CROSS Counter has made history by becoming the first British-trained racehorse to win the Melbourne Cup.
Charlie Appleby saddled the 8-1 winner, ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, in the 158th running of Australia’s famous race.
Cross Counter led home a 1-2-3 for British-trained runners from Marmelo and A Prince pf Arran.

The Cliffsofmoher, trained in Ireland by Aidan O’Brien, was put down after sustaining a fractured right shoulder early in the race.
Cross Counter is owned by Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin team, which also won the Derby at Epsom for the first time this year with the Appleby-trained Masar.

“This is everybody’s dream. This year has been so incredible, winning a Derby and now this. I don’t want it to end,” said Appleby.
The Newmarket-based trainer said he had spoken to Sheikh Mohammed, the ruler of Dubai, who had been trying to win the race for 30 years and was “over the moon” with the result.

“It’s a challenge that’s been a long road. It’s a very special day and one I will never forget,” said Appleby after the victory, which was watched by a crowd of 83 000 at Flemington Racecourse.

Runway set the early pace on rain-softened ground in the world’s richest two-mile handicap race worth A$7.3M (£4M) and Australian jockey McEvoy managed to avoid serious trouble at the rear of the field as The Cliffsofmoher, ridden by Ryan Moore, was injured.

McEvoy claimed his third Melbourne Cup after switching wide to launch his challenge in the straight, passing the Charlie Fellowes-trained A Prince of Arran and Marmelo, representing Hughie Morrison.

“I thought, mate, is this happening again?” said the ecstatic 38-year-old jockey from Streaky Bay, who also won on Brew (2000) and Almandin (2016).
Australian Hugh Bowman, the rider of runner-up Marmelo, was given a 35-meeting ban for careless riding, excessive whip use and weighing in overweight.

Five other jockeys, including McEvoy (A$3,000/£1,650), were fined for breaching the whip rules.

Finche in fourth was the best of the Australian challengers, with O’Brien’s Rostropovich fifth (BBC Sport)