'He was looking over me today' - emotional Daniel Kyne lands the Amateurs' Derby

Monday: Epsom

Jockey Daniel Kyne could not help but beam from ear to ear as he was cheered into the winner's enclosure on Saratoga Gold after his first victory under rules in the Amateurs' Derby.

The 24-year-old is the brother of Jamie Kyne, who was killed in a flat fire in Norton along with fellow jockey Jan Wilson in 2009, and the winning rider paid tribute to them.

"I think about him a lot, he was looking over me today. Hopefully he'll keep looking over me for the rest of my career," Kyne said.

"No matter when I go to the racecourse I'll be thinking of them, asking them to keep me safe and so far, so good."

He took out his licence three years ago and on just his tenth ride he crossed the line two and a half lengths to the good on the Charlie Hills-trained four-year-old.

Saratoga Gold (left) came wide of the field under Daniel Kyne in the Amateurs' DerbyCredit: Andrew Redington

Of his first winner, Kyne added: "It couldn't have gone any better. I thought I was a jumps boy so I didn't think I'd be getting it here. I've only ever seen Epsom on the telly.

"I ride out for Charlie, I have been for the last three summers. I'm a point-to-point jockey really, I've got a bit of a belly on me for the Flat! He told me he was thinking of running this horse and he didn't really ask. He said, 'If he runs you'll ride him', so I was delighted.

"That's the biggest crowd I've ever ridden in front of and you definitely notice it."

It was also a special day for Hills as this was his first runner in the Amateurs' Derby, a race he went close to winning when an amateur jockey himself.

"I was second in this race in the late 90s when I gave it a good ride. I said to Daniel I was second, so make sure you win it. It means so much because he works bloody hard," Hills said.

Birthday winner for Knight

William Knight may have been enjoying his birthday at a Majorcan villa but connections of Chartwell House were at Epsom to see their quirky colt get his head in front at the fourth time of asking in the 7f maiden.

Piers Winkworth, joint-racing manager to Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds, said: "He hasn't been the easiest horse for William and his team but he's got bags of ability. He was a [Tattersalls] Book 1 horse and they put up a £20,000 bonus so that was a £25,000 race to us. We've got a dozen people here today and we're chuffed.

"It's William's birthday. I believe he's sunning himself in Sir Michael Stoute's villa in Majorca and not here today."

Hartlepool off the mark

It was family fun day at the Surrey track and no one got a louder cheer crossing the line than H'Angus The Monkey, winner of the Mascot Memorial Race.

The 26-runner Mascot Race won by H'Angus The Monkey (blue and white stripes)Credit: Andrew Redington (Getty Images)

The 26-runner half-furlong sprint came down to a photo-finish with H'Angus, who was representing Hartlepool United, being judged the winner from the Bamber Bridge FC mascot The Brig Cat. It was a first win of the season for Hartlepool and was some much-needed relief for supporters after their team lost 4-2 to Leyton Orient on Saturday.

Nuts & Bolts probably wouldn't have finished before next year's Derby if he hadn't been helped over the line and was awarded a gnome for finishing in last place.

Results, replays and analysis

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