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Melbourne Cup-winning jockey champion Robbie Dolan won a race during the Shergar Cup jockey series

Melbourne Cup-winning jockey champion Robbie Dolan won a race during the Shergar Cup jockey series

News.com.au3 days ago
Melbourne Cup-winning jockey champion Robbie Dolan declared 'it means everything' after securing a win in the Shergar Cup international jockeys' series at Ascot in England.
Team Asia edged out Europe to win the teams event, with Dolan's team, Great Britain and Ireland finishing third and the Rest of the World, which boasted champion Australian jockey Hugh Bowman, in fourth place.
Bowman won the Alistair Haggis Silver Saddle standings, which awards points to the top jockey with 32 points.
Brisbane-based Irish jockey Dolan tied for third on 25 points.
It was a massive change of scenery for Dolan, whose last ride in Australia was at the Sunshine Coast last Sunday.
Despite racing keenly off a muddling pace, Night Breeze came with a sustained run in the straight to score by a half-length in the 2400m contest, providing Dolan with first win at the famous Ascot track.
The front-running La Pulga boxed on well under Bowman to finish second, just ahead of Insanity, with Joanna Mason on-board, for Great Britain and Ireland.
Dolan, who moved from Ireland to Australia in 2016, hit the limelight last November when steering $91 chance Knight's Choice to an upset victory in the Melbourne Cup at Flemington.
'That's a great buzz,' Dolan said after the win.
'What a track, what an atmosphere. This horse was just primed for this race.
'I dropped my whip but didn't need it. It means everything, that's what it's all about.
'I have my family here, my little daughter (Maisie) is up there somewhere, probably on her iPad, but this horse was in top shape today and was never getting beat.
'He is a pretty talented horse. I was wide for a little bit, but he was in a rhythm, so I didn't mind that.
Big result for GB & Ireland ðŸ'š
Night Breeze wins the Shergar Cup Challenge under Robbie Dolan at @Ascot!
pic.twitter.com/oidiTU7thA
— Sky Sports Racing (@SkySportsRacing) August 9, 2025
'Once he got in the slipstream turning into the bend, I clicked him up through his gears and he was pretty good.
'This is unbelievable, what a great day. I rode for Adrian Keatley in the second and gave it a terrible ride, so it was a bit of a relief to ride a winner in the third.
'That's racing, everything isn't great all the time, but when you ride a winner, you've really got to enjoy it as you never know when the next one will be.'
Winning trainer Ian Williams then asked if 'we could get a song' out of Dolan, who appeared as a contestant on The Voice in Australia in 2022.
On whether he would sing later, Dolan said: 'There is always a chance.
'I've got a weird story, they'll make a movie about it one day. I like doing a bit of music, and music and racing go hand in hand – it's the entertainment business.'
Dolan talked about the honour of making his debut in the Shergar Cup Challenge in the lead-up to the teams event.
'Winning the Melbourne Cup definitely changed my life,' he said.
'It has made me want more and to get that feeling again. I would not be competing in the Shergar Cup if I had not won that race.'
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  • News.com.au

Wallabies flanker Tom Hooper stands by decision to join English club Exeter

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