Age 37
Marital status I live with my partner Chloe and our two sons, Zac, who is 15 months, and Oscar, who was born last month
Licensed since In Britain, 1988; in Ireland, two years earlier
Retainer Nicky Henderson
Lives Childrey, near Lambourn
Drives Vauxhall Vectra 3-litre V6
Agent Dave Roberts
What's your perfect night in, and your perfect night out? A night in would be teatime with the boys followed by a meal with Chloe, preferably a rare steak, and a film; ideally a thriller or another viewing of my all-time favourite, Gladiator. A night out would be a few beers with the boys, followed by a club with some dancing; I do enjoy my dancing.
You've picked up a two-day suspension – what are you going to do to entertain yourself? First day, I'd play golf with my two best mates, Carl Llewellyn and AP McCoy. Carl won't appreciate me telling you this, but he's a very talented golfer. On the second, I'll look after the boys to give Chloe some time off. They're both so very good; we're not losing sleep.
What's your favourite holiday destination? Las Vegas, followed by a week in Hawaii. I went to Vegas ten years ago and found it a boys' paradise. People had warned me that four days would be more than enough because it was so gambling-orientated, but there was so much else to occupy us, the evening shows were brilliant and visitors are looked after so well. I'm very keen to go back some day soon. Hawaii must be the perfect beach destination.
Who'd be your ideal three companions for the long drive to Musselburgh? I must take Vincent O'Brien, because I've always regarded him as a genius and I'd want to ask him about every good horse he trained. Also, Beyonce, obviously for her intelligence and wit. To keep Beyonce company in the back, Angelina Jolie.
What CDs would you keep in the glove compartment for when the conversation dries up? I'm a big fan of both Tiesto, a DJ from Holland, and Hernan Cattaneo, another DJ who comes from Buenos Aires. I like dance music.
Who are your biggest heroes – in and out of racing? When I was growing up, Lester Piggott was my god; pictures of him covered a wall at home. I wouldn't hesitate in picking Nelson Mandela. He did so much for his own people, and was never bitter about being incarcerated for 20 years. As soon as he was released he wanted to do more for his people.
What things excite you – and what do you find a turn-off? Good horses excite me. Bad jumpers turn me off.
What's the funniest thing that ever happened to you in the course of your work? Being treated by a cross-dressing St John Ambulance fence attendant after a horse stood on my private parts. I'd fallen at the first on Tinryland in the 1995 Grand National. I was concerned about damage to my numbed privates, but when the feeling returned I pleaded to be allowed to get to my feet. The boys in the weighing room asked me if the medic was a local, but I hadn't hung around long enough to find out.
If you could change one thing in racing, what would it be? Current levels of prize-money. It's farcical that jumpers are going round for such a pittance. Owners keep the show on the road and they're going to get disillusioned by such derisory returns.
If you hadn't been a jockey, what would you like to have been? A professional golfer. It's a sport I love. I'm a member at Donnington Grove, near Newbury, and, luckily for me, my involvement with Club ISM has led to membership at Wentworth.
What's the daftest question you have ever been asked by a journalist? One of the funniest was at this year's pro-am for the British Masters at the Belfry, where I was playing with Jimmy Nesbitt. As we walked off a green and waited at the next tee, a reporter asked him, ‘What brings you to the Belfry today, Jimmy?' I laughed so much I nearly fell over. So did Jimmy.
What are the best and worst rides you have ever given a horse? For the best, it would be difficult to split Marlborough and Stormyfairweather, who both won at the 2000 Cheltenham Festival. We'd worked hard to get Marlborough's jumping right, and I remember Barry Dennis ‘Bismarcked' him that day, but everything came right from off the pace in the William Hill National Hunt Chase. Stormyfairweather was a horse who would give you all he had, and then a bit more, and that's what he did for me when winning his second Cathcart; he sealed it with brilliant jumps at the final two fences.
The worst, and to this day I have nightmares about the ride, would be Remittance Man. He was favourite for the 1994 Champion Chase and, for the first time in his life, I managed to get him on the floor. Three fences out I saw a long one that wasn't there. It took me a long time to get over it, and I suspect that fall will haunt me for ever more.
What's the biggest regret of your career? Frankly, there's none. Having a young family has given me a different perspective on life.