24 horses ran in the 2010 Melbourne Cup.
24 horses ran in the 2008 Melbourne Cup.
A limit of 24 horses can now run in the Melbourne Cup for safety reasons, though more than that have run in it in the past.
42
The first Melbourne Cup was run on 7 November 1861, and was attended by a crowd of around 4000. It was won by Archer out of a field of 17 horses. They were racing for 170 pounds cash and a gold watch.
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You can watch the horses run at Flemington.
3
Thoroughbred horses.
Normally about 24!!
The first ever Melbourne cup was on the 2nd of November 1861
Three years old and over.