Tawny Port wins golden ticket into 2026 Lexus Melbourne Cup 

The seven-year-old stayer was ridden by North America’s top jockey Flavien Prat and trained by Miguel Clement, who said the prospect of travelling to Melbourne for the Lexus Melbourne Cup was exciting.

“It’s one of the biggest world races so if you have the opportunity to give it a chance, you have to go for it. He would also maybe be the first Kentucky Derby starter and Melbourne Cup runner which hasn’t been done before,” Mr Clement said.

This year marks the third time the American staying race has offered automatic entry into the race that stops a nation™, with the association between the Victoria Racing Club and New York Racing Association continuing to build.

The Belmont Gold Cup was the feature race on the opening day of the prestigious Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. The festival continues tomorrow with its marquee event, the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes, the final leg of America’s famed Triple Crown.

The Belmont Gold Cup is the third race to offer ballot exemption into the Lexus Melbourne Cup, with Tawny Port joining gallopers Whisky On The Hill and Zakouma as horses who have secured their spot in this year’s race.

VRC CEO Kylie Rogers congratulated the owners of Tawny Port for securing their spot in this year's Lexus Melbourne Cup.

“It was fantastic to have the 2026 Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy trackside at Saratoga Racecourse as part of the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour on Thursday and witness Tawny Port win the Belmont Gold Cup. Congratulations to the connections on their win and we look forward to welcoming you to Flemington in November,” Rogers said.

Prior to arriving in New York, the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour began its 2026 global journey in Japan. The iconic 18-carat gold, $1 million Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy first visited Kyoto's historic Tofukuji Funda-in Temple before travelling to a marquee event at Cup-winning jockey Christophe Lemaire's cafe, CL by C.Lemaire.

The event marked the 20-year anniversary of Delta Blues' historic victory in the Melbourne Cup, celebrating the moment the stayer became the first Japanese-trained horse to win Australia’s most iconic race.

Melbourne Cup–winning jockeys Christophe Lemaire (Dunaden, 2011) and Yasunari Iwata (Delta Blues, 2006) participated in formalities, reuniting to recall their memorable Flemington triumphs.

Star Australian-based riders Damian Lane and Michael Dee, who are currently licensed and riding with great success in Japan, were also in attendance.

Speaking from the event, Christophe Lemaire was pleased to be the first official stop of the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour.

“It is with great pleasure and great honour that we welcome the Melbourne Cup trophy here today,” Mr Lemaire said.

“This trophy is the most iconic, the most recognisable and the most coveted in our sport.”

The People's Cup will return to Australia next week to visit Walgett in regional New South Wales, with two-time Lexus Melbourne Cup winning trainer Sheila Laxon joining the Tour.

For more information on the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour visit vrc.com.au.