1883 Melbourne Cup

1883 Melbourne Cup
Melbourne Cup
Image of Martini-Henry
LocationFlemington Racecourse
Date6 November 1883
Distance2 miles
Winning horseMartini-Henry
Winning time3:30.50
Final odds5/1
JockeyJohn Williamson
TrainerMichael Fennelly
OwnerJames White
SurfaceTurf
Attendance≈123,000

The 1883 Melbourne Cup was a two-mile handicap horse race which took place on Tuesday, 6 November 1883.

This year was the twenty-third running of the Melbourne Cup. The race was run by 5/1 favourite Martini-Henry who became the first New Zealand bred horse to win the race.[1] The horse was also the first, and to date only Melbourne Cup winner to have a hyphen in its name. Martini-Henry won the race in just its second start, having won the Victoria Derby in its maiden start three days earlier. Martini-Henry would go on to the VRC St Leger in the autumn before breaking down in the Caulfield Cup and being retired to stud.[2]

Entries and odds

The top weighted runner by the handicapper was five-year-old stallion Commotion. It had easily won the Melbourne Stakes on the Saturday before the Melbourne Cup, but wasn't seen as one of the more fancied chances in the race due to the extra distance and handicap. Instead favouritism in the betting ring went to Martini-Henry, Despot, Calma and Claptrap, especially after New Zealand import Sir Modred was withdrawn.[3] The chances of AJC Metropolitan winner The Gem were discounted due to the weight penalty applied for winning that race ahead of First Demon and Aide-de-Camp. Following its win in the Caulfield Cup, Calma odds had shortened to 10/1, while Adelaide Derby winner Dirk Hatteraick was thought to be a good chance over the two-mile distance after not being placed in the Melbourne Stakes behind Commotion. Martini-Henry would emerge as a fairly short-priced favourite following its fast win in the Victoria Derby, while the connections of Claptrap had heavily backed their horse into 7/1.[3] There was some controversy in the lead up to the race when it was accused that Huxley, the jockey who rode Archie in the Victoria Derby, did not ride the horse to win. After a hearing by the Victoria Racing Club stewards, Huxley was given a warning for his error in his ride where he pulled the horse to the back of the field during the race.[4]

The race

From the initial acceptances of 150 runners,[5] there were 33 horses entered at the start of the day before a number of withdrawals.[5] The day had started warm, but a cool change passed through Melbourne during the afternoon.[6] At the fall of the flag, 29 runners made their way from the start.[6][7] Claptrap was the early leader, taking a lead of a length ahead of Archie at the first turn. Despot slipped at the turn, but was kept upright by its rider, but did lose several lengths to the field.[8] Calma also slipped at the same turn. Down the riverside, Linda went to the lead, taking over from Claptrap and Archie. By the one mile marker, Archie had taken first position to lead by a length.[8] Walker was ridden forward to join Archie, but had run its race in that effort. Archie started to drop back as the field headed for the straight, leaving Linda to briefly lead before Commotion and Claptrap took over the running. At the final turn, Trahan challenged Claptrap and took a lead of a length in front of First Demon, First Water and Martini-Henry who was coming fast. Down the straight, Claptrap was the first to fall away, while Commotion looked to be struggling under the weight. In the final stages, Martini-Henry hit the front with a rush and won easily by more than a length. First Water finished strongly to beat home Commotion. Martini-Henry's time of 3:30.5 was the fastest time ever to win the Melbourne Cup,[6] beating the time of Darriwell to win the 1879 race.[8][9] Commotion was lauded in the press for finishing as high as third despite the heavy weight afforded under the handicap rules.[7][10][8]

Bred by the Auckland Stud Company, Martin-Henry was brought to Australia after being purchased as a yearling for £1,250 by colonial New South Wales politician, the pastoralist James White.[10] He had previously won the Melbourne Cup with Chester in 1877. It was the third time a horse had won the Victoria Derby and Melbourne Cup in the same week, with 1864 winner Lantern winning the Derby after winning the Cup. It was the twelfth time a NSW-owned runner took home the Melbourne Cup. Jockey John Williamson had never ridden a horse that had finished in the top three places in previous Melbourne Cups.[7]

The VRC estimated that over 123,000 people attended the racecourse, with the grandstands and additional work since the previous year's race deemed "altogether too small."[6]

Full results

This is the list of placegetters for the 1883 Melbourne Cup.[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][9][3][18][19][8]

Place Horse Age
Gender 		Jockey Weight Trainer Owner Odds Margin
1  Martini-Henry (NZL) 3y c John Williamson[a] 7 st 5 lb (46.7 kg) Michael Fennelly James White 5/1 fav. 1½ lengths
2 First Water 7y h Teddy McGrade 8 st 0 lb (50.8 kg) C.L. McDonald Mr T. Barnfield 25/1 Head
3 Commotion 5y h Trahan 10 st 1 lb (64.0 kg) Joe Morrison William Pearson 20/1 Head
4 First Demon (late The Demon) 3y c Donald Nicholson 6 st 12 lb (43.5 kg) D. Lawson Mr J. Mondy 10/1
5 Sardius (late Emerald) 3y c Charles Hutchins 6 st 13 lb (44.0 kg)[b] H. Tothill Mr H. Aldridge 14/1
6 Aide-de-Camp 4y h J. Gainsford 7 st 5 lb (46.7 kg) Etienne de Mestre Mr H. Bowler 12/1
7 Recovery 5y h Kelso 7 st 2 lb (45.4 kg) J. Moore Mr T. Sampson 50/1
8 Dukedom 4y h Moore 7 st 0 lb (44.5 kg) James Wilson William Branch 50/1
9 Claptrap 4y h Sam Cracknell 7 st 3 lb (45.8 kg) J.R. Crook John Whittingham 7/1
10 Archie 3y c Jim Gough 8 st 3 lb (52.2 kg) W. Baines Arthur F. Smart 33/1
11 Calma 4y h Mick O'Brien 8 st 7 lb (54.0 kg) P. Heywood Donald Smith Wallace 10/1
12 Despot 4y h Bob Ellis 7 st 0 lb (44.5 kg) Michael Fennelly James White 6/1
13 Magnet 4y h Power 8 st 0 lb (50.8 kg) Francis F. Dakin William Pearson 50/1
N/a Sweet William 5y h William Yeomans 9 st 5 lb (59.4 kg) Harry Raynor William Gannon 33/1
N/a The Gem 5y h W. Huxley 9 st 4 lb (59.0 kg) J. Moore John Mayo 100/1
N/a Stockwell 5y h J. Geoghegan 8 st 13 lb (56.7 kg) Robert Howie Mr W. Bailey 33/1
N/a Cunnamulla 5y h Brickwood Colley 8 st 1 lb (51.3 kg) Tom Brown Mr W.R. Hall 50/1
N/a Nicholas 4y h Tom Hales 8 st 0 lb (50.8 kg) Etienne de Mestre Etienne de Mestre 14/1
N/a Pollio 7y h Burton 7 st 12 lb (49.9 kg) T. Jones Mr E. Weeks 33/1
N/a Dirk Hatteraick 3y c Boase 7 st 10 lb (49.0 kg) J.H. Hill Mr S. Barnard 16/1
N/a Angelsey 4y h Alec Robertson 7 st 10 lb (49.0 kg) W.H. Prestwich Mr S.G. Cook 50/1
N/a Kingsdale 3y C Strickland 7 st 8 lb (48.1 kg) Tom Lamond Mr J. Stewart 100/1
N/a Santa Claus 5y h Walker 7 st 5 lb (46.7 kg) Francis F. Dakin Mr H. James 50/1
N/a Koh-i-Nor 5y h Thornton 7 st 0 lb (44.5 kg) G. Read Mr H.T. Hart 50/1
N/a Lesbia 4y m English 6 st 12 lb (43.5 kg) S. Mahon Mr S. McMahon 50/1
N/a Linda 5y m Fallon 6 st 10 lb (42.6 kg) James Wilson James Wilson 50/1
N/a Kathleen Mavoureen 6y m Barr 6 st 9 lb (42.2 kg) T. Coffey Mr J. McKenzie 50/1
N/a Le Grand[c] 3y c T. Nerriker 7 st 5 lb (46.7 kg) Joe Monaghan Donald Smith Wallace 25/1
Last Bis Bis 3y f F. Hutchins 6 st 8 lb (41.7 kg) H. Tothill Mr W. Gordon 50/1
SCR  Sir Modred (NZL) 6y h N/a 9 st 8 lb (60.8 kg) Allsopp Mr D. Proudfoot
SCR Off Colour 3y c N/a 7 st 12 lb (49.9 kg) James Wilson William Branch
SCR Jessie 4y m N/a 7 st 9 lb (48.5 kg) Thomas Ivory Thomas Ivory
SCR Signor 3y c N/a 7 st 1 lb (44.9 kg) W. Doyle Mr E.P. Wilson
SCR Bordeaux Aged h N/a 6 st 9 lb (42.2 kg) H. Yeend William Clarke

Prizemoney

For the 1883 race, the Victoria Racing Club increased the prize money awarded, adding £1000 to the winner's sweepstakes, while also increasing the second and third prizes each by £100.[9]

First prize £2157, second prize £300, third prize £200.[15]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Also known at Jack Williamson
  2. ^ Was supposed to carry 6st 11lb
  3. ^ Sometimes spelled Legrand

References

  1. ^ "Martini Henry wins 1883 Melbourne Cup". nzhistory.govt.nz. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  2. ^ O'Reilly, Paddy (2016). "Martini-Henri (1883)". Facts, Stats & Trivia of The Melbourne Cup. Melbourne: New Holland Publishers Pty Ltd. pp. 16–17. ISBN 9781742579054.
  3. ^ a b c "The Eve of the Cup". The Argus. Melbourne, Victoria. 6 November 1883. p. 10. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
  4. ^ "The Melbourne Press on Archie's Running". The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser. Sydney, New South Wales. 10 November 1883. p. 891. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
  5. ^ a b "The Cup Day". The Age. Melbourne, Victoria. 6 November 1883. p. 6. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
  6. ^ a b c d "News of the Day". The Age. Melbourne, Victoria. 7 November 1883. p. 4. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
  7. ^ a b c "The Cup Day". Sportsman. Melbourne, Victoria. 14 November 1883. p. 1. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
  8. ^ a b c d e "Cup Day". The Argus. Melbourne, Victoria. 7 November 1883. pp. 5–7. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
  9. ^ a b c Reubertstein. The History of the Melbourne Cup from 1861 to 1894 (1895 ed.). Melbourne, Australia: James J. Miller. pp. 38–40.
  10. ^ a b "Turf Topics and Anticipatons". The Leader. Melbourne, Victoria. 10 November 1883. p. 17.
  11. ^ "1881 to 1890 Melbourne Cup Winners". races com au. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  12. ^ "1881 to 1890 Melbourne Cup Winners". races com au. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  13. ^ "WINNERS AND PLACED HORSES IN MELBOURNE CUP. 1861-1913". Winner. Melbourne, Victoria. 28 October 1914. p. 4. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  14. ^ Cavanough, Maurice (1978). The Melbourne Cup (8 ed.). p. 445. ISBN 0727004859.
  15. ^ a b "1883 Melbourne Cup MillersGuide". millersguide.identika.com.au. Archived from the original on 14 March 2022. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  16. ^ "Melbourne Cup Winners - 1881-1900". Victoria Racing Club. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  17. ^ Rolfe, Costa (2008). Winners of the Melbourne Cup. Fitzroy, Australia: Red Dog. pp. 54–55. ISBN 9781742035093.
  18. ^ "Turf Quotations". The Leader. Melbourne, Victoria. 3 November 1883. p. 20. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
  19. ^ "The Racing". The Leader. Melbourne, Victoria. 10 November 1883. p. 20. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
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