joseph O'Brien
The topweight (57.5kg) and highest-rated horse in the race from the two-time Cup-winning yard. Gate 3 is ideal — the weight is the only query.
2.Trustyourinstinct$957kg · barrier 18 · James McDonald · Joseph O'Brien
The best European form in the race: Curragh Cup winner, fourth in the Irish St Leger. James McDonald rides, but barrier 18 is a genuine knock.
3.Knight's Choice$3456.5kg · barrier 2 · Robbie Dolan · Symons & Laxon
The 2024 winner ($91) is back with Robbie Dolan again. Carries 5.5kg more than his win, but barrier 2 is beautiful.
4.Middle Earth$1856.5kg · barrier 1 · Mark Zahra · Ciaron Maher
Third in last year's Cup and straight onto the rails from barrier 1. Proven at the trip, Mark Zahra rides — a solid each-way profile.
5.Vauban$2156.5kg · barrier 22 · Jordan Childs · Waterhouse & Bott
Sixth in the 2025 Cup and now with Waterhouse & Bott. The class is there, but gate 22 gives him a mountain of work to do.
6.Enfjaar$1456kg · barrier 8 · Ray Dawson · Roger Varian
Roger Varian's raider with Ray Dawson booked. Barrier 8 has won six Cups, including last year — maps beautifully.
7.Royal Supremacy56kg · barrier 21 · Ben Allen · Ciaron Maher
One of Ciaron Maher's seven runners. Ben Allen rides, but gate 21 is firmly against him on Cup history.
8.Wine Dark Sea56kg · barrier 23 · Damian Lane · Harry Charlton
Harry Charlton's English stayer with the in-form Damian Lane — but the second-widest gate (23) is a horror draw.
9.Asterix55kg · barrier 6 · Jye McNeil · Chris Waller
Chris Waller's Kiwi with 2020 Cup-winning rider Jye McNeil. Gate 6 gives him every possible chance.
10.Goodie Two Shoes$2655kg · barrier 19 · Wayne Lordan · Joseph O'Brien
Last year's runner-up with Wayne Lordan again. Gate 19 sits right on the modern winning line — respected.
11.Juja Kibo55kg · barrier 14 · Sam Clipperton · Ciaron Maher
Maher's Irish import with Sam Clipperton. Gate 14 has won six Cups, including Makybe Diva's third.
12.Hopewell Rock54.5kg · barrier 15 · Zac Lloyd · George Boughey
George Boughey's raider with Zac Lloyd. Gate 15 has produced just one Cup winner — needs luck.
13.Onesmoothoperator54.5kg · barrier 13 · Declan Bates · Tim Fitzsimmons
The US golden-ticket winner (Belmont Gold Cup) with Declan Bates. Gate 13, honest each-way hopes at odds.
14.Soul Of Spain$5154.5kg · barrier 5 · Tommy Berry · Chris Waller
Waller's second string with Tommy Berry, but the draw gives him a shout: barrier 5 is a nine-time Cup-winning gate.
15.Zahrann$1654.5kg · barrier 11 · Ben Melham · Ciaron Maher
Drew the most successful gate in Cup history — barrier 11, with nine winners. Ben Melham rides; the each-way pick of the race.
16.So You Are$4154kg · barrier 7 · Rachel King · Bjorn Baker
Bjorn Baker's hope with Rachel King. Barrier 7 has produced just one Cup winner — the history books are against them.
17.Future History53.5kg · barrier 12 · Jamie Melham · Greg Hickman
Greg Hickman's veteran with last year's Cup-winning rider Jamie Melham. Came through the Herbert Power; gate 12 is fine.
18.James J Braddock$10 pre-draw53.5kg · barrier 24 · Craig Williams · Joseph O'Brien
Epsom Derby placegetter who was $10 before copping the widest gate of all — 24. Needs a career-best from Craig Williams.
19.Kizlyar$3453.5kg · barrier 20 · Beau Mertens · Joseph O'Brien
Only gained a start when stablemate Defiantly was scratched on Derby morning. Beau Mertens from the sticky gate 20.
20.Point Of Law$753kg · barrier 9 · Ethan Brown · Ciaron Maher
The favourite, and everything has fallen into place: a golden-ticket Geelong Cup win on Australian debut, 53kg and the perfect gate 9.
21.Strictly Business53kg · barrier 4 · Dean Yendall · Thomas Carberry
Thomas Carberry's stayer with Dean Yendall. The rails-adjacent gate 4 is a big plus for a horse at long odds.
22.Mr Monaco$2052.5kg · barrier 16 · Jabez Johnstone · Ciaron Maher
Maher's lightweight with apprentice Jabez Johnstone's 1.5kg claim effectively reducing him to 51kg. Gate 16 is no barrier.
23.Zakouma$1652kg · barrier 10 · William Pike · Grahame Begg
Grahame Begg's progressive stayer with William Pike booked. Gate 10 has won six Cups — a genuine smoky.
24.Shockletz$1251kg · barrier 17 · Harry Coffey · Ciaron Maher
The 51kg featherweight and Archer Stakes golden-ticket winner, a daughter of 2009 Cup winner Shocking. Jockey watch: Harry Coffey's collarbone.

Prices are indicative fixed odds at the barrier draw — compare live markets on our Cup odds page.

More 2026 Melbourne Cup coverage

Frequently asked questions

How many runners in the 2026 Melbourne Cup?›

24, the full field — declared with the barrier draw on Victoria Derby Day, Saturday 31 October 2026.

Which trainer has the most runners in the 2026 Cup?›

Ciaron Maher with seven: Middle Earth, Royal Supremacy, Juja Kibo, Zahrann, Point Of Law, Mr Monaco and Shockletz. Joseph O'Brien has five.

Who are the 2026 Cup favourites?›

Point Of Law ($7) leads from Trustyourinstinct ($9), Shockletz ($12), Enfjaar ($14) and the $16 pair Zakouma and Zahrann, priced at the barrier draw.