There has been a massive change to the Melbourne Cup for the 2026 iteration with a 165-year first.
The race that brings the country to a halt every year will see the trophy reach new heights when it is time to hand out the prize.
With each year’s winner receiving a new trophy, each edition is made brand new and exclusively for that race.
And this year, for the first time in its history, the trophy itself is valued at over $1 million.
That is because the trophy has been made from pure Australian ABC Bullion gold, sourced entirely from the Northern Territory.
It weighs over 1.8kg and contains around 60 ounces of 18-carat gold, making the trophy a real thing of beauty.
The Melbourne Cup will be worth over $1 million for the first time in it’s history
It has been made out of pure Australian ACB Bullion gold entirely from the Northern Territory.
The trophy was unveiled in a post on Instagram by ABC Bullion and WJSandersau, captioned, ‘For the first time in its 165-year history, the coveted Lexus Melbourne Cup has been handcrafted using pure Australian ABC Bullion gold sourced entirely from the Northern Territory.
‘Marking another significant milestone for the Cup, the esteemed trophy has also reached a value of $1 million.
‘Since 2016, ABC Bullion has been the official trophy manufacturer for @FlemingtonVRC, responsible for producing the full suite of @MelbourneCup trophies. Each is handmade by W.J. Sanders craftspeople with Australian ABC Bullion precious metals, to exacting VRC standards.
The gold in the 2026 trophy has been sourced from Newmont’s Tanami operation, before being meticulously refined, poured and fabricated in Sydney by ABC Refinery and W.J. Sanders over more than 250 hours of expert craftsmanship.
The 2026 Lexus Melbourne Cup weighs over 1.8kg and contains almost 60 ounces of 18-carat gold. Comprising 44 individually shaped components, the Cup is a symbol of craftsmanship, excellence and national pride.
‘There is something deeply meaningful about seeing Northern Territory gold brought to life in the form of the Melbourne Cup,’ said Andrew Cochineas, CEO of Pallion. ‘From the mine to the finish line, the Cup is proudly Australian.’
‘There is something deeply meaningful about seeing Northern Territory gold brought to life in the form of the Melbourne Cup,’ said Andrew Cochineas, CEO of Pallion. ‘From the mine to the finish line, the Cup is proudly Australian.’
Last year Jamie Melham became just the second ever female jockey to win the illustrious race on Half Yours
Last year, it was Jamie Melham, who claimed the glory and in the process became just the second female jockey to do so when she rode Half Yours to the finish line.
That also gave father-and-son trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy their first ever Melbourne Cup triumph.
Before then it was rank outsider Knight’s Choice, ridden by Robbie Dolan that claimed first place for the training duo of John Symons and Sheila Laxon.
This year’s race will be held on Tuesday, November 3 at Flemington.
The winning connections will get a share in $4.5 million worth of prize money, as well as the trophy which is worth more than ever before.
