Caulfield Cup history: 150 runnings of Australia's great staying handicap

The Caulfield Cup was first run in 1879 and is a Group 1 handicap over 2400 metres at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne. The Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) stages the 150th running on Saturday 17 October 2026, with the race scheduled for 5:15pm AEDT (MRC). The MRC describes it as the world's richest 2400m handicap (Racing.com).

Source: Melbourne Racing Club, Racing.com.

Out here we usually write about bush meetings like the Birdsville Races, where people arrive by light plane and swag. The Caulfield Cup sits at the other end of Australian racing: a city Group 1 in suburban Melbourne, a short train ride from the CBD. Both belong to the same story, though. Australians have run cup meetings for a very long time, and this one is now 150 runnings old.

When was the first Caulfield Cup?

The first Caulfield Cup was run in 1879 (Wikipedia race history). The race was run over 1½ miles until metric distances arrived in 1972. Since then it has been 2400 metres, which is roughly the same trip. It was classed as a Principal Race until 1979, when it became a Group 1.

During World War II the Cup moved to Flemington Racecourse, and in 1943 it was run in divisions. That is one reason the 2026 race is the 150th running. The count is runnings, not calendar years since 1879.

What kind of race is the Caulfield Cup?

It is a handicap. Each horse is allotted a weight to carry, with the aim of evening out the field. Horses aged three and older can run. The field is capped at 18 starters, plus emergencies. Wins and placings in lead-up races, and prize money earned, decide who gets in. Some lead-up races carry automatic entry.

The race has traditionally been held on the third Saturday in October. The Melbourne Cup follows 17 days later, and a good Caulfield run can help a horse qualify for Flemington.

Has any horse won the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup in the same year?

Yes. The Caulfield–Melbourne Cup double in the same year has been won by Poseidon (1906), The Trump (1937), Rivette (1939), Rising Fast (1954), Even Stevens (1962), Galilee (1966), Gurner's Lane (1982), Let's Elope (1991), Doriemus (1995), Might and Power (1997), Ethereal (2001), Without A Fight (2023) and Half Yours (2025) (honour roll).

Half Yours won the 2025 Caulfield Cup under Jamie Melham (Racing.com, 2025 review) and went on to complete the double.

Which horses have won the Caulfield Cup twice?

Seven horses have won two Caulfield Cups: Paris (1892, 1894), Hymettus (1898, 1901), Poseidon (1906, 1907), Uncle Sam (1912, 1914), Whittier (1922, 1925), Rising Fast (1954, 1955) and Ming Dynasty (1977, 1980). Poseidon (1906) and Rising Fast (1954), pictured above, are the only dual winners who also took the Melbourne Cup in one of their Caulfield years.

What changed for the 150th Caulfield Cup?

For 2026 the MRC lifted the race to $6 million for the first time, $1 million more than in 2025. The winner receives $3.3 million. Every starter now earns prize money, and horses finishing outside the top 10 receive $60,000. Trophies for the winning owner, trainer and jockey rose from $330,000 to $550,000 in value (Racing.com).

The MRC also added four European races as "win and you're in" ballot-free qualifiers. They are the Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot, the Glorious Stakes at Goodwood, the Prix de Reux at Deauville and the Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown. Racing Victoria chief executive Aaron Morrison said the prize money change aligns the race with the Melbourne Cup.

If you are building a spring trip around the big carnivals, lock in the metropolitan dates first, then add the country cups, because the bush meetings are where a lot of this tradition began. For today's runners and the honour roll, see the Caulfield Cup field and past winners page on Race.com.au.

Where can I see the official 2026 result?

The 2026 race is run at 5:15pm AEDT on 17 October. Check results on racing.com and the MRC website rather than social posts. Results are only official once stewards and the club confirm them.

From Caulfield to the bush

If 150 runnings of a city cup interests you, the country carnivals are worth the trip too. Our outback events calendar lists the bush race meetings, rodeos and festivals by month.

Caulfield Cup 2026 key facts

• Date: Saturday 17 October 2026, the 150th running (MRC).
• Venue: Caulfield Racecourse, directly outside Caulfield Station in Melbourne's south-east.
• Race time: 5:15pm AEDT. Gates open at 10:30am, the first race is at 12:15pm and the last race is at 5:50pm.
• Distance and conditions: 2400 metres, a Group 1 handicap for horses aged three and older, with up to 18 starters.
• Prize money: $6 million, with $3.3 million to the winner and $60,000 to every starter outside the top 10 (Racing.com).
• First run: 1879.
• Tickets: the MRC listed Cup Day as sold out, with strictly limited tickets at the gate.

Information only, not betting advice. Details were checked against Melbourne Racing Club and Racing.com on 17 October 2026 and can change on the day, so confirm with the official sources linked above. If gambling is a problem for you or someone you know, call Gambling Help on 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. Gamble responsibly.