Melbourne Cup debutant Robbie Dolan has had to fight back tears as he celebrated winning the race that stops a nation with rank outsider Knight's Choice in a thrilling finish.
An 80-1 shot, Knight's Choice prevailed by a nose for trainers John Symons and Sheila Laxon from Japanese raider Warp Speed on Tuesday at Flemington.
Ciaron Maher-trained Okita Soushi was third, with global racing giant Godolphin's Zardozi fourth across the line as a photo decided all placings.
Irish expat Dolan produced what 2021 Cup-winning jockey James McDonald described as "one of the best rides I've ever seen" in Australia's greatest race at his first attempt.
What did we just witness?! 🤯
— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 5, 2024
KNIGHT'S CHOICE holds on to win the 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup!
🎥 @wwos | #MelbourneCup | #MelbCupCarnival pic.twitter.com/Ok2GKUTm0I
"I didn't know what to expect, but I feel like I've ridden it 10 times because I have ridden it in my head 100 times," Dolan told broadcaster Nine post-race.
"To win it with him (father Bobby) here and my little daughter Maisie and my partner Christine, I'm going to cry again. Jesus Christ.
"Look, you can't do it without (trainers) Sheila and John. They were so confident in this horse even before he got to this race.
"A lot of people doubted them. And to be honest, I didn't."
The win by Knight's Choice gave Queensland-based Symons and Laxon their first Cup triumph in partnership, after Laxon became the first female to train a winner with Ethereal in 2001.
"What a great ride by Robbie," Symons told Nine.
"He stayed in, took the risk, went through the pack.
"I was worried and he got further back than we'd talked about, but great ride.
"What a thrill."
New Zealand expat Laxon said her latest win brought back vivid memories of Kiwi mare Ethereal's triumph, and beamed with pride after Knight's Choice upset the international contenders.
"You know what's great? I love it being done for the Australians," she said.
"The Australian horse has done it and Robbie's Australian now as well.
"I'm thrilled to win the Cup. It's the people's cup and that's what it's all about."
A talented vocalist, Dolan appeared on The Voice in 2022 and performed Daryl Braithwaite's unofficial Cox Plate anthem 'The Horses' at The Valley that year.
The 28-year-old was embraced by fellow Irish singer Ronan Keating - who entertained the huge Flemington crowd pre-race - after winning.
"I will be singing tonight after a few beers," Dolan said.
"It's amazing and a lot of people doubted this little horse. Doubt me now."
Remarkably, it was a first Group 1 victory for five-year-old gelding Knight's Choice, who finished fifth in his previous start at last week's Bendigo Cup.
Dolan - from County Kildare, west of Dublin - moved with his family to Australia eight years ago and now lives in Queensland.
Cup favourite Buckaroo finished ninth, three-and-a-half lengths back from Knight's Choice.
He was the second of Chris Waller's five runners past the post, marginally behind Land Legend.
Ridden by Jamie Kah, Okita Soushi was the first of Maher's four hopes, less than a length behind the winner.
Irish master Willie Mullins' Absurde finished fifth, while one-time favourite Vauban again failed to impress in 11th, after finishing 14th as the favourite last year.
