Kieren Fallon lit up Epsom on Saturday with one of the rides of his glittering career.
In nurturing the inexperienced Kris Kin over the trials and tribulations of the unique course, overcoming the customary traffic problems at Tattenham Corner and then driving to the front in the final quarter, he excelled himself.
On the biggest day of his season, the champion jockey lived up to his billing.
This looked an ultra-competitive Derby on paper, and the winner was one of the few who was open to considerable improvement.
There were worrying moments for his supporters, but once on an even keel and switched to the centre of the track, he always looked likely to reel in gallant leader The Great Gatsby.
This was vindication for the decision of connections to supplement the colt at a cost of £90,000, not a figure that is going to leave Saheed Suhail rushing to see the bank manager, but a significant investment nonetheless.
The colt has been a wonderful surprise for the Freemason Lodge team this summer.
He was an unconsidered 20/1 chance on his reappearance in the Dee Stakes, rejected by Fallon for a runner from a different yard, and seemingly some way down the Stoute pecking order.
But there was something in his performance that day, the change of gear in the closing stages, that stuck in the mind.
Punters remembered too. This was a huge plunge, 14s to 6s on course.
Not connections money, but the legions of Fallon fans putting faith in their champion.
It wasn't misplaced.
So what now for the Derby winner?
The Irish equivalent is a logical stepping stone - if no penalty kick - but the main tests will be if and when he is thrown in against the older horses.
He may be a little unfortunate there as the 2003 crop seems to be oustanding, High Chapparal, Sulamani, Nayef et all.
But what you can say is Kris Kin is a Derby winner on the upgrade, the whole season opens up to him now and in Fallon's words "he could not be in better hands".
The Great Gatsby ran a magnificent race in second, looking to have slipped his field three furlongs out.
He is game, genuine and a credit to connections but he may always be susceptible to a horse with a change of gear at the end of races.
The St Leger looks to be a logical target.
Alamshar should not be written off for this defeat, running on well with the winner for third.
He is likely to head for the Irish Derby where the more conventional track could be in his favour.
Connections will surely be more positive too, quickening in front of Kris Kin who found a length more here.
Norse Dancer ran a remarkable race in fourth, sweeping home from a seemingly impossible position down the straight.
David Elsworth felt he could have won with more luck in running.
That is ambitious, but he is a serious tool for connections at anything between a mile and 12 furlongs.
Those who raced up with the pace were at an advantage, Balestrini, the Ballydoyle outsider, and Dutch Gold finishing fifth and sixth without any excuses - although the proximity of the former to the winner makes the form difficult to evaluate.
Let Me Try Again made late headway into seventh, a tremendous effort considering he started the season winning a Windsor handicap off 75.
Graikos just overturned Dante form with Magistretti but neither were good enough to challenge, while Shield probably ran his race in 10th.
The three major disappointments were Alberto Giacometti (11th), Refuse To Bend (13th) and Brian Boru (16th).
The former held a perfect position for a mile but was struggling down Tattenham Corner and needs softer ground.
Despite his breeding Refuse To Bend was a non-stayer, he was alongside Kris Kin three out but was unable to summon any extra when the button was pressed.
Brian Boru did not handle the course as well as many and weakend tamely down the home straight.
His form (and racecourse gallop) puts him just in front of The Great Gatsby so this was not him.
He too may be best in the autumn but do not write him off yet, despite this effort.
The ability of Kris Kin to change gear was the crucial factor in the 2003 Vodafone Derby.
He has tougher assignments to come but he is a colt of full of potential and the season has now opened up to him.
But the race will be remembered for the brilliance of Fallon in the saddle. Long may he reign.
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