O’Brien set to dominate overseas raiders

By the Editorial Team · Monday, August 31, 2026

Racing Victoria is expecting a strong international presence in this year's Melbourne Cup, with Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien potentially entering up to six horses in the 24-horse field. This unprecedented influx could tighten the entry criteria, making qualifications more competitive and influencing the handicap weights released in mid-September.

Racing Victoria is preparing for a highly competitive Melbourne Cup field this spring as a significant influx of international contenders targets the prestigious $10 million race. Among the overseas challengers, Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien stands out, potentially accounting for up to a quarter of the 24-horse lineup.

The Melbourne Cup nominations close on Tuesday, with handicap weights for both the Melbourne Cup and the 150th Caulfield Cup scheduled for release on September 17. The Caulfield Cup entries, announced two weeks earlier, already included 32 horses from several countries, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan, and France.

Paul Bloodworth, Racing Victoria’s head of racing, noted that O’Brien has approximately 12 horses planned for travel to Australia. These will arrive in two shipments: the first carrying four horses aimed at Caulfield and Melbourne Cup lead-up races, the second including notable runners such as Goodie Two Shoes, who finished second in last year’s Melbourne Cup, as well as Sons And Lovers, Trustyourinstinct, and Defiantly. Australian-owned James J Braddock, who placed in the Group 1 Epsom Derby, is also booked on the second mid-October shipment.

Bloodworth indicated that O’Brien could field six or more horses in the Melbourne Cup itself, which would be an unprecedented number for a single trainer. While other trainers, such as Charlie Appleby, have brought five or six runners in past years, O’Brien’s contingent could be larger, making entry highly competitive. Racing Victoria anticipates that eight to 12 international horses on the second flight alone will be virtually assured of Melbourne Cup entry based on their likely handicap weights.

This development could lead to a more restrictive entry cutoff, similar to the conditions before the COVID-19 pandemic, requiring horses to carry at least 52.5 to 53 kilograms to secure a start in the race. Last year’s winner Half Yours carried 53 kilograms, while runner-up Goodie Two Shoes made the field with 51.5 kilograms. Other top finishers such as River Of Stars and Geelong Cup winner Torranzano entered carrying less than 52 kilograms.

O’Brien’s Melbourne spring campaign also includes strong prospects for the Caulfield Cup. Starford and Omni Man are expected contenders, with Omni Man considered borderline for the Caulfield Cup field based on ratings. Both have alternative targets, including the Geelong Cup and Moonee Valley Gold Cup. Starford is owned and bred by County Tipperary’s Newtown Anner Stud Farm, which also maintains interests in the Ciaron Maher-trained Caulfield Cup winner Duke De Sessa.

Additionally, O’Brien plans to bring Australian-owned Small Fry on the first flight, alongside Kizlyar, owned by the HOS Syndicate. Kizlyar’s participation in the Cup remains uncertain, as he is on the cusp of rating qualification with a likely handicap of 52 kilograms. The decision on whether to run Kizlyar immediately or hold him over for the second flight and Melbourne Cup will depend on strategic considerations.

The concentration of international entries, particularly from O’Brien’s stable, signals heightened competition for the limited spots available in this year’s Melbourne Cup, adding to the anticipation surrounding the spring racing carnival in Melbourne.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.