Three Derby-winning jockeys on the day they won Epsom's showpiece - and who they fancy in Saturday's running

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Ryan Moore has done it, Oisin Murphy hasn't. It is "yes" for William Buick, Frankie Dettori and Richard Kingscote, "no" for James Doyle, Tom Marquand and Rossa Ryan.

Mickael Barzalona can say "oui" but it is "non" for Christophe Soumillon.

Not "Have you been a champion?" or "Have you ever ridden at Southwell?" but "Have you won the Derby?" (Parenthetically, all bar Soumillon has had mounts at Southwell, playground of the stars).

The Derby is Britain's most famous Flat race and has been billed as the one that everybody wants to win almost since it was first run in 1780.

Yet there is only one opportunity to join the club each year.

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Remember the long-running saga of Frankie Dettori's quest to win the race? He finally did it at the 15th attempt on Authorized.

Even older readers will recall Sir Gordon Richards ending 28 years of hurt on Pinza, beating the newly crowned Queen's Aureole at Epsom in 1953.

But if you are a jockey, is it actually the be-all and end-all? If so, how does it feel to achieve your lifetime's ambition? And is it something that marks you out for the rest of your life?

The only people who can answer that question are those who have been there and done it. So The Front Runner caught up with three former jockeys who, it is fair to say, did not take a lot of persuading to talk about the day they won the Derby:

Ray Cochrane, won on Kahyasi in 1988

"The build up to riding in the race has been your whole life's work as a jockey, never mind winning it.

"I'd had only one previous ride, on a horse who didn't get the trip, and Luca Cumani had two in it. Keefah was a bit hyper but Kahyasi was very laid-back – in those days you cantered to the two-pole then turned right, came back and went across the middle, which turned some inside out but just woke him up a little.

"They went quick, I worked my way into a nice position coming down the hill, Michael Hills and I strode clear two down and Kahyasi stuck his head out well and won.

Kahyasi with Ray Cochrane after winning the DerbyCredit: Pascal Rondeau

"It didn't sink in until around an hour and a half afterwards. We were stood waiting for the chopper to come in at the top of the hill. I stood next to the rail watching the last race and thought 'I'm from a little town in Northern Ireland and I've won the Derby'.

"You're different after you've won the Derby. You have pride in yourself, you've won the biggest race in the world.

"Even now when people ask what you've won, if you can say 'the Derby' that's job done."

Michael Hills, won on Shaamit in 1996

"I'd been second to Kahyasi on Glacial Storm in 1988 and it was a race I was keener to win than any other.

"Shaamit was having his first run of the year but his work had been really good and he'd done an exceptional racecourse gallop so we knew we had a good chance - I didn't think we'd be out of the first five.

"There were 20 runners and it was really rough. When I slipped him out he shot to the front really quickly and he was on his legs in the last half-furlong but he'd got away from them and the race was won at the furlong-marker.

Michael Hills wins the Vodafone Derby at Epsom on ShaamitCredit: Phil Smith

"Afterwards was even better than I'd imagined, I'd grown up with the trainer William Haggas and he was a proper friend. The Derby is special and winning it changed a lot of things. It's amazing how many letters I got from people who didn't know me but wanted to tell me why they'd backed him.

"And even now it means a huge amount. When you get in a black cab and they ask what race you've won, you can say 'I won the Derby' – it's the one they all know. It's like a jump jockey winning the Grand National, it makes a big difference."

Willie Ryan, won on Benny The Dip in 1997

"It's the one you grow up wanting to win. It's the biggest race in the calendar and still is.

"I was very hopeful for Benny The Dip, he'd won the Dante well and John Gosden told me to ride him as though he'd stay.

"He had incredible balance and we had a very good position, which two things were probably what won him the race. He was running out of stamina and I didn't know if he'd won until they called the photo.

Benny The Dip wins from Silver Patriarch at the 1997 Derby at EpsomCredit: Abraham D

"Obviously I was overjoyed when it was announced. You're bound to be elated, you grow up wanting to win it - my grandfather had won it as a trainer so it was in the family history.

"I'm very proud to have done it but it's not something I'm going to brag about. I'd never say 'I won the Derby'. It was my job, it was what I was supposed to do." 

Now, if you have gathered together a brains trust of Derby-winning jockeys, it would be criminally negligent not to ask for a tip from the men who should know which horse is likely to come out on top this year.

Ray Cochrane professed to have "no idea" but neither of his former weighing-room colleagues was short of an opinion:

Michael Hills:

"It's pretty open. Ruling Court would be my favourite but I also like Damysus, who came from a long way back to finish second in the Dante. He'll come forward for that and will definitely stay."

Ruling Court15:30 Epsom

View Racecard

Jky: William Buick Tnr: Charlie Appleby

Damysus15:30 Epsom

View Racecard

Jky: James Doyle Tnr: John & Thady Gosden

Willie Ryan:

"I'm very hopeful for Ruling Court, he beat two top horses in the Guineas and he's out of a High Chaparral mare so he should really see out the trip. He's got a very strong chance. I also like Nightwalker at a price each-way. There's more to come from him."

Nightwalker15:30 Epsom

View Racecard

Jky: Tom Marquand Tnr: John & Thady Gosden

Read these next:

'He's where you want to be' - four-time Derby winner Willie Carson on who has the best draw for Saturday's Classic 

'His price seems a bit bonkers' - why this horse can win the Betfred Derby 

Who will win the Oaks and Derby based on previous trends? 

The Front Runner is our unmissable email newsletter available exclusively to Racing Post+ subscribers. Chris Cook provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday. Not a Racing Post+ subscriber? Join today and also receive our Ultimate Daily emails plus our full range of fantastic website and newspaper content.