Melbourne Cup entries down but Flemington’s global pull remains powerful 

Overseas-trained horses make up almost one in every four of those nominated for this year’s Melbourne Cup, strengthening an international dimension to a race that has attracted its smallest entry list in recent years.

The Victoria Racing Club received 101 nominations for the $10.2 million race, with 23 international horses trained from England, Ireland, Japan and the United States.

That proportion is significantly higher than the past two years, when international horses represented 16 per cent of the 120 nominations in 2025 and 16 per cent of the 123 entries in 2024, and compares with just 11 per cent of the 132 nominations in 2023.

Overall entries have contracted markedly in recent years, falling from 186 in 2022 to 132 in 2023, 123 in 2024, 120 last year and now 101.

When Delta Blues won for Japan in 2006, there were 253 nominations.

Ireland provides the bulk of this year’s international challenge, with champion trainers Aidan O’Brien and his son Joseph combining for 16 of the 23 overseas entries as they target the Flemington feature.

Joseph O’Brien has nominated 11 horses as he attempts to win the race for a third time after victories with Rekindling in 2017 and Twilight Payment in 2020.

His team includes Prix Kergorlay winner Defiantly, last year’s runner-up Goodie Two Shoes and Epsom Derby placegetter James J Braddock.

Defiantly, owned by Australian Bloidostock, is already assured of a start after his Group 2 victory at Deauville.

Aidan O’Brien, who is yet to win the Melbourne Cup, has entered five horses headed by Epsom Derby winner and Irish Derby runner-up Christmas Day.

His other entries include Amelia Earhart, a recent Group 2 placegetter in Ireland, Royal Ascot Group 2 winner Causeway and Great Voltigeur placegetters Piazza Sa Marco and Pierre Bonnard.

Japan’s hopes for a second Cup triumph will rest with Stinger Glass for trainer Yasuo Tomomichi.

Champion jumper Constitution Hill has been nominated by British trainer Nicky Henderson and American-trained Tawny Port has already secured a place through his Belmont Gold Cup victory.

Zakouma, trained by Grahame Begg, is the only Australian horse so far to have earned a golden ticket after winning the Andrew Ramsden.

The international interest remains high despite the reigning champion Half Yours and 2024 winner Knight’s Choice among the 78 Australian-trained entries.

Ciaron Maher has the largest domestic representation with 14 nominations, while Chris Waller has entered 12 horses including Aeliana, one of the leading contenders in early markets.

VRC chief racing officer Leigh Jordon said the strength of the international representation reinforced the race’s global appeal.

“The Lexus Melbourne Cup is the race that stops a nation, and the depth of this year’s nominations once again highlights its global appeal,” Jordon said.

“From the reigning champion Half Yours and some of Australia’s leading trainers, to a strong international contingent and the return of a Japanese-trained horse for the 20th anniversary of Delta Blues’ historic victory in 2006, there are plenty of compelling stories already emerging ahead of the first Tuesday in November.”

Late entries will close at noon on September 8 with weights released on September 17.