Knight's Choice

Knight's Choice is a Thoroughbred racehorse. Bred by Norm and Di Bazeley at Elswick Park, a stud in Walcha, northern New South Wales, he was the winner of the 2024 Melbourne Cup, ridden by Robbie Dolan and trained by John Symons and Sheila Laxon.

Background

Norm Bazeley who had formerly worked as a track rider and later a construction manager was a farmer and horse breeder. He was notable for breeding Top Knight who won the 2020 Singapore Derby and Queen Elizabeth Cup. Bazeley bred Knight's Choice from the mare Midnight Pearl which he bought for $1,000 in an online sale in 2013. Midnight Pearl had won seven races in Victoria country for Sheila Laxon the trainer of the 2001 Melbourne Cup winner Ethereal. It was Laxon's connection to Midnight Pearl that led to her and Symons purchasing the horse on behalf of clients.
It was reported in July 2023 that the owners had declined an offer of more than $2.3m for Knight's Choice.

Racing career

Knight Choice's career included:

26/05/2023 - 1st in a 3YO maiden over 1600m at Sunshine Coast
11/06/23 - 1st in a Benchmark 65 over 1600m at Sunshine Coast
21/06/23 - 1st in Benchmark 65 over 1650m at Doomben
1/07/23 - 1st in the Winx Guineas at Sunshine Coast
21/10/23 - 5th in the Filante Handicap at Randwick
13/11/23 - 13th in the Golden Eagle over 1500m at Rosehill
2/12/23 - 1st in the Vale Wayne Purchase Open Handicap over 2000m at Doomben
18/05/24 - 2nd in the Sky Racing Members Handicap over 1600m at Doomben. The winner was Gringotts with Nikau Spur 3rd.
1/06/24 - 4th in the Lord Mayor’s Cup at Eagle Farm
15/06/24 - 2nd in the HKJC World Pool at Eagle Farm. The winner was Fawkner Park with Bois D'argent 3rd.
29/06/24 - 3rd in the Tattersall's Cup at Eagle Farm. The winner was Vow and Declare with Young Werther 2nd.
14/07/24 - 4th in the Coloundra Cup at Sunshine Coast
21/09/24 - 9th in the Underwood Stakes
5/10/24 - 16th in the Turnbull Stakes
19/10/24 - 14th in the Caulfield Cup
30/10/24 - 5th in the Bendigo Cup at Bendigo
5/11/24 - 1st in the 2024 Melbourne Cup at Flemington. Warp Speed was 2nd and Okita Soushi 3rd.