Outsider Knight’s Choice has won Australia’s famous Melbourne Cup, in a dramatically exciting race that culminated in a photo finish.
It was Irish jockey Robbie Dolan’s first ride win in the event, but a second win for New Zealand trainer Sheila Laxon.
Second place in the two-mile race was Warp Speed and third place was Okita Soushi, ridden by Jamie Kah – one of four record-setting female jockeys in the field.
Buckaroo was the favorite to win but finished ninth, while Knight’s Choice – a 90-1 shot – stormed home to win by a margin in the final strides.
Previously best known as a contestant on The Voice Australia, Dolan has now written his name in the history of Flemington Racecourse.
“Pinch me, I’m dreaming… I can’t believe it,” he told the local Nine Network.
‘I think I’ll continue singing for the rest of my life after that. Who cares.’
The 28-year-old comes from a horse racing family, with his father Bobby Dolan being part of Irish horse training legend Dermot Weld’s team when they produced two Cup winners in 1993 and 2002.
Bobby surprised his son by traveling to Australia for his Melbourne Cup debut, and was in the crowd to watch his victory.
It was also a family affair for Laxon, who trained Knight’s Choice with her husband John Symons and lifted the trophy 23 years after her first win, when she became the first female trainer to win with Ethereal.
Absurde finished fifth for Irish trainer Willie Mullins, with his stablemate Vauban eleventh. British challengers Onesmoothoperator and Sea King finished 12th and 14th.
Thousands of people lined the track in Flemington for the event, decked out in bright outfits and enjoying the sunny spring weather.
The Melbourne Cup is worth more than A$8 million (£4.1 million, $5.3 million) and is often called ‘the race that holds a nation back’, although there have been demonstrations over animal welfare in recent years.
