Caulfield Cup 2026
The Caulfield Cup is one of Australia’s most prestigious staying handicaps, run over 2400 metres at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne. A Group 1 event, it is the jewel of the Caulfield Cup Carnival and a major lead-up to the Melbourne Cup, and 2026 marks its 150th running.
The 2026 Sportsbet Caulfield Cup will be run at Caulfield on Saturday 17 October 2026 for $6 million, up from $5 million last year, with $3.3 million to the winner and prize money paid to every starter for the first time.
Caulfield Cup
Preview, Trends & Analysis
- Track: Caulfield Racecourse, Melbourne
- Distance: 2400 metres
- Class: Group 1
- Conditions: Handicap
- Sponsor: Sportsbet (since 2024)
- 2026 Date: Saturday 17 October 2026 (150th running)
- 2026 Purse: $6 million
- 2025 Winner: Half Yours (Jamie Melham, Tony & Calvin McEvoy)
About the Race
First run in 1879, the Caulfield Cup has long been regarded as the world’s richest 2400 m handicap, a title the Melbourne Racing Club has reinforced by lifting the purse to $6 million for the 150th running in 2026. Known as the “People’s Cup,” it consistently attracts the nation’s best middle-distance and staying horses, alongside international raiders targeting the Melbourne Cup. The field is capped at 18 runners plus four emergencies, the topweight carries 59kg, and Sportsbet has been the naming partner since 2024.
The race is often considered the ultimate test of stamina, speed, and tactical positioning at Caulfield. Many champions have claimed the Cup, including Ming Dynasty, Let’s Elope, Might and Power, Northerly, Viewed, Dunaden, Incentivise and Verry Elleegant. Bart Cummings trained a record seven winners, Rising Fast (1954) remains the only horse to add the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup in the same spring, and Without A Fight (2023) and Half Yours (2025) are the most recent to complete the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups double. Half Yours’ win also made Jamie Melham the first female jockey to win the race, and weeks later she became the second to win the Melbourne Cup.
When is the Next Caulfield Cup?
The 2026 Sportsbet Caulfield Cup will be run on Saturday 17 October 2026 as Race 8 on a card that also carries the Group 1 Thousand Guineas, the Group 2 Caulfield Sprint and the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes. Weights were released in mid-September, with Sir Delius on 59kg and Half Yours on 57.5kg, and the lead-up races are complete: Cosmic Crusader won the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington on 3 October and Juja Kibo won The Metropolitan at Randwick. The final field of 18 and the barrier draw will be confirmed in race week, and this page will be updated when they are.
Betting Guide
Popular bet types:
Win, Place, Quinella, Exacta, Trifecta, First Four, Same Race Multi
Form tips:
- Strong form at 2400 m and beyondis essential.
- Horses who have contested the Turnbull Stakesor Caulfield Stakes are often strong contenders.
- International stayers with proven Group 1 form in Europe and Japan must always be respected.
- Barrier draws and early positioning are crucial at Caulfield’s 2400 m start.
Caulfield Cup Recent Winners
| Year | Winner |
| 2025 | Half Yours |
| 2024 | Duke De Sessa |
| 2023 | Without A Fight |
| 2022 | Durston |
| 2021 | Incentivise |
| 2020 | Verry Elleegant |
| 2019 | Mer De Glace |
| 2018 | Best Solution |
| 2017 | Boom Time |
| 2016 | Jameka |
| 2015 | Mongolian Khan |
| 2014 | Admire Rakti |
| 2013 | Fawkner |
| 2012 | Dunaden |
| 2011 | Southern Speed |
| 2010 | Descarado |
The Questions
Saturday 17 October 2026 at Caulfield Racecourse, the 150th running, confirmed by the Melbourne Racing Club.
2400 metres under handicap conditions.
Half Yours, trained by Tony and Calvin McEvoy and ridden by Jamie Melham, won as the $2.50 favourite from River Of Stars and Valiant King, then went on to win the Melbourne Cup. Duke De Sessa won in 2024.
$6 million in 2026, up from $5 million in 2025. The winner collects $3.3 million and every starter is paid at least $60,000.
Half Yours (2025) and Without A Fight (2023) are the most recent, following the likes of Ethereal (2001), Might And Power (1997), Let’s Elope (1991) and Rising Fast (1954).
