Race Overview
With history dating back to the late 1870s, the Caulfield Cup is one of the most historic races in Australian racing.
Known as one of racing’s ‘grand slam’ races, the Group 1 race is held under handicap conditions but the Melbourne Racing Club is in the process of changing the race into Weight-For-Age conditions.
The Caulfield Cup is for horses aged 3YO and older and takes places over 2400m at Caulfield in Melbourne on the third and final day of the Caulfield Carnival.
With total prize money of $5 million, the race is the world’s richest race over 2400m as well as being one of the more lucrative races in the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.
The winner of the Caulfield Cup earns a ballot exemption from the prestigious Melbourne Cup.
Held exclusively at Caulfield, the race was run at Flemington during World War II and was run in divisions in 1943.
The winner of the inaugural race was Newminster in 1879.
A Principal Race between 1879-1978, the race became a Group 1 race in 1979.
Legendary trainer Bart Cummings is the most successful trainer in the race’s history with 7 wins to his name including Galilee (1966), Big Philou (1969), Leilani (1974), Ming Dynasty (1977, 1980), Let’s Elope (1991) and Viewed (2009).
The most successful jockey in the race’s history is Scobie Breasley who has ridden 5 winners including four consecutive winners between 1942-1945.
Former Australian test cricketer and Victoria Amateur Turf Club’s Clem Hill was the handicapper for the Caulfield Cup between 1937-1943.
One of the worst falls in Australian racing history occurred at the 1885 Caulfield Cup when 15 of the 44 horses in the field fell as they turned onto the straight.
The incident resulted in the tragic death of 25-year-old jockey Donald Nicholson
In 2007, the race was marred by two high profile late scratchings when the top two favourites Maldivian and Eskimo Queen withdrew from the race.
Maldivian, who at the time was the race’s shortest price favourite in 41 years, injured himself in the starting stalls.
Eskimo Queen, who was nearby, was frightened by Maldivian’s mishap and was trapped beneath the stalls.
With all the pre-race drama, the race was delayed by 9 minutes.
A plethora of star horses have saluted in the race over the years including prominent Melbourne Cup champions Might And Power (1997) and the Chris Waller-trained Verry Elleegant (2020).
Other notable winners include Poseidon (1906), Eurythmic (1920), Violoncello (1921), Whittier (1922), Manfred (1926), Amounis (1930), Rogilla (1932), The Trump (1937), Rivette (1939), Tranquil Star (1942), Royal Gem (1946), Rising Fast (1954), Redcraze (1956), Tulloch (1957), Even Stevens (1962), Bore Head (1965), Galilee (1966), Tobin Bronze (1967), Big Philou (1969), Leilani (1974), Ming Dynasty (1977, 1980), Gurner’s Lane (1982), Lord Reims (1987), Sydeston (1990), Let’s Elope (1991), Doriemus (1995), Might And Power (1997), Ethereal (2001), Northerly (2002), Mummify (2003), Elvstroem (2004), Railings (2005), Master O’Reilly (2007), Viewed (2009), Dunaden (2012), Admire Rakit (2014), Mongolian Khan (2015) and Verry Elleegant (2020).
The Chris Waller-trained Durtson won the race in 2022.
Form Indicators
*The Caulfield Cup is considered the first of the ‘grand slam’ races held over Spring.
*Don’t be afraid to back an overseas-trained horse with visiting horses saluting 6 times since they started competing in the race in 1998. Those 6 winners include Taufan’s Melody (1998), All The Good (2008), Dunaden (2012), Admire Rakti (2014), Best Solution (2018) and Mer De Glace (2019).
*The race record time of 2.25.32 set by Diatribe in 2000 has stood for more than 20 years, so don’t expect to see a new race record time.
*11 horses have completed the coveted Caulfield Cup/Melbourne Cup double which is one of the most prestigious doubles in Australian racing. Those horses include Poseidon (1906), The Trump (1937), Rivette (1939), Rising Fast (1954), Even Stevens (1962), Galilee (1966), Gurner’s Lane (1982), Let’s Elope (1991), Doriemus (1995), Might And Power (1997) and Ethereal (2001).
*Be aware the field is limited to 18 starters with 4 emergencies decided by a ballot system.
*The field is announced on the Wednesday before the race on Saturday after the completion of the Coongy Cup which is an exemption race to the Caulfield Cup.
*Winners of the Toorak Handicap, Herbert Power Stakes and the Mornington Cup earn automatic entry into the race. Other factors which determine eligibility include prize money, wins and placings in lead-up races.
*Dual winners of the Cup are rare and only 6 horses in the race’s history have won the race a second time. They include Paris (1892, 1894), Hymettus (1898, 1901), Poseidon (1906, 1907), Uncle Sam (1912, 1914), Whittier (1922, 1925), Rising Fast (1954, 1955) and Ming Dynasty (1977, 1980).
Previous Winners:
2022 – Durston
2021 – Incentivise
2020 – Verry Elleegant
2019 – Mer De Grace
2018 – Best Solution
2017 – Boom Time
2016 – Jameka
2015 – Mongolian Khan
2014 – Admire Rakit
2013 – Fawkner
2012 – Dunaden
2011 – Southern Speed
2010 – Descarado