Revealed: How Melbourne Cup winning jockey Robbie Dolan revealed his incredible hidden talent on one of Australia’s favourite TV shows
Melbourne Cup winning jockey Robbie Dolan isn’t just a talented hoop – he can also hold a tune better than most people.
Dolan, 28, featured on The Voice in 2022, turning 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 progressed to the top 24 artists before eventually being knocked out in the Sing-offs – and if that wasn’t enough, the Irish-born star also preformed Daryl Braithwaite’s iconic ‘The Horses’ at the Cox Plate two years ago.
‘It’s incredible, 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 3200m at Flemington.
‘I’ve watched every Melbourne Cup for the last 14 years. I thought my best chance was to get him to stay the trip….he then proved everybody wrong.
‘I can’t put it [Melbourne Cup victory] into words.
‘I have my family here and my partner Christine, our little baby Maisie, and my dad flew over from Ireland, and now you have me in tears.’
Dolan – whose stayer was considered a 80-1 shot pre-race with some bookies – moved to Australia in 2016 seeking a fresh start due to a lack of opportunities as an apprentice jockey in his home country.
Melbourne Cup winning jockey Robbie Dolan isn’t just a talented hoop – he also has a voice for the ages
Dolan, 28, featured on The Voice in 2022, turning three chairs before joining Rita Ora’s team with his rendition of James Bay’s ‘Let It Go’
Dolan progressed to the top 24 artists before eventually being knocked out in the Sing-offs
Dolan moved to Australia in 2016 seeking 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 a little over $220,000 – plus a miniature Melbourne Cup trophy worth $10,000
‘I started back in Ireland in the RACE Academy when I was 17,’ Dolan told TDN AusNZ.
‘It’s a nine-month training program and they basically taught me how to ride.
‘I had done a little bit of riding before that but that’s where I started to really grow my passion.
‘I was apprenticed in Ireland for probably two or three seasons with little rides and not a lot of success so I decided to make the switch to Australia.’
He also has racing pedigree in his blood, with Dolan’s grandfather Group 1-winning jockey Peadar Matthews.
But now is Dolan’s time to shine after winning Australia’s most coveted horse race.
The prizemoney isn’t bad either – Dolan is tipped to take home a little over $220,000 – plus a miniature Melbourne Cup trophy worth $10,000.
Trainers John Symons and Sheila Laxon receive 10 per cent of the prizemoney – with Knight’s Choice’s connections to enjoy the rest of the $4.4million.
