Queally and Cecil double act dream of completing historic Epsom victory

He has watched recordings of the American completing the Derby-Oaks double aboard the front-running Slip Anchor and Oh So Sharp, who went on to win the fillies' Triple Crown by landing the St Leger.

Queally now has a chance of emulating the great Cauthen aboard Aviate in today's Oaks, and Bullet Train, the leading English entry in tomorrow's Investec Epsom Derby.

The parallels do not end here. Like the 1985 Classic conquerors, Queally's mounts are trained by Henry Cecil.

He is the phenomenal trainer enjoying a remarkable renaissance after years in the doldrums following the decision of Sheikh Mohammed, his one-time main patron, to remove his horses from his Newmarket stables to set up the Godolphin racing empire and, more recently, a courageous fight against stomach cancer.

The 67-year-old aristocrat of Flat racing is such a popular and enduring individual that a fifth Derby triumph with Bullet Train would eclipse the emotional scenes witnessed after the charismatic Frankie Dettori ended his Epsom hoodoo three years ago aboard Authorized.

Victory in the two Classics would see Cecil on track to become champion trainer – a title that he last won in 1993.

Yet many of Cecil's recent turf triumphs – including a first ever Breeders' Cup victory in America last November with Midday – can be attributed to the emergence of his eloquent, and thoughtful, stable jockey.

"He's an exceptional trainer but, more importantly, he is a very nice man," said the softly-spoken Queally who has become satellite channel Racing UK's latest ambassador.

"What he does is the work of a genius – he knows his horses so well and that is so important. He knows every last detail about them. The attention to detail is second to none.

"He likes his jockeys to know his horses, and that's one reason why we click."

Queally plays down his own success. "It's down to the trainer," he says.

Equally, Cecil is effusive about his jockey's dedication – "a lovely rider who relaxes horses" – before explaining how he, as a trainer, has become less superstitious with time.

For example, he used to only fill up with petrol on the way to races.

"After some lean times, I realised it clearly wasn't the petrol situation," he joked. "And it meant I was always rushing – now I just salute magpies."

This unlikely alliance – Cecil's eccentricities and Queally's earnestness – came about at Lingfield in November 2006 in the most modest of races.

There were just a handful of spectators, compared to the tens of thousands who will pack Epsom Downs, when the unheralded Moonshadow finished sixth of 12 runners.

It was the County Waterford-born jockey's first ride for Cecil. And, while the trainer was not even present at Lingfield, the jockey recalls with a smile: "When I saw Henry in the street a few days later at Newmarket, I said 'thank you'.

"He asked me to ride work for him next season – and that was the big break I needed."

It is an anecdote – refreshing in contemporary sport – that highlights how politeness still matters at the highest level.

Queally regularly rode out in 2007 for Cecil – his one winner for the trainer coming aboard Lady Lily at Pontefract.

He hasn't looked back – 18 victories in 2008 before Cecil supplied 41 triumphs last year which culminated with Queally's nerveless ride up the inner rail to land a Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita, California, and ride of the season honours.

"Brilliant – and so surprising that it was the one major race to have eluded Henry. I'm glad to have played a small part in his story," said the engaging 25-year-old jockey between rides at Redcar earlier this week.

Midday's victory compensated Queally for the disappointment of narrowly failing to win last year's Oaks aboard the filly.

Indeed, Classic success remains tantalisingly elusive for Queally – he was first past the post in last month's Stan James 2000 Guineas aboard Cecil's 66-1 outsider Jacqueline Quest before losing the race in the stewards' room after interference in the final furlong. "I'm getting closer," smiles Queally.

Yet he can draw confidence from the fact that eight of Cecil's record-breaking 24 English Classic victories have come in the Oaks – today's ultimate test for fillies.

Queally has opted to ride Aviate ahead of stablemate Timepiece. He hopes he's made the right decision, though he adds: "As long as one of the horses wins for Henry…"

This is a jockey who regards himself as a team player. The decision, says Queally, was based on the impressive nature of Aviate's win in York's Musidora Stakes, a race that he missed through suspension.

"Having gone through the form and looked at all the pros and cons, I went for Aviate," he explained. "If you look at the Musidora down through the years, they say it is the best Oaks trial and I took that into account.

"When I was on Aviate at Ascot in April, she quickened well – it's great for Henry and Prince Khalid Abdullah, the owner, to be in that position. I'll be happy if either horse wins."

Cecil concurs.

"I do think Timepiece has a lot of ability, but Aviate is improving all the time and is unbeaten. She is from a family who have a cross of Nijinsky and I do think she stays," he said yesterday. "She was slightly flat-footed at York and took time to pick up, which gives you the feeling a longer distance will suit.

"The Oaks looks quite open. I'm not saying I will win it, but I am very happy with mine and I wouldn't swap them."

As for tomorrow's Derby, the decision was straight-forward – Queally is aboard Bullet Train, Cecil's only entry and the English horse most fancied to deny Aidan O'Brien's Irish invaders.

Ironically, Queally spent his formative years with O'Brien, but decided to leave the world-famous Ballydoyle stables because of a lack of opportunities.

His journey saw him seek riding opportunities as far afield as New Orleans and New Zealand before he settled in England and became champion apprentice in 2004.

Queally knows that it will take a special horse to stifle the O'Brien charge – but he says Bullet Train, also owned by Abdullah, ticks the right boxes after winning Lingfield's Derby trial. This race was more significant than most – the undulations on Lingfield's turf track closely resemble Epsom's unique contours and downhill descent to the world-famous Tattenham Corner.

"He's in good shape and improving all the time," added Queally with quiet confidence.

"I wouldn't say it's the complete test of a jockey – but it is the complete test of a thoroughbred.

"You have got to have a horse that has course speed, is well balanced and to have the mentality to handle the hullabaloo. I'm just very fortunate to have the chance to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Steve Cauthen, Pat Eddery and Lester Piggott.

"I've seen recordings of Steve win the Derby on Slip Anchor – every rider dreams of being so far clear, as he was that year.

"I just hope I can be half as successful as they were for Mr Cecil. I just can't speak highly enough of the man."

* Tom Queally is sponsored by leading horseracing broadcaster Racing UK (Sky 432 and Virgin 536). For more details and how to subscribe please visit www.racinguk.com

Doubling up in Epsom fashion

Jockeys who have won the Epsom double in the past 25 years:

1985: Steve Cauthen

Derby Slip Anchor

Oaks Oh So Sharp

1999: Kieren Fallon

Derby Oath

Oaks Ramruma

2001: Mick Kinane

Derby Galileo

Oaks Imagine