| 1861 Melbourne Cup | |
| Horse Race: | Melbourne Cup |
| Location: | Flemington Racecourse |
| Date: | 7 November 1861 |
| Distance: | 2 miles |
| Winning Horse: | Archer |
| Winning Time: | 3:52 |
| Final Odds: | 6/1 |
| Winning Jockey: | John Cutts |
| Winning Trainer: | Etienne L. de Mestre |
| Winning Owner: | Etienne L. de Mestre |
| Surface: | Turf |
| Attendance: | 4000 |
| Next: | 1862 |
The 1861 Melbourne Cup was a two-mile handicap horse race which took place on Thursday, 7 November 1861.
This year was the first running of the Melbourne Cup.[1] Fifty-seven horses were nominated and there were 21 acceptances. Four were scratched on race day, leaving 17 starters.[2]
This is the list of placegetters for the 1861 Melbourne Cup.[1] [3] [4]
| Place | Name | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Weight | Starting price | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Archer | John Cutts | Etienne L. de Mestre | Etienne L. de Mestre | 6/1 (7.00) | ||
| 2 | Mormon | W. Simpson | Mr J. Henderson | 3/1 (4.00) | 6 lengths | ||
| 3 | Prince | J. Bishop | Mr W. Pearson | 20/1 (21.00) | 2 lengths | ||
The remaining runners were as follows (given in approximate finishing order where not known).
| Place | Name | Jockey | Weight | Starting price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Antonelli | Cowen | 20/1 (21.00) | ||
| 5 | Toryboy | H. Cooke | 5/1 (6.00) | ||
| 6 | Flatcatcher | Perkins | 10/1 (11.00) | ||
| ? | The Moor | Robinson | 20/1 (21.00) | ||
| ? | Nutwith | S. Waldock | 25/1 (26.00) | ||
| ? | Inheritor | McCabe | 10/1 (11.00) | ||
| ? | Grey Dawn | Yeend | 33/1 (34.00) | ||
| ? | Black Bess | Monaghan | 50/1 (51.00) | ||
| ? | Sorcerer | Hughes | 25/1 (26.00) | ||
| ? | Fireaway | H. Howard | 20/1 (21.00) | ||
| ? | Lucy Ashton | S. Davis | 50/1 (51.00) | ||
| Fell | Despatch | J. Morrison | 7/2 (4.50) | ||
| Fell | Twilight | Haynes | 20/1 (21.00) | ||
| Fell | Medora | J. Henderson | 33/1 (34.00) |