Robbie Dolan at home in Ireland with the Cup

On a return visit for the Shergar Cup at Ascot in August, where he represented Great Britain and Ireland, Dolan carried the renowned three-handled Cup home. For his parents, Bobbie and Paula, seeing their son bring Australia’s greatest prize back across the world was a moment of complete pride.

“I was just proud he was riding in the race, 100–1 shot … didn’t care. Then he got it,” said his father Bobbie, still marvelling at the scale of the achievement. His mother Paula was equally emotional: “It’s been amazing, I don’t know how to explain to you. People coming up to me and saying, ‘Are you Robbie’s mum?’”

For Dolan, sharing the Cup with family and friends was the final piece of the fairy tale. “From the minute I won the Melbourne Cup, I thought I can’t wait to bring this home,” he said.

“It’s been magical really … all because of one little horse race.”