Age 39
Marital status Married March 1994 to Julie. One son, George, born May 1999
Licensed since September 1985
Retainer Two cups of DIY black coffee a week. Mick Easterby and freelance
Lives Boston Spa, Wetherby, West Yorkshire
Drives VW Passat
Agent Mark Gilchrist
What's your perfect night in, and your perfect night out? Perfect night in: Quiet night. Light meal. Phone off. Watch my beloved Arsenal play well and win on television, preferably against Man Utd, Liverpool or Chelsea! I can get quite vocal. Perfect night out: Meal out with my wife and friends to a favourite restaurant (I don't do nightclubs), preferably without having to ride out the following morning.
You've picked up a two-day suspension - what are you going to do to entertain yourself? Depends on the time of year. Firstly, I would probably sulk for a day. You always miss winners! If it's school term-time then I might go swimming or maybe play golf. Then after school play cricket, football, golf or tennis with sports-mad George. If in school holidays, perhaps go away for a night to visit a landmark or castle. We are members of the National Trust and English Heritage.
What's your favourite holiday destination? Loved the relaxing Caribbean several years ago. Honeymooned in Singapore and Penang and will try to return. My wife would like to go to Dubai but I prefer Southwell.
Who'd be your ideal three companions for the long drive to Musselburgh? Margaret Thatcher, who should still be in charge of the country now, David Jason and Arsene Wenger.
What CDs would you keep in the glove compartment for when the conversation dries up? The conversation wouldn't dry up with such interesting people! However, my CDs would include Kaiser Chiefs, James Blunt, Travis.
Who are your biggest heroes - in and out of racing? Out of racing, Sir Steve Redgrave. In racing, Pat Eddery, my childhood hero, and Sir Mark Prescott, who is just a legend. Unsung hero has to be Roger Owen, Mick Easterby's head groom, for his horsemanship and trying to keep us all sane.
What things excite you - and what do you find a turnoff? You'd best ask my wife! Riding winners for regular owners and trainers, especially if I have been involved in buying the horse or planning the race. Turnoffs: smoking in the weighing room, disrespectful apprentices, moderate weighing room food and conditions, and road works with nobody working.
What's the funniest thing that ever happened to you in the course of your work? Last year at Haydock, when an experienced apprentice decided to take a nap on the bunkbed after riding in the first couple of races, before flying with four jockeys to the Ayr evening meeting. The lads rushed off to the plane in the middle of the track after the penultimate race, thinking that all was well.
The pilot asked where the apprentice was, and said that he only had two minutes to take off because the horses were in the paddock for the last race. He rang the weighing room staff, who said that the lad in question was still asleep. He was awoken and ran like hell for the plane, only to see it scuttling across the runway with the other lads laughing and waving to him as they flew off for Ayr. He didn't wave back!
If you could change one thing in racing, what would it be? How long have you got? Meritocracy is wrong in that more horses should be able, especially in summer, to run for the best prize-money they can off their handicap mark. Prize-money is low enough without enforced restrictions. I would like to see far more valuable open handicaps, giving winning connections a chance to cover their expenses.
If you hadn't been a jockey, what would you like to have done? My dad has been an estate agent for 50 years, so I guess I could have followed him. He probably deserves a medal! After my drive across Scotland last week, racing driver isn't out of the question . . .
Do you ever read the Betfair forum? Never. Is it any good? Am I ever mentioned?
What's the daftest question you've ever been asked by a journalist? Why are you walking the course?
What are the best and worst rides you have ever given a horse? I give everything 100 per cent, but I am reliably informed that I was brilliant on Jadalee in last August's Listed March Stakes at Goodwood! Also winning the Carlisle Bell on hot favourite Top Dirham in a field of 18 four years ago, when we never saw daylight until 50 yards out. That was a plan that succeeded. Worst ride was probably dropping my hands at Thirsk 11 years ago, earning a ten-day ban.
What's the biggest regret of your career? None.