1872 Melbourne Cup

The 1872 Melbourne Cup was a two-mile handicap horse race that took place on Thursday, 7 November 1872.

This year was the twelfth running of the Melbourne Cup. It was the fourth Melbourne Cup win for owner and trainer John Tait.

The Quack was a half-brother to 1870 Melbourne Cup winner, Nimblefoot.

There would be 22 runners in the race following the withdrawals of the heavily-backed Pyrrhus, as well as Kingfisher, Hamlet and Lady Athole. Dagworth had been supported by many following its win in The Metropolitan in the autumn at Randwick, but the horse had not impressed local judges since arriving in Melbourne. Following its win in the Melbourne Stakes the previous weekend, Contessa started as favourite for the Melbourne Cup looking to be the first mare to win the race.

In warm and dusty conditions whipped up by a hot northerly wind, Valentine, Irish King, and Benjiroo held the early lead, while King of the Ring was well behind the field at the first post. Benjiroo would lead the race down the back straight, but faded before the final turn for the winning post. In its place The Quack took up the running and lead comfortably down the Flemington straight to win by two lengths. The Ace finished second closely followed by Dagworth who had come hard at the finish.

Tasmanian-bred, The Quack had finished second in The Metropolitan behind Dagworth in the autumn, repeating the performance of the previous year's winner The Pearl. To the dismay of the local contingent, the first five runners were all bred outside of Victoria.

Full results This is the list of placegetters for the 1872 Melbourne Cup.

PlaceHorseAgeGenderJockeyWeightTrainerOwnerOddsMargin1The Quack 6y hWilliam Enderson John TaitJohn Tait5/12 lengths2The Ace 4y hTom Hales Harry Tothill Thomas Joseph Ryan5/1Neck3Dagworth 4y h George Donnelly Etienne de Mestre Mr. R. Bloomfield13/24Barbelle Aged m Joe Kean Edward Lee20/15Misty Morn 6y h C. Hough Robert Standish Sevior Austin Saqui33/16Benjiroo 4y h Chalker Mr C.S. King50/17King of the Ring 3y c William Wilson James Wilson Joe Thompson13/28Early Morn 5y hJames Wilson Jr James Wilson John Coldham10/19Patriarch 3y c Sam Cracknell Edward Lee12/110Dolphin 4y m H. Grubb William Filgate10/111The Count 5y h H. Lewis John Tait John Tait20/1The Baron Aged g McClelland Andrew Chirnside100/1Valentine Aged g Sullivan Patrick Keighran16/1Irish King 4y h Swales Mr Cassidy James J. Miller16/1Emblem 5y h Tom Corrigan Mr E. Moran16/1 4y mRowe Andrew Chirnside100/1Boatman Aged h W. Rees Robert Standish Sevior Mr R. Whitehead20/1Contessa 4y m J. Sherringham William Filgate William Filgate4/1 Planter 5y hSamuel Davis Mr J. Evans50/1Shannon 4y m Nolan Andrew Chirnside50/1Athelstane 5y h Robinson Mr J. McFarland100/1Novice (late Alfred) Aged g Swannell Mr A. Anderson100/1

Prizemoney First prize £1090, second prize £50, third prize £20.

1872 Melbourne Cup

Bron en licentie