Dunlop leads Starkey tributes

JOHN Dunlop last night led tributes to Derby-winning jockey Greville Starkey, who died on Wednesday at the age of 70 after an eight-year battle with cancer. Starkey won both the English and Irish Derbies on Shirley Heights for the Arundel trainer in 1978.

"He was a great jockey at his best," said Dunlop. "He will always be remembered by me for winning that Derby so narrowly, particularly the Curragh when he also won by a head. He was a fine rider."

Guy Harwood also paid a warm tribute to his former stable jockey. Harwood and Starkey enjoyed Classic success in the 2000 Guineas with To-Agori-Mou in 1981 and Dancing Brave five years later. "He was a trainer's dream and a great character," he said.