I get up quietly at 4.30 and tiptoe downstairs in my riding gear. My wife, Fiona, and I have three young children, and the last thing I want to do is wake them. We live in a village called Pembridge in Herefordshire and three days a week I drive to stables owned by the horse trainer Philip Hobbs. They’re in Minehead, Somerset, and it takes 2½ hours. It’s too early to eat, so I’m on road by 5.
When I arrive at the stables, I slip on a crash hat and body protector, which is, essentially, a polystyrene waistcoat. I also wear it when I’m racing, in case I’m kicked or trodden on when I fall off. It takes away some of the pain — but not all of it. I’ve been pretty lucky with injuries, though I once broke my leg twice in the same year. It’s still held together with pins, all the way from the ankle to the hip.
I’m a jockey who races over fences, and in the morning I’ll take out four or five horses for a gallop. It’s exercise for them and a chance for Philip and I to see how they’re all progressing, especially in the build-up to a race. It’s also a chance for me to get used to a particular horse. It’s a bit like being a test pilot — I ride, then report back. There are usually two or three other jockeys alongside me, and afterwards we sit down to eat at 9.30.
A lot has been said about what jockeys eat. I’m 5ft 7in and weigh 10st 4lb. Breakfast is coffee, toast and a boiled egg. I don’t have to go on a crazy diet to stay light. It’s simply a case of eat less and do more. As a jockey, I think your body gets used to eating less over the years.
During the winter, racing can start at midday, so I’m then back in the car, heading for whichever racecourse I’m at that day. All told, I drive about 70,000 miles a year, and sadly, us jockeys don’t have helicopters or chauffeurs to get us around, well, except for Tony “AP” McCoy. He’s the current champion jockey — he’s won the title for the last 19 seasons. We’ve been riding alongside each other for 20 years and I’ve been runner-up around 15 times! But competing against such a brilliant horseman has made me much better too — we’re also the best of friends.
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“The camaraderie between jockeys is fantastic, perhaps because riding can be dangerous. But racing's in my blood. It's worth all the risk”
Last month AP surprised everyone by announcing he’ll retire at the end of April. He’s leading the championship again this year and has the most career wins — currently more than 4,350. I’ve ridden around 2,800 and lie in second place. I’d like to have won the championship with AP still competing, but at least I’ll finally have the chance to be champion myself next year.
The camaraderie between jockeys is fantastic, perhaps because riding can be dangerous. We also spend a lot of time waiting in the changing rooms, or watching TV in a dining area. Before a race, lunch for me is never a big meal, maybe a ham sandwich. Most racecourses also have a sauna, which is the quickest way to lose a few pounds if I have to make a set weight.
Finally, 30 minutes before a race we stand on the scales to “weigh out”, and again after a race to “weigh in”. The colour of the silk top I wear varies from race to race, depending on which owner I’m riding for, as each one has their own design. If I ride four or five races a day, I’m pretty tired by the end of it, and depending on where I am, it can take four hours to get back home.
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The kids are growing up fast: Willow’s six, Casper’s three, and Percy has just turned two. Willow and Casper are already riding ponies and it won’t be long before Percy joins them. I can’t remember what age I was when I started. Horses have always been a part of my life. My father, Keith, was an amateur jockey, and my mother, Sue, is a trainer. When I was growing up, they also ran a farm. They still do — beef and arable — with my brother Nick. Farming has been in the family for generations and I hope I’ll join them when I retire from being a jockey.
The kids go to bed at 7, so they’ll have eaten when I get back. If I’m home early enough, I’ll read to them. If not, I get to kiss them goodnight.
Dinner is a proper hot meal, like lasagne or spaghetti bolognese. I’m usually exhausted, so Fiona and I might watch TV, or go to the local pub for a swift drink — my parents are great babysitters! If I’m not in bed by 10, it’s even tougher getting up the following morning. We’re coming to the climax of the season now, with Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National, so I need my sleep.
The last time I won the Cheltenham Gold Cup was in 2000, so it’s been a long time, and I’ve yet to win the National once — maybe it will be this year. I’ve certainly no intention of retiring yet, so there’s still a chance. Racing’s in my blood; it’s worth all the risk as well as the hours at the wheel.
My dream would be to cut back on the wretched driving. There’s a landing strip next to my parents’ farm, so perhaps one day I’ll be able to afford a helicopter and get rid of the car keys for good.
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The Cheltenham Festival takes place from March 10-13; cheltenham.co.uk