• Jockey Kerrin McEvoy aboard Godolphin's Cross Counter celebrates after winning the annual Melbourne Cup, the world's richest two-mile handicap, at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia. Associated Press
    Jockey Kerrin McEvoy aboard Godolphin's Cross Counter celebrates after winning the annual Melbourne Cup, the world's richest two-mile handicap, at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia. Associated Press
  • Kerrin McEvoy riding Cross Counter defeats Hugh Bowman riding Marmelo in Race 7 to win the Melbourne Cup race. Getty Images
    Kerrin McEvoy riding Cross Counter defeats Hugh Bowman riding Marmelo in Race 7 to win the Melbourne Cup race. Getty Images
  • Jockey Kerrin McEvoy celebrates after riding Godolphin horse Cross Counter to victory in the Melbourne Cup. Associated Press
    Jockey Kerrin McEvoy celebrates after riding Godolphin horse Cross Counter to victory in the Melbourne Cup. Associated Press
  • Jockey Kerrin McEvoy aboard Cross Counter celebrates after winning the annual Melbourne Cup. Associated Press
    Jockey Kerrin McEvoy aboard Cross Counter celebrates after winning the annual Melbourne Cup. Associated Press
  • Jockey Kerrin McEvoy and Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby celebrate after Cross Counter won the annual Melbourne Cup. Associated Press
    Jockey Kerrin McEvoy and Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby celebrate after Cross Counter won the annual Melbourne Cup. Associated Press
  • Godolphin's Cross Counter, ridden by jockey Kerrin McEvoy, won the Melbourne Cup. It was the first time Godolphin has ever won the race. Getty Images
    Godolphin's Cross Counter, ridden by jockey Kerrin McEvoy, won the Melbourne Cup. It was the first time Godolphin has ever won the race. Getty Images
  • Jockey Kerrin McEvoy before race 7 the Lexus Melbourne Cup. Getty Images
    Jockey Kerrin McEvoy before race 7 the Lexus Melbourne Cup. Getty Images
  • Kerrin McEvoy riding Cross Counter defeats Hugh Bowman riding Marmelo in Race 7 to win the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse. Getty Images
    Kerrin McEvoy riding Cross Counter defeats Hugh Bowman riding Marmelo in Race 7 to win the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse. Getty Images
  • Mark Zahra rides Bella Rosa to victory in Race 1, the Bumble Stakes, during the Melbourne Cup Day. EPA
    Mark Zahra rides Bella Rosa to victory in Race 1, the Bumble Stakes, during the Melbourne Cup Day. EPA
  • A view of the entrance to the mounting yard at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia. EPA
    A view of the entrance to the mounting yard at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia. EPA
  • A woman wearing a raincoat and carrying shopping bags arrives for the annual Melbourne Cup, the world's richest two-mile handicap, at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia. AFP
    A woman wearing a raincoat and carrying shopping bags arrives for the annual Melbourne Cup, the world's richest two-mile handicap, at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia. AFP
  • Racegoers arrive at The Park during the Melbourne Cup Day, as part of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, at Flemington Racecourse. EPA
    Racegoers arrive at The Park during the Melbourne Cup Day, as part of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, at Flemington Racecourse. EPA
  • Racegoers shelter from the rain. EPA
    Racegoers shelter from the rain. EPA
  • Kerrin Mcevoy rides Cross Counter to win race 7, the Lexus Melbourne Cup during Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington Racecourse. Getty Images
    Kerrin Mcevoy rides Cross Counter to win race 7, the Lexus Melbourne Cup during Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington Racecourse. Getty Images

'This is everybody's dream': Godolphin's Cross Counter wins the Melbourne Cup


  • English
  • Arabic

Godolphin's Cross Counter, ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, won the 158th running of the Aus$7.3 million (Dh19m) Melbourne Cup at Flemington racecourse on Tuesday.

Marmelo finished second in the two-mile handicap, with A Prince Of Arran third.

It was the first time Godolphin have won the "Race  that stops a nation" and caps a stunning 2018 for the Dubai racing operation headed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.

Thunder Snow won the Dubai World Cup in March and Masar, trained by Charlie Appleby, gave the famous blue silks their first victory at the Epsom Derby in June.

"This is everybody's dream," said winning trainer Appleby of Cross Counter's victory. "This year has been so incredible, winning a Derby and now this. I don't want it to end.

"For me it's obviously very special to be here, but for the team, it's just fantastic. I've spoken to His Highness [Sheikh Mohammed] and he's over the moon about this result - it's a challenge that's been a long road.

"I can't thank everyone enough. It's a day I will never forget. It's been a very memorable day."

_____________

Read more:

WATCH: Cross Counter breaks Godolphin's Melbourne Cup drought

Kerrin McEvoy: Winning Melbourne Cup for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid the cherry on top of my riding career

In pictures: Godolphin's dream 2018 - Melbourne Cup, Epsom Derby and Dubai World Cup

Best Solution, Cross Counter and Avilius are Godolphin's victory hopes for Melbourne Cup

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid celebrates 'special' first Epsom Derby victory for Godolphin as Masar wins

Dubai-based Godolphin saddle 5,000th winner in France

_____________

Torrential rain pelted down on Melbourne in the morning, causing chaos at the racecourse where train-loads of spectators were held up from alighting at the nearby station.

But the weather cleared after midday, buoying a festive crowd and drying out the track from heavy to soft an hour before the race.

Saddled with 51kg, the equallest lowest burden with Rostropovich, Cross Counter had work to do entering the final turn after jumping wide from barrier 19.

Runaway set the early pace in the two-mile contest, with McEvoy content to sit towards the rear of the field and he had only a handful of horses behind him turning for home.

He had to switch wide to launch his challenge in the straight, with the Charlie Fellows-trained Prince Of Arran having set sail for home.

However, Cross Counter was flying in the final furlong and while Marmelo also tried to produce a winning sprint, he had no reply to McEvoy's mount.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained Rostropovich finished fifth, but fellow Ballydoyle inmate Cliffs Of Moher sadly broke down passing the post for the first time.

McEvoy said: "What a thrill - to do it for Sheikh Mohammed and Charlie Appleby. Obviously Godolphin has been a huge supporter of mine. Well done to Charlie and this little horse.

"I was back a little bit further than I wanted, I knew I was full of running and at the furlong I thought 'is this happening again?'. I'm just lucky I can ride light and he's been unbelievably well prepared by Charlie Appleby."

But there was sadness among the 100,000-strong crowd with Irish five-year-old The CliffsofMoher, ridden by champion jockey Ryan Moore, euthanised after suffering a fractured right shoulder early in the race.