Jockey Shane Crosse says his Royal Ascot winner is “every jockey’s dream.”
Speaking on Friday Night Racing, Crosse reflected on what the experience was like at the coveted event.
“Everyone wants to get an Ascot winner,” claimed the 20-year-old. “When everyone is there to watch it and there to cheer you on. It was a huge thrill to walk back into the winner’s enclosure to the crowd and reception.
Crosse rode State of Rest to an impressive winner for trainer Joseph O’Brien. It was the pair’s first winner at the Royal meeting as a jockey and trainer.
Crosse admitted the support he has received has been overwhelming.
“My phone was buzzing. I probably haven’t gotten through half the messages. Everyone has been a huge support and I’m very thankful.”
Shane is the brother of apprentice jockey Nathan Crosse, who also won at Leopardstown this week. Speaking on their relationship, Shane admits the pair can be competitive but also encouraging to one another.
“As it happens, me and Nathan end up beside each other a lot of the time in the finish. To be honest, I’m usually coming out of it 80% of the time on the wrong side of the photo. He always gets the bragging rights over me.
“If there was one man to beat me in a race it’d be him. I’d be happy about it, but you’re never happy losing a race. We’re competitive and close at the same time.”
Crosse’s winner came from an uncontested lead, to which the jockey says he couldn’t have imagined the race any better.
“An uncontested lead iss probably every jockey’s dream. If your horse is good enough, nine times out of ten, it will win.
“I was delighted with what he was doing underneath me. Even going down to the furlong pole I still had another gear to go to finish them off. When you have the horse underneath you doing everything to 100% it’s nice and relaxed.
“I was expecting a Japanese horse would be putting pressure on me because he gets a mile and a half very well. I was able to sit for half a furlong longer than I would’ve done.
“It’ll probably never happen to me again, but the best horse won on the day and he was just brilliant.”
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
