The ‘Race That Stops A Nation’ has been given a cash injection, as it’s been announced the Melbourne Cup prize money 2025 will now stand at A$10m. With even the last horse now walking away with A$100k.
Racing Victoria Increase Melbourne Cup Prize Money To A$10m For 2025 Renewal 💰
Good news for any connections looking to send a horse Down Under in November as the Melbourne Cup prize money has been bumped up to A$10m.
This equates to £4.8m in total purse money for the 2m handicap run at Flemington Park, with the increase A$1.34m from the 2024 Melbourne Cup prize money.
Last year there were payments of A$160k for all the Melbourne Cup runners that finished 6th-12th.
However, with 23 horses going to post in 2024 – this meant eleven runners walked away with diddly-squat.
Every Horse Will Now Get A Slice Of The Melbourne Cup Prize Money – Even The Last Will Get A$100k
But the 2025 Melbourne Cup prize money increase has been designed to help the horses that finish down the field – with now EVERY runner getting a slice of the purse.
It was confirmed by Racing Victoria that from 2025 even the LAST horse will get a staggering A$100k.
Which might not be welcome news to last year’s wooden spoon horse – Just Fine – with this new prize money re-jig coming a year too late for them.
The news has been welcomed by trainer and horse racing owners as the race often attracts horses from all over the world and that comes at a cost to get their runners to the track.
But, with the new cash injection we can also expect the race to be a bit harder to get into for owners that are dreaming of cementing their names in the Melbourne Cup hall-of-fame.
Connections of the lower rated horses will, however, now also get two more chances to land a ballot-free run in the race.
With Ballot exemptions now on offer for the winners of the Geelong Cup (Oct 22) and Moonee Valley Cup (Oct 24).
“The Lexus Melbourne Cup is unrivalled for its history, status and reach and the VRC is proud to be able to now reward every local and international participant in the great race.
“It reflects the significant effort required to prepare and qualify for the Lexus Melbourne Cup and goes hand-in-hand with a decision to add additional qualifying opportunities through the Geelong Cup and Moonee Valley Gold Cup.” said Kylie Rogers (Victoria Racing Club (VRC) chief executive)
In addition to the Melbourne Cup prize money 2025 increase – it was also announced that the Cox Plate purse will rise to A$6m (up A$1m).
But the Caulfield Cup prize money would remain the same at A$5m.
When Is The Melbourne Cup 2025? 🇦🇺
The Melbourne Cup date 2025 will be on Tuesday 4th November.
With the race always being run on the first Tuesday of November.
How Much Will The Melbourne Cup Winning Jockey Earn?
Each jockey will, of course, get a riding fee – but winning the Melbourne Cup will also mean a mega-payout for the winning rider.
The man or woman that steers home the first past the post can expect to take around 5% of the winning purse. Which would equate to approx. £117k.
While jockeys will also win a percentage of the place money. Which, as we now know, will be even for the last horse in 2025.
How Much Will The Melbourne Cup Winning Trainer Earn?
The Melbourne Cup winning trainer will also be in for a big payday too. As they will take a 10% cut of the prize money.
This means the winning yard can expect to get around £234k for training the 2025 Melbourne Cup winner.
Who Is The Favourite For The Melbourne Cup 2025?
At this stage the best horse racing betting sites in the UK have the Willie Mullins-trained Sober topping the Melbourne Cup market at 14/1.
This horse was a winner at Royal Ascot in June – winning the 2025 Queen Alexandra Stakes under jockey Ryan Moore (watch below).
Mullins has aimed several horses at the race in recent years, but is yet to win the Melbourne Cup.
Two of his former Cheltenham Festival winners Absurde (5th) and Vauban (11th) ran in the race in 2024.
The last Irish-trained winner of the race as Twilight Payment in 2020 for Joseph O’Brien. Who also won the Melbourne Cup in 2017 with Rekindling.
Who Won The Melbourne Cup Last Year (2024)?
12 months ago, the 2024 Melbourne Cup result saw a shock winner as the 100/1 shot Knight’s Choice came home in front.
Jockey Robbie Dolan rode the John Symons and Sheila Laxon-trained 5 year-old to victory (watch below).
With Warp Speed second, Okita Soushi back in third and the Godolphin-owned Zardozi in fourth.
Melbourne Cup Winners (Last 10)
- 2024 – KNIGHT’S CHOICE (100/1)
- 2023 – WITHOUT A FIGHT (7/1)
- 2022 – GOLD TRIP (20/1)
- 2021 – VERRY ELLEEGANT (17/1)
- 2020 – TWILIGHT PAYMENT (25/1)
- 2019 – VOW AND DECLARE (10/1)
- 2018 – CROSS COUNTER (8/1)
- 2017 – REKINDLING (14/1)
- 2016 – ALMANDIN (10/1)
- 2015 – PRINCE OF PENZANCE (100/1)
