Here's one exciting Belgian

Brian O'Connor on the 23-year-old sensation who partners favourite Dalakhani in the Derby tomorrow

Christophe Soumillon, France's most exciting young riding talent, is only 23, but already we ever-imaginative media types feel we have him sussed.

For one thing, he isn't French but Belgian, and profile scribblers around Europe have pounced like hungry hyenas on that little nugget ever since Soumillon burst on the scene just a couple of years ago.

It's automatic at this stage: Belgian and Belgium equals Boring. Naming five famous Belgians is the oldest joke in the book. The rapidly-ageing punchline is that one more can now be added. It writes itself.

However, "Soumi", as he is known among the Paris turfistes, doesn't yet appear to have developed that studied disdain for his press that some of his more senior colleagues like to affect.

Exuberance seems to pour from every pore, and it was never more in evidence than when Dalakhani sauntered to French Derby success with his young rider visibly gesturing to his rivals to make it more of a race.

Such behaviour endeared him to many and royally riled up some stuffed shirts, who accused Soumillon of arrogance.

The jockey appears to have taken the criticism on the chin, but the general impression is that if there is arrogance in Soumillon it is no more than the arrogance of a young man with talent to burn.

Dalakhani's trainer, Alain de Royer-Dupre, was also quick to take the positive view.

"It was a kind of liberation after a lot of pressure," he declared. "It was a nervous reflex - but once will be enough!"

It's significant that it's not just Royer-Dupre who takes the positive slant.

His rival, Andre Fabre, who rejoices under the imperious nickname of Napoleon, banished Soumillon from his yard just three years ago for being tardy. Now he has to wait in line for the young star's services, and is happy to do so.

Soumillon is on track to win the French jockeys title, the cravache d'or, for the first time this year, and many predict it will be the start of a reign to compare with Yves St Martin.

The French Piggott of the 1970s and 80s won 15 titles, but even he has proclaimed: "I think Soumillon will turn into a great rider as he has a lot of talent."

Heady stuff indeed, but it doesn't seem to have been taken too much on board by the subject, who lives the quiet life with his father, a former jump jockey, and over a dozen dogs near Chantilly.

Soumillon also used to keep birds - but says they were eaten by the dogs!

Certainly it's quite a way from the suburbs of Brussels, where Soumillon grew up until the steel beneath the easy charm showed itself at 15 when he left home for the apprentice school in France.

During his apprenticeship, the drudgery of grooming and mucking out didn't hold much appeal, but the burgeoning skills learned on ponies back in Belgium quickly shone through.

It wasn't long before word spread about a tall youngster with a particular knack for making horses run. And there was also a self-confidence about the kid that was unusual.

Cockiness in young jockeys is as normal as milk in tea, but Soumillon's confidence was such that it was obvious the only thing stopping him from reaching the top level was opportunity. And that came in 2001.

Anabaa Blue's victory in the French Derby that year catapulted his jockey into the big time, and confirmation of the substance behind the confidence has come in how well Soumillon has made the most of his opportunity.

Last year's total of 99 winners helped him take over from Gerald Mosse as the Aga Khan's retained rider in France, and that coincided with the emergence of a grey colt with exceptional potential. As a half brother to the prolific Daylami, Dalakhani was always worthy of attention. But a combination of raw speed and an exceptional temperament meant he remained unbeaten as a two-year-old and has just got better at three.

"Nerves of steel and outstanding acceleration," confirms his rider. "A real pro, a proper racehorse."

Soumillon is no one hit wonder, however, and he hit the sort of Group One hat-trick riders usually only dream about at Longchamp last month.

Dalakhani's Prix Lupin success was only a warm-up for victories in both the French 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas.

There was an assurance to all of the performances that could only impress, and it is significant that Aidan O'Brien came a calling on the run-up to the Epsom Derby for the ride on Alberto Giacometti.

Soumillon delivered that colt to the straight in a perfect position, and it was no fault of his that the Irish horse did a quick fade. Admittedly, an ill-judged Coronation Cup ride the day before proved we are not yet dealing with a finished article, but that surely won't take long.

"He is very lucid and has a passion for his work," Royer-Dupre has said. "He is a boy with a natural gift and has everything at his disposal to have a great career."

Which probably means we are all doomed to years of crap Belgian gags. With competition from tennis players and Audrey Hepburn - the pub bores never get that one - Soumillon may never be the most famous Belgian, but he should certainly help put the clichés to bed.