ROBBIE Dolan, the Kildare man who rode the Melbourne Cup winner last year, will be a special guest at the Curragh next Saturday, August 16th.

Born and raised in Kildare, Robbie is from a racing background. His grandfather Peadar Matthews rode two classic winners and his father Bobby Dolan was also a jockey and is best known in racing as the groom of Irish Derby winner Grey Swallow.

Despite his family connections Robbie was a relative latecomer to horses, only deciding at the end of his school days to apply for a place at RACE. He rode his first winner in 2015 but within a year he decided to move to Australia where, aged just 20, his career took off. He won two prestigious apprentice titles in Australia in 2019 and his first Group 1 win came in 2021.

When his career hit a quiet spell in 2022, Robbie considered leaving racing and applied to appear on the TV talent show The Voice Australia. He was an immediate hit with the judges and ‘the singing jockey’ became an overnight sensation. He and his partner Christine had just had their first child and Robbie’s honesty about the stresses involved in keeping the family together tugged at the nation’s heartstrings.

Eventually the public’s attention faded and Robbie returned to racing, which he had been missing. He made new connections, including one with trainer Sheila Laxon, who he met while singing on a Melbourne Cup cruise. It was Laxon who gave him the ride on Knights Choice at Flemington last November and, when Robbie guided the longshot from near last to first, the fairytale was complete.

“It has been incredible coming home to where it all began. It has been a life-changing last 12 months and to be able to share the win of the Melbourne Cup with family and friends is what is all about,” said Robbie. The jockey will also be honoured by residents of Maryville in Kildare on Sunday, August 17th with a band and barbecue.