<P> The total prize money for the 2017 race is A $6,200,000, plus trophies valued at $175,000 . The first 10 past the post receive prizemoney, with the winner being paid $3.6 million, second $900,000, third $450,000, fourth $250,000, fifth $175,000, with sixth through to tenth place earning $125,000 . Prizemoney is distributed to the connections of each horse in the ratio of 85 percent to the owner, 10 percent to the trainer and 5 percent to the jockey . </P> <P> The 1985 Melbourne Cup, won by "What a Nuisance", was the first race run in Australia with prize money of $1 million . </P> <P> The Cup currently has a $500,000 bonus for the owner of the winner if it has also won the group one Irish St. Leger run the previous September . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> Melbourne Cup Year </Th> <Th> Prize Money </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2017 </Td> <Td> $6,200,000 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2016 </Td> <Td> $6,200,000 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2015 </Td> <Td> $6,200,000 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2014 </Td> <Td> $6,200,000 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2013 </Td> <Td> $6,200,000 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2012 </Td> <Td> $6,200,000 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2011 </Td> <Td> $6,175,000 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> $6,000,000 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2009 </Td> <Td> $5,500,000 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2008 </Td> <Td> $5,500,000 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2007 </Td> <Td> $5,000,000 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2006 </Td> <Td> $5,000,000 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2005 </Td> <Td> $5,000,000 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> $4,600,000 </Td> </Tr> </Table>

How much does a jockey earn melbourne cup