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The Melbourne Cup Trivia Quiz

10 questions about the Melbourne Cup - the horse race that stops a nation.

A multiple-choice quiz by Kuu. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Kuu

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
86,221

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
1377

Last 3 plays: Guest 58 (10/10), Guest 202 (8/10), Guest 59 (7/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. In which year was the Melbourne Cup first run? Hint

1881

1873

1867

1861

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Question 2 of 10

2. What was the name of the horse that won the first Melbourne Cup? Hint

Toryboy

The Quack

Tim Whiffler

Archer

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Question 3 of 10

3. What is the smallest field to ever run the Melbourne Cup? Hint

Five

Seven

Ten

Twelve

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Question 4 of 10

4. In what year did Phar Lap, Australia's most famous racehorse, win the Melbourne Cup? Hint

1933

1928

1930

1932

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which of the following horses has NOT managed to complete the double of winning both the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup in the same year? Hint

Might and Power

Galilee

Let's Elope

Rain Lover

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which of the following horses has NOT won the Melbourne Cup twice? Hint

Think Big

Archer

Peter Pan

Subzero

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Question 7 of 10

7. How many horses usually complete in the modern Melbourne Cup? Hint

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Question 8 of 10

8. Over what distance is the Melbourne Cup run? Hint

2 miles

1 1/2 miles

1 mile

2 1/2 miles

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Question 9 of 10

9. In which year did the Melbourne Cup become the first Australian million dollar race? Hint

1977

1983

1979

1985

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Question 10 of 10

10. When is the Melbourne Cup run? Hint

Second Saturday in October

First Saturday in May

First Tuesday in November

New Year's Day

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Most Recent Scores

Nov 17 2024 : Guest 58: 10/10
Nov 05 2024 : Guest 202: 8/10
Nov 05 2024 : Guest 59: 7/10
Nov 04 2024 : Guest 222: 5/10
Nov 04 2024 : Guest 27: 7/10
Nov 04 2024 : Guest 121: 8/10
Nov 03 2024 : Guest 175: 1/10
Nov 03 2024 : Guest 203: 10/10
Nov 03 2024 : Guest 203: 3/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In which year was the Melbourne Cup first run?

Answer: 1861

There were 17 starters in the first Melbourne Cup. The trophy was a not a cup at all, but a gold watch.

2. What was the name of the horse that won the first Melbourne Cup?

Answer: Archer

Legend has it that Archer was walked 500 miles (800km) from Nowra (south of Sydney) to Melbourne, so that he could run in the Cup. Archer also won the 2nd Melbourne Cup.

3. What is the smallest field to ever run the Melbourne Cup?

Answer: Seven

This was in 1863 when the Cup was won by Banker. The largest field was 38 in 1890 (won by Carbine).

4. In what year did Phar Lap, Australia's most famous racehorse, win the Melbourne Cup?

Answer: 1930

In his racing career Phar Lap started 51 times. He had 37 wins, 3 seconds, and 2 thirds.

5. Which of the following horses has NOT managed to complete the double of winning both the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup in the same year?

Answer: Rain Lover

Might and Power (1997), Let's Elope (1991), and Galilee (1966). The Caulfield Cup was first run in 1879. At first it was run over 1 1/4 miles but from 1882 onwards it has been run over 1 1/2 miles.

6. Which of the following horses has NOT won the Melbourne Cup twice?

Answer: Subzero

Archer won the Cup in 1861 and 1862, Peter Pan 1932 and 1934, and Think Big 1974 & 1975. (Rain Lover also won it twice in 1968 and 1969).

7. How many horses usually complete in the modern Melbourne Cup?

Answer: 24

Sometimes the field is smaller as a result of scratchings.

8. Over what distance is the Melbourne Cup run?

Answer: 2 miles

This is 3200 metres (actually, it's about 19m short of 2 miles).

9. In which year did the Melbourne Cup become the first Australian million dollar race?

Answer: 1985

By 2001 the prize money was over $AUS4 million of which 2 million dollars was for first place.

10. When is the Melbourne Cup run?

Answer: First Tuesday in November

The first Melbourne Cup was run on a Thursday. During the war years 1942-44 the Melbourne Cup was run on a Saturday. Twice the Cup has been postponed because of rain. In 1870 the Cup was postponed for a week, while in 1916 it was postponed to the following Saturday.

Source: Author Kuu

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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