Made in Doncaster: from touring the north to conquering the south

Charlie Appleby's preparation and Kerrin McEvoy's ride of Cross Counter could both be described as A1, but it was actually on the road of the same name – on trips from Newmarket to and from Doncaster some 15 years ago – that the partnership that claimed the 2018 Lexus Melbourne Cup was formed.

The pair, who aided Sheikh Mohammed in realising his 30-year Melbourne Cup ambition with a gelding who has been alive a tenth of that time, formed a close bond during McEvoy's stint in Britain. As Godolphin's respective number twos at the time – McEvoy was understudy to Frankie Dettori while Appleby was travelling head lad – they spent a lot of time together on northern roads. It is where Appleby's ultimate faith in McEvoy was born.

Appleby has used McEvoy plenty in his successful trips to Australia and combined to great effect in the race that stops a nation. "Full credit to Charlie Appleby and the team, I'm lucky enough to team up with this man," said McEvoy. "We've had some luck at previous carnivals and we've done it again."

Shamardal: an impressive winner under Kerrin McEvoy at Royal AscotCredit: Mark Cranham

Explaining how their friendship started, McEvoy added: "Charlie was travelling head lad when I was with Godolphin in the UK and we used to head up to all the northern tracks a lot of the time. I've a good photo of him leading me on Into The Dark at Doncaster one day when he won his maiden.

"We had plenty of trips away and some good times on the track. Charlie's put a lot of faith in me putting me on his horses out here and it's great to repay that and get a big win for his stable."

McEvoy's association with Godolphin dates back to when Saeed Bin Suroor brought Beekeeper down for the Spring Carnival in 2002 and he added: "It's a huge thrill to win Sheikh Mohammed's first Melbourne Cup." On how it all began he said: "The day was sponsored by the Dubai Racing Club and I won the Triple A and rode four winners.

"That put my name under the nose of Sheikh Mohammed and I went to Dubai in 2003 and that's where it all started. I expected to be there two weeks and stayed for the whole carnival. There's been a hell of a lot of people who've helped me along the way, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and his family, Saeed Bin Suroor, Simon Crisford and Frankie Dettori, it's such a big team.

"I feel really warm inside knowing I've done it with the help of all those guys who have been so kind to me along the way."

And of course Appleby, who interrupted him when asked to recall any specific memories with a jovial "steady now, Kerrin". McEvoy laughed and added: "We were kicked up the highway going north a lot, it's long drives and you're late getting home but it was fun times. All those days have accumulated in us winning a Melbourne Cup together."

As for Appleby, well he was just as full of praise for the man on board and said: "It was an amazing ride by Kerrin, win, lose or draw I always knew I had the right man on there and he had a blank canvas to go out there with.

"We'd considered being closer to the pace but you have to let him make those split-second decisions and nine times out of ten he's right. He's got an astute brain and winning mentality so he knows where to find those gaps."

Kerrin McEvoy poses with Charlie Appleby after the Melbourne CupCredit: Michael Dodge

The young trainer has realised his two main goals this year and said. "You have all these aspirations and five years ago when I was lucky enough to get the licence people asked me what are the two races you'd like to win for Godolphin and thankfully I've just knocked the second one out. It was the Derby and the Melbourne Cup so I'm just so thrilled to have been able to do that."

As for the horse's future Appleby said: "He could probably drop back to a mile and a half, he's got the pace as you saw there, off a slow pace he was able to pick up." The trainer added Cross Counter could be back to defend his Cup crown.

Appleby and McEvoy may have got here via some of the racing world's less glamorous venues, but Cross Counter's future looks likely to take them to some of the sport's hottest spots.

It may be a different man in the saddle, however, as William Buick, who rode a winner on the card, was forced to watch on – unable to do 8st.

William Buick and Charlie Appleby after Line Of Duty's Breeders' Cup winCredit: Edward Whitaker

He gave Appleby a bear-hug in the mounting yard afterwards and said: "It’s such a huge achievement for Charlie and there has been a great team effort behind it. I'm very proud.

"It was a great training performance but Charlie has been doing this time and time again all year. Kerrin gave the horse a beautiful ride. He’s a very good horse and Charlie has always thought a lot of him."

If you are interested in this, you might also like:

Fantastic five: Charlie Appleby's finest achievements this campaign

Cross Counter becomes the first British-trained winner of the Melbourne Cup

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