Two decades of frustration finally ended on Tuesday when billionaire owner Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum secured his maiden Melbourne Cup victory.
The Sheikh, who is worth nearly $25billion, was not trackside in Flemington to watch three-year-old gelding Cross Counter storm home to win the 3200m race ahead of Marmelo and A Prince Of Arran. But the Prime Minister of United Arab Emirates would have been ecstatic to have ticked perhaps the world’s most famous race of his list of winners.
The Sheikh’s Godolphin stable has relentlessly chased success in the Melbourne Cup, spending over a billion dollars in his attempts to win the race stretching back to 1998.
Cross Counter, superbly ridden by experienced jockey Kerrin McEvoy, was the first British stayer to win the Cup in its rich 158-year history.
Dubai billionaire Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum (pictured) finally won his maiden Melbourne Cup on Tuesday
Jockey Kerrin McEvoy was all smiles after winning the Melbourne Cup on board Cross Counter
Melbourne Cup winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy (pictured left) with his wife Cathy
‘This is all down to Sheikh Mohammad,’ jubilant English trainer Charlie Appleby told Channel 7 post-race.
‘He’s the one that’s given us the encouragement to take the chances in what we do and we have campaigned over here the last three years now and have been competitive but we have always learnt each trip what horse we felt was going to be needed on the big day.
‘Coming into today, this horse ticked a lot of boxes. I’m just delighted. What a ride.’
Victoria Racing Club chairwoman Amanda Elliot also paid tribute to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
‘No-one has put more horses into this race and this is his wonderful first win. I hope he’s watching. We send him our best. And many, many congratulations,’ she said.
McEvoy, who also won the Melbourne Cup in 2000 and 2016 on board Brew and Almandin, was elated to help the Sheikh finally break his sporting duck.
‘What a thrill, to do it for Sheikh Mohammed and (trainer) Charlie Appleby. Obviously Godolphin has been a huge supporter of mine. Well done to Charlie and this little horse,’ the jockey said.
‘Full credit to the team and it’s a huge thrill to win Sheikh Mohammed’s first Melbourne Cup.’
Kerrin McEvoy wins the Melbourne Cup ahead of Marmelo on Tuesday at Flemington
The Sheikh (pictured centre) has spent an estimated $1.1 billion in an attempt to win the Melbourne Cup since 1998
Melbourne Cup winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy (left) with trainer Charlie Appleby
Melbourne Cup winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy (pictured left) receives a kiss from wife Cathy
The Sheikh, worth a reported $25billion, initially chased Melbourne Cup success in 1998 with Faithful Son, followed by a number of frustrating near misses.
In 2016, Hartnell finished third and in 2009 Crime Scene was runner up to Shocking.
The Godolphin stable also had two other starters in the 24-horse field on Tuesday.
Recent Caulfield Cup winner Best Solution finished eighth while Avilius was at the back of the field in 22nd spot.