1885 Melbourne Cup

1885 Melbourne Cup
Melbourne Cup
Illustration of the finish of the race
LocationFlemington Racecourse
Date3 November 1885
Distance2 miles
Winning horseSheet Anchor
Winning time3:29.50
Final odds20/1
JockeyMick O'Brien
TrainerThomas Wilson
OwnerMartin Loughlin
ConditionsGood
SurfaceTurf
Attendance≈130,000

The 1885 Melbourne Cup was a two-mile handicap horse race which took place on Tuesday, 3 November 1885.[1]

This was the twenty-fifth running of the Melbourne Cup and was won by seven-year-old stallion Sheet Anchor in a close finish.

Entries and odds

In the lead up to the running of the Melbourne Cup, tragedy had struck the Australian horse racing community, with 27-year-old jockey Donald Nicholson fatally injured from a fall during the running of the Caulfield Cup.[2] Described as the worst fall in Australian history,[3] Nicholson had been riding Lord Exeter when he was pushed into a post, thrown from his mount and killed instantly.[4] There were up to a dozen other jockeys injured in the incident including Sam Cracknell and Teddy McGrade. A number of Melbourne Cup runners were also injured, including previous year's entries Claptrap, and Sardius, with Urara killed in the chaos.[2]

The winner of the chaotic Caulfield Cup was six-year-old mare Grace Darling at 28/1, who beat out Britisher and Coriolanus.[5] Grace Darling's chances for the Melbourne Cup were still seen as not very high, given the flukey nature of its win at Caulfield, with bookmakers offering odds of at least 20/1 for the Melbourne Cup.[6] Also not heavily favoured was 1884 Caulfield Cup winner Blink Bonny.[6]

New Zealand bred import Trenton was one of the favourites for the race, with the horse firming into 6/1 odds following its win in the Melbourne Stakes, easily beating Sheet Anchor. Jockey Alec Robertson among the punters, reportedly placing a bet of £1,100 of his own money on the his mount.[7]

The betting favourite at odds of 5/1 was James White's colt Nordenfeldt, trained by Michael Fennelly. Bred by the same New Zealand company as 1883 Melbourne Cup winner, Martini-Henry, Nordenfeldt was also sired by Musket. Nordenfeldt had won the 1885 AJC Derby at Randwick in September, ahead of stablemate Uralla and First Chester. Nordenfeldt had dominated that race meeting, also winning the Spring Maiden Stakes, Craven Plate and Randwick Plate. Brought to Melbourne for the spring, Nordenfeldt again beat First Chester in the Victoria Derby, winning by a neck in heavy conditions.[8] Stablemate Despot was seen as a chance to do well in the race with Nordenfeldt, with some observers also suggesting that Liverpool could win the Cup for Western Australia governor William C. F. Robinson.[9]

The race

In "beautifully fine" weather conditions,[6] a field of 35 runners headed to the start, the largest number to start the race, eclipsing the 33 horses that started the 1881 race.[6]

When the flag dropped to start the race, Brown and Rose jumped away to a strong start, while Yellow Hammer, Despot and Tom Brown were at the back of the field. First Chester would lead the pack onto the course proper, and was joined by Prometheus. Thunderbolt and First Chester rounded the first turn at the head of the field, while Grace Darling was at the rear of the field with Yellow Hammer. On the riverside straight, First Chester and Thunderbolt extended their lead to a length in front of the chasing pack, with Prometheus, Trenton, the favourite Nordenfeldt and Sheet Anchor among the forward runners. At the mile marker, First Chester had left behind Thunderbolt to establish a two-lengths lead. Soon though, First Chester was joined by Velocipede and Metal, with Nordenfeldt, Despot and Grace Darling close behind. First Chester had run its race with the field nearing the final turn, ceding the lead to Metal. With half a mile remaining, Velocipede and Minerva had the lead marginally ahead of a large pack. At the final turn, it was Sheet Anchor led the field into the straight, bringing Minerva and Grace Darling along. Down the final stretch, Sheet Anchor and Trenton were engaged in a sprint to the line. Jack Williams riding on board Grace Darling extracted a final burst out of his ride to join the two in the lead. In a three-way finish between Sheet Anchor, Grace Darling, and Trenton, it was Mick O'Brien on board Sheet Anchor that won the Melbourne Cup, a short head ahead of Grace Darling with Trenton just behind in third. Before the final turn, Alec Robertson riding on Trenton dropped his whip. Unable to convince another rider to give him theirs,[7] Robertson was unable to draw much out of his ride down the straight to match Sheet Anchor or Grace Darling.[10][8] Nordenfeldt finshed fourth, finishing ahead of Minerva and Lesbia. Dunlop, Thunderbolt and Bosworth were among the last runners, with Yellow Hammer last of all, a long way behind the finish.[10]

Trainer of Nordenfeldt, Michael Fennelly, maintained that his horse should have won but for two bouts of interference during the race.[8] Like with Trenton, it was thought that jockey Bob Ellis had lost his whip during the interference encountered by Nordenfeldt.[11]

Victoria Racing Club handicapper E.T. Barnard regarded the race was the best he ever saw in Australia.[8]

Sheet Anchor had raced as a three-year-old in Tasmania, placing second in the Carrick Plate, also placing third in the Launceston Cup as a four-year-old. It won the President's Cup and Free Handicap in Hobart as a five-year-old, with its first notable win coming in the 1884 Launceston Cup. As a six-year-old, Sheet Anchor finished third in the Newmarket Handicap and came second in the 1885 Australian Cup behind Ringwood. The Melbourne Cup was its first major racing victory, beating the record time to be the first winner to run below 3:30.[12] Owned by Irish immigrant Martin Loughlin who was mining investor from the Ballarat area. He had backed Sheet Anchor heavily, winning at least £24,000, donating £2,500 to Ballarat and other charities.[13] Loughlin purchased Sheet Anchor from Richard Gilbert Talbot following the horse's lack of success at the 1885 autumn races in Sydney.[14] It was the first Melbourne Cup wins for both trainer Thomas Wilson and jockey Mick O'Brien.[15]

It was estimated that 130,000 people attended the racecourse, which was "a considerable advance upon last year."[6] Dignitaries who attended the race included governors of Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia, with the Australian Military Band playing music between the race program.[6]

Full results

This is the list of placegetters for the 1885 Melbourne Cup.[16][17][18][19][1][20][21][10][22]

Place Horse Age
Gender 		Jockey Weight Trainer Owner Odds Margin
1 Sheet Anchor 7y h Mick O'Brien 7 st 11 lb (49.4 kg) Thomas Wilson Martin Loughlin 20/1 Head
2 Grace Darling 6y m Jack Williams 7 st 12 lb (49.9 kg) J.G. Reid Mr J.G. Reid 20/1 ½ Head
3  Trenton (NZL) 4y h Alec Robertson[a] 7 st 13 lb (50.3 kg) Dan O'Brien Dan O'Brien 6/1 ¾ length
4  Nordenfeldt (NZL) 3y c Bob Ellis 7 st 5 lb (46.7 kg) Michael Fennelly James White 5/1 fav.
5 Minerva 5y m Curran 6 st 8 lb (41.7 kg) William Yeomans Mr H.J. Bowler 66/1
6 Lesbia 6y m McDowell 6 st 5 lb (40.4 kg) Harry Chifney Mr S. Davis 100/1
7 St. Lawrence 5y h Smith 7 st 9 lb (48.5 kg) T. Coffey Abraham Halinbourg 100/1
8 Velocipede 5y h Burton 7 st 4 lb (46.3 kg) R. Bence Mr W. Condron 66/1
9 Acolyte 4y h Tommy Sanders 7 st 4 lb (46.3 kg) T. Coffey Abraham Halinbourg 20/1
N/a First Chester 3y c G. Williams 6 st 10 lb (42.6 kg) Bill Kelso Bill Kelso 40/1
N/a Blink Bonny 7y m Blair 8 st 5 lb (53.1 kg) T. Jones Richard Gilbert Talbot 50/1
N/a Lord Wilton 5y h C. Ivimy 8 st 0 lb (50.8 kg) F. McNamara Mr E.W. Ellis 50/1
N/a Tom Brown 5y h J. Gainsford 8 st 0 lb (50.8 kg) T. Brackenberg Mr C.J. Brackenreg 30/1
N/a Kit Nubbles 6y h Brickwood Colley 7 st 12 lb (49.9 kg) R. Phillips Mr R. Phillips 20/1
N/a Coriolanus Aged h Moore 7 st 12 lb (49.9 kg) J.D. Robertson Mr J.D. Robertson 30/1
N/a Warwick 5y h Jim Gough 7 st 9 lb (48.5 kg) J. Baines Arthur F. Smart 20/1
N/a Plausible 6y g Power 7 st 8 lb (48.1 kg) Francis F. Dakin William Pearson 33/1
N/a Liverpool 4y h Deeritt 7 st 8 lb (48.1 kg) R. Derritt William Robinson 10/1
N/a Promotheus 6y h Trahan 7 st 6 lb (47.2 kg) J.R. Crooke Mr J. Whittingham 30/1
N/a Stornoway 4y h Musgrove 7 st 5 lb (46.7 kg) William Lang Mr T. Henty 20/1
N/a Hill Top 6y h Warke 7 st 4 lb (46.3 kg) James Redfearn Mr M. Jacobs 50/1
N/a St. John 5y h Flanagan 7 st 3 lb (45.8 kg) G.H. Read Mr C.H.T. Hart 25/1
N/a Despot 6y h McAuliffe 7 st 2 lb (45.4 kg) Michael Fennelly James White 8/1
N/a Lord Exeter 4y h John Williamson 7 st 1 lb (44.9 kg) Tom Brown Mr W.R. Hall 25/1
N/a Brown and Rose 4y m A. Gough 7 st 0 lb (44.5 kg) J. Baines Arthur F. Smart 20/1
N/a Wing 5y h T. Nerriker 7 st 5 lb (46.7 kg) J. Swan Mr R. Rouse 50/1
N/a Britisher 7y g Fallon 6 st 11 lb (43.1 kg) Thomas Wilson Martin Loughlin 33/1
N/a Arsenal 3y c Brown 6 st 9 lb (42.2 kg) Francis F. Dakin William Pearson 33/1
N/a Metal 4y h George Redfearn 6 st 6 lb (40.8 kg) James Redfearn Mr M. Jacobs 25/1
N/a Cyclops 3y c Johnson 6 st 3 lb (39.5 kg) W. Prestwych Mr F. Henty 50/1
N/a Cerise and Blue 4y h Ted Gorry 6 st 0 lb (38.1 kg) M. Thompson Humphrey L. Oxenham 20/1
N/a Dunlop 3y c Foon 7 st 6 lb (47.2 kg) R.G. Griffiths Mr A.R. Robertson 50/1
N/a  Thunderbolt (NZL) 3y c Huxtable 7 st 5 lb (46.7 kg) R. Derritt William Robinson 50/1
N/a Bosworth Aged h Riley 7 st 9 lb (48.5 kg) W. Peraso Mr M. Bryant 100/1
Last Yellow Hammer 5y h Guy 6 st 5 lb (40.4 kg)[b] Alfred Francis Bradshaw Alfred Francis Bradshaw 200/1
SCR Honeydew 4y h N/a 7 st 9 lb (48.5 kg) Tom Brown William A. Long
SCR Uralia 3y f N/a 7 st 8 lb (48.1 kg) Michael Fennelly James White
SCR Remus 3y c N/a 6 st 9 lb (42.2 kg) W. Prestwych Mr S.G. Cook
SCR  Winchester (late Manchester) (NZL) 3y c N/a 6 st 9 lb (42.2 kg) R. Derritt William Robinson

Prizemoney

First prize £2412, second prize £300, third prize £200.[1]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Sometimes spelled Alick Robertson
  2. ^ Was supposed to carry 6st 0lb

References

  1. ^ a b c "1885 Melbourne Cup MillersGuide". millersguide.identika.com.au. Archived from the original on 14 March 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
  2. ^ a b "The Caulfield Cup Fatality". The Argus. Melbourne, Victoria. 19 October 1885. p. 6. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  3. ^ "Caulfield Cup: A history of Australia's premier 2,400m handicap". abc.net.au. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 14 October 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  4. ^ "A Calamitous Race". Express and Telegraph. Adelaide, South Australia. 19 October 1885. p. 3. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  5. ^ "Victoria Amateur Turf Club Races - The Caulfield Cup". The Argus. Melbourne, Victoria. 19 October 1885. p. 7. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "The Racing Carnival - The Cup Day". Weekly Times. Melbourne, Victoria. 7 November 1885. pp. 3–6. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  7. ^ a b Ibbett, Ian (13 January 2018). "1895 – The Life & Times of Lucky Dan O'Brien!". Kings of the Turf. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
  8. ^ a b c d Ibbett, Ian (30 December 2017). "1885 – Nordenfeldt Guns Them Down!". Kings of the Turf. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  9. ^ "The Cup". Sportsman. Melbourne, Victoria. 2 November 1885. p. 1.
  10. ^ a b c Reubertstein. The History of the Melbourne Cup from 1861 to 1894 (1895 ed.). Melbourne, Australia: James J. Miller. pp. 42–44.
  11. ^ "Death of Nordenfeldt". Truth. Sydney, New South Waltes. 9 June 1895. p. 6. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  12. ^ "The Melbourne Cup Winner". Evening Journal. Adelaide, South Australia. 10 November 1885. p. 3. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  13. ^ "Death of Mr. Martin Loughlin". The Age. Melbourne, Victoria. 24 September 1894. p. 5. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  14. ^ "The Cup Day". Australasian Sketcher. Melbourne, Victoria. 18 November 1885. pp. 179, 182. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  15. ^ "Sheet Anchor, the Cup winner". Sportsman. Melbourne, Victoria. 11 November 1885. p. 5. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  16. ^ "1881 to 1890 Melbourne Cup Winners". races com au. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  17. ^ "1881 to 1890 Melbourne Cup Winners". races com au. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  18. ^ "WINNERS AND PLACED HORSES IN MELBOURNE CUP. 1861-1913". Winner. Melbourne, Victoria. 28 October 1914. p. 4. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  19. ^ Cavanough, Maurice (1978). The Melbourne Cup (8 ed.). p. 445. ISBN 0727004859.
  20. ^ "Melbourne Cup Winners - 1881-1900". Victoria Racing Club. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  21. ^ Rolfe, Costa (2008). Winners of the Melbourne Cup. Fitzroy, Australia: Red Dog. pp. 60–61. ISBN 9781742035093.
  22. ^ "VRC Spring Meeting - Second (Cup) Day". Sportsman. Melbourne, Victoria. 11 November 1885. p. 2. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
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