Which horse won the first Melbourne Cup, held in 1861?

Archer won the first Melbourne Cup, held at Flemington in 1861.

The inaugural Melbourne Cup was run on November 7, 1861, over a distance of two miles. Archer, trained by Etienne L. de Mestre and ridden by John Cutts, won the race by six lengths, creating the foundation for Australia’s most famous staying contest.

Archer returned the following year and won the second Melbourne Cup as well. His back-to-back victories established an early tradition of repeat success, although only a small number of horses have later won the race twice or more.

The Melbourne Cup eventually became associated with the phrase “the race that stops a nation.” It is run at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, traditionally on the first Tuesday in November. Archer’s 1861 victory predates many of the race’s modern traditions and national celebrations.