Derek Fox rode Corach Rambler to victory in the 2023 Aintree Grand National on Saturday evening.
The Sligo man was the toast of Liverpool as he outlasted 39 other horses to win the latest edition of the World's most famous steeplechase.
Remarkably, yesterday's win brings Fox's tally of Grand National victories to two after his sensational success aboard One For Arthur back in 2017.
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Fox's Irish heritage may have gotten slightly lost in the shuffle given he rode the horse to victory for Lucinda Russell. But make no mistake about it, he's an Irishman through and through.
After his big win yesterday, Fox spoke to the media about how much this win means to him.
“He is just a phenomenal horse, he has been so lucky for me. I was blessed that I ever got the leg up on him the first day and I cannot believe it.
"He normally gets held up a wee bit but today he just jumped brilliantly, he was electric to jump he’s the cleverest horse, he’s so intelligent.
"The only concern would be if he was upfront for a long time, but he won so easy and all I had to do was give him the steer, he’s a marvellous horse,” a delighted Fox added.
Fox turns 31 next month and already has cemented a Grand National legacy that many would love to have.
But it hasn't always been easy-going for the two-time National winner. Leaving school at 14, Fox battled with dyslexia.
"I was never very good at school and I never had a massive interest," Fox told the Mail Online last week, "I left school maybe a year or two before I should have — I was 14. I don't know how but I seemed to get away with it.
"When I was young one of the teachers said I was dyslexic. From there I always got extra help with reading but struggled and there was a lack of want from me.
"I wasn't interested in what I was reading but since I got older, I have wanted to take in information. The stuff I am reading means more to me now. I was in my early 20s when I started getting better.
"I started reading a couple of simple books and went from there. My reading has really improved. I mainly read autobiographies, you can learn more about life from them. I thought Muhammed Ali's autobiography was exceptionally good. You could really relate to it.
"Maybe it is just me but you can lose your concentration with a book. That one made me excited to read it as quickly as I could because there was always something happening.
"I can't quite believe it but I have got quite good at it. I enjoy reading the books now and watching less TV.
"Maybe it is just that I am getting older but I find I don't go out as much. I still have a drink sometimes but I can go months without one and as I have got older I think the biggest waste of time is going to the pub."
Even just getting to Aintree this year was a battle in itself.
The 30-year-old sat out the first two days of Aintree as a precaution as a result of a shoulder injury.
He timed his return to perfection and rode Corach Rambler superbly well to pick up the famous win.
He said: “He is just the most wonderful thing ever, he deserved to win this. I got a fall last week and banged my shoulder, it was far from ideal. I was worried all week, I thank God I was back in time because it was the thrill of my life to ride him.
“It’s thanks to the support of Lucinda and Scu (Peter Scudamore, assistant trainer and Russell’s partner) for having the faith in me to put me up after not riding all week. I feel very lucky to be working for these great people.
“I think he’d the profile and he’s loads of class – I just can’t believe it.”
His reputation in the sport is sterling and everyone seemingly has kind things to say about him. Davy Russell this morning described him as a "beautiful horseman," while Cameron Sword, a 21-year-old student who forms part of the winning ownership syndicate, was even more effusive in his praise.
"Derek rode a blinder!"
“He was leading, he was at the front for most of that race, and we were thinking he should be a bit further back, but Derek Fox rode a blinder. And Corach Rambler – what a horse. I’m lost for words."
Already a legend at 30, expect to hear more from Derek Fox in the coming years.
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