Not all winners of the Melbourne Cup have been from Australia. Several international performers have also competed and won the prestigious trophy.

History

International involvement in the Melbourne Cup goes back to the early history of the race when horses were imported to Australia for competition.

Technically the first international bred horse to win a Melbourne Cup was Comedy King (1910) when his owner Sol Green imported the mare, Tragedy Queen to Australia with her Persimmon colt, Comedy King at foot. The first New Zealand bred winner was Martini-Henry in 1883.

Since then a string of international performers have competed in the Cup with Backwood (1924), Belldale Ball (1980), At Talaq (1986) and Jeune (1994) all possessing international form prior to winning the Melbourne Cup. These winners were domiciled in Melbourne some time prior to the race.

In 1993, a new twist occurred when the Irish trained Vintage Crop flew to Australia only weeks before the race to run in and win the Melbourne Cup race. This was a significant turning point in the race’s history and has proved horses were capable of flying to Melbourne only a few weeks before the race and compete successfully.

Each year, post-1993, has attracted a number of international performers.

In 2002, Media Puzzle recorded another victory for Irish trainer, Dermot Weld and in 2006, Delta Blues and Pop Rock would quinella the race for Japanese connections.

The 150th Melbourne Cup run in 2010 saw the French trained and ridden entire, Americain, win the coveted Melbourne Cup trophy, and 2011 saw the French continue their reign, with French trained Dunaden, winning the 151st Melbourne Cup. 

The $6.175million Emirates Melbourne Cup is firmly cemented as a race of international repute.

For more historical information on the international winners of the Melbourne Cup:

• visit our Flemington Heritage Centre and take a guided walking tour of the Melbourne Cup Walk of Fame.