A young jockey is celebrating after following in his father's footsteps to race with the professionals.

Damien Cox, from Sinodun Road, Wallingford, whose father and grandfather were also jockeys, has set his sights on the big time after landing a new job at a prestigious Epsom stable.

The talented 18-year-old, who ran his first professional grass race at Leicester last week, has already set his heart on the ultimate prize - the Derby.

He said: "It is such a thrill to ride against the best. I learn a lot and get a great buzz, and hope one day I'll be as good as them too.

"Now I have got to keep my feet on the ground, get myself fit and get my weight down. If I am lighter I will get a lot more chances in the long run."

He added: "Racing is all I know and is the only thing I am any good at, so I have got to keep working hard. If I ride as many horses as I can, I can then hit the big time!"

He is now getting ready to join Roger Ingram's Stable at Epsom, leaving the Kennet Stables at East Ilsley, near Didcot, where he has been training as an apprentice jockey.

Damien's father Peter Cox, 50, a retired flatracing jockey, said family and friends were all proud of him.

He said: "It is really good and we are all pleased for him. The choice to become a jockey was entirely his own, but we have given him all the encouragement we can. Everyone is following his progress."

Damien, a former Wallingford School pupil, left school without a single academic qualification, but passed an NVQ course for jockeys at the Northern Racing College in Doncaster.

He completed his studies at the British Racing School in Newmarket last year.

His mum, Angela Cox, said: "We are so proud of him. The school always said he wouldn't be any good at anything and this has proved them wrong."

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