Jockey Mark Zahra Takes Consecutive Melbourne Cup Victory with "Without A Fight"

Zahra is the first jockey to win consecutive Melbourne Cups since 2005, achieving the victory after controversially deciding to switch from last year's winner, Gold Trip, to this year's champion "Without A Fight".

• Mark Zahra claimed an extraordinary back-to-back Melbourne Cup victory, becoming the first jockey to do so since 2005. His victory was sealed aboard this year's champion horse, "Without A Fight", after switching from last year's winner, Gold Trip.
• Without A Fight, trained by the father and son duo of Anthony and Sam Freedman, led the race with 300 meters to go and held on for the win. It is noteworthy that the horse was an outsider, rated at 7/1 by the bookmakers just before the race.
• The Melbourne Cup win, as well as the Caulfield Cup victory last month, provides a rare double in Australian racing for Zahra. The last jockey to achieve this feat was in 2001.
• Zahra made the controversial decision to switch from Gold Trip to Without A Fight for the race, a move that notably paid off as Gold Trip finished only 17th.
• Contrary to expectations, pre-race favourite Vauban disappointed, finishing 14th. Whereas other notable horses Soulcombe and Sheraz, trained by Chris Waller, placed second and third respectively.

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