Melbourne Cup 2025: Date, Start Time, Field, and Favorites

The 165th running at Flemington features a $10 million purse and an international field led by Irish star Al Riffa.

Watching the Cup

Date: Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Time: 3 p.m. AEDT / 04:00 UTC
Location: Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne
Distance: 3,200 meters
Prize Money: A$10 million

The Melbourne Cup takes place at Flemington Racecourse, the iconic home of Australian racing. Known as “the race that stops a nation,” it attracts millions of viewers across Australia and around the world.

The Field: 24 Horses, Global Class

Twenty-four horses have been declared, representing a mix of international stars and local contenders.

Full list of runners and riders:
Al Riffa (Mark Zahra)
Buckaroo (Craig Williams)
Arapaho (Rachel King)
Vauban (Blake Shinn)
Chevalier Rose (Damian Lane)
Resage Nocturne (Stephane Pasquier)
Middle Earth (Ethan Brown)
Meydaan (James McDonald)
Absurde (Kerrin McEvoy)
Flatten The Curve (Thore-Hammer Hansen)
Land Legend (Joao Moreira)
Smokin’ Romans (Ben Melham)
Changingoftheguard (Tim Clark)
Half Yours (Jamie Melham)
More Felons (Tommy Berry)
Onesmoothoperator (Harry Coffey)
Furthur (Michael Dee)
Parchment Party (John Velazquez)
Athabascan (Declan Bates)
Goodie Two Shoes (Wayne Lordan)
River Of Stars (Beau Mertens)
Royal Supremacy (Robbie Dolan)
Torranzino (Celine Gaudray)
Valiant King (Jye McNeil)

The Favorite: Al Riffa

The Joseph O’Brien-trained Al Riffa leads the betting after a decisive win in the Irish St Leger at the Curragh. The colt’s balance of stamina and tactical speed has made him the horse to beat heading into the Cup.

O’Brien’s camp has expressed confidence in Al Riffa’s ability to adapt to Flemington’s surface and conditions. Stablemate Goodie Two-Shoes offers outside value if the race unfolds to favor late finishers.

Recent History and Local Hopes

Last year’s Cup delivered one of the great upsets when Knight’s Choice stormed home at long odds, becoming the fourth consecutive Australian-trained winner.
That victory reminded punters that the Melbourne Cup rarely follows the script.

Among this year’s local chances, Smokin’ Romans and Torranzino have both shown form that suggests they could contend if conditions suit.

Controversy and Scrutiny

The Melbourne Cup continues to wrestle with the balance between safety and spectacle. Australia’s strengthened veterinary protocols, implemented after several high-profile breakdowns, have reduced injury rates but stirred frustration among international connections.

In 2024, Aidan O’Brien’s St Leger hero Jan Brueghel was ruled out following CT scan results. This year, local favorite Sir Delius was also scratched under similar circumstances, renewing debate about how far officials should go to protect welfare without compromising competition.

The Strategy Game

The Melbourne Cup’s two-mile trip is as much about patience as power. Front-runners risk burning out, while closers must navigate heavy traffic in the long Flemington straight.

Al Riffa’s staying power should serve him well, though Flemington’s famous final stretch often rewards horses with perfect timing.
Expect tactical rides from James McDonald on Meydaan and Joao Moreira on Land Legend, two jockeys renowned for their late-race judgment.

Final Gate

The Melbourne Cup remains Australia’s most excellent sporting theater. For just over two minutes, 24 horses carry the hopes of owners, trainers, and fans into one of the most unpredictable races in the world.

When the gates open, form and reputation fall away. Only one will write its name into history at Flemington.