Tin Tin doesn't do much on the gallops but my kids love him

Groom: Oleg Sheyhets

Nationality: Ukranian

Age: 33

July Cup runner: The Tin Man

Trainer: James Fanshawe

How long have you looked after your horse?
Since day one. I've worked with James for nearly 13 years and pretty much done the whole of The Tin Man's family, including Deacon Blues, who also won the big sprint on Champions Day. When The Tin Man came along there wasn't much question about who would look after him!

Is he similar to his half-brother?
Deacon Blues always showed a lot at home. In his gallops he used to work with Society Rock, who he would kick out of the way. This lad is very different. He is lazy at home. If someone sat on him who didn't know who he was, he'd probably say, 'What a yak!' – unless you really ask him to do his work he doesn't do a tap. He would rather pick grass than go up a hill.

Does he have a nickname in the yard?
Tin Tin.

What's Tin Tin like around the yard?
He is like a friend to me. Sometimes my kids come to the yard. When they do they go straight over to see him. They love him. As he's a gelding he's quite calm and has never had a nasty character.

How special was winning with him at Royal Ascot?
I've been quite lucky with James as I've won a Britannia with Sir Gerard, a Wokingham with Deacon Blues and now a Diamond Jubilee with The Tin Man. That was a dream. I got to meet the Queen. My mum was desperate for a picture of that!

Oleg Sheyhets leads in The Tin Man and Tom Queally after the Diamond Jubilee StakesCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

How do you fancy your chances on Saturday?
I always say, why did they invent the Commonwealth Cup? It's because three-year-olds struggle against older sprinters. Our horse only just does enough so when he's bouncing you never know how good he could be. Let's see what happens on Saturday.