Knight's Choice Wins Melbourne Cup in Thrilling Upset, Celebrating Local Triumph Over International Giants

November 5, 2024
Knight's Choice Wins Melbourne Cup in Thrilling Upset, Celebrating Local Triumph Over International Giants
  • On November 5, 2024, Knight's Choice triumphed in the Melbourne Cup, winning in a thrilling photo finish against Warp Speed and Okita Soushi.

  • This victory is celebrated as a significant win for local Australian training and breeding, emphasizing that the Melbourne Cup remains a competition for the people, not just the wealthy owners.

  • Co-trainer Sheila Laxon, who previously won the Cup in 2001 with Ethereal, expressed pride in Knight's Choice's performance, marking her second Melbourne Cup victory.

  • The race saw all 23 runners complete the course, contributing to a successful event with increased ticket sales compared to the previous year.

  • The 2024 Melbourne Cup also highlighted progress in gender representation, featuring a record number of female jockeys and trainers.

  • Knight's Choice's victory against the backdrop of big stables and international competition marks a nostalgic return to local triumph.

  • The race unfolded dramatically, with Dolan expertly navigating inside runs to secure the win by a narrow half-head margin.

  • Irish-born jockey Robbie Dolan rode Knight's Choice, who surged from the back of the pack to claim victory, marking Dolan's first win in this prestigious race.

  • Knight's Choice's win significantly boosted his career earnings from $632,400 to $4.4 million, part of the $8.5 million prize pool.

  • Purchased for $85,000, Knight's Choice's success stands in stark contrast to the higher-priced European horses that typically dominate the race.

  • Leading up to the Cup, Knight's Choice had struggled in previous races but showed promise with a second-place finish earlier in the year, instilling confidence in his connections.

  • Laxon emphasized the importance of training horses to conserve energy and sprint effectively, a strategy that proved successful for Knight's Choice despite his speed-oriented breeding.

Summary based on 3 sources


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