• Kerrin McEvoy rides #23 Cross Counter to give Godolphin their first ever win in the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday. Getty
    Kerrin McEvoy rides #23 Cross Counter to give Godolphin their first ever win in the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday. Getty
  • Jockey Kerrin McEvoy kisses the cup after winning the Melbourne Cup with Cross Counter for Godolphin in June. Getty
    Jockey Kerrin McEvoy kisses the cup after winning the Melbourne Cup with Cross Counter for Godolphin in June. Getty
  • Cross Counter charges to victory at Melbourne. Getty
    Cross Counter charges to victory at Melbourne. Getty
  • Kerrin McEvoy celebrates Cross Counter's victory. Getty
    Kerrin McEvoy celebrates Cross Counter's victory. Getty
  • Masar ridden by William Buick wins the Epsom Derby. Reuters
    Masar ridden by William Buick wins the Epsom Derby. Reuters
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, second right, was at Epsom in June to see Godolphin's historic win. Getty
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, second right, was at Epsom in June to see Godolphin's historic win. Getty
  • Jockey William Buick celebrates on Masar after winning the Epsom Derby. Reuters
    Jockey William Buick celebrates on Masar after winning the Epsom Derby. Reuters
  • Masar charges to victory in the Epsom Derby. Reuters
    Masar charges to victory in the Epsom Derby. Reuters
  • Thunder Snow, ridden by Christophe Soumillon, won the Dubai World Cup in March. Giuseppe Cacace. AFP
    Thunder Snow, ridden by Christophe Soumillon, won the Dubai World Cup in March. Giuseppe Cacace. AFP
  • Thunder Snow out in front at the Dubai World Cup. EPA
    Thunder Snow out in front at the Dubai World Cup. EPA
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid on stage after Thunder Snow's win at the Dubai World Cup. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid on stage after Thunder Snow's win at the Dubai World Cup. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • There was lots of celebration after Thunder Snow won the Dubai World Cup. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    There was lots of celebration after Thunder Snow won the Dubai World Cup. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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


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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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