Ryan Moore may be used to riding favourites in both the Oaks and the Derby. However, few other jockeys get that opportunity in any year. In 2026 though, Colin Keane could claim to rival Moore for boasting leading chances in both of the Epsom Classics.
On Friday, he rides Legacy Link for John & Thady Gosden in the Oaks. The daughter of Dubawi is out of Frankel’s full sister Chiasma. With Dubawi having finally sired an Epsom Classic winner in 2024 (Ezeliya), Friday could easily be seen as a date with destiny for Legacy Link.
Keane will be the jockey responsible for guiding her through the race. Though the Ballydoyle ranks are invariably prominent and popular in the race, none of her rivals look as bred for the occasion as the Gosdens’ filly.
The rider, who only took the number one role for owners Juddmonte last year, is evidently confident about his Classic prospects. Speaking to the Press Association, via At The Races, Keane said: “I suppose it’s tough to say which one I fancy more,” said Keane analysing their chances. “They are both going there with a good chance and couldn’t do any more than what they did in their trials. We’ll learn a lot more on the day.
“Legacy Link seems to have come out of the York race well and when we went to Epsom she seemed to handle the track well, put herself on the right lead and levelled up and got to the line well without doing anything crazy.
“There are no doubts about her staying, that will be no issue.”
Keane enjoying hectic Juddmonte role
Keane was vaulted into action in 2025 when taking over the role as Juddmonte’s leading rider. That enabled him to pick up the mount abord Field Of Gold in last year’s St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, in which the dashing grey put in one of the performances of the season.
Now, the Juddmonte jockey’s position has him in rarefied company. Chances in both the Oaks and the Derby in one year will make him the envy of the weighing room.
“It’s exciting and these are the horses you want to be riding on those big days of racing. To have two live chances going for an Oaks and Derby is brilliant.
“When you are putting on those Juddmonte silks, you know these are the sort of pedigrees you are getting the chance to ride and I know I am in a privileged position. You can feel the history and the pedigrees speak for themselves. When the physical matches, it is even better.
“I’ve enjoyed the last year and it’s been busy over and back but when you have been riding such good horses you don’t think about it as much and makes it all a lot easier.
“There’s been a lot of airports of course and I could go through Heathrow and Stanstead with my eyes closed and I’m getting to grips with the motorways.”