Walcha-bred horse Knight’s Choice has stunned a strong international contingent to win the 2024 Melbourne Cup.
Jockey Robbie Dolan shocked the racing world with his brilliant ride on the 80-1 long-shot on Tuesday, holding off Japanese raider Warp Speed in a photo finish.
And it’s been a whirlwind since, with Dolan partying late into the night with family and friends in Melbourne.
The 28-year-old – a talented singer who appeared on The Voice two years ago – backed up on Wednesday for a cameo performance wowing crowds at the Crown Oaks Club lunch alongside pop star Ronan Keating.
But any thoughts of Dolan getting carried away with his success have been quickly put to bed, with the jockey honouring his commitments with four rides at Ipswich on Thursday.
“I’ve committed myself to the owners and I don’t want to let anyone down.” said Dolan.
Dolan had ridden two Group 1 winners before the Cup – both in Sydney more than two years ago – and claimed Australia’s greatest race at his first attempt.
It’s a safe bet that plenty more doors will now open for the boy from County Kildare, west of Dublin, who arrived in Australia eight years ago and fell in love with the country.
“Group 1s are where it’s at, so hopefully it won’t be my last,” Dolan said.
“To be honest, I’m just going with the flow. I’m just winging it like I always do and I’m just soaking it all in.
“It’s not only big for me but it’s big for my whole family.
“I come from a small town, so my parents are probably going to be the most famous people in the whole town. It’s just incredible.”
Dolan brushed off questions about his Cup success being used a platform for a potential music career, which had been put on hold.
But he relished his time on stage with countryman Keating, of Boyzone fame, as the pair belted out ‘When You Say Nothing At All’ and Van Morrison’s ‘Brown Eyed Girl’.
“It’s funny, I thought I’d reached a level, but it just keeps going and going,” Dolan said.
“I don’t know what’s going on, to be honest.”
Dolan’s underdog Cup success brought memories flooding back for champion jockey Michelle Payne, who was amazed by the Brisbane-based hoop’s performance.
Payne famously became the first female jockey to win the Cup when she saluted aboard Darren Weir-trained 100-1 shot Prince Of Penzance in 2015.
“That’s what makes racing so great, the underdogs can win,” Payne said.
“It gives everybody a chance, and everybody hope that it could be yours next year.”
Payne urged Dolan to appreciate the experience and his new-found fame.
“It’s a game that really brings you back to earth but he’ll be still on a high for a long time,” Payne said.
Knight’s Choice is the second Walcha-bred horse to win a Melbourne Cup, with Blue Spec winning the race in 1905.
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