WIN OR lose, yesterday was always going to be about Frankie Dettori. With the prospect of horseracing's most colourful character ending his Derby drought, the level of media attention during the past week surprised even the ebullient Italian whose profile outside racing has made him a household name, a rare achievement in a sport where star status is usually the preserve of the equine half of the partnership.

But Frankie is that rare beast, a jockey with the level of celebrity status more typical of a Premiership footballer and as he faced his 15th Derby on what was widely regarded as his best chance to date, the pressure began to spiral.

Granted permission by his boss Sheikh Mohammed to ride the favourite, Authorized, a colt who appeared to possess all the credentials needed to tackle Epsom's unique challenge, the stage was set for a fairytale ending. Interviewed before the race Frankie appeared oblivious to the frenzy of interest and speculation that would test the coolest nerve. With a confidence borne of knowing you are riding the best horse in the race, Frankie said he was ready and so was Authorized.

"Let the horse do the talking," he said, paying tribute to his mount and as the colt strode imperiously into the parade ring, he looked every inch the Derby winner.

Sporting a yellow ribbon in support of the campaign to keep the missing girl Madelaine McCann in the public domain, Frankie jumped aboard and in the style of victory worthy of a Hollywood script, the pair trounced the field, with Authorized's emphatic performance underlining why he had been the long-term ante-post favourite.

Shouting with joy as the pair cruised effortlessly past the winning post, Frankie had finally won the race he had wanted to win since he was a child. "I couldn't believe it," he said."It was as if it was happening in a dream. It all seemed so easy. I had expected it to be rough out there, a real dogfight. My heart stopped when he hit the front and I had to pinch myself.

"I thrive on pressure, it makes you alert and nervous but this last week has been unreal. I haven't slept for two nights and this morning when I woke up and saw my ugly mug on the front cover of the national newspapers I thought this is too much'.

"The Derby is always a rough race, but things could not have gone better. Four- and-a-half furlongs out I took a peep under my arm and was glad when I only saw daylight so I knew nothing was stalking me. I gave him a couple of slaps to be on the safe side, which to be honest he didn't really deserve and when I asked him to stretch out at the two pole marker the response was electric."

As the pair were led into Epsom's surprisingly small winners' enclosure, Frankie leant down, hugged Authorized and kissed his neck, a lingering gesture that spoke volumes of the gratitude he felt towards an awesome colt whose facile victory ended a Derby hoodoo and established himself as one of the season's equine superstars.

Following his inevitable flying dismount, Frankie had to weigh in before victory could be confirmed and this time we knew it would be special.

This is, after all, the emotional Italian who has been able to transcend the staid sport of horseracing with his effervescent personality and sometimes clowning antics. Jumping on to the scales, Frankie fell to his knees and kissed the saddle cloth.

"I can't explain my mixed emotions. I feel happy but I also want to sit down and have a good cry."