Every November, Australia comes to a standstill for one race: the Melbourne Cup. Whether you’re a seasoned punter who’s in it to win it, or a fashion guru who lives for the glitz and glam, the Melbourne Cup is the moment when the whole country tunes in for a piece of the action. Over the years, we have seen everything from long-shot triumphs to record-breaking runs, and behind each winner is a story that is pure racing magic. Let’s look back at six of the most unforgettable Melbourne Cup wins.
1. Carbine’s Mighty Feat in 1890
In 1890, the Melbourne Cup was taken by a horse that redefined endurance – Carbine. Carbine was already well respected, but his Cup run made him nothing short of a legend in the racing world. In an era before strict field limits, he lined up against a staggering 38 competitors, carrying a weight of 66 approximately kilograms. More than a century later, it’s still the heaviest load ever held by a Cup winner.
Despite the odds stacked against him, Carbine charged home with sheer power and determination, winning the race in a record time of 3 minutes and 28.25 seconds. That record stood unbroken for an unbelievable 15 years. He carried 24 kilograms more than the runner-up, proving that heart and grit could overcome any handicap. Carbine’s victory remains one of the most extraordinary performances in racing history and still inspires the masses.
2. Phar Lap’s Iconic Victory in 1930
No list of Cup legends would be complete without including the legend that is Phar Lap. The large chestnut was more than a champion; he was a national hero. His 1930 Melbourne Cup win came right in the middle of a 14-race winning streak and cemented his place in racing folklore.
But Phar Lap’s road to the Cup was not a smooth one. Just days before the race, he survived an attempt on his life when gunmen opened fire as he returned from trackwork in Caulfield. Unshaken, Phar Lap went on to win the Melbourne Stakes that very afternoon before being quietly taken to a farm near Geelong for his own safety.
When race day came around, he started as the shortest-priced favourite in Melbourne Cup history and delivered exactly what everyone hoped for, a commanding win that left the crowd roaring. In true Phar Lap fashion, he did not stop there, running and winning again on Oaks Day and Stakes Day to complete one of the most remarkable campaigns in Australian racing history.
3. Rising Fast’s Grand Slam of 1954
If any horse ever defined the phrase winning streak, it was Rising Fast in the spring of 1954. His preparation that year is still considered one of the most dominant in history. He took out the Turnbull Stakes, Caulfield Stakes, Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate, Mackinnon Stakes, Melbourne Cup, and the C B Fisher Plate in a single campaign.
When he won the Cup that November, he carried 59 kilograms to victory and became the only horse to win the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate, and Melbourne Cup in the same season, a feat that has never been matched. Rising Fast’s run was pure class, and his name still pops up whenever talk turns to the greatest spring campaigns of all time.
4. Rain Lover’s Historic Double in 1969
Rain Lover’s back-to-back Melbourne Cup victories are the stuff of legend. After smashing the field by eight lengths in 1968, he returned the following year to defend his crown. But the 1969 Cup came with plenty of drama. Bart Cummings’ hot favourite Big Philou was sensationally scratched just 40 minutes before the race after being given a banned substance.
With the drama swirling, Rain Lover kept his cool. Carrying over 60 kilograms, he powered home to become the first horse in over a century to win consecutive Melbourne Cups. His incredible stamina and strength earned him a place alongside the all-time greats and proved that lightning can strike twice.
5. Kiwi’s Stunning Comeback in 1983
Every once in a while, a Melbourne Cup produces a moment so unexpected that it becomes racing folklore. In 1983 that moment belonged to Kiwi, a New Zealand galloper ridden by a young Jim Cassidy. Kiwi started mid-field in the betting, but his win is remembered as one of the greatest come-from-behind victories in Cup history. Cassidy was told to ride him quietly, which is precisely what he did.
Kiwi was still second last at the 800 metre mark, but in the final stretch, he unleashed a devastating burst of speed. He weaved through the pack and stormed home to win breathtakingly. The crowd went wild, and Cassidy’s calm, patient ride became a masterclass in timing and confidence.
6. Makybe Diva’s Historic Three Peat in 2005
When Makybe Diva lined up for the 2005 Melbourne Cup, the history books were calling. She had already won the previous two Cups, and many doubted she could do it again. Just over a week after winning the Cox Plate, she returned to Flemington with a calm focus that only champions possess.
What happened next was unforgettable. With Glen Boss aboard, Makybe Diva stormed home to take her third consecutive Melbourne Cup, a record that still stands today. Her dominance, poise, and power made her a champion and a cultural icon. Australians still talk about the Diva with absolute admiration, and few believe we will ever see a horse like her again.
Where can you find details about the Melbourne Cup?
Every year the Melbourne Cup rolls around, we get to see history in the making, but nothing will erase these legends from the hall of fame! To get ahead start on this year's potential results, check out Ladbrokes to find the 2025 Melbourne Cup odds and other details about the week.
Final Thoughts
The Melbourne Cup is much more than a horse race — it’s a national celebration, a test of courage and endurance, and a showcase unforgettable stories. From Carbine’s impossible weight to Makybe Diva’s unmatched streak, each victory adds another layer to the legend. No matter how much the sport evolves, these eight wins remind us why the Cup still captures Australia’s heart year after year. So when the first Tuesday in November rolls around, pour yourself a drink, place your bets if you fancy it, and enjoy the spectacle that continues to define Australian racing.
