Richard Kingscote has paid a heartfelt tribute to Desert Crown after last year’s Derby winner was put down on Monday.

Kingscote had not long since ended his lengthy association with Tom Dascombe to ride for Sir Michael Stoute whenever Ryan Moore was unavailable in August 2021 when he partnered Desert Crown to a debut victory at Nottingham three months later.

The Nathaniel colt was not seen again until the following May in the Dante Stakes at York, where he impressed and then headed to the Derby as the favourite.

He cruised around Epsom, running out one of the most impressive winners in recent years, but sadly only made it to the track once more and eventually his injuries caught up with him.

Kingscote took to social media to say: “I have been asked about my thoughts on Desert Crown a few times.

“Firstly I’m most sorry for the staff at Sir Michael’s who adored him and who are all heartbroken.

“Secondly I’m sorry to racing fans in that we will never get to see how brilliant he could have been. And that I don’t have the vocabulary to explain how amazing he was.

“I will always be grateful to him for looking after me on those two big days last summer, he was a gentleman and an awesome racehorse.

“I feel blessed and somewhat embarrassed that it was me who got to feel his brilliance. RIP DC.”