When speaking with Her Majesty, I was enthralled by her impressive familiarity with racing and horse breeding – she was well aware of Urban Sea’s successes, and her marvelous record as a broodmare.

Winning the Derby at the age of twenty-seven was an incredibly proud moment, and when Her Majesty congratulated me on becoming the youngest owner ever to win this prestigious race, I explained it was my mother who had ignited my passion for horses when I was a child.

The Queen of England was moved by my devotion to pedigrees at such a young age, and as I stood in The Royal Box, my heart sang!

Returning to the present, it was our own Derby chances that occupied my mind before the race.

Mick Kinane had found the ground riding fast, something that would definitely suit Sea The Stars;

I could feel my heart beginning to beat faster! But what of the opposition? Michael Kinane, nearing his fiftieth birthday John Oxx had discussed the ‘Ballydoyle battalions’ with my mother, a remarkable woman.

Her name, Ling, means “spirit” in Mandarin, and her powerful drive and determination see her travelling the globe on business. She was aware of the press’ doubts regarding Sea The Stars’ unproven stamina, but she wasn’t worried.

We had a secret weapon – champion jockey Mick Kinane.

With two previous Derby wins, Kinane knows what it takes to be victorious.