Melbourne Cup 2026 Horses

2026 Melbourne Cup contenders – by the Practical Punting team

There are 39 horses still in the 2026 Melbourne Cup after third acceptances (Monday 26 October), but no more than 24 will face the starter on Cup Day. All ten golden tickets have now been won. Rather than profile every name, we've profiled the 31 horses most likely to make the final field – the ballot-exempt runners first, then in order of entry, then those on the brink.

For each one we look at what matters over two miles:

• Stamina – have they proven themselves at 2400m and beyond?
• Lead-up form – the Caulfield Cup, the golden ticket races and the big European staying tests.
• The weight – what the handicapper has given them, and how it compares with past winners.

Updated after third acceptances on Monday 26 October. We'll update these profiles again when the final field and barriers are confirmed (Saturday 31 October).

DEFIANTLY (FR)

5yo gelding · Trainer: Joseph O'Brien (IRE) · Weight: 56.5kg · Ballot exempt

The early Cup favourite. Earned his golden ticket by winning the Group 2 Prix Kergorlay (3000m) at Deauville, and before that won the Goodwood Handicap over a marathon 4100m – so the distance holds no fears. A half-brother to Middle Earth and Buckaroo, he's lightly raced (9 starts) and still on the way up.

PP view: Proven stamina, progressive and well placed at the weights. The one query: he's yet to race at Flemington.

SHOCKLETZ (NZ)

5yo mare · Trainer: Ciaron Maher · Weight: 51kg · Ballot exempt

Won the Archer Stakes (2500m) at Flemington to earn her golden ticket – one of three wins at 2500m. Her sire Shocking won the 2009 Cup, and blinkers are expected to go on.

PP view: Light weight, Flemington staying form and a powerful stable. A strong local hope.

MR MONACO (GB)

6yo gelding · Trainer: Ciaron Maher · Weight: 52.5kg · Ballot exempt

Booked his Cup start by winning the Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington on a rain-affected track, picking up a 1.5kg penalty. Also a winner of the Group 3 Manion Cup (2400m) at Rosehill.

PP view: In form, handles Flemington and doesn't mind some give in the ground. Still well weighted after his penalty.

ZAKOUMA (AUS)

6yo gelding · Trainer: Grahame Begg · Weight: 52kg · Ballot exempt

Earned a golden ticket by winning the Andrew Ramsden (2800m) at Flemington in May. Since then, sixth in the Naturalism Stakes and fifth in the Herbert Power. Trainer Grahame Begg's first Cup runner.

PP view: Proven over a staying trip at Flemington, but needs to find more than his spring runs have shown.

POINT OF LAW (GB)

4yo horse · Trainer: Ciaron Maher · Weight: 51kg (can be re-handicapped after his Geelong win) · Ballot exempt

Won the Geelong Cup (2400m) by half a length on his Australian debut on 21 October, earning a golden ticket. Bred by King Charles III and trained in England by John and Thady Gosden, for whom he won the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy (2615m) at Newmarket in July. Three wins from only five starts, and now the Cup favourite.

PP view: Lightly raced, progressive and on a light weight – the profile of many international Cup winners. Watch for any weight rise, and whether he settles: he raced keenly at Geelong. Media Puzzle, Americain and Dunaden all won the Geelong–Melbourne Cup double.

JUJA KIBO (IRE)

6yo gelding · Trainer: Ciaron Maher · Weight: 53.5kg (incl. 2kg penalty) · Ballot exempt

Won the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup on 24 October to earn the tenth and final golden ticket. Before that he won the Group 2 Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick by 1¾ lengths, ending a winless run of more than a year.

PP view: Two strong lead-up wins and a guaranteed start. Back to his best at the right time.

SONS AND LOVERS (GB)

6yo gelding · Trainer: Joseph O'Brien (IRE) · Weight: 57.5kg

The highest-weighted international. A Group 2 winner over 3000m in Riyadh and 2800m at Longchamp, and last start a gallant second carrying 63.5kg. Has earned more than $2.6 million.

PP view: Proven at the trip and his trainer says 3200m will suit. The weight is the hurdle.

STINGER GLASS (JPN)

6yo horse · Trainer: Yasuo Tomomichi (JPN) · Weight: 57kg · Jockey: Christophe Lemaire

Japan's only Cup hope. Six wins from 12 starts, including the Group 3 Diamond Stakes over 3400m in Tokyo. Rider Christophe Lemaire won the 2011 Cup on Dunaden.

PP view: A genuine stayer with a top international jockey. Japanese stayers have run well in recent Cups.

TRUSTYOURINSTINCT (IRE)

7yo gelding · Trainer: Joseph O'Brien (IRE) · Weight: 57kg

A tough, consistent stayer with nine wins from 25 starts, including the Group 2 Curragh Cup (2816m). Most recently fourth in the Group 1 Irish St Leger, and his trainer rates this his best season.

PP view: Gets back and finishes strongly – a style that suits a big Flemington field if the pace is genuine.

GOODIE TWO SHOES (IRE)

8yo mare · Trainer: Joseph O'Brien (IRE) · Weight: 55kg

Runner-up to Half Yours in last year's Cup and arguably in better form this time, winning the Group 2 Lillie Langtry Stakes (2816m) at Goodwood in August.

PP view: Has Flemington 3200m form on the board. She's 3.5kg higher than last year and wants fast ground.

MIDDLE EARTH (GB)

Gelding · Trainer: Ciaron Maher · Weight: 56.5kg

Third in last year's Melbourne Cup and a half-brother to Defiantly. Was in this year's Caulfield Cup field, and his stable describes him as a genuine stayer.

PP view: Proven Cup form, but 2kg more than last year.

JAMES J BRADDOCK (GB)

4yo gelding · Trainer: Joseph O'Brien (IRE) · Weight: 53.5kg · Jockey: Craig Williams

Third in this year's Epsom Derby (2420m) and the youngest of the O'Brien team. His trainer believes he's the best weighted of his Cup runners.

PP view: Classy and well in at 53.5kg, but has never raced beyond 2420m.

VAUBAN (FR)

Gelding · Trainers: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott · Weight: 56.5kg

A Cup regular, finishing sixth last year for his current stable.

PP view: Experienced at Flemington over the trip, but has come up short in his Cup attempts so far.

KNIGHT'S CHOICE

Gelding · Trainers: John Symons & Sheila Laxon · Weight: 56.5kg

The shock 2024 Melbourne Cup winner, who won a photo finish carrying 51.5kg.

PP view: A proven Cup winner – but now has 5kg more than in his winning year.

STRICTLY BUSINESS

Mare · Trainer: Thomas Carberry · Weight: 53kg

Ran a narrow second in the Group 1 SA Derby (2500m) in May and has shown she can run out a staying trip.

PP view: Will need to improve again to measure up against the older stayers.

ROYAL SUPREMACY (IRE)

6yo gelding · Trainer: Ciaron Maher · Weight: 56kg

Was well backed for the Caulfield Cup but finished 15th – the same placing he managed in last year's Melbourne Cup.

PP view: Two disappointing big-race runs to overcome. Hard to have on recent form.

ENFJAAR (IRE)

7yo gelding · Trainer: Roger Varian (GB) · Weight: 56kg

Ran a strong third in the Caulfield Cup, about a length from the winner. A Group 3 winner over 2400m at Goodwood.

PP view: Caulfield Cup form is the traditional Cup guide, but this will be his first try at 3200m.

WINE DARK SEA (GB)

Trainer: Harry Charlton (GB) · Weight: 56kg

Won the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury in August and was in the Caulfield Cup field.

PP view: A quality European stayer with tactical speed – interesting if he gets a run.

ASTERIX (NZ)

8yo gelding by Tavistock · Trainer: Chris Waller · Weight: 55kg

A New Zealand Derby winner who won the Group 3 JRA Plate at Randwick in April. Ran third in the Naturalism Stakes this spring, then 12th in the Caulfield Cup.

PP view: Has the staying pedigree and a Derby win, but needs to bounce back from a flat Caulfield Cup.

SOUL OF SPAIN (IRE)

6yo gelding by Phoenix of Spain · Trainer: Chris Waller · Weight: 54.5kg

Runner-up in the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick in April, and won a maiden over more than 3300m in Ireland. Finished eighth in the Caulfield Cup at long odds, after a placing in the Kingston Town Stakes and seventh in the Metropolitan. His owners, Go Racing, say 3200m suits him better than 2400m.

PP view: Proven over the Cup distance, and Caulfield was short of his best trip. One of the better staying chances on a fair weight.

ONESMOOTHOPERATOR (USA)

Gelding · Trainer: Tim Fitzsimmons · Weight: 54.5kg

Won the 2024 Geelong Cup and finished 16th in last year's Melbourne Cup. Now with Tim Fitzsimmons.

PP view: Proven stayer, but his Cup runs haven't matched his best form.

HOPEWELL ROCK (IRE)

5yo gelding · Trainer: George Boughey (GB) · Weight: 54.5kg

Lightly raced (10 starts) and improving. Second in York's Ebor – narrowly missing a golden ticket – and a winner over 2816m at Goodwood.

PP view: Ebor form is a strong Cup pointer and he's reasonably weighted.

ZAHRANN (IRE)

Trainer: Ciaron Maher · Weight: 54.5kg

Won the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) in September to earn a Caulfield Cup start, beating stablemate Saint George. His stable says he stays 2400m.

PP view: Has the class, but 3200m is a step into the unknown.

SAINT GEORGE (GB)

Trainer: Ciaron Maher · Weight: 55kg

Ran a big second in the Caulfield Cup, beaten only half a length, after finishing second in the Naturalism.

PP view: In career-best form – but needs to climb the order of entry to be sure of a start.

TORRANZINO (NZ)

Trainer: Paul Preusker · Weight: 52.5kg

Ran a fine fifth in last year's Melbourne Cup.

PP view: Proven at Flemington over 3200m with a light weight.

On the brink

These horses are in the 39 but sit near the 24-horse cut. Wednesday's Bendigo Cup will help decide the last spots.

SOULCOMBE (GB)

8yo gelding · Trainer: Chris Waller

Second in the 2023 Melbourne Cup, and ran sixth in last week's Geelong Cup.

PP view: Has Cup form at Flemington – an each-way type if he finds a run.

PINHOLE (GB)

5yo gelding · Trainer: Chris Waller · Weight: 51kg (eligible for rehandicap)

Won the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) on 10 October for James McDonald.

PP view: Young, improving and on a light weight. Needs to stay in the field after the Bendigo Cup.

SMALL FRY (IRE)

6yo gelding · Trainer: Joseph O'Brien (IRE)

Ran second, beaten half a length, to Point Of Law in the Geelong Cup on his Australian debut.

PP view: A strong Geelong run on a light weight – another O'Brien stayer to respect if he makes the field.

THE EUPHRATES (GB)

6yo gelding · Trainers: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott

Led in the Geelong Cup before fading to 10th. On the brink of the field, depending on the Bendigo Cup.

PP view: Needs to bounce back, and needs others to drop out.

SO YOU ARE

5yo gelding · Trainer: Bjorn Baker

Won the Colin Stephen Quality (2400m) at Rosehill in September for Rachel King, and his trainer has had the Cups in mind all spring. On the brink of the field.

PP view: Honest and improving, but needs a run to be sure of a start.

LITZDEEL

5yo mare · Trainer: Danny O'Brien

Ran fifth in the Geelong Cup. On the brink of the field, depending on the Bendigo Cup.

PP view: Will need luck to get in, and to improve on her Geelong run.

Also in the news: Point Of Law (Geelong Cup) and Juja Kibo (Moonee Valley Gold Cup) won golden tickets, so all ten have now been won. Cosmic Crusader won the Cox Plate from Birdman and Aeliana – but Aeliana and Birdman won't run in the Cup. 2025 winner Half Yours didn't accept after his Caulfield Cup fall, and Caulfield Cup winner Kingswood wasn't entered.

Key dates: Bendigo Cup Wednesday 28 October · final field Saturday 31 October, barrier draw from 6:30pm · Cup Day Tuesday 3 November, 3:00pm.

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