1861 Melbourne Cup

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. Fifty-seven horses were nominated and there were 21 acceptances. Four were scratched on race day, leaving 17 starters.

This is the list of placegetters for the 1861 Melbourne Cup.

The remaining runners were as follows (given in approximate finishing order where not known).