Melbourne Cup 2026 Jockey Guide – All 24 Riders & Their Records
- Mark Zahra rides Middle Earth from barrier 1 in the 2026 Melbourne Cup.
- Zahra is a two-time Cup winner and reunites with last year's third-placed horse.
- Middle Earth returns to 3200m and benefits from a favourable inside draw.
The Melbourne Cup (3200m) takes centre stage at Flemington on Tuesday, November 3, with 24 jockeys chasing glory in Australia's most famous race.
- 1. Dylan Browne McMonagle – Sons And Lovers (57.5kg, Barrier 3)
- 2. James McDonald – Trustyourinstinct (57kg, Barrier 18)
- 3. Robbie Dolan – Knight's Choice (56.5kg, Barrier 2)
- 4. Mark Zahra – Middle Earth (56.5kg, Barrier 1)
- 5. Jordan Childs – Vauban (56.5kg, Barrier 22)
- 6. Ray Dawson – Enfjaar (56kg, Barrier 8)
- 7. Ben Allen – Royal Supremacy (56kg, Barrier 21)
- 8. Damian Lane – Wine Dark Sea (56kg, Barrier 23)
- 9. Jye McNeil – Asterix (55kg, Barrier 6)
- 10. Wayne Lordan – Goodie Two Shoes (55kg, Barrier 19)
- 11. Sam Clipperton – Juja Kibo (55kg, Barrier 14)
- 12. Zac Lloyd – Hopewell Rock (54.5kg, Barrier 15)
- 13. Declan Bates – Onesmoothoperator (54.5kg, Barrier 13)
- 14. Tommy Berry – Soul Of Spain (54.5kg, Barrier 5)
- 15. Ben Melham – Zahrann (54.5kg, Barrier 11)
- 16. Rachel King – So You Are (54kg, Barrier 7)
- 17. Jamie Melham – Future History (53.5kg, Barrier 12)
- 18. Craig Williams – James J Braddock (53.5kg, Barrier 24)
- 19. Beau Mertens – Kizlyar (53.5kg, Barrier 20)
- 20. Ethan Brown – Point Of Law (53kg, Barrier 9)
- 21. Dean Yendall – Strictly Business (53kg, Barrier 4)
- 22. Jabez Johnstone – Mr Monaco (52.5kg, Barrier 16)
- 23. William Pike – Zakouma (52kg, Barrier 10)
- 24. Harry Coffey – Shockletz (51kg, Barrier 17)
- Previous Melbourne Cup-Winning Jockeys in 2026
The field features several previous Melbourne Cup-winning riders, including Mark Zahra, James McDonald, Craig Williams, Robbie Dolan, Jye McNeil and Jamie Melham, while a number of international jockeys and rising stars will be looking to make their mark.
We take a look at every jockey and their 2026 Melbourne Cup horses, barriers and weights, along with their previous experience in the great race.
2026 Melbourne Cup Jockey-by-Jockey Guide
1. Dylan Browne McMonagle – Sons And Lovers (57.5kg, Barrier 3)
The Irish jockey makes his Melbourne Cup debut aboard the Joseph O'Brien-trained Sons And Lovers after initially being booked for Defiantly, who was withdrawn following a veterinary examination. The 2025 Irish champion jockey has established himself among Europe's leading young riders and gets his opportunity aboard a proven international stayer, although the topweight of 57.5kg presents a challenge.
2. James McDonald – Trustyourinstinct (57kg, Barrier 18)
James McDonald knows what it takes to win a Melbourne Cup, having partnered Verry Elleegant to victory in 2021. The champion jockey combines with Joseph O'Brien aboard Trustyourinstinct, who has strong staying credentials, but will need to overcome barrier 18 to give himself the best chance.
3. Robbie Dolan – Knight's Choice (56.5kg, Barrier 2)
Robbie Dolan reunites with Knight's Choice, the galloper he famously partnered to a $91 Melbourne Cup victory in 2024. The pair draw barrier two this time around and will be hoping to recapture their best form after the seven-year-old finished down the track in the Caulfield Cup (2400m).
4. Mark Zahra – Middle Earth (56.5kg, Barrier 1)
Mark Zahra is chasing a third Melbourne Cup victory after winning aboard Gold Trip in 2022 and Without A Fight in 2023. He reunites with Middle Earth, who finished third in last year's race, and draws the inside barrier aboard the Ciaron Maher-trained galloper, who looks suited by the return to the 3200m.
5. Jordan Childs – Vauban (56.5kg, Barrier 22)
Jordan Childs takes the ride aboard Vauban, who returns for his fourth attempt at the Melbourne Cup after finishing sixth last year. The nine-year-old will need to improve on his recent Geelong Cup (2400m) performance, while Childs faces the challenge of negotiating a passage from barrier 22.
6. Ray Dawson – Enfjaar (56kg, Barrier 8)
English jockey Ray Dawson travels to Flemington to partner the Roger Varian-trained Enfjaar, who made an encouraging Australian debut when third in the Caulfield Cup (2400m). The international rider draws barrier eight aboard the seven-year-old, who should be able to settle handy before tackling the 3200m for the first time.
7. Ben Allen – Royal Supremacy (56kg, Barrier 21)
Ben Allen returns for his second Melbourne Cup ride after finishing sixth aboard Thomas Hobson in 2017. He partners Royal Supremacy for Ciaron Maher, but faces a tricky assignment from barrier 21 aboard a galloper who likes to race on the speed and was well beaten in the Caulfield Cup (2400m).
8. Damian Lane – Wine Dark Sea (56kg, Barrier 23)
Damian Lane has established himself as one of Australia's leading big-race jockeys and will be chasing his first Melbourne Cup victory aboard Wine Dark Sea. The Harry Charlton-trained international has drawn barrier 23, and Lane will need to find a suitable position after the five-year-old was caught wide in the Caulfield Cup (2400m).
9. Jye McNeil – Asterix (55kg, Barrier 6)
Jye McNeil produced a memorable front-running ride aboard Twilight Payment to win the 2020 Melbourne Cup. He partners the Chris Waller-trained Asterix from barrier six this year, although the eight-year-old needs to find significant improvement on his recent form to give McNeil another chance at Cup glory.
10. Wayne Lordan – Goodie Two Shoes (55kg, Barrier 19)
Experienced Irish jockey Wayne Lordan returns aboard Goodie Two Shoes after the pair finished runner-up behind Half Yours in last year's Melbourne Cup. Lordan has also recorded a third placing in the race and will be hoping to go one better this time, although the mare carries an additional 3.5kg and has drawn barrier 19.
11. Sam Clipperton – Juja Kibo (55kg, Barrier 14)
Sam Clipperton gets an excellent opportunity aboard Juja Kibo, who comes into the Melbourne Cup after consecutive victories in The Metropolitan (2400m) and Moonee Valley Cup (2500m). Clipperton's previous Cup ride was aboard Stockman in 2022, when finishing eighth, and the in-form Ciaron Maher-trained galloper gives him a genuine chance of improving on that result.
12. Zac Lloyd – Hopewell Rock (54.5kg, Barrier 15)
Zac Lloyd has already gained valuable Melbourne Cup experience, having partnered Kalapour in 2023 and Athabascan in 2024. The talented young jockey combines with English trainer George Boughey aboard Hopewell Rock, who has shown plenty of staying promise in Europe and draws barrier 15.
13. Declan Bates – Onesmoothoperator (54.5kg, Barrier 13)
Declan Bates partners Onesmoothoperator for Bendigo-based trainer Tim Fitzsimmons, with the nine-year-old lining up for his third Melbourne Cup appearance. Bates will be hoping to produce an improved performance from the former Geelong Cup winner, who has been below his best this preparation and draws barrier 13.
14. Tommy Berry – Soul Of Spain (54.5kg, Barrier 5)
Tommy Berry is one of Sydney's leading jockeys but is still chasing his first Melbourne Cup victory. He combines with Chris Waller aboard Soul Of Spain, who was runner-up in the Sydney Cup (3200m) earlier this year and draws barrier five, although the six-year-old needs to improve on his recent performances.
15. Ben Melham – Zahrann (54.5kg, Barrier 11)
Ben Melham went close to winning the Melbourne Cup in 2017 when finishing runner-up aboard Johannes Vermeer. He partners Zahrann for Ciaron Maher this year, with the five-year-old coming off a fourth in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) and looking to improve again from barrier 11.
16. Rachel King – So You Are (54kg, Barrier 7)
Rachel King gets her opportunity aboard So You Are, who comes into the Melbourne Cup on the back of four consecutive victories, including the Bendigo Cup (2400m). The Bjorn Baker-trained galloper draws barrier seven and should be able to settle in a prominent position, with King looking to cap off an outstanding preparation with victory in the great race.
17. Jamie Melham – Future History (53.5kg, Barrier 12)
Jamie Melham returns as the defending Melbourne Cup-winning jockey after her historic victory aboard Half Yours in 2025. She partners the nine-year-old Future History this time around, who draws barrier 12 but needs to find improvement on his recent efforts to give Melham consecutive Cup victories.
18. Craig Williams – James J Braddock (53.5kg, Barrier 24)
Craig Williams claimed his first Melbourne Cup aboard Vow And Declare in 2019 and gets another opportunity with the lightly raced international James J Braddock. The Joseph O'Brien-trained galloper has some strong European form, including a third in the English Derby (2420m), but Williams will need to produce something special after drawing the outside barrier.
19. Beau Mertens – Kizlyar (53.5kg, Barrier 20)
Beau Mertens partners the Joseph O'Brien-trained Kizlyar, who has proven staying credentials after winning over the 4013m at Royal Ascot earlier this year. The five-year-old was disappointing at his Australian debut in the Moonee Valley Cup (2500m), and Mertens will need to overcome barrier 20 to give him every chance of bouncing back.
20. Ethan Brown – Point Of Law (53kg, Barrier 9)
Ethan Brown gets another excellent opportunity in the Melbourne Cup after finishing third aboard Middle Earth last year. He retains the ride on Point Of Law following the colt's impressive Geelong Cup (2400m) victory, and barrier nine looks ideal for the lightly raced Ciaron Maher-trained galloper.
21. Dean Yendall – Strictly Business (53kg, Barrier 4)
Dean Yendall takes the ride aboard last year's Victoria Oaks winner Strictly Business, who has struggled to make an impression against the older horses this spring. The mare draws barrier four and carries 53kg, but will need to improve sharply on her recent performances to give Yendall a chance of featuring.
22. Jabez Johnstone – Mr Monaco (52.5kg, Barrier 16)
Young apprentice Jabez Johnstone makes his Melbourne Cup debut aboard Mr Monaco, who he partnered to victory in The Bart Cummings (2500m) to secure a place in the field. The 20-year-old gets his opportunity on racing's biggest stage aboard the Ciaron Maher-trained galloper, who was third in the Moonee Valley Cup (2500m) last time and carries just 52.5kg.
23. William Pike – Zakouma (52kg, Barrier 10)
William Pike heads into the Melbourne Cup after claiming the Cox Plate aboard Cosmic Crusader and will be looking to add another major feature to his record. He partners Zakouma for Grahame Begg, with the six-year-old having secured his place in the field through victory in the Andrew Ramsden (2800m) and drawing barrier 10.
24. Harry Coffey – Shockletz (51kg, Barrier 17)
Harry Coffey gets his Melbourne Cup opportunity aboard Shockletz, who carries the minimum weight of 51kg after securing her place in the field with victory in the Archer Stakes (2500m). The Ciaron Maher-trained mare was runner-up in the Tesio Stakes (2040m) last time and looks to be building towards a peak performance, giving Coffey a genuine lightweight chance.
Previous Melbourne Cup-Winning Jockeys in 2026
- Mark Zahra – 2 wins (2022, 2023)
- James McDonald – 1 win (2021)
- Robbie Dolan – 1 win (2024)
- Jye McNeil – 1 win (2020)
- Craig Williams – 1 win (2019)
- Jamie Melham – 1 win (2025)
Top Betting Sites
Betting offers
Upcoming Events
01 November 2026
- Muswellbrook - November 1 -
- Horse Racing
- Mornington - November 1 -
- Horse Racing
02 November 2026
- November 2- Ballarat -
- Horse Racing
- Flemington- November 3 -
- Horse Racing
03 November 2026
Load More
