1865 Melbourne Cup


The 1865 Melbourne Cup was a two-mile handicap horse race which took place on Thursday, 2 November 1865.
This year was the fifth running of the Melbourne Cup. The Victoria Racing Club awarded a trophy for the first time in the history of the race. The race was won by an eight-year-old Gray named Toryboy becoming both the first gray and the oldest horse to win the race. The runner up, Panic actually protested the race which was quickly dismissed.
This was the first year a trophy was awarded to the winning owner. Toryboy's owner Mr B.C. Marshall, reportedly sold the trophy, which he considered a monstrosity. The trophy was designed and made by London company Smith and Nicholson.
Following declarations, 26 horses were in the running for the race, with three horses scratched on race day leaving 23 horses to start the race.
Foaled in England and imported to Tasmania, Panic had been purchased by Thomas Dowling to win the Melbourne Cup. Giving away much weight to much of the field, Panic led from the front for much of the race, only headed briefly by Frolic, Minstrel, and eventually by Toryboy. The field was widely spread and reports suggest that a number of horses failed to finish. Toryboy making advantage of the lighter weight won by two lengths from Panic, with Riverina third a further three lengths behind.
Toryboy had previously finished fifth in the 1861 race, and sixth in 1862.
In 2021, Victorian Racing Club historian Andrew Lemon, confirmed that 12-year-old John Kavanagh was the winning jockey riding Toryboy. Kavanagh was presented with a silver mounted whip.

Full results

This is the list of placegetters for the 1865 Melbourne Cup.
PlaceHorseAge
Gender		JockeyWeightTrainerOwnerOddsMargin
1Toryboy8y gJohn KavanaghPat MileyMr B.C. Marshall25/12 lengths
2Panic|GBRconvert|10|st|0|lb|kg|1|abbr=onabbr|eq. fav.|Equal favouriteconvert|7|st|7|lb|kg|1|abbr=onconvert|6|st|5|lb|kg|1|abbr=onconvert|6|st|12|lb|kg|1|abbr=onefn|fn=Chifney|Jockey Henry Dawes rode under the name Harry Chifney.convert|7|st|10|lb|kg|1|abbr=onconvert|9|st|0|lb|kg|1|abbr=onconvert|8|st|7|lb|kg|1|abbr=onconvert|8|st|5|lb|kg|1|abbr=onabbr|eq. fav.|Equal favouriten/aconvert|9|st|6|lb|kg|1|abbr=onn/aconvert|9|st|0|lb|kg|1|abbr=onn/aconvert|8|st|11|lb|kg|1|abbr=onn/aconvert|8|st|9|lb|kg|1|abbr=onn/aconvert|8|st|7|lb|kg|1|abbr=onn/aconvert|8|st|6|lb|kg|1|abbr=onn/aconvert|8|st|7|lb|kg|1|abbr=onn/a

Prizemoney

First prize £1,015, second prize £20.
The owner of the winner also received a trophy for the first time. Manufactured in England, it was "an elaborate silver bowl on a stand with a narrow neck reinforced with two ornate handles and topped with a horse and rider."