Knight's Choice Wins Melbourne Cup in Thrilling Upset, Celebrating Local Triumph Over International Giants
November 5, 2024On 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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Sources
The Guardian • Nov 5, 2024
Melbourne Cup 2024: rank outsider Knight’s Choice wins Flemington photo finishThe Age • Nov 5, 2024
Knight’s Choice wins the 2024 Melbourne CupThe Age • Nov 5, 2024
This husband and wife team put retirement plans on hold. Now they’ve won the Cup