Key facts
- Juja Kibo: $15 in the betting at 6:24am AEDT, Friday 30 October 2026.
- Trainer Ciaron Maher; jockey Sam Clipperton.
- Weight: 55kg (includes a 1.5kg penalty).
- Vet: Passed the first mandatory vet inspection on 29 October.
Is Juja Kibo running in the 2026 Melbourne Cup?
Juja Kibo is in the projected field of 24 for the 2026 Melbourne Cup. Vet status: passed the first mandatory vet inspection on 29 October. The full list of runners and their status is on our Melbourne Cup field page.
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Juja Kibo at a glance
| Detail | Juja Kibo |
|---|---|
| Status | In the projected field of 24 |
| Order of entry | 1= (ballot-exempt) |
| How he got here | Won the Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m), run at Flemington on 24 October, the last golden ticket |
| Sex and age | Gelding, 6 years old (Australian age) |
| Bred in | IRE |
| Trainer | Ciaron Maher |
| Jockey | Sam Clipperton |
| Weight | 55kg (includes a 1.5kg penalty) |
| Odds | $15 (Ladbrokes fixed odds (all-in market), 6:24am AEDT, Friday 30 October 2026) |
| Vet status | Passed the first mandatory vet inspection on 29 October |
| Breeding | Belardo (IRE) out of Na Zdorovie (GB), by Cockney Rebel (IRE) |
| Career record | 20 starts: 6 wins, 3 seconds, 3 thirds |
| Prize money | $1,404,634 |
| At Flemington | 1 start: 1 win |
| At 3200m | 1 start: unplaced |
What is Juja Kibo's recent form?
Juja Kibo won The Metropolitan (G2, 2400m) at Randwick, then the Moonee Valley Gold Cup at Flemington, coming off a slow pace with a strong turn of foot to lead home a Ciaron Maher trifecta ahead of Kings Valley and Mr Monaco. He carried 58kg that day and was penalised 1.5kg for the Cup.
What are Juja Kibo's Melbourne Cup chances?
Sam Clipperton asked for the ride after doing trackwork on him, and the partnership has two wins from two. Ladbrokes cut him from $26 to $13 after the Gold Cup. History is a hurdle: no horse has won the Moonee Valley Gold Cup and the Melbourne Cup in the same season since Kingston Rule in 1990.
In him favour:
- Two black-type wins in a row this spring
- Unbeaten at Flemington (1 from 1)
- Strong turn of foot off a slow pace
Against him:
- No Gold Cup–Melbourne Cup double since Kingston Rule (1990)
- Unplaced in his only start at 3200m
How do Juja Kibo's odds compare?
At $15, Juja Kibo sits in the middle of the market in the betting. Prices move quickly in Cup week, especially after the barrier draw on Saturday night and the track rating on Tuesday morning. Every runner's price is on our Melbourne Cup odds table.
Frequently asked questions
Who trains Juja Kibo?
Juja Kibo is trained by Ciaron Maher.
Who is riding Juja Kibo in the Melbourne Cup?
Sam Clipperton is booked to ride Juja Kibo. Riders must be declared by 4:30pm on Saturday 31 October.
What weight does Juja Kibo carry in the Melbourne Cup?
Juja Kibo is set to carry 55kg (includes a 1.5kg penalty).
What are Juja Kibo's odds for the Melbourne Cup?
Juja Kibo was $15 with Ladbrokes fixed odds (all-in market) at 6:24am AEDT, Friday 30 October 2026. Odds change often, so check before you bet.
Has Juja Kibo passed the Melbourne Cup vet checks?
Passed the first mandatory vet inspection on 29 October.
How did Juja Kibo get into the Melbourne Cup?
Won the Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m), run at Flemington on 24 October, the last golden ticket.
What is Juja Kibo's breeding?
Juja Kibo is by Belardo (IRE) out of Na Zdorovie (GB), by Cockney Rebel (IRE).
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Sources
Who wrote and checked this page
Alexander Korsager
Alexander Korsager is our editor-in-chief. He has spent more than ten years in online gambling and iGaming, including senior leadership roles. He writes every Melbourne Cup guide on this site from official VRC and Racing Victoria sources.
Mark D'Andrea
Mark D'Andrea is a Senior Regulatory Consultant at Gaming Associates, an independent testing and certification laboratory for the gambling industry. He fact-checks our race guides, betting rules and safer gambling information.