The Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy described his success in the Godolphin silks as “the cherry on top of my riding career” after steering Cross Counter to victory in the "race that stops a nation" on Tuesday.
It was the first time Godolphin had won the race in 30 years of trying and was also the Dubai racing operation's 30th Group 1 prize for 2018.
On an emotion-filled day, McEvoy, who collected his third Melbourne Cup victory, paid tribute to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, head of Godolphin.
“Looking back, the year 2002 was a very significant one in my riding career,” said the Australian jockey. “It was the year I was first approached to ride for Godolphin, and I remember it like it was yesterday; the horse was Beekeeper, a good stayer trained by Saeed bin Suroor.
“I rode him in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup and retained the ride at Flemington, where he ran a very good third behind Media Puzzle and Mr Prudent in the Melbourne Cup.
“It was the start of a long association with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and his Godolphin stable that has continued to this day, I’m pleased to say.
“It would be great to get that cup win on the board for Godolphin. Personally, it would be great to repay Sheikh Mohammed and his family for the faith they have shown in me over the years. I am very grateful for having had those opportunities.”
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Read more:
WATCH: Cross Counter breaks Godolphin's Melbourne Cup drought
In pictures: Godolphin's dream 2018 - Melbourne Cup, Epsom Derby and Dubai World Cup
'This is everybody's dream': Godolphin's Cross Counter wins the Melbourne 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
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The Charlie Appleby-trained Cross Counter Counter was the least experienced horse in the 24-runner field over the 3,200-metre trip.
The colt won his first two starts, a maiden and novice at Wolverhampton, and then a handicap at Ascot and a Group 3 prize at Goodwood - all in the UK - in eight career starts.
By winning the A$7.3million (Dh19m) Group 1 race at the Flemington Racecourse Cross Counter became the first British-trained horse to win Australia’s most coveted prize.
“Cross Counter is a horse with a good attitude,” McEvoy said. “That was the feel he gave me when I rode him in a gallop at Werribee. He is willing. He travelled in behind a lead horse, and it was nice sharp work.
“He was very responsive. When I asked him, he was up and rolling. That’s exactly what you want in a Melbourne Cup, you need to travel. You need to be able to move forward when you want to.”
McEvoy has ridden two winners in the Melbourne Cup - Brew (2000) and Almandin (2016) - and said that helped him build confidence in the race.
“Godolphin have given me many good opportunities,” he said. “I was fortunate enough to win an English Classic in the stable colours, Rule Of Law (2004) in the St Leger at Doncaster, and to land Group 1 races on two of their best horses, Dubawi and Shamardal.
“It means a lot to put on the Royal Blue colours at any time, but more so in Australia’s biggest race, the Melbourne Cup. And to win it for Sheikh Mohammed and Godolphin was like putting the cherry on top of my riding career.”
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Brief scores:
Manchester United 4
Young 13', Mata 28', Lukaku 42', Rashford 82'
Fulham 1
Kamara 67' (pen),
Red card: Anguissa (68')
Man of the match: Juan Mata (Man Utd)
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
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Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
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7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
