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

A hat-trick of victories in big Group 1 races have highlighted a tremendous 2018 for the racing operation headed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice-President and Ruler of Dubai

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Tuesday's Melbourne Cup success for Cross Counter completes a stunning year on the race track for Godolphin that has seen a hat-trick of big victories in Group 1 races.

The victory in Australia was the first time that the Dubai racing operation headed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice-President and Ruler of Dubai had won the event.

The triumph was Godolphin's second bit of history this year, having prevailed at the Epsom Derby through Masar in June.

Cross Counter, like Masar, was trained by Charlie Appleby, and he said on Tuesday: "This is everybody's dream.

"This year has been so incredible, winning a Derby and now this. I don't want it to end."

The big wins had begun in March when Thunder Snow gave Godolphin their seventh win in the Dubai World Cup. The victory gave trainer Saeed bin Suroor his eighth success in the race.

It has been a historic year all round for Godolphin, with their milestone 5,000th win coming in August when Expecting to Fly won at La-Test De Buch racecourse in France.

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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

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

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

Dubai World Cup win for Godolphin's Thunder Snow 'has not sunk in' for jockey Christophe Soumillon

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

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