Since 1970 there have been 59 favourites (and equal favourites) run in the Melbourne Cup, of these 10 favourites winning with an average starting price of near 9/2 or 5/1.
| Year | Horse | Odds | Finish Pos | Winner | Odds |
| 2024 | Buckaroo | 5/1 | 9th | Knight's Choice | 90/1 |
| 2023 | Vauban | 9/2 | 14th | Without A Fight | 7/1 |
| 2022 | Deauville Legend | 3/1 | 4th | Gold Trip | 20/1 |
| 2021 | Incentivise | 15/8 | 2nd | Verry Elleegant | 16/1 |
| 2020 | Surprise Baby | 5/1 | 13th | Twilight Payment | 25/1 |
| 2019 | Finche | 15/2 | 7th | Vow And Declare | 10/1 |
| 2018 | Yucatan | 5/1 | 11th | Cross Counter | 8/1 |
| 2017 | Marmelo | 6/1 | 9th | Rekindling | 14/1 |
| Almandin | 6/1 | 12th | Rekindling | 14/1 | |
| 2016 | Hartnell | 9/2 | 3rd | Almandin | 10/1 |
| 2015 | Fame Game | 4/1 | 13th | Prince Of Penzance | 100/1 |
| 2014 | Admire Rakti | 9/2 | 22nd | Protectionist | 7/1 |
| 2013 | Fiorente | 6/1 | Won | ||
| 2012 | Dunaden | 6/1 | 14th | Green Moon | 20/1 |
| 2011 | Americain | 4/1 | 4th | Dunaden | 15/2 |
| 2010 | So You Think | 2/1 | 3rd | Americain | 12/1 |
| 2009 | Alcopop | 15/4 | 6th | Shocking | 9/1 |
| 2008 | Mad Rush | 9/2 | 7th | Viewed | 40/1 |
| 2007 | Master O'Reilly | 11/4 | 8th | Efficient | 16/1 |
| 2006 | Tawqeet | 11/2 | 19th | Delta Blues | 14/1 |
| 2005 | Makybe Diva | 7/2 | Won | ||
| 2004 | Makybe Diva | 5/2 | Won | ||
| 2003 | Mamool | 11/2 | 23rd | Makybe Diva | 7/1 |
| 2002 | Vinnie Roe | 9/2 | 4th | Media Puzzle | 11/2 |
| 2001 | Sky Heights | 6/1 | 6th | Ethereal | 9/1 |
| 2000 | Kaapstad Way | 9/2 | 4th | Brew | 14/1 |
| 1999 | Sky Heights | 7/2 | 17th | Rogan Josh | 5/1 |
| 1998 | Jezabeel | 6/1 | Won | ||
| 1997 | Might And Power | 7/2 | Won | ||
| 1996 | Oscar Schindler | 4/1 | 15th | Saintly | 8/1 |
| 1995 | Double Trigger | 7/2 | 17th | Doriemus | 10/1 |
| 1994 | Vintage Crop | 5/1 | 7th | Jeune | 16/1 |
| 1993 | Our Pompeii | 5/1 | 14th | Vintage Crop | 14/1 |
| 1992 | Veandercross | 9/4 | 2nd | Subzero | 4/1 |
| 1991 | Let's Elope | 3/1 | Won | ||
| 1990 | Kingston Rule | 7/1 | Won | ||
| The Phantom | 7/1 | 2nd | Kingston Rule | 7/1 | |
| 1989 | Empire Rose | 9/2 | 15th | Tawrrific | 30/1 |
| 1988 | Empire Rose | 5/1 | Won | ||
| Natski | 5/1 | 2nd | Empire Rose | 5/1 | |
| 1987 | Rosedale | 5/1 | 2nd | Kensei | 12/1 |
| 1986 | Mr Lomondy | 6/1 | 8th | At Talaq | 10/1 |
| 1985 | Our Sophia | 9/2 | 10th | What a Nuisance | 15/1 |
| 1984 | Affinity | 4/1 | 6th | Black Knight | 10/1 |
| Bounty Hawk | 4/1 | 15th | Black Knight | 10/1 | |
| 1983 | Chiamare | 6/1 | 6th | Kiwi | 9/1 |
| 1982 | Just A Dash | 11/2 | 16th | Gurner's Lane | 8/1 |
| 1981 | No Peer | 4/1 | 6th | Just a Dash | 15/1 |
| 1980 | Hyperno | 3/1 | 7th | Beldale Ball | 11/1 |
| 1979 | Dulcify | 3/1 | PU | Hyperno | 7/1 |
| 1978 | So Called | 9/2 | 5th | Arwon | 6/1 |
| 1977 | Gold And Black | 7/2 | Won | ||
| 1976 | Van Der Hum | 9/2 | Won | ||
| 1975 | Suleiman | 11/4 | 4th | Think Big | 33/1 |
| 1974 | Leilani | 7/2 | 2nd | Think Big | 12/1 |
| 1973 | Glengowan | 5/2 | 2nd | Gala Supreme | 9/1 |
| 1972 | Magnifique | 7/2 | 2nd | Piping Lane | 40/1 |
| 1971 | Gay Icarus | 7/4 | 9th | Silver Knight | 10/1 |
| 1970 | Voleur | 2/1 | 7th | Baghdad Note | 25/1 |
