The Victoria Racing Club has officially received 101 nominations for the 166th running of the prestigious Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington, scheduled for November 3, 2026.
While the total number of nominations is down from recent years, there’s a marked increase in international interest, with 23 horses entered from four different countries: England, Ireland, Japan, and the USA.
This year’s figures compare to 120 nominations in 2025 (19 international), 123 in 2024 (20 international), and 132 in 2023 (15 international). The 2022 race saw a substantial 186 nominations, including 43 from overseas, though entries were taken a month earlier that year.
Last year’s champion, Half Yours, is among the nominees, aiming to repeat his success for the father-and-son training partnership of Tony and Calvin McEvoy.
The McEvoy stable has also nominated Nearco Frod and Yellow Jersey. Half Yours is expected to begin his Cup campaign in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday week.
Ciaron Maher has a strong hand with 14 horses entered, seeking his second Cup triumph. Chris Waller, who famously won the Cup with Verry Elleegant in 2021, has put forward 12 contenders for the first Tuesday in November, including Aeliana, River Of Stars, and Soulcombe. Soulcombe recently made his seasonal reappearance following his second-place finish to Without A Fight in the 2023 Cup.
Joseph O’Brien, a two-time winner of the Melbourne Cup, leads the international brigade with 11 nominations. His entries include last year’s runner-up, Goodie Two Shoes, and Defiantly, who secured a ballot exemption with a win in the Prix Kergorlay at Deauville.
Aidan O’Brien is eager to claim his first Melbourne Cup victory, a long-held ambition that began in 2006 when his charge Yeats finished seventh.
Epsom Derby winner Christmas Day headlines O’Brien’s international contenders, looking to emulate the success of Joseph O’Brien’s previous winners, Rekindling and Twilight Payment, and surpass the runner-up efforts of Johnannes Vermeer (2017) and Tiger Moth (2020).
The 2024 winner, Knight’s Choice, is nominated after missing the race last year due to illness. Middle Earth, who finished in the placings last year, and Okita Soushi, a placegetter in 2024, are also entered for another shot at glory.
One of the more intriguing nominations is the champion UK hurdler turned flat performer, Constitution Hill, trained by Nicky Henderson.
Constitution Hill will take a significant step towards a Melbourne campaign by participating in the Group 3 September Stakes at Kempton Park over 2400m.
Leigh Jordon, VRC Chief Racing Officer, commented on the strong nominations, stating, “From the reigning champion Half Yours and some of Australia’s leading trainers, to a strong international contingent and the return of a Japanese-trained horse for the 20th anniversary of Delta Blues’ historic victory in 2006, there are plenty of compelling stories already emerging ahead of the first Tuesday in November.”
Further opportunities for horses to gain ballot exemptions at Flemington include the Group 3 Archer Stakes (2500m) on September 12, and the Group 3 Bart Cummings (2500m) on October 3. The Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) and Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) on October 24 also offer exemptions.
Other key races granting ballot exemptions include the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and the Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m), both scheduled for next month.
Horses that have already secured their spot through winning a golden ticket include Zakouma, Tawny Port, and Defiantly.
Late entries close on September 8, with weights to be released on September 17. For those keen on the action, checking out the latest Australian betting sites for early odds is advisable.