The Lord Mayor’s Cup, first held in 1979 as a Listed race over 2,200 metres, was initially won by Pay The Purple. Two years later the distance of the race decreased to 1,200 metres, before increasing to its original distance again in 1984. Between 1986 and 2005 the Lord Mayor’s Cup has varied its distance, ranging between 2,000 metres and 2,050 metres, however since 2006 has been set at 1,615 metres. In 2000, the race elevated from Listed to a Group 3 status event.
Over the years, the Lord Mayor’s Cup has been referred to by many different names; originally the BATC Labour Day Cup. Since then is has also been called the BATC Seven National News Handicap, the BATC Carnival Handicap, the BTC Doomben Carnival Cup, and since 2005 – the BTC Lord Mayor’s Cup.
Below is a list of the winners at the Lord Mayor’s Cup since 1979.
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2009 | Rampant Lion |
| 2008 | Rum Dum |
| 2007 | Headturner |
| 2006 | Cog Hill |
| 2005 | Tickle |
| 2004 | This Manshood |
| 2003 | Restless |
| 2002 | Freemason |
| 2001 | Sky Heights |
| 2000 | Integrate |
| 1999 | Joss Sticks |
| 1998 | Only A Lady |
| 1997 | I Like Him |
| 1996 | Race not held |
| 1995 | Arborea |
| 1994 | Tusk Hunter |
| 1993 | Coolong Road |
| 1992 | Cool Credit |
| 1991 | Comrade |
| 1990 | Red Chiffon |
| 1989 | Bravery |
| 1988 | Miss Stephenson |
| 1987 | Stars Are Easy |
| 1986 | Just Now |
| 1985 | Our Compromise |
| 1984 | Concord Stage |
| 1983 | Race not held |
| 1982 | Keep Safe |
| 1981 | Sovereign Khan |
| 1980 | Our Cavalier |
| 1979 | Pay The Purple |