Todd Pannell tasted Group 1 glory for the first time when 20/1 shot Despatch caused a boilover in Saturday's The Goodwood at Morphettville.
The Tony McEvoy-trained four-year-old made all under Pannell, who rated his mount to perfection throughout the 1200 metres.
Despatch booted clear soon after straightening for the run home and gave a great kick
He won narrowly from the fast-finishing three-year-old Behemoth, while race favourite Spright, which had to be re-shod just moments before the race, ran third.
"That sounds pretty good (being a G1-winning jockey)," Pannell said on Racing.com.
"I'd just like to thank Tony McEvoy and the owners for giving me this opportunity.
"Even just coming back I had to keep telling myself, "This is The Goodwood".
"He jumped too good and he got into his stride straight away. I thought after nearly a furlong I was going to take it up. He had a good, cheap run there mid-race and had a good kick at the finish.
"He's a pretty tough horse and he's done very well this prep."
Despatch wins The Goodwood! 👏 👏 👏 @mcevoymitchell @TheRacesSA pic.twitter.com/NJghDVUl1T
— Racing.com (@Racing) May 18, 2019
His Goodwood triumph made it four wins on the bounce for the gelded son of Written Tycoon and seven from 11 overall.
McEvoy said: "What a courageous performance. He led today, that wasn't really our plan.
"What a fantastic performance, gee this horse has come a long way.
"He's a real bright sprinter."
While The Goodwood was the clear standout race on the card, there was a host of G3 events, too.
Li'l Kontra won the National Stakes for two-year-olds, Valac took out the Queens Cup, 100-1 chance Moor Gait claimed the SA Fillies Classic, Fastnet Tempest was too good in the RA Lee Stakes, while Lady Cosmology was victorious in the Proud Miss Stakes.
(PIC: @RYANMSOMETHING)
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