There will be another big field trying to win the Melbourne Cup prize money in 2025 – but just how much is on offer, how many of the finishers end up with a share of the purse and what will the winning jockey and trainer get?
The 2025 Melbourne Cup Prize Money Stands at $10m
As you can see from the Melbourne Cup prize money table for 2025 there is a staggering AUS$4,500,000 on offer to the winning horse.
With a total purse at AUS$10m – which is up $2m from 2024.
The other great news this year is the 2025 Melbourne Cup prize money breakdown will see EVERY horse getting something.
With the 13th-24th finishers now all getting $100k each.
Melbourne Cup Prize Money Breakdown 2025
| Position |
Prize Money (AUS$) |
| 1st | $4,500,000 |
| 2nd | $1,100,000 |
| 3rd | $550,000 |
| 4th | $350,000 |
| 5th | $230,000 |
| 6th-12th | $160,000 |
| 13th-24th | $100,000 |
How Much Will The Melbourne Cup Winner Get?
The winning horse will land their owners AUS $4,500,000 in Melbourne Cup prize money.
Which is $3,400,000 more than the second horse will get – so there’s a lot at stake.
While the Melbourne Cup prize money for 2024 stands at £1.47m MORE than what’s on offer in the Epsom Derby (£882,000).
The third horse will take home $550,000 the fourth $350,000 and the fifth $230,000.
With each horse placed 6th-12th getting $160,000.
And new to 2025 – all the runners that finish 13th-24th will get $100,000.
The Melbourne Cup winning connections will also get an 18ct solid gold Hardy Brothers trophy – which is said to be worth $250,000.
In Australia, The Everest remains the richest horse race – worth $20m – double what the new 2025 Melbourne Cup purse is.
The Melbourne Cup Purse Goes Right Down To The 24th Placed Horse
The good news for any owner of a Melbourne Cup runner in 2025, is that the purse goes right down to last place (24th).
This will be the first year this has happened – with the purse previously only extending down to 12th.
With the horses that finish 6th to 12th all getting $160k and those 13th-24th banking $100k.
Melbourne Cup 2025 Details and Date?
📅Date: Tuesday 4th November 2025
⌚Time: 4:00am (GMT)
🏇Racecourse: Flemington Park (2m)
💰Winning Purse: $4.5m (AUS)
📺 TV: Sky Sports Racing
How Much Will The Melbourne Cup Winning Jockey Get?
In addition to their riding fee, winning the Melbourne Cup will also mean a mega-payout for the winning jockey.
The jockey that guides home the first past the post can expect to take around 5% of the winning purse – which would equate to approx. $225,000k.
While riders will also win a percentage of the place money, should they now finish ANYWHERE in the race.
How Much Will The Melbourne Cup Winning Trainer Get?
The Melbourne Cup winning trainer will also be laughing all the way to the bank – as they will take a 10% cut of the prize money too.
This means the winning stable will be looking at a cool £234k for training the 2025 Melbourne Cup winner.
2024 Melbourne Cup Winner Knight’s Choice Won $4.4m
12 months ago in 2024, Knight’s Choice won the ‘Race That Stops A Nation’ at a massive 90/1 and in the process landed $4.4m in Melbourne Cup prize money.
Melbourne Cup Prize Money History
The Melbourne Cup was first run in 1861 and back then was worth $710 and paid in gold sovereigns – with the winner also getting a gold watch.
In 1985, the race saw the Melbourne Cup prize money hit $1m for the first time.
Which increased to $4m by 2001 – with the trophy also being upgraded from 9ct gold to 18ct gold.
See below how the Melbourne Cup prize money has increased since 2004.
| Year | Prize Money ($AUS) |
| 2025 | $10,000,000 |
| 2024 | $8,560,000 |
| 2023 | $8,410,000 |
| 2019-2022 | $8,000,000 |
| 2018 | $7,300,000 |
| 2012-2017 | $6,200,000 |
| 2011 | $6,175,000 |
| 2010 | $6,000,000 |
| 2008-2009 | $5,500,000 |
| 2005-2007 | $5,000,00 |
| 2004 | $4,600,000 |
