How Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Robbie Dolan revealed his incredible hidden talent on one of Australia’s favorite TV shows
- Won the Melbourne Cup aboard Knight’s Choice
- Horse was a 100-1 shot with some bookmakers
- Dolan also appeared on The Voice in 2022
Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Robbie Dolan is not only a talented hooper, he can also hold a tune better than most people.
Dolan, 28, seen on The voice in 2022, he turned three chairs before joining the team of British singer and songwriter Rita Ora with his impressive rendition of James Bay’s ‘Let It Go’.
He reached the top 24 performers before eventually being eliminated from the Sing-offs – and if that wasn’t enough, the Irish-born star also performed Daryl Braithwaite’s iconic ‘The Horses’ at the Cox Plate two years ago.
‘It’s unbelievable, I can’t believe it. I don’t even know what to say,” the man of the moment told Channel Nine’s Billy Slater as he rode Knight’s Choice back to the yard after saluting in a tight finish over 3200 meters at Flemington.
‘I’ve seen every Melbourne Cup in the last 14 years. I thought my best chance was to get him to stay on the trip. Then he proved everyone wrong.
‘I can’t place it [Melbourne Cup victory] in words.
‘I have my family here and my partner Christine, our little baby Maisie, and my father have flown over from Ireland, and now you have me in tears.’
Dolan – whose stayer was considered an 80-1 shot pre-race by some bookmakers – moved to Australia in 2016 looking for a fresh start due to a lack of opportunities as an apprentice jockey in his home country.
Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Robbie Dolan is not only a talented hooper, he also has a voice for the ages
Dolan, 28, appeared on The Voice in 2022 and turned three chairs before joining Rita Ora’s team with his rendition of James Bay’s ‘Let It Go’
Dolan rose to the top 24 performers before ultimately being eliminated from the Sing-offs
Dolan moved to Australia in 2016 looking for a fresh start due to a lack of opportunities as an apprentice jockey in Ireland (pictured right, winning the Melbourne Cup)
Dolan is tipped to take home just over $220,000, plus a miniature Melbourne Cup trophy worth $10,000
“I started in Ireland at the age of 17 at the RACE Academy,” Dolan told TDN AusNZ.
“It’s a nine-month training program and they basically taught me how to ride.
‘I had ridden a bit before that, but that’s where my passion really started to grow.
‘I spent probably two or three seasons as an apprentice in Ireland, with few rides and not much success, so I decided to make the move to Australia.’
He also has racing pedigree in his blood, with Dolan’s grandfather Group 1-winning jockey Peadar Matthews.
But now it’s Dolan’s time to shine after winning Australia’s most coveted horse race.
The prize money isn’t bad either – Dolan would take home just over $220,000 – plus a miniature Melbourne Cup trophy worth $10,000.
Trainers John Symons and Sheila Laxon will receive 10 percent of the prize money, while Knight’s Choice connections will enjoy the remainder of the $4.4 million.
