Kevin Darley is one of the few top current English jockeys in a sport which has become dominated by Irish riders.

He reached the peak of his career by claiming the champion jockey title in the year 2000 with 155 wins, while title holder Kieren Fallon was out injured.

Darley was born in Staffordshire, served his apprenticeship with Reg Hollinshead and rode his first winner, Dust Up, at Haydock on his 17th birthday.

He has clocked up most of his big race victories in recent years, with a French Derby win on Celtic Swing in 1995 among the highlights.

In 1997, he dead-heated with Ya Malak in the Group One Nunthorpe Stakes at York despite losing his irons while riding for David Barron.

Darley has struggled in some of the really big races, such as the Epsom Derby where he has yet to be placed in four rides.

But he clocked up a double at Royal Ascot last year aboard Observatory (Jersey Stakes) and Romantic Myth (Queen Mary Stakes).