2024 Group 1 Melbourne Cup nominations announced, 123 horses nominated

The Melbourne Cup, one of Australia’s richest Group 1 races, is right around the corner. The Victoria Racing Club has announced its updated list of nominees who could run in the $8-million-race at Flemington.  
 
In total, 123 horses have been nominated for the Melbourne Cup. 103 horses home from Australia. 20 sprinters come from international markets. Among the abroad-based horses is one of the Melbourne Cup betting odds leaders Grosvenor Square (IRE).  
 
The 2024 Melbourne Cup will be run at Flemington on Tuesday November 5th. 

Melbourne Cup nominees 

123 thoroughbreds have been entered for the 164th running of the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse.  
 
The nominated runners come from all over the world. Trainers from Japan, Ireland, France, England, New Zealand, and of course Australia have nominated horses. Irish trainer Willie Mullins, who has nominated two horses (Vauban and Absurde), is among the most high-profile international trainers vying for a Melbourne Cup spot.  
 
VRC Executive General Manager Racing Leigh Jordon said of the slate of nominees that the number and quality of the horses represents an “exciting milestone” for VRC and the Melbourne Cup.  
 
The next major milestone is the first declarations, which will be announced on Tuesday October 1.

Early Melbourne Cup favourites 

While abroad-based entrants have taken the spotlight so far, Warwick Farm’s own Circle of Fire ($11) is the current favourite to win the 2024 Melbourne Cup.  
 
The British-born stallion moved to Australia last year and immediately started dominating in his new country. He  has won his last two races: the Group 2 Chairman’s Quality and the Group 1 Sydney Cup.  
 
After Circle of Fire, the market is less clear. Some Melbourne Cup betting sites have Irish thoroughbred Grosvenor Square as second-favourite with $12 odds to win. Other betting apps have French runner Vauban as co-favourite at $11.  
 
Middle Earth, Tower of London, and The Map are among the other horses near the top of the betting odds list.  

Cian Maher enters 16 top horses 

Out of all the trainers who have entered horses for the very few are better represented than Cian Maher. The Victoria-based trainer has entered 16 horses for the Melbourne Cup, including the betting favourite Circle of Fire.

Circle of Fire is one of four Maher-trained horses who are in the current top ten in the betting market.  

Saint George ($15), Middle Earth ($18) and Berkshire Breeze ($21) are Maher’s other main contenders.