Kingston Hill's second place in Epsom Derby delights Woodcote Stud couple

A couple who delivered the horse at their stud were among the thousands of racegoers watching him finish, just behind winner Australia.

Barry Reilly, 57, from Woodcote Stud, in Wilmer Hatch Lane, Epsom, remembers his first weeks as a foal and said it was “amazing” to see him race.

Mr Reilly said: “We were right on the winning line and we were going mad obviously. On the day he was beaten by a better horse but he ran his heart out.

“If Australia is a super horse, then Kingston Hill is not bad either.”

The horse is named after a hill that his owner, Paul Smith, cycles up in Buckinghamshire. But he was called Milo at birth and that's the name Mr Reilly cheered on Saturday.

He said they put a lot of money on him and were happy with their winnings.

Kingston Hill as a foal in Epsom

He said: “It wasn’t about that, a gambling game is swings and roundabouts. But we can have a little party when it’s settled down and it won’t cost us anything.”

The prediction on the Amato's wishing well

Epsom equestrian Caroline Baldock said: "I think it was a fantastic race and clearly Kingston Hill is going to be a horse to watch.

"It's very, very good. He has gone up against one of the classiest bred horses in a long, long time. It was nail-biting."

A mystery tipster scrawled the horse’s name on a wishing well in chalk at the Amato pub, near Epsom Downs Racecourse, last week.

According to legend, this is meant to reveal the winner of the Derby but the prophecy did not come true this year.

Filly Inchila ran in Woodcote Stud’s colours in the Oaks on Friday and came fourth.

But Mr Reilly said: “She should have been second, she got knocked over nearly. She came out of the race very well.”

Barry Reilly, Fiona Reilly and Jodie Elson with Inchira

>> See our pictures from this year's Epsom Derby