Frankie Dettori admitted today that the tension is building as he tries to add the Vodafone Derby to his big-race collection.
Tamure's second to Lammtarra in 1995 is the closest Dettori has come to securing victory in the premier Classic.
'I've won most of the major races in the world, the Japan Cup, the World Cup, the Breeders' Cup and won seven races in a day but the Derby is the most important race in the world and it's the one I haven't got my name on,' said Dettori.
'Being realistic I'm 29 and I've only got maybe 10 years left. Every year there's a bit more pressure and I'd like to put my name on that list.
'It's a big test, you've got to have speed to get out of trouble and stamina to run to the end.
'Dubai Millennium had the speed at the beginning but not the stamina for the end but this year we seem to have a very good crop of middle distance horses.'
Dettori did not name his mount in this year's Epsom Classic but the choice would appear to lie between Inchlonaig, River's Curtain and Dubai Two Thousand.
But, depending on how he performs in the Kentucky Derby, China Visit could also come into the reckoning.
Godolphin's trainer Saeed Bin Suroor, said: 'We have some nice horses bred to stay. We will have to see how they run in the British trials.
'China Visit has a lot of speed and a mile to one and a quarter may be the best distance for him. We will have to decide if he will stay the mile and a half at Epsom.'
Critics of the Derby maintain the race could recapture some of its lost sparkle by staging it on a Wednesday again and at a later date.
But bosses of United Racecourses, the owners of Epsom, today insisted there was no marked support for moving the date of the Derby, nor shortening its distance.
Sue Ellen, the managing director for United Racecourses, said: 'We have spent a considerable amount of time getting the views from those involved in the racing industry to ensure an informed decision was made as to the future of the Vodafone Derby.
'The outcome of our research has been very positive and highlights the fact that the Vodafone Derby is still the race everyone wants to win.
'However we are not resting on our laurels, nor shutting our doors to future development but are working to ensure that the Vodafone Derby remains the richest and most prestigious race to win. With prize money of £2 million over two days, this makes it the richest two-day meeting in Europe.'
It is 100 years since the Prince of Wales's Diamond Jubilee won the Derby. To commemorate the anniversary the Queen Mother, in her 100th year, will be presenting the 2000 Vodafone Derby Trophy.
