A young jockey who starred in a short film on pony riders when he was just 12 is set to make his debut in Britain’s richest horse race.
Dylan Browne McMonagle talked enthusiastically about his dream to become a champion jockey in the movie named ‘Five Stone Of Lead’.
That was the amount of lead he had to carry in his saddle in order to compete on level terms in races as he only then weighed 4st 10lb.
The five minute film garnered awards for best documentary and for its cinematography after it was released.
It brought McMonagle, who was also an All-Ireland boys’ boxing champion, to the attention of Sir A P McCoy who invited him to England.
McMonagle become champion apprentice in Ireland in 2021 and is a already Group 1-winning rider as stable jockey to Joseph O’Brien, who won the Derby twice as a jockey.
But he has been in the public eye in Ireland for a lot longer as a result of the film
“I started off in the pony racing scene, the way most come through the ranks,” said the 21-year-old. “That’s what got me going.
“If not for that I wouldn’t be where I was and that’s where the video came around. I won the Dingle Derby when I was 12 and a company approached me after that and said they’d love to do a little video on me.
“They came over a few weeks after and did a clip. It was done in Glenbeigh and a bit in Donegal. It was really well put together. It’s a nice little piece to look back on. It’s definitely got plenty of recognition as well.
“It’s done nothing but benefit me. I’ve met a lot of people from it.”
McMonagle will ride 12-1 chance the Roger Teal-trained Dancing Geminii at Epsom, which will not only be his first ride in the £1.5 million Classic but his first at the track.
On their first race together they finished a close-up second in the French 2,000 Guineas.
“To have your first ride in the Derby is going to be massive and to be riding a horse that has a chance as well makes it a little bit extra special,” said McMonagle.
“I’m looking forward to it. Roger has him in tip-top shape I’m sure. He had a great prep run in the French Guineas. He couldn’t have run a better prep race without winning, just got touched off.”