Kevin Darley Epsom Derby Profile

Kevin's parents were not involved with horseracing; his father was a butcher and his mother was a teacher. However, his father was keen for him to become a jockey.

As the apprentice to Reg Hollinshead, Kevin Darley became champion apprentice just one year after riding his first winner in 1977. Kevin was British champion jockey in 2000 and also the first northern-based jockey to win the title in several decades. Highlights of his championship-winning season included Group 1 success on Pipalong, in Haydock's Stanley Leisure Sprint Cup, and Observatory, in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.

Without doubt, Kevin's best current horse is the fantastic filly Attraction. In 2004, she made history by becoming the first horse to achieve the 1000 Guineas double when winning the UltimateBet.com 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket, followed by the Irish equivalent.

With over 1500 winners throughout his career, Darley finally managed to take the 2000 champions crown despite fantastic pressure from Pat Eddery and Richard Quinn. The season boasted 155 winners, with eight group race triumphs including two grade ones. The following year, despite a gallant bid by Darley, Fallon returned from injury and clinched the title by a mere eight winners.

Apart from his Jockeys Championship triumph, Kevin Darley will always be remembered for his amazing riding experience on Coastal Bluff in the 1997 Nunthorpe Stakes. The bridle snapped, leaving him no apparent means to steer the horse. Darley persevered, held onto the horse and eventually dead-heated for first place.

Kevin Darley is certainly one of the hardest working jockeys in the modern sport, riding more horses than all bar two others last year, and few will bet against him winning an English classic before long.