The 1996 Melbourne Cup was a two-mile handicap horse race which took place on Tuesday, 5 November 1996. The race was run over , at Flemington Racecourse.
The race was won by the 4 year old gelding, Saintly. Saintly at 8/1 defeated the New Zealand bred geldings: Count Chivas, Skybeau and Senator. The previous year's winner and runner-up, Doriemus and Nothin' Leica Dane were 6th and 5th respectively.
Saintly who had previously won the 1996 Australian Cup, Hill Stakes and Cox Plate was sired by Sky Chase (NZ) out of the Sir Tristram mare All Grace (NZ).
Saintly was ridden by Darren Beadman and trained by Bart Cummings. It was Darren's second win in the race after Kingston Rule in the 1990 Melbourne Cup. Saintly's victory was Bart's tenth training success in the race.
The top weighted horse in the race was Doriemus carrying 58kgs for 6th then Count Chivas on 57kg (2nd).
This is a list of horses which ran in the 1996 Melbourne Cup.