1885 Melbourne Cup

Annual horse race in Victoria, Australia May 2022 May 2022 1885 Melbourne Cup Melbourne Cup Melbourne Cup 1885.tif Illustration of the finish of the race Flemington Racecourse 3 November 1885 2 miles Sheet Anchor 3:29.50 20/1 Mick O'Brien Thomas Wilson Martin Loughlin Good Turf ≈130,000 1884 1886 The 1885 Melbourne Cup was a two-mile handicap horse race which took place on Tuesday, 3 November 1885. 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.The Caulfield Cup Fatality https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/6069217 11 February 2026 The Argus 19 October 1885 Melbourne, Victoria 6 Described as the worst fall in Australian history,Caulfield Cup: A history of Australia's premier 2,400m handicap https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-14/a-history-of-the-caulfield-cup/5799202 abc.net.au Australian Broadcasting Corporation 11 February 2026 14 October 2014 Nicholson had been riding Lord Exeter when he was pushed into a post, thrown from his mount and killed instantly.A Calamitous Race https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/208368758 11 February 2026 Express and Telegraph 19 October 1885 Adelaide, South Australia 3 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. The winner of the chaotic Caulfield Cup was six-year-old mare Grace Darling at 28/1, who beat out Britisher and Coriolanus.Victoria Amateur Turf Club Races - The Caulfield Cup https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/273384 11 February 2026 The Argus 19 October 1885 Melbourne, Victoria 7 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. Also not heavily favoured was 1884 Caulfield Cup winner Blink Bonny. 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 was among the punters, reportedly placing a bet of £1,100 of his own money on his mount.Ibbett Ian 1895 – The Life & Times of Lucky Dan O'Brien! https://www.kingsoftheturf.com/1895-the-life-times-of-lucky-dan-obrien/ Kings of the Turf 10 February 2026 13 January 2018 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. 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.The Cup https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/23309098 Sportsman 2 November 1885 Melbourne, Victoria 1 The race In "beautifully fine" weather conditions,The Racing Carnival - The Cup Day https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/23354871 11 February 2026 Weekly Times 7 November 1885 Melbourne, Victoria 3–6 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. 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, Robertson was unable to draw much out of his ride down the straight to match Sheet Anchor or Grace Darling. Nordenfeldt finished 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. Trainer of Nordenfeldt, Michael Fennelly, maintained that his horse should have won but for two bouts of interference during the race.Ibbett Ian 1885 – Nordenfeldt Guns Them Down! https://www.kingsoftheturf.com/1885-nordenfeldt-guns-them-down/ Kings of the Turf 11 February 2026 30 December 2017 Like with Trenton, it was thought that jockey Bob Ellis had lost his whip during the interference encountered by Nordenfeldt.Death of Nordenfeldt https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/167954881 11 February 2026 Truth 9 June 1895 Sydney, New South Waltes 6 Victoria Racing Club handicapper E.T. Barnard regarded the race was the best he ever saw in Australia. 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.The Melbourne Cup Winner https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/199139118 11 February 2026 Evening Journal 10 November 1885 Adelaide, South Australia 3 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.Death of Mr. Martin Loughlin https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/190029570 11 February 2026 The Age 24 September 1894 Melbourne, Victoria 5 Loughlin purchased Sheet Anchor from Richard Gilbert Talbot following the horse's lack of success at the 1885 autumn races in Sydney.The Cup Day https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/5739550 11 February 2026 Australasian Sketcher 18 November 1885 Melbourne, Victoria 179, 182 It was the first Melbourne Cup wins for both trainer Thomas Wilson and jockey Mick O'Brien.Sheet Anchor, the Cup winner https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/23309110 11 February 2026 Sportsman 11 November 1885 Melbourne, Victoria 5 It was estimated that 130,000 people attended the racecourse, which was "a considerable advance upon last year." 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. Full results This is the list of placegetters for the 1885 Melbourne Cup.1881 to 1890 Melbourne Cup Winners http://www.races.com.au/melbourne-cup/melbourne-cup-history/past-winners/1881-to-1890-melbourne-cup/#1884 races com au 21 September 20211881 to 1890 Melbourne Cup Winners http://www.races.com.au/melbourne-cup/melbourne-cup-history/past-winners/1881-to-1890-melbourne-cup/#1885 races com au 12 November 2021WINNERS AND PLACED HORSES IN MELBOURNE CUP. 1861-1913 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/155526601 12 January 2026 Winner 28 October 1914 Melbourne, Victoria 4Cavanough Maurice The Melbourne Cup 1978 0727004859 445 81885 Melbourne Cup MillersGuide http://millersguide.identika.com.au/1885-melbourne-cup/ millersguide.identika.com.au 4 February 2026 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20220314094751/http://millersguide.identika.com.au/1885-melbourne-cup/ 14 March 2022Melbourne Cup Winners - 1881-1900 https://www.vrc.com.au/racing/melbourne-cup-winners-honour-roll/1881-1900/ Victoria Racing Club 5 November 2025Rolfe Costa Winners of the Melbourne Cup 2008 Red Dog Fitzroy, Australia 9781742035093 60–61Reubertstein The History of the Melbourne Cup from 1861 to 1894 James J. Miller Melbourne, Australia 42–44 1895VRC Spring Meeting - Second (Cup) Day https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/23309107 11 February 2026 Sportsman 11 November 1885 Melbourne, Victoria 2 PlaceHorseAgeGenderJockeyWeightTrainerOwnerOddsMargin1Sheet Anchor7y hMick O'Brien 7 st 11 lb kg 1 onThomas WilsonMartin Loughlin20/1Head2Grace Darling6y mJack Williams 7 st 12 lb kg 1 onJ.G. ReidMr J.G. Reid20/1½ Head3Trenton NZL4y hAlec RobertsonRobertson Sometimes spelled Alick Robertson 7 st 13 lb kg 1 onDan O'BrienDan O'Brien6/1¾ length4Nordenfeldt NZL3y cBob Ellis 7 st 5 lb kg 1 onMichael Fennelly James White5/1 fav. Favourite5Minerva5y mCurran 6 st 8 lb kg 1 on William Yeomans Mr H.J. Bowler66/16Lesbia6y mMcDowell 6 st 5 lb kg 1 on Harry Chifney Mr S. Davis100/17St. Lawrence5y hSmith 7 st 9 lb kg 1 on T. Coffey Abraham Halinbourg100/18Velocipede5y hBurton 7 st 4 lb kg 1 on R. Bence Mr W. Condron66/19Acolyte4y hTommy Sanders 7 st 4 lb kg 1 on T. Coffey Abraham Halinbourg20/1First Chester3y cG. Williams 6 st 10 lb kg 1 on Bill Kelso Bill Kelso40/1Blink Bonny7y mBlair 8 st 5 lb kg 1 on T. Jones Richard Gilbert Talbot50/1Lord Wilton5y hC. Ivimy 8 st 0 lb kg 1 on F. McNamara Mr E.W. Ellis50/1Tom Brown5y hJ. Gainsford 8 st 0 lb kg 1 on T. Brackenberg Mr C.J. Brackenreg30/1Kit Nubbles6y hBrickwood Colley 7 st 12 lb kg 1 on R. Phillips Mr R. Phillips20/1CoriolanusAged hMoore 7 st 12 lb kg 1 on J.D. Robertson Mr J.D. Robertson30/1Warwick5y hJim Gough 7 st 9 lb kg 1 on J. Baines Arthur F. Smart20/1Plausible6y gPower 7 st 8 lb kg 1 on Francis F. DakinWilliam Pearson33/1Liverpool4y hDeeritt 7 st 8 lb kg 1 onR. Derritt William Robinson10/1Promotheus6y hTrahan 7 st 6 lb kg 1 on J.R. Crooke Mr J. Whittingham30/1Stornoway4y hMusgrove 7 st 5 lb kg 1 on William Lang Mr T. Henty20/1Hill Top6y hWarke 7 st 4 lb kg 1 on James Redfearn Mr M. Jacobs50/1St. John5y hFlanagan 7 st 3 lb kg 1 on G.H. Read Mr C.H.T. Hart25/1Despot6y hMcAuliffe 7 st 2 lb kg 1 on Michael Fennelly James White 8/1Lord Exeter4y hJohn Williamson 7 st 1 lb kg 1 on Tom Brown Mr W.R. Hall25/1Brown and Rose4y mA. Gough 7 st 0 lb kg 1 on J. Baines Arthur F. Smart20/1Wing5y hT. Nerriker 7 st 5 lb kg 1 on J. Swan Mr R. Rouse50/1Britisher7y gFallon 6 st 11 lb kg 1 on Thomas Wilson Martin Loughlin33/1Arsenal3y cBrown 6 st 9 lb kg 1 on Francis F. DakinWilliam Pearson33/1Metal4y hGeorge Redfearn 6 st 6 lb kg 1 onJames Redfearn Mr M. Jacobs25/1Cyclops3y cJohnson 6 st 3 lb kg 1 on W. Prestwych Mr F. Henty50/1Cerise and Blue4y h Ted Gorry 6 st 0 lb kg 1 on M. Thompson Humphrey L. Oxenham20/1Dunlop3y cFoon 7 st 6 lb kg 1 on R.G. Griffiths Mr A.R. Robertson50/1Thunderbolt NZL3y cHuxtable 7 st 5 lb kg 1 on R. Derritt William Robinson50/1BosworthAged hRiley 7 st 9 lb kg 1 on W. Peraso Mr M. Bryant100/1LastYellow Hammer5y hGuy 6 st 5 lb kg 1 onYellowHamer Was supposed to carry 6st 0lb Alfred Francis Bradshaw Alfred Francis Bradshaw200/1SCR Scratched Honeydew 4y h7 st 9 lb kg 1 on Tom Brown William A. LongSCR Scratched Uralia 3y f7 st 8 lb kg 1 on Michael Fennelly James White SCR Scratched Remus 3y c6 st 9 lb kg 1 on W. Prestwych Mr S.G. CookSCR Scratched Winchester (late Manchester) NZL 3y c6 st 9 lb kg 1 on R. Derritt William Robinson Prizemoney First prize £2412, second prize £300, third prize £200. See also Horses Sports Australia Melbourne Cup List of Melbourne Cup winners Victoria Racing Club Notes References External links 1885 Melbourne Cup footyjumpers.com 1885 Melbourne Cup Melbourne Cup Category:19th century in Melbourne Category:1880s in Melbourne