Point of Law Makes Melbourne Cup History

Point Of Law won the 166th Melbourne Cup at Flemington on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, with jockey Ethan Brown riding the horse to victory. The favourite ran down Royal Supremacy, who finished fifth, to take the race. The top three finishers were all trained by Ciaron Maher: Point Of Law, Zahrann and Juja Kibo, giving Maher a trifecta. Sons And Lovers, trained by Joseph O’Brien, finished fourth. The article provides the complete finishing order for all 23 horses that ran, listing each horse’s placing, saddlecloth number, barrier, jockey and trainer. After the first four, Royal Supremacy was followed by Shockletz in sixth and James J Braddock in seventh. So You Are placed eighth, Hopewell Rock ninth and Middle Earth tenth. The remaining finishers, in order, were Trustyourinstinct, Knight’s Choice, Soul Of Spain, Zakouma, Enfjaar, Kizlyar, Mr Monaco, Strictly Business, Wine Dark Sea, Future History, Onesmoothoperator, Goodie Two Shoes and Vauban. Vauban finished last of the 23 runners. Asterix was scratched before the race; the article lists the horse’s number, jockey and trainer but no barrier. The report also points readers to an account of the race as it unfolded and a separate story about Maher’s achievement. Overall, it is a concise results report focused on the winner, the trainer’s top-three sweep and the full race order.

The ABC’s Melbourne Cup quick hits round up notable moments from the 2026 race day at Flemington, mixing racing news, celebrity appearances and personal stories. Trainer Chris Waller was fined $50,000 after his horse Asterix received Penetrene on its forelegs on race morning. The treatment is permitted during the week but prohibited on race days. Racing Victoria chief steward Rob Montgomery called it an honest mistake with serious consequences, and Waller accepted responsibility on behalf of his team, saying nothing had been concealed. Actor Jamie Foxx, in Melbourne filming Deadlocked, was reported to have surprised diners at Maison Bâtard by paying for several meals. He also told the Daily Mail Australia that he had brought his girlfriend, Alyce Huckstepp, and her family to the Cup as a surprise. Former Wallaby Nathan Charles attended after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease. He spoke about facing adversity, moving forward and hoping to inspire young Australians. Musician Robbie Williams performed before and after the race, singing popular songs including “Feel,” “Rock DJ,” “Angels” and “Let Me Entertain You.” The winner, Point of Law, had formerly belonged to King Charles III, who sold the horse earlier in the year. The article also recalls Queen Elizabeth II’s interest in racing and her past Melbourne Cup and Ascot results. Point of Law was later bought by a consortium that included former AFL star Chris Judd. The final item focuses on James J Braddock, a horse whose name evoked the boxer portrayed in the film Cinderella Man. The article recounts Braddock’s return to boxing during the Great Depression, his 1935 upset victory over Max Baer, and his later loss to Joe Louis. The horse finished seventh in the Cup.

Point of Law won the 166th Melbourne Cup at Flemington, giving trainer Ciaron Maher his second victory in the race and an unprecedented Cup trifecta. The six-start Northern Hemisphere three-year-old, who had also won the Geelong Cup, was ridden by Ethan Brown, who claimed his first Melbourne Cup. Maher’s other horses Zahrann and Juja Kibo finished second and third, respectively, making it the first time in the race’s 166 editions that one trainer prepared the first three finishers. The race was shaped by a daring early move from Maher’s Royal Supremacy, which surged to the lead and built a margin of as much as 20 lengths by the 1,000-metre mark. Royal Supremacy was still 12 lengths clear at the 400-metre point, but Brown brought Point of Law through the chasing pack. The horse produced a strong late burst to take the lead and win by 3.75 lengths. Royal Supremacy finished fifth. Point of Law was formerly owned by King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Maher praised the horse, his team and owners, and said he had not expected Royal Supremacy to establish such a large lead. Brown credited Maher with supporting him through his career, including after Brown had made mistakes riding Maher’s horses, and said he was still trying to take in the win. Maher had seven runners: in addition to the trifecta, Royal Supremacy finished fifth and Shockletz sixth; Mr Monaco was 17th. Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien, seeking a third Cup victory with five entrants, had Sons And Lovers as his best finisher in fourth. James J Braddock placed seventh, Trustyourinstinct 11th and Kizlyar 16th. Goodie Two Shoes, runner-up in the previous year’s race, finished second last in 2025.