| 1873 Melbourne Cup | |
| Horse Race: | Melbourne Cup |
| Location: | Flemington Racecourse |
| Date: | 6 Nov 1873 |
| Distance: | 2 miles |
| Winning Horse: | Don Juan |
| Winning Time: | 3:36.0 |
| Final Odds: | 3/1 |
| Winning Jockey: | W. Wilson |
| Winning Trainer: | J. Wilson |
| Winning Owner: | W. Johnstone |
| Surface: | Turf |
| Attendance: | 63,000 |
| Previous: | 1872 |
| Next: | 1874 |
The 1873 Melbourne Cup was a two-mile handicap horse race which took place on Thursday, 6 November 1873.
This year was the thirteenth running of the Melbourne Cup. Don Juan's victory was a controversial one. Immediately following the race Don Juan's victory was called into question and a protest was lodged. The Sydney Mail reported on 22 November that the protest claimed the horse was a year older than his stated four years of age.[1] There were also rumours that Don Juan was substituted for a better horse. The protest was dismissed and the rumours were never proven.[2] Don Juan won by three and a half lengths in a new record time of 3:36.0.[3]
This is the list of placegetters for the 1873 Melbourne Cup.[4]
| Place | Name | Jockey | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Don Juan | W. Wilson | |
| 2 | Dagworth | Donnelly | |
| 3 | Horatio | M. Thompson |