Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Robbie Dolan met Sheila Laxon, trainer of winning horse Knight’s Choice, for the first time while on a Melbourne Cup Cruise with P&O in 2022.
That chance meeting has turned into a winning partnership that has now led the pair to their incredible win at Flemington today (Tuesday).
Well known for his singing ability, The Voice contestant was belting out a tune on stage when he saw Laxon who was on the same Melbourne Cup-themed cruise two years ago.
“She was there, and I thought, ‘Wow, it’s Sheila Laxon. I’d better grab a selfie’,” he recalled and the pair getting a shot of themselves together.
“Now, three years later, who’d have thought we’d win a Melbourne Cup together?” he said after the 100-1 shot swept home.
In 2025, the now renamed P&O cruise ships Carnival Adventure and Carnival Splendor will carry more than 7,000 guests to the famous race day – nearly 10 per cent of the event’s total attendance.
This year, guests onboard both P&O and Carnival cruise ships included legendary jockey Peter Cook, who had two Melbourne Cup wins and a Caulfield Cup victory, in more than 1,000 career wins.
Also on board was Jim “Pumper” Cassidy, known for his iconic Melbourne Cup win on Kiwi at age 20, a race still celebrated for its record-breaking finish.
Corey Brown, two-time Melbourne Cup-winning jockey with 52 Group 1 wins globally, over 250 black-type race victories, and more than 2,400 total wins in Australia was another guest.
Looking ahead, P&O cruises will continue to bring talent and unique experiences to Melbourne Cup voyages under Carnival Cruise Line with Carnival Adventure, alongside Carnival Splendor, in 2025 and 2026.
Watch the video HERE.
For more details carnival.com.au or pocruises.com.au.
Feature image: One of the P&O Melbourne Cup Cruises.
