<p>The Jockey, a role as old as time, as long as there has been horse racing there has been jockeys. But why are they so important and what makes the Melbourne Cup Jockey list so special. Explore the wonderful world of Jockeys and those ride at this years Melbourne Cup here on The Huddle.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Why the Rider Matters</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Cup Day isn’t just about horses -&nbsp;the jockey often decides who wins. From the jump, positioning and patience over 3200 m can mean everything. Flemington’s long straight rewards those who time runs late rather than rush early. Riders like James McDonald, Ryan Moore and Damien Oliver have shown how race management beats raw pace.</p> <p>Before Cup week, check which riders land key mounts on our Markets &amp; Best Bets page.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Cup-Proven Records</h2> <p>History backs experience -&nbsp;jockeys with previous top-five Cup finishes tend to ride smarter early. In 2024, Craig Williams guided Knight’s Choice to victory from Barrier 6 by sitting quietly until the 400 m mark. International riders like Joao Moreira and Ryan Moore regularly feature in Cup placings, showing how global class translates to Flemington.</p> <p>For updated bookings and pairings, see our Barrier Draw hub.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Styles That Win at Flemington</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Patient ride, clean track, late surge. That’s the Cup formula. Aggressive leaders often fade before the clock tower. Jockeys who slot midfield one-off with cover and time their run to the 200 m line win most often.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Tactics &amp; Barriers</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Barrier position dictates strategy: low draws can trap riders on rails, while wider gates offer freedom if you can cross early. When the draw drops on Derby Day, watch how riders plan to map their mounts on our <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/horse-racing/melbourne-cup/the-melbourne-cup-2025">Melbourne Cup Tips &amp; Preview article</a>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Melbourne Cup 2025 Jockeys By Order Of Barrier</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>1 – Mark Zahra – ALL RIFFA (FR) (trainer Joseph O’Brien) (barrier 19) 59kgs</p> <p>2 – Craig Williams – BUCKAROO (GB) (Chris Waller) (12) 57kgs</p> <p>3 – Rachel King – ARAPAHO (FR) (Bjorn Baker) (15) 56.5kgs</p> <p>4 – Blake Shinn – VAUBAN (FR) (Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott) (2) 56.5kgs</p> <p>5 – Damian Lane – CHEVALIER ROSE (JPN) (Hisashi Shimizu) (5) 55.5kgs</p> <p>6 – Stephane Pasquier – PRESAGE NOCTURN (IRE) (Alessandro Botti) (9) 55.5kgs</p> <p>7 – Ethan Brown – MIDDLE EARTH (GB) (Ciaron Maher) (13) 54.5kg</p> <p>8 – James McDonald – MEYDAAN (IRE) (Simon &amp; Ed Crisford) (22) 54kgs</p> <p>9 – Kerrin McEvoy – ABSURDE (FR) (Willie Mullins) (4) 53.5kgs</p> <p>10 – Thore Hammer-Hansen – FLATTEN THE CURVE (FR) (Henk Grewe) (17) 53.5kgs</p> <p>11 – Joao Moreira – LAND LEGEND (FR) (Chris Waller) (16) 53.5kgs</p> <p>12 – Ben Melham – SMOKIN’ ROMANS (NZ) (Ciaron Maher) (11) 53.5kgs</p> <p>13 – Tim Clark – CHANGINGOFTHEGUARD (IRE) (Kris Lees) (24) 53kgs</p> <p>14 – Jamie Melham – HALF YOURS (Tony &amp; Calvin McEvoy) (8) 53kgs</p> <p>15 – Tommy Berry – MORE FELONS (IRE) (Chris Waller) (23) 53kgs</p> <p>16 – Harry Coffey – ONESMOOTHOPERATOR (USA) (Brian Ellison) (6) 53kgs</p> <p>17 – Michael Dee – FURTHER (IRE) (Andrew Balding) (7) 52kgs</p> <p>18 – John Velazquez – PARCHMENT PARTY (USA) (Bill Mott) (3) 52kgs</p> <p>19 – Declan Bates – ATHABASCAN (FR) (John O’Shea/Tom Charlton) (1) 51.5kgs</p> <p>20 – Wayne Lordan – GOODIE TWO SHOES (IRE) (Joseph O’Brien) (20) 51.5kgs</p> <p>21 – Beau Mertens – RIVER OF STARS (IRE) (Chris Waller) (14) 51.5kgs</p> <p>22 – Robbie Dolan – ROYAL SUPREMACY (IRE) (Ciaron Maher) (21) 51kgs</p> <p>23 – Celine Gaudray – TORRANZINO (NZ) (Paul Preusker) (18) 51kgs</p> <p>24 – Jye McNeil – VALIANT KING (GB) (Chris Waller) (10) 51kgs</p> <p><br /> &nbsp;</p> <p>Now you can put all you learnt into play, when the draw drops on Derby Day, watch how riders plan to map their mounts on our <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/horse-racing/melbourne-cup/the-melbourne-cup-2025">Melbourne Cup Tips &amp; Preview article</a>.</p>