Trainers Prepare 13 Horses to Contest 2026 Melbourne Cup
Trainers Ciaron Maher and Joseph O'Brien are set to field a significant portion of the 24-horse Melbourne Cup line-up.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Equestrian
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As the 2026 Melbourne Cup approaches on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, trainers Ciaron Maher and Joseph O'Brien intend to enter a combined total of 13 horses in the race. The final field for the $10 million event will be officially confirmed this Saturday following the Victoria Derby.
Why it matters
The massive participation from top trainers like Maher and O'Brien highlights the intense competition for the final 24-horse field at Flemington Racecourse. With high-profile withdrawals like those from the Chris Waller stable, the final starting list remains a focal point for participants and racing enthusiasts alike.
The Melbourne Cup features a $10 million purse for the 3200m race at Flemington Racecourse. As of Monday, Point Of Law is the race favourite with odds of $6.50.
The players
Ciaron Maher
An elite Australian thoroughbred horse trainer who successfully claimed the Melbourne Cup in 2022.
Joseph O'Brien
A prominent international thoroughbred trainer who previously achieved Melbourne Cup victories in 2017 and 2020.
Chris Waller
A highly successful horse trainer known for managing large stables and making strategic decisions regarding horse welfare and race readiness.
The details
Trainers qualify horses for the field based on specific criteria such as prior race wins, with the final selection occurring after the Victoria Derby. Meanwhile, Chris Waller has decided to withdraw Aeliana and Birdman, noting that Aeliana in particular lacks the necessary physical robustness required for the competition.
Timeline
2013: Rob Hickmott saddled six horses in the Melbourne Cup.
2017: Joseph O'Brien won the Melbourne Cup.
2020: Joseph O'Brien won the Melbourne Cup.
2022: Ciaron Maher won the Melbourne Cup.
Tuesday, 27 October 2026: The 2026 Melbourne Cup race.
Season Trajectory
The high volume of entries from leading trainers echoes the precedent set during the 2013 Melbourne Cup, where Rob Hickmott entered six horses in the field. This concentration of power significantly shifts the competitive landscape as trainers seek to secure multiple spots in the final 24-horse start list.
The withdrawal of Aeliana and Birdman finalises the exclusion of these runners from the starting list. Betting markets have already adjusted, reflecting the current $6.50 odds for the race favourite, Point Of Law.
The takeaway
Understanding the strategy behind stable entries is essential for followers of the Melbourne Cup racing season. The final field confirmation serves as the definitive point for bettors and observers to assess the competitive balance of the race.
Further reading
For more background on the season, visit the Equestrian section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Nine.
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