2026 Melbourne Cup
In short
The 2026 Melbourne Cup is the 166th running of the famous Australian thoroughbred horse race held today at Flemington Racecourse. This year's event is commercially known as the 2026 Lexus Melbourne Cup.
In plain words
It is a long-distance horse race covering 3,200 metres. Thousands of people gather in Melbourne to watch the competition and celebrate the tradition.
A simple example
A jockey rides a horse around the track at Flemington to try and finish the race faster than all other competitors.
Why it matters
It is one of the most important horse racing events in the world and a major part of Australian culture. The race attracts huge crowds and significant betting interest.
Easy to mix up
Do not confuse this with the Caulfield Cup, which is another major race held in Melbourne at a different venue.