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RANK OUTSIDER KNIGHT’S Choice upset favourite Buckaroo on Tuesday to win the Aus$8 million (€4.86 million) Melbourne Cup, earning Irish jockey Robbie Dolan a debut victory in Australia’s “race that stops a nation”.
The five-year-old Australian-bred gelding came home by a nose in a photo finish ahead of Japanese raider Warp Speed and the Jamie Kah-ridden Okita Soushi in the energy-sapping 3,200-metre (two-mile) handicap at Flemington.
“Pinch me, I’m dreaming,” said 28-year-old Dolan, from Co Kildare, a part-time singer who was riding in the famous race for the first time.
From Kildare Town to Flemington:
— Mark Boylan (@Mark_Boylan1) November 5, 2024
Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Robbie Dolan (@ZRKD) after pulling off the 90/1 shock on Knight’s Choice 🏆@TheIrishField @FlemingtonVRC pic.twitter.com/3sfJXl8LZr
“It is incredible. I can’t believe it. I don’t even know what to say.
“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.
“I can’t put it into words. It is the biggest race in the world.”
It was a huge breakthrough for Dolan, who was previously best-known for appearing on The Voice, an Australian singing show.
“I’ll be singing tonight after a few beers,” he said, overcome with emotion.
Favourite Buckaroo finished ninth while the fancied Vauban could only manage 11th on a warm and sunny day, with the track firm.
"My Dad flew in from Ireland for this. I woke up the other morning and he was standing in the kitchen, I couldn't believe it."
— Horse Racing Ireland (@HRIRacing) November 5, 2024
County Kildare's Robbie Dolan produces a wonder finish on Knights Finish to win the #MelbourneCuppic.twitter.com/pKfPQD3CVd
A cultural institution in Australia, the Melbourne Cup has been run since 1861 and is considered so important it is a public holiday in its host state of Victoria.
Breaking from barrier six, the John Symons and Sheila Laxon-trained Knight’s Choice, an 80-1 shot, settled towards the back of the 23-strong pack behind early leader Just Fine.
With 1,000m to go, Just Fine was still ahead but was slowly reeled in down the home straight and finished last, with Knight’s Choice surging from 20th at the final turn for a thrilling victory.
From the Voice to winning the Melbourne Cup 🍀🍀🍀! An absolute gent of the sport, a great rider and a huge talent. Well done @ZRKD 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/4jh51rqkJd
— Tom Magnier Coolmore (@TomMagnier) November 5, 2024
It was a second win for Laxon, who became the first woman to train a Melbourne Cup winner in 2001 with Ethereal.
“He did, he did,” she said, lavishing praise on Dolan. “We didn’t give him instructions, he knew what to do.”
Symons added: “I was worried. He got further back than we talked about, but great ride. What a thrill. What a thrill.”
Written by AFP and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.
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How many of these were Israeli?
@Ananya Sharma: I was asking that myself
@Ananya Sharma: Russia forged 6 irish passports. Israel forged 3 irish passports. So who knows?
@Clifford Brennan: How many did the Russians kill with there ones ?
@Tony Moore: Who was killed by a passport?
@Clifford Brennan: A Palestinian leader by the Israelis carrying Irish Passports.
@Tony Moore: Tell me what you know about this “Palestinian leader”, Tony?
@Clifford Brennan:
I hope this helps.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.independent.ie/irish-news/hit-squad-used-fake-irish-passports-26632716.html
@Tony Moore: No not at all. I asked what you knew about him, not could you copy and paste. I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and suggest you look into his cofounding of the Al Qassam brigade, their suicide bombing attacks, his central role in coordinating smuggling of rockets, missiles and weapons for Hamas. The article briefly mentions his role in the kidnapping and murder of 2 soldiers. Quite a “leader” as you so gently stated.
@Clifford Brennan: Well then its ok , thought we had a problem for a second
@Tony Moore: No, no problem. Happy to help clear up your unwitting lack of info on the guy who reaped what he sowed.
@Tony Moore: “Hamas has pointed the finger at Israel, blaming Mossad – the country’s secret service – for carrying out the hit.
Lt Gen Tamim did not go as far as directly blaming Israel, but said it was possible that “leaders of certain countries gave orders to their intelligence agents to kill” the Hamas man.” No evidence that it was Israel
@Clifford Brennan: Fair enough, but remember one thing. Mossad could have used fake passports with fake identities of any nationality. They didn’t. They used copies of passports issued to Irish citizens. Drop the whataboutery and tell us whether or not you condone that.
@Clifford Brennan: Just to enlighten you if that’s possible . I served in South Lebanon. And i seen the torture your south Lebanese SLA , inflicted on ordinarily Lebanese civilians. Including an old couple who had their throats cut. So lectures from you is like advice from a supporter of the ISIS on human rights.
@Josh Gilman: your sadly and badly informed.
@Tommy Roche: Im conflicted to be honest. On one hand our passports should be left alone, on the other you’ve a guy who founded an organisation that sent suicide bombers onto buses, into cafes, nightclubs, supermarkets etc killing hundreds and maiming thousands of civilians. When he got promoted to smuggling rockets, missiles etc for Hamas, he organised it with Iran from Syria. He left the safety of Syria and got clipped. No real loss. Understandably he’s a big target.
@Josh Gilman: The point is that we just don’t know how many “Irish Passports” are being used in this type of skulduggery by the Israelis who seem to think Irish Passport holders are fair game when it comes to copying passports from this country. They don’t just make a “copy” of a blank passport they use a “live” copy from some unsuspecting Irish Citizen who’s presence in other countries is then recorded. This is the danger ..
@Clifford Brennan: knob head
300 out of how many ….
Investment in an area of national security has only happened in the last 3 yrs or so?!!! This country continues to be a banana republic run by unaccountable eejits!! Absolutely shocking.
Typical how to deal with the problem, when the horse has bolted. This security glitch was known for some time.
have your say