The Caulfield Cup is one of the biggest events in Australian horse racing, attracting a number of international horses in its recent history.  The Caulfield Cup has been open to international competition since 1998, with British bred Taufan’s Melody winning the very same year and All The Good taking victory a decade later in 2008.

Every year, hundreds of horses attempt to get entry into the Caulfield Cup field.  However, the race is restricted to a field of 18 runners plus four emergencies, so it is very difficult to get a run.   Horses from around the world have only been allowed to compete in the Caulfield Cup since 1998, with the field now made up of both Australian and international runners.

Some of the high profile international horses that travel to Australian for the Caulfield Cup also have their eyes on the Melbourne Cup, which is run a little later in the spring season on the first Tuesday of November.  The Caulfield Cup final field is decided by a balloting system, with the ballot determined by the amount of prize money earned in the last two years, wins and placing in eligible lead-up races, and weight allocated by the handicapper.

The vast majority of Caulfield Cup winners have been from Australia and New Zealand, including Northerly in 2002, Mannerism in 1992, and Elvstroem in 2004.  Eleven horses have managed to win the Melbourne Cup and Caulfield Cup double, including Poseidon in 1906, Rising fast in 1954, Galilee in 1966, and Might and Power in 1997.

However, as the Caulfield Cup and other high profile Australian races open up more to international competition, we are only likely to see more international winners in future years.