$10 million up for grabs: Full prize money breakdown for the 2025 Melbourne Cup

With a total prize purse of $10 million, up from $8.56 million in 2024, the 2025 Lexus Melbourne Cup stands as the world's richest handicap horse race.

The winning connections will claim a $4.5 million cash prize from the overall fund.

The $10 million total prize pool consists of $9.09 million in cash prize money and $910,000 worth of trophies. This includes the main prize — the famed 18-carat solid gold Hardy Brothers trophy, valued at $250,000, which is awarded to the winning owners.

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The rest of the prize money is distributed across the remaining places: Second receives $1.1 million, third gets $560,000, fourth $360,000, and fifth $240,000. Runners placed from sixth to 12th each receive $160,000, while horses finishing 13th to 24th each get $100,000.

The $4.5 million winner's prize money for the upcoming Melbourne Cup is split among the winning horse's owners, trainers, and jockey.

The winning owners collect the majority 85 per cent share of the prize, a massive $3.825 million.

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The trainers of the winning horse take home 10 per cent of the prize money, amounting to $450,000, plus a replica trophy.

The champion jockey's prize is $225,000, representing 5 per cent of the payout. They also receive a replica miniature Melbourne Cup trophy valued at $25,000 and a riding fee of approximately $258.50 for race day.

The winning horse's strapper will be presented with the Tommy Woodcock Trophy — named after Phar Lap's attendant — valued at $15,000.

The breeder also receives a trophy valued at $10,000.