The 2025 Melbourne Cup Order of Entry gives punters, trainers and racing fans an inside look at how this year’s 24-horse field is shaping up ahead of the race that stops the nation. Released in the lead-up to the barrier draw, the order ranks every nominated horse based on a combination of handicap weight, race performances, and qualifying exemptions from key lead-up events.
Sitting at the top of the 2025 list are several international contenders, headlined by All Riffa from Joseph O’Brien’s stable and Buckaroo for Chris Waller. These imports are joined by proven local stayers such as Smokin’ Romans, Vauban, and Arapaho, each bringing strong form lines into the Cup. Rounding out the order are rising talents like Torranzino, Parchment Party, and Valiant King, who have all done enough to earn their spot inside the top 24.
For punters, the Order of Entry is more than just a list, it’s an early snapshot of how the Cup is taking shape. The higher a horse sits on the list, the more secure their place in the final field, while those hovering near the cutoff face the real possibility of being balloted out. Lead-up races such as the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate, and Lexus Archer Stakes continue to play a major role in reshuffling the order right up until Cup week.
With internationals, local heroes and late-charging stayers all battling for a start, the 2025 Melbourne Cup Order of Entry paints a fascinating picture of what promises to be another wide-open edition of Australia’s most iconic race.
For the current acceptances and Melbourne Cup order of entry, see below:
The Current Melbourne Cup Order of Entry (Top 24 – as of November 25):
HALF YOURS – Tony & Calvin McEvoy – Jamie Melham – 53kg
ONESMOOTHOPERATOR (USA) – Brian Ellison – Harry Coffey – 52kg
PARCHMENT PARTY (USA) – William Mott – John Velazquez – 52kg
TORRANZINO (NZ) – Paul Preusker – Celine Gaudray – 51kg
VALIANT KING (GB) – Chris Waller – Jye McNeil – 51kg
ALL RIFFA (FR) – Joseph O’Brien – Mark Zahra – 59kg
BUCKAROO (GB) – Chris Waller – Craig Williams – 57kg
ARAPAHO (FR) – Bjorn Baker – Rachel King – 56.5kg
VAUBAN (FR) – Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott – Blake Shinn – 56.5kg
CHEVALIER ROSE (JPN) – Hisashi Shimizu – Damian Lane – 55.5kg
PRESAGE NOCTURNE (IRE) – Alessandro Botti – Stephane Pasquier – 55.5kg
FURTHER (IRE) – Andrew Balding – Michael Dee – 52kg
MIDDLE EARTH (GB) – Ciaron Maher – Ethan Brown – 54.5kg
MEYDAAN (IRE) – Simon & Ed Crisford – James McDonald – 54kg
LAND LEGEND (FR) – Chris Waller – Joao Moreira – 53.5kg
SMOKIN’ ROMANS (NZ) – Ciaron Maher – Ben Melham – 53.5kg
ABSURDE (FR) – Willie Mullins – Kerrin McEvoy – 53.5kg
FLATTEN THE CURVE (FR) – Henk Grewe – Thore Hammer-Hansen – 53.5kg
RIVER OF STARS (IRE) – Chris Waller – Beau Mertens – 51.5kg
MORE FELONS (IRE) – Chris Waller – Tommy Berry – 53kg
GOODIE TWO SHOES (IRE) – Joseph O’Brien – Wayne Lordan – 51.5kg
CHANGINGOFTHEGUARD (IRE) – Kris Lees – Tim Clark – 53kg
ATHABASCAN (FR) – John O’Shea & Tom Charlton – Declan Bates – 51.5kg
ROYAL SUPREMACY (IRE) – Ciaron Maher – Robbie Dolan – 51kg
What are the Important 2025 Melbourne Cup Order of Entry Dates?
The 20253 Melbourne Cup order of entry will be updated when third acceptances are declared at 10am on TuesdayMonday, October 730.
When Will the 2025 Melbourne Cup Final Field be Announced?
The final acceptances are finalised 4.30pm on Saturday, November 4, and the barrier draw and final riders are announced at a special function on track at Flemington, starting at 6.30pm.
If you are interested in a Melbourne Cup bet, check out our guide on How To Bet On Horse Racing.