Yearly the Melbourne Cup sees a fairy story written, however the romance surrounding 2024 winner Knight’s Alternative is especially heartwarming.
The 80-1 outsider could have written his identify into racing historical past books when he carried jockey Robbie Dolan to victory, however his beginnings have been humble.
The bay gelding was bred by Norm and Di Bazeley at Elswick Park, a thoroughbred stud at Walcha in northern New South Wales.
His dam, Midnight Pearl, was purchased for simply $1,000.
Mr Bazeley was emotional when talking to ABC New England-North West right now.
“It”s simply unbelievable … it is storybook stuff is not it?” he mentioned
Mr Bazeley by no means thought the bloodline would result in a Melbourne Cup winner.
However as he watched the cup from the lounge in his work garments yesterday, Knight’s Alternative grew to become one.
Robbie Dolan rides #11 Knight’s Option to win race seven the Melbourne Cup throughout Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington Racecourse on November 05, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Getty Photos: Robert Cianflone)
“About 200 metres from dwelling … when he began making his transfer, I knew he was going to go very near profitable the race,” he mentioned.
“I am 76 years of age and I have been in horses a very long time … so it simply goes to point out you, you by no means cease studying.”
Knight’s Alternative is the second Walcha-bred horse to win a Melbourne Cup.
Blue Spec gained the race in 1905.
Humble beginnings
Knight’s Alternative is the product of a dream Mr Bazeley had for a specific racing bloodline.
He all the time wished a Extra Than Prepared mare to breed on with.
Extra Than Prepared was a world-record holder who sired greater than 2,000 winners earlier than dying in 2022.
“It is a good story, we regularly chuckle about it,” Mr Bazeley mentioned.
“This Extra Than Prepared mare come up, Midnight Pearl … and I made a decision to bid on her.
“The market at that exact time was in decline … and actually, to be trustworthy with you, I knew after I purchased it … I bought a discount purchase.”
That discount purchase led to Knight’s Alternative being offered for $85,000 in 2021, and yesterday profitable $5.8 million.
However Mr Bazeley nonetheless remembers when he was a only a foal.
“I all the time appreciated him as a foal and he had a little bit of character … he wished to play on a regular basis and have enjoyable,” he mentioned.
Whereas the 2024 Melbourne Cup champion will get used to his new-found fame, Midnight Pearl presently has a filly at foot, and Mr Bazeley is busy as his breeding season continues.
Norm Bazeley along with his particular mare, Midnight Pearl, and her newest foal. (ABC New England: James Paras)
Not a ‘likelihood in hell’
David Chester is the gross sales director for Magic Tens of millions, an Australian thoroughbred racehorse public sale home on the Gold Coast.
It was there Knight’s Alternative was offered.
“Naturally, we have been over the moon,” Mr Chester mentioned.
“As a result of should you hearken to all of the so-called consultants, no-one gave him an opportunity in hell.”
He mentioned with thousands and thousands of {dollars} being invested in internationally-bred stayers, it was encouraging to see the highlight put again on Australian-bred horses.
“Sheila Laxon [who trained Knight’s Choice] has confirmed you can purchase a horse in Australia, you possibly can practice it and win a Melbourne Cup,” he mentioned.
“It is going to make folks, I hope, sit up and take be aware you can breed a horse right here, you possibly can practice a horse right here to win that massive race.”
