Melbourne Cup Free Bets, Betting Offers & Odds 2026
The ‘Race that Stops a Nation’ is back
The Melbourne Cup is Australia's biggest race and one of the richest handicaps in the world, and the 166th running takes place at Flemington on Tuesday 3 November 2026.
Below, you'll find the best free bets and offers for UK customers, and live odds from the top horse racing betting sites.
Here are some top free bet offers for Tuesday's big race.
| 🏇 247Bet Melbourne Cup Free Bets | Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets |
| 🏇 Quick Bet Melbourne Cup Free Bets | Bet £10 & Get a £25 Free Bet |
| 🏇 Bet442 Melbourne Cup Free Bets | Bet £20 & Get £20 in Free Bets |
| 🏇 kwiff Melbourne Cup Free Bets | Bet £10 & Get £40 in Free Bets |
| 🏇 7bet Melbourne Cup Free Bets | Bet £10 & Get £30 in Bonus Bets |
Melbourne Cup Free Bets
Check out the top free bets for the Melbourne Cup and other betting offers below.
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How To Claim Free Bets For The 2026 Melbourne Cup
Claiming free bets for the Melbourne Cup is a simple process.
Follow these steps to find an offer and claim your bonus:
Fill in the registration form with your details & provide any identity verification documents requested by the bookmaker
Deposit the required amount & place your first qualifying bet, ensuring you meet the minimum stake & odds requirements outlined in the offer terms
Once your qualifying bet has settled, any free bets you're eligible for will usually be credited to your account in line with the offer terms
Use Your Free Bet on the Melbourne Cup
Check the eligible markets & use your free bet on the Melbourne Cup
Melbourne Cup 2026 Final Field & Barrier Draw
The barrier draw has been completed, with all 24 runners confirmed for the $10 million Melbourne Cup at Flemington on Tuesday 3 November.
The Group 1 handicap covers 3,200m, with Ciaron Maher responsible for seven runners and Joseph O’Brien sending five from his stable.
Point Of Law (barrier 9, 53kg) heads Maher’s team after winning the Geelong Cup, while Middle Earth has secured the inside stall.
2024 winner Knight’s Choice will break from barrier 2 as he bids to become the first horse since Makybe Diva to win the Melbourne Cup twice.
Irish raider Trustyourinstinct faces a wide draw in stall 18, while James J Braddock has the outside gate in barrier 24.
| Number | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sons And Lovers (GB) | Joseph O'Brien | Dylan Browne McMonagle | 3 | 57.5kg |
| 2 | Trustyourinstinct (IRE) | Joseph O'Brien | James McDonald | 18 | 57kg |
| 3 | Knight's Choice | John Symons & Sheila Laxon | Robbie Dolan | 2 | 56.5kg |
| 4 | Middle Earth (GB) | Ciaron Maher | Mark Zahra | 1 | 56.5kg |
| 5 | Vauban (FR) | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Jordan Childs | 22 | 56.5kg |
| 6 | Enfjaar (IRE) | Roger Varian | Ray Dawson | 8 | 56kg |
| 7 | Royal Supremacy (IRE) | Ciaron Maher | Ben Allen | 21 | 56kg |
| 8 | Wine Dark Sea (GB) | Harry Charlton | Damian Lane | 23 | 56kg |
| 9 | Asterix (NZ) | Chris Waller | Jye McNeil | 6 | 55kg |
| 10 | Goodie Two Shoes (IRE) | Joseph O'Brien | Wayne Lordan | 19 | 55kg |
| 11 | Juja Kibo (IRE) | Ciaron Maher | Sam Clipperton | 14 | 55kg |
| 12 | Hopewell Rock (IRE) | George Boughey | Zac Lloyd | 15 | 54.5kg |
| 13 | Onesmoothoperator (USA) | Tim Fitzsimmons | Declan Bates | 13 | 54.5kg |
| 14 | Soul Of Spain (IRE) | Chris Waller | Tommy Berry | 5 | 54.5kg |
| 15 | Zahrann (IRE) | Ciaron Maher | Ben Melham | 11 | 54.5kg |
| 16 | So You Are | Bjorn Baker | Rachel King | 7 | 54kg |
| 17 | Future History (GB) | Gregory Hickman | Jamie Melham | 12 | 53.5kg |
| 18 | James J Braddock (GB) | Joseph O'Brien | Craig Williams | 24 | 53.5kg |
| 19 | Kizlyar (IRE) | Joseph O'Brien | Beau Mertens | 20 | 53.5kg |
| 20 | Point Of Law (GB) | Ciaron Maher | Ethan Brown | 9 | 53kg |
| 21 | Strictly Business | Thomas Carberry | Michael Dee | 4 | 53kg |
| 22 | Mr Monaco (GB) | Ciaron Maher | Jabez Johnstone (a) | 16 | 52.5kg |
| 23 | Zakouma | Grahame Begg | William Pike | 10 | 52kg |
| 24 | Shockletz (NZ) | Ciaron Maher | Harry Coffey | 17 | 51kg |
Field and draw as confirmed 31 October. Check for scratchings before the race.
Melbourne Cup Latest Odds
Check out the latest Melbourne Cup odds below.
How to Bet on the Melbourne Cup
Due to the Melbourne Cup's popularity, not just in Australia, many online betting sites offer an expanded range of betting markets compared to normal.
Check out some popular Melbourne Cup bets available at bookmakers below.
Win Bet – Back the horse you think will take first place in the Melbourne Cup.
Each-Way Bet – Two bets in one: one on the horse to win and one on it to finish in the places. The number of places and the fraction of the odds paid vary by bookmaker, so check the terms before you bet.
Forecast Bet – Pick the first two horses home. A straight forecast needs them in the right order, while a reverse forecast covers both orders. Australian punters know these as the Exacta and the Quinella.
Tricast Bet – Pick the first three horses in the correct order. It's a tough one to land but can pay big. In Australia it's called a Trifecta.
Ante-Post Bet – Back a horse in the days or weeks before the race. You can often get bigger prices, but a horse that doesn't run loses you the stake with some bookmakers, so check the non-runner rules.
Melbourne Cup Horse Racing Tips
Joseph O’Brien is chasing a third Melbourne Cup victory after Rekindling (2017) and Twilight Payment (2020), but I prefer Ciaron Maher’s POINT OF LAW, who won the Group 3 Geelong Cup on his stable debut and looks potentially well treated off a 7lb higher mark with further improvement possible.
Recommendation: Point Of Law - 11/2 with William Hill
When & Where Is The 2026 Melbourne Cup?
The 166th Lexus Melbourne Cup takes place at Flemington in Melbourne on Tuesday 3 November 2026, with the race scheduled to start at 3pm AEDT (4am UK).
The 3,200m contest carries headline prize money of $10.2 million, with the winner receiving $4.5 million plus trophies.
UK viewers can watch the race live on Sky Sports Racing.
The Melbourne Cup goes off at 4am UK time, so most UK punters place their bets the evening before.
Markets are usually up well in advance, which also gives you time to check each offer's terms before you qualify.
Recent Melbourne Cup Winners
The Melbourne Cup is the highlight of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, and we've listed below the last five winners of the race that stops a nation.
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Half Yours |
| 2024 | Knight's Choice |
| 2023 | Without A Fight |
| 2022 | Gold Trip |
| 2021 | Verry Elleegant |
Melbourne Cup Free Bets & Betting - FAQs
When is the 2026 Melbourne Cup?
The Melbourne Cup is traditionally run on the first Tuesday in November. The 2026 Melbourne Cup will be on Tuesday 3 November.
Where is the Melbourne Cup run?
The Melbourne Cup is run at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia.
What time is the Melbourne Cup?
The 2026 Melbourne Cup is scheduled for 3pm AEDT (4am UK) on Tuesday 3 November.
Where can I watch the Melbourne Cup?
The Melbourne Cup will be shown live on Sky Sports Racing, however this will require an active Sky subscription.
