I AM delighted to say that I will be at Ascot today when Oisín Murphy is crowned champion jockey for the first time in England. This powerful and engaging talent is just the kind of icon racing needs and I hope he will be to the forefront of popularising the sport with a new and younger audience.

The path to this achievement has been peppered with an occasional hurdle, but none that the Kerry native has not managed to overcome with aplomb. Devoid of any ego, Oisín is a true professional, and the manner in which he conducts himself is an example to all aspiring riders.