When raced for at Flemington over more than 3600 metres, the Australian Cup was once this nation's most prestigious long-distance race.
Since being rewound to 2000 metres, the race may no longer rival the Melbourne Cup in the staying stakes, however, with many of the best three-plus-year-olds in the country converging on Flemington, the Australian Cup is a key fixture of Melbourne's autumn racing calendar.
In its 161-year history, a litany of champion thoroughbreds has passed the post first in this storied race, with many going on to bigger and better things, especially during Victoria's spring racing carnival.
From the dogged stayers of the 19th century to the gun runners of today, here is every horse to have run and won the Australian Cup since 1863.
| Year | Horse/s |
| 1863 | Barwon |
| 1864 | Nathalie |
| 1865 | Woodman |
| 1866 | Woodman |
| 1867 | Tim Whiffler |
| 1868 | Shenandoah |
| 1869 | Gasworks |
| 1870 | Norma |
| 1871 | Nimblefoot |
| 1872 | Saladin |
| 1873 | Warrior |
| 1874 | Protos |
| 1875 | Lurline |
| 1876 | Richmond |
| 1877 | Sybil |
| 1878 | First King |
| 1879 | Savanaka |
| 1880 | Columbus |
| 1881 | Firstwater |
| 1882 | Pollio |
| 1883 | Navigator |
| 1884 | Morpeth |
| 1885 | Ringwood |
| 1886 | Malua |
| 1887 | Trident |
| 1888 | Carlyon |
| 1889 | Lochiel |
| 1890 | Dreadnought |
| 1891 | Vengeance |
| 1892 | Highborn |
| 1893 | Portsea |
| 1894 | Broken Hill |
| 1895 | Havoc |
| 1896 | Idolator |
| 1897 | Coil |
| 1898 | Ayrshire |
| 1899 | Babadil |
| 1900 | La Carabine |
| 1901 | Dreamland |
| 1902 | Blue Metal |
| 1903 | Great Scot |
| 1904 | Marmont |
| 1905 | Lord Ullin's Daughter |
| 1906 | Tartan |
| 1907 | Realm |
| 1908 | Peru |
| 1909 | Pendil |
| 1910 | Oriline |
| 1911 | The Parisian |
| 1912 | Saxonite/Prizefighter |
| 1913 | Almissa |
| 1914 | Wallalo |
| 1915 | Lempriere |
| 1916 | Cherubini |
| 1917 | Harriet Graham |
| 1918 | Defence |
| 1919 | New Tipperary |
| 1920 | Macadam |
| 1921 | The Rover |
| 1922 | Harvest King |
| 1923 | Prince Cox |
| 1924 | Accarak |
| 1925 | Answer |
| 1926 | Pilliewinkie |
| 1927 | Spearfelt |
| 1928 | Sea Money |
| 1929 | Some Quality |
| 1930 | Nadean |
| 1931 | Carry On |
| 1932 | Madstar |
| 1933 | Topical |
| 1934 | Heroic Prince |
| 1935 | Sylvandale |
| 1936 | Amalia |
| 1937 | Mutable |
| 1938 | Marauder |
| 1939 | Pageant |
| 1940 | Indignity |
| 1941 | Saul |
| 1942 | Wise Counsel |
| 1943 | Taramoa |
| 1944 | Similar |
| 1945 | Spectre |
| 1946 | Knockarlow |
| 1947 | Sydney James |
| 1948 | Bannerette |
| 1949 | New Cashmere |
| 1950 | Bold John |
| 1951 | Bold Belle |
| 1952 | Murray Glen |
| 1953 | Arbroath |
| 1954 | Sunish |
| 1955 | Hellion |
| 1956 | Pushover |
| 1957 | Miss High Caste |
| 1958 | Dream Son |
| 1959 | Gaybao |
| 1960 | Illoura |
| 1961 | Dream King |
| 1962 | Welkin Prince |
| 1963 | Welkin Prince |
| 1964 | Grand Print |
| 1965 | Craftsman |
| 1966 | Craftsman |
| 1967 | Bore Head |
| 1968 | Arctic Coast |
| 1969 | Yootha/Cyron |
| 1970 | Crewman |
| 1971 | Gay Icarus |
| 1972 | Jan's Beau |
| 1973 | Gladman |
| 1974 | Bush Win |
| 1975 | Leilani |
| 1976 | Lord Dudley |
| 1977 | Ngawyni |
| 1978 | Ming Dynasty |
| 1979 | Dulcify |
| 1980 | Ming Dynasty |
| 1981 | Hyperno |
| 1982 | Kip |
| 1983 | Spectrum |
| 1984 | Admiral Lincoln |
| 1985 | Noble Peer |
| 1986 | Playful Princess |
| 1987 | Bonecrusher |
| 1988 | Dandy Andy |
| 1989 | Vo Rogue |
| 1990 | Vo Rogue |
| 1991 | Better Loosen Up |
| 1992 | Let's Elope |
| 1993 | Veandercross |
| 1994 | Durbridge |
| 1995 | Starstruck |
| 1996 | Saintly |
| 1997 | Octagonal |
| 1998 | Dane Ripper |
| 1999 | Istidaad |
| 2000 | Intergaze |
| 2001 | Northerly |
| 2002 | Old Comrade |
| 2003 | Northerly |
| 2004 | Lonhro |
| 2005 | Makybe Diva |
| 2006 | Roman Arch |
| 2007 | Pompeii Ruler |
| 2008 | Sirmione |
| 2009 | Niconero |
| 2010 | Zipping |
| 2011 | Shocking |
| 2012 | Manighar |
| 2013 | Super Cool |
| 2014 | Fiorente |
| 2015 | Spillway |
| 2016 | Preferment |
| 2017 | Humidor |
| 2018 | Harlem |
| 2019 | Harlem |
| 2020 | Fifty Stars |
| 2021 | Homesman |
| 2022 | Duais |
| 2023 | Cascadian |
