Melbourne Cup Ballot Exempt Races & Qualification Explained
There are a total of eight ballot exempt races that can secure the winner a spot in the final field for the 2025 Melbourne Cup. As well as ballot exempt races, there are other qualifying races that can push horses up the Melbourne Cup order of entry.
2025 Melbourne Cup Ballot Exempt Races & Winners
See below for winners of the Melbourne Cup ballot exempt races in 2025. These horses have qualified for the Melbourne Cup, and if their owners pay up for each of the nomination and acceptance stages, they are guaranteed a start in the 2025 Melbourne Cup should they be fit and well.
| Race | Date | Track | Distance | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Roy Higgins | March 29 | Flemington | 2500m | Deakin |
| The Andrew Ramsden | May 18 | Flemington | 2800m | |
| Belmont Gold Cup | June 7 | Saratoga (US) | 2414m | |
| Ebor Handicap | August 23 | York (UK) | 2787m | |
| Archer Stakes | September 13 | Flemington | 2500m | |
| The Bart Cummings | October 4 | Flemington | 2500m | |
| Caulfield Cup | October 18 | Caulfield | 2400m | |
| Cox Plate | October 25 | Moonee Valley | 2040m |
Melbourne Cup Qualifying Races Explained
Qualifying races are different from ballot exempt races. Ballot exemption guarantees a horse is exempt from the balloting process, while qualifying races only qualify them to be eligible for the Cup.
To qualify for the Melbourne Cup, a horse must fulfill one or more of the following criteria:
- Since 1 February 2022 inclusive, won or was placed 2nd or 3rd in an internationally recognised Group or Graded flat race run over 2300 metres or further
- Since 1 February 2022 inclusive, was placed 4th or 5th in an internationally recognised Group 1 or Grade 1 flat race run over 2300 metres or further in which horses older than 3 years old could run
- Since 1 February 2022 inclusive, won an internationally recognised Listed flat race run over 2300 metres or further, OR
- Since 1 February 2023 inclusive, won the Northumberland Plate (UK), OR
- Was placed 6th, 7th or 8th in the 2023 MRC Caulfield Cup, OR
- Since 1 February 2022 inclusive, won or was placed 2nd or 3rd in an internationally recognised Group 1 or Graded 1 flat race run over 2000 metres or further
- Was placed 2nd or 3rd in one of the seven 2023 Ballot exempt races listed above, OR
- Won or was placed 2nd or 3rd in the 2021 Lexus Melbourne Cup, OR
- Won the 2021 MRC Caulfield Cup.
Should the number of such horses exceed the number of horses required to be eliminated from the race, then such elimination shall be effected by order of the lowest appended weight figure against the benchmark weight for individual horses, as the case may be.
Horses in this clause (2) with the same lowest appended weight figure against the benchmark weight for individual horses, as the case may be, shall be eliminated at the discretion of the Directors.
How Do Horses Qualify for the Melbourne Cup?
If a horse hasn’t won a ballot exempt race, their entry into the race is based on Melbourne Cup weights - with the highest weighted horses being given preference as they have been judged by the handicapper to have better form.
The weight or handicap a horse is allocated plays a bit part in their chance of success, and the racing experts at blackbook.com.au take that in to account when providing their 2025 Melbourne Cup tips.
