Melbourne Cup 2025 News - Full Draw and Final Field
The Melbourne Cup 2025 line-up features a stellar group of contenders led by Half Yours, Al Riffa, and Buckaroo. Half Yours confirmed his status among top Australian stayers with a Group 1 victory in the Caulfield Cup. Al Riffa, fresh off an Irish St Leger win, along with Buckaroo and Presage Nocturne, are strong contenders aiming to make their mark. The event, known as 'the race that stops a nation,' continues its tradition of blending international flair and local talent, showcasing the best of racing prowess over the challenging 3200 meters.
- The final field and barriers have been confirmed for the 2025 Melbourne Cup
- Half Yours, Valiant King and Buckaroo headline the local hopes for the famous two-mile race
- International contenders Al Riffa, Presage Nocturne and Meydaan add strong overseas depth to the field
Half Yours (barrier 8) claimed a breakthrough Group 1 victory in the Caulfield Cup, confirming his rise among Australia’s top stayers for Tony & Calvin McEvoy.
The gelding had already impressed with a Naturalism Stakes win and a solid Turnbull Stakes performance leading in, and now heads to Flemington as one of the major local hopes for the Melbourne Cup.
Valiant King (barrier 10) has emerged as a key contender after finishing third in the Caulfield Cup on the back of his Bart Cummings victory, which earned him a Melbourne Cup ballot exemption.
The progressive stayer continues to profile ideally for the two-mile classic.
Presage Nocturne (barrier 9) finished fourth in the Caulfield Cup on his Australian debut — an excellent effort over a trip that’s a little short of his best.
Trained by Alessandro Botti, the French galloper has already proven durable in European Group staying races and looks well suited stepping up in trip for the Melbourne Cup.
Buckaroo (barrier 12) looms as one of the stronger chances after running a close second in the Cox Plate.
Trained by Chris Waller, the entire will carry 57kg with Craig Williams aboard and brings genuine class into the two-mile test, with the 3200 m distance being the main query.
Al Riffa (barrier 19) surged further into Melbourne Cup contention following a dominant victory in the Irish St Leger at The Curragh.
The Irish entire, who earlier claimed the Curragh Cup, was recently purchased by Australian Bloodstock in a multimillion-dollar deal while remaining under the care of Joseph O’Brien, already a two-time Melbourne Cup-winning trainer.
Meydaan (barrier 22) produced an excellent Australian debut in the Caulfield Cup when forced to cover ground throughout.
He was entitled to tire late but still found the line strongly in that 2400m feature, and with James McDonald taking over, he looks well placed to improve further at Flemington.
Melbourne Cup 2025 - Barriers & Final Field
| No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Al Riffa (FR) | Joseph O’Brien | Mark Zahra | 19 | 59kg |
| 2 | Buckaroo (GB) | Chris Waller | Craig Williams | 12 | 57kg |
| 3 | Arapaho (FR) | Bjorn Baker | Rachel King | 15 | 56.5kg |
| 4 | Vauban (FR) | G. Waterhouse & A. Bott | Blake Shinn | 2 | 56.5kg |
| 5 | Chevalier Rose (JPN) | Hisashi Shimizu | Damian Lane | 5 | 55.5kg |
| 6 | Presage Nocturne (IRE) | Alessandro Botti | Stéphane Pasquier | 9 | 55.5kg |
| 7 | Middle Earth (GB) | Ciaron Maher | Ethan Brown | 13 | 54.5kg |
| 8 | Meydaan (IRE) | Simon & Ed Crisford | James McDonald | 22 | 54kg |
| 9 | Absurde (FR) | Willie Mullins | Kerrin McEvoy | 4 | 53.5kg |
| 10 | Flatten The Curve (FR) | Henk Grewe | Thore Hammer Hansen | 17 | 53.5kg |
| 11 | Land Legend (FR) | Chris Waller | Joao Moreira | 16 | 53.5kg |
| 12 | Smokin’ Romans (NZ) | Ciaron Maher | Ben Melham | 11 | 53.5kg |
| 13 | Changingoftheguard (IRE) | Kris Lees | Tim Clark | 24 | 53kg |
| 14 | Half Yours | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Jamie Melham | 8 | 53kg |
| 15 | More Felons (IRE) | Chris Waller | Tommy Berry | 23 | 53kg |
| 16 | Onesmoothoperator (USA) | Brian Ellison | Harry Coffey | 6 | 53kg |
| 17 | Furthur (IRE) | Andrew Balding | Michael Dee | 7 | 52kg |
| 18 | Parchment Party (USA) | William Mott | John Velazquez | 3 | 52kg |
| 19 | Athabascan (FR) | J. O’Shea & T. Charlton | Declan Bates | 1 | 51.5kg |
| 20 | Goodie Two Shoes (IRE) | Joseph O’Brien | Wayne Lordan | 20 | 51.5kg |
| 21 | River Of Stars (IRE) | Chris Waller | Beau Mertens | 14 | 51.5kg |
| 22 | Royal Supremacy (IRE) | Ciaron Maher | Robbie Dolan | 21 | 51kg |
| 23 | Torranzino (NZ) | Paul Preusker | Celine Gaudray | 18 | 51kg |
| 24 | Valiant King (GB) | Chris Waller | Jye McNeil | 10 | 51kg |
Melbourne Cup Winners
The Melbourne Cup stands as one of the world’s premier staying contests and a defining moment on the Australian sporting calendar.
Run over 3200 metres under handicap conditions, the famous race draws contenders from around the globe, creating a complex puzzle for form analysts and punters alike.
Known as ‘the race that stops a nation,’ it remains both Australia’s most popular betting event and one of the most recognisable sporting spectacles worldwide.
Recent winners include Gold Trip (2022), Without A Fight (2023) and Knight’s Choice (2024), each leaving their mark on the Cup’s rich history.
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