'Winning a Derby is different - it has changed quite a lot'

Richard Kingscote has revealed that winning the Derby has changed how he is perceived in the sport as he looked back on an extraordinary breakthrough season that also saw him land the Champion Stakes two weeks ago.

Kingscote was speaking to the Racing Post for an exclusive interview in Sunday's newspaper in which he looked back on his brilliant victories on Desert Crown and Bay Bridge, recalled a time recently when he was considering how long he might carry on riding, and opened up about a family tragedy that has left him feeling "guilty" about how well things have gone for him.

Recalling the highlight of his year at Epsom, the perfectionist said he hit the front far too soon on Desert Crown, although that at least afforded him the luxury of knowing he had the race in the bag some way out.

"My job is to win but winning a Derby is different," he said. "I did get a tingle down my spine, which I've never had before. There are no fireworks in your brain but it is different. Even after winning the Champion Stakes, the Derby felt different crossing the line."

Kingscote had a few butterflies in the build-up, but a Grand National winner helped keep him cool on the day.

"We had the jubilee celebration with the Queen's colours and I was standing with Mick Fitzgerald a lot and we were having a good time," he remembered. "I told him I didn't want to get my hopes up but that I thought Desert Crown could win.

"He told me when he won the Grand National he knew that day he was going to win the National, so told me not to think of it as a bad thing. He was really helpful and of course my horse was a dude and very relaxed."

Jockey Richard Kingscote (back right) was among the past and present riders to parade in the Queen's colours at Epsom on Derby dayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Asked about the impact being a Derby winner had on his life, Kingscote added: "It has changed quite a lot. People's belief in me has changed, I think. You go into the paddock now to ride for people you've never met and they say, 'We'll leave it to you, you've ridden a Derby winner.'

"People see you a little bit differently, so I guess it's been good for my confidence. It's been a big year and seems to have been a breakthrough. There are lots of nice horses I can hopefully get on next year so it opens doors. Success breeds success."

Read more from Richard Kingscote in The Big Read, available in Sunday's newspaper or online for Members' Club Ultimate subscribers from 6pm on Saturday. Click here to sign up

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