Little-known jockey leaves viewers ‘speechless’ with shock Dubai World Cup victory worth MILLIONS

8 months ago 51

LITTLE-KNOWN Irish jockey Tadhg O’Shea produced the ride of his life to leave viewers ‘speechless’ with this win – worth MILLIONS.

The veteran rider was simply uncatchable on 9-1 Laurel River, in what must go down as the most devastating Dubai World Cup win of all time.

Laurel River – different gear in the €12 million Dubai World Cup #ドバイワールドカップ | @BhupatSeemar | @OsheaTadhg | @JuddmonteFarms pic.twitter.com/hpQNzsvgsO

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 30, 2024

O’Shea was simply sensational on Laurel River in the Dubai World Cup[/caption]

O’Shea, who is in his 40s and from Ireland, went ten, 12, 15 lengths ahead of rivals in the race worth £5.5million.

He can expect to take home a tasty £500,000 or so with his ten per cent cut.

But really this was all about the Juddmonte-owned runner who left his rivals miles behind in the big race.

Speaking afterwards, O’Shea thanked the famous owners for sticking with him when they had their pick of much bigger-name riders.

He said: “When I came to this country in 2001 I didn’t think 23 years later I’d be winning one of the world’s richest races.

“All this is not possible without the team I work with. I’m just very, very grateful. I have to pinch myself.

“I have won multiple championships out there, and to ride any winner is special.

“But I said this morning after this horse galloped – I didn’t want to jinx it.

“I pulled the trainer aside and said, ‘I have never felt a horse like that’.

“They have to go and do it but hats off to Juddmonte – they could have had any jockey in the world and they kept the faith with me.

“Thanks to their Highnesses for keeping me on this horse, I am forever indebted to them.”

Laurel River was sent off 9-1, with long-time ante-post favourite Derma Sotogake a drifter in the market after regular jockey Christophe Lemaire was rushed to hospital following a fatal fall in an earlier race.

Former British champion jockey Oisin Murphy replaced him but could manage only sixth.

Japanese horse Ushba Tesoro finished second at 5-1, winning £1.9m for connections.

Even third-place finisher Senor Buscador won his American owners just shy of £1m for finishing third.

While Frankie Dettori finished ninth and out of the money on 8-1 Newgate.

But the race belonged totally to O’Shea, who left one TV presenter ‘speechless’ with his incredible eight-and-a-half length victory for trainer Bhupat Seemar.