1883 Melbourne Cup

Edition of the Melbourne Cup April 2022 September 2021 1883 Melbourne Cup Melbourne Cup MARTINI-HENRY NZ.jpg Image of Martini-Henry Flemington Racecourse 6 November 1883 2 miles Martini-Henry 3:30.50 5/1 John Williamson Michael Fennelly James White Turf ≈123,000 1882 1884 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. https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/martini-henry-wins-1883-melbourne-cup Martini Henry wins 1883 Melbourne Cup nzhistory.govt.nz 10 September 2021 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. Martini-Henri (1883) Facts, Stats & Trivia of The Melbourne Cup O'Reilly Paddy 2016 New Holland Publishers Pty Ltd Melbourne 16–17 9781742579054 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the betting ring went to Martini-Henry, Despot, Calma and Claptrap, especially after New Zealand import Sir Modred was withdrawn. 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. 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.The Melbourne Press on Archie's Running https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/162023733 29 January 2026 The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser 10 November 1883 Sydney, New South Wales 891 The race thumb|Map of Flemington Racecourse in 1883 From the initial acceptances of 150 runners,The Cup Day https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/18359180 29 January 2026 The Age 6 November 1883 Melbourne, Victoria 6 there were 33 horses entered at the start of the day before a number of withdrawals. The day had started warm, but a cool change passed through Melbourne during the afternoon.News of the Day https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/202608112/18359188 29 January 2026 The Age 7 November 1883 Melbourne, Victoria 4 At the fall of the flag, 29 runners made their way from the start.The Cup Day https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/23308506 5 February 2026 Sportsman 14 November 1883 Melbourne, Victoria 1 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. 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. 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, beating the time of Darriwell to win the 1879 race. Commotion was lauded in the press for finishing as high as third despite the heavy weight afforded under the handicap rules. 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.Turf Topics and Anticipatons https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/21346027 The Leader 10 November 1883 Melbourne, Victoria 17 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. 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." Full results This is the list of placegetters for the 1883 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/#1883 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/#1881 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 81883 Melbourne Cup MillersGuide http://millersguide.identika.com.au/1883-melbourne-cup/ millersguide.identika.com.au 27 January 2026 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20220314095242/http://millersguide.identika.com.au/1883-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 54–55Reubertstein The History of the Melbourne Cup from 1861 to 1894 James J. Miller Melbourne, Australia 38–40 1895The Eve of the Cup https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/268314 29 January 2026 The Argus 6 November 1883 Melbourne, Victoria 10Turf Quotations https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/21345964 5 February 2026 The Leader 3 November 1883 Melbourne, Victoria 20The Racing https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/198000668/21346030 5 February 2026 The Leader 10 November 1883 Melbourne, Victoria 20Cup Day https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/268328 5 February 2026 The Argus 7 November 1883 Melbourne, Victoria 5-7 PlaceHorseAgeGenderJockeyWeightTrainerOwnerOddsMargin1Martini-Henry NZL3y cJohn WilliamsonWilliamson Also known at Jack Williamson 7 st 5 lb kg 1 onMichael Fennelly James White5/1 fav. Favourite1½ lengths2First Water7y hTeddy McGrade 8 st 0 lb kg 1 on C.L. McDonald Mr T. Barnfield25/1Head3Commotion5y hTrahan 10 st 1 lb kg 1 on Joe Morrison William Pearson20/1Head4First Demon (late The Demon)3y cDonald Nicholson 6 st 12 lb kg 1 onD. LawsonMr J. Mondy10/15Sardius (late Emerald)3y cCharles Hutchins 6 st 13 lb kg 1 onSardius Was supposed to carry 6st 11lb H. Tothill Mr H. Aldridge14/16Aide-de-Camp4y hJ. Gainsford 7 st 5 lb kg 1 onEtienne de MestreMr H. Bowler12/17Recovery5y hKelso 7 st 2 lb kg 1 on J. Moore Mr T. Sampson50/18Dukedom4y hMoore 7 st 0 lb kg 1 on James WilsonWilliam Branch50/19Claptrap4y hSam Cracknell 7 st 3 lb kg 1 onJ.R. CrookJohn Whittingham7/110Archie3y cJim Gough 8 st 3 lb kg 1 onW. BainesArthur F. Smart33/111Calma4y hMick O'Brien 8 st 7 lb kg 1 on P. Heywood Donald Smith Wallace10/112Despot4y hBob Ellis 7 st 0 lb kg 1 on Michael Fennelly James White6/113Magnet4y hPower 8 st 0 lb kg 1 on Francis F. Dakin William Pearson50/1Sweet William5y hWilliam Yeomans 9 st 5 lb kg 1 onHarry RaynorWilliam Gannon33/1The Gem5y hW. Huxley 9 st 4 lb kg 1 onJ. MooreJohn Mayo100/1Stockwell5y hJ. Geoghegan 8 st 13 lb kg 1 on Robert HowieMr W. Bailey33/1Cunnamulla5y hBrickwood Colley 8 st 1 lb kg 1 on Tom BrownMr W.R. Hall50/1Nicholas4y hTom Hales 8 st 0 lb kg 1 onEtienne de MestreEtienne de Mestre14/1Pollio7y hBurton 7 st 12 lb kg 1 on T. JonesMr E. Weeks33/1Dirk Hatteraick3y cBoase 7 st 10 lb kg 1 on J.H. HillMr S. Barnard16/1Angelsey4y hAlec Robertson 7 st 10 lb kg 1 on W.H. PrestwichMr S.G. Cook50/1Kingsdale3y CStrickland 7 st 8 lb kg 1 on Tom LamondMr J. Stewart100/1Santa Claus5y hWalker 7 st 5 lb kg 1 on Francis F. DakinMr H. James50/1Koh-i-Nor5y hThornton 7 st 0 lb kg 1 on G. ReadMr H.T. Hart50/1Lesbia4y mEnglish 6 st 12 lb kg 1 on S. MahonMr S. McMahon50/1Linda5y mFallon 6 st 10 lb kg 1 on James Wilson James Wilson50/1Kathleen Mavoureen6y mBarr 6 st 9 lb kg 1 on T. CoffeyMr J. McKenzie50/1Le GrandLegrand Sometimes spelled Legrand3y cT. Nerriker 7 st 5 lb kg 1 on Joe Monaghan Donald Smith Wallace25/1LastBis Bis3y fF. Hutchins 6 st 8 lb kg 1 on H. TothillMr W. Gordon50/1SCR Scratched Sir Modred NZL 6y h9 st 8 lb kg 1 onAllsoppMr D. ProudfootSCR Scratched Off Colour 3y c7 st 12 lb kg 1 on James WilsonWilliam BranchSCR Scratched Jessie 4y m7 st 9 lb kg 1 on Thomas Ivory Thomas IvorySCR Scratched Signor 3y c7 st 1 lb kg 1 on W. Doyle Mr E.P. WilsonSCR Scratched Bordeaux Aged h6 st 9 lb kg 1 on 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. First prize £2157, 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 1883 Melbourne Cup footyjumpers.com 1883 Melbourne Cup Melbourne Cup Category:19th century in Melbourne Category:1880s in Melbourne