Godolphin boss Sheikh Mohammed’s special call to congratulate Charlie Appleby

THE first three congratulatory words Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Charlie Appleby heard from Sheikh Mohammed were all Arabic, but the meaning was clear.

THE first three congratulatory words Charlie Appleby heard from Sheikh Mohammed were all Arabic, but the meaning was clear.

Translated, the message from Dubai’s ruler was “well done, well done, well done.”

“His Highness rang pretty much straight away after the race,” Appleby said.

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“He was delighted. It’s a race we’ve been trying to win for many years now.”

Since first trying to win the Melbourne Cup in 1988 with Colin Hayes and Authaal, Sheikh Mohammed has invested millions in chasing the Holy Grail of Australian racing.

After the exasperation of three second placings, Appleby, Kerrin McEvoy and Cross Counter ended the 30-year drought in style.

Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Charlie Appleby: “It was just a great achievement by the whole team.” Pic: AAP

“To get the job done, it was just a great achievement by the whole team but more importantly the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed to get this team of horses and put us out there to go and take on the world,” Appleby said.

“To get the results that we’re getting at the moment has just been phenomenal.”

Appleby also logged Sheikh Mohammed’s first Derby winner with Masar in June.

Godolphin has notched 30 Group 1 wins globally this year.

Godolphin owner Sheikh Mohammed (centre) celebrates winning the English Derby in June. Pic: Getty Images

McEvoy was still coming to terms with his third Cup victory, adding to previous wins on Brew (2000) and Almandin (2016).

“I’m just blessed to be able to get one, let alone three,” he said at Werribee.

“I take a lot of enjoyment out of winning the Cup for Sheikh Mohammed and yesterday was a really special day.”

Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy (centre), his wife Cathy (second right) and their children spend time with Cross Counter at Werribee on Wednesday. Pic: AAP