'It's surreal - lots of good jockeys don't ride in the Derby let alone win it'

Richard Kingscote described the feeling of joining an elite band of jockeys to win the Derby for Sir Michael Stoute as "surreal" shortly after steering Desert Crown to a comfortable success in the Classic.

The rider, 35, emulated Walter Swinburn, Kieren Fallon and Ryan Moore by scoring at Epsom on just his second Derby ride, having missed the meeting last year when he was winning a Class 5 contest at Lingfield.

"It's quite surreal," said Kingscote, who began riding more frequently for the Stoute yard last year. "As a jockey you don't see yourself among jockeys like that. I've had so much support to be in this position."

Desert Crown dominates to provide Sir Michael Stoute with super sixth Derby win

Kingscote, who was flanked in the press conference by his children, won the Dante Stakes aboard Desert Crown last month and kept the ride despite his relative big-race inexperience.

The jockey repaid that faith in the race, making smooth headway on Desert Crown with three furlongs to travel before taking the lead with two furlongs to go and stretching clear of Hoo Ya Mal.

"I think this is huge for any rider to win a Derby," said Kingscote. "Lots of very good jockeys go through their careers without being able to ride in the Derby, let alone win one. It's only with the support of Sir Michael and his owners and his staff and all the trainers who supported me along the way that I've been able to.

Kingscote and Sir Michael Stoute hold up their Derby trophyCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

"After York, I've been really quite confident, but having not ridden a Derby winner, I didn't want to get my hopes up so I tried not to think about it. He's got a lovely character and clearly he's very good.

"Desert Crown was very comfortable throughout. He was really well balanced coming down the hill. He changed leads over the road and off he went into top gear. I probably got there a little soon, but it meant that I was able to fill him up. The others just weren't able to take him along and it just shows he's got a good deal about him."

The victory was also a first British Group 1 for Kingscote having previously twice scored at the top level in Ireland, landing the 2014 Irish St Leger with Brown Panther for his old boss Tom Dascombe and the Flying Five Stakes with Havana Grey in 2018.

Read more from Derby day at Epsom:

Did we see a superstar in the Derby? Racing Post experts' view

'I didn’t know why he was that price' - owner proud of 150-1 Derby runner-up

'He's a huge talent - it's frustrating' - Rob Hornby on the luckless Westover

2022 Cazoo Derby at Epsom: where your horse finished

High drama in Epsom opener as William Buick struck in head by rival horse

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