What better way to introduce Starting From Scratch than in with the words of the author, renowned horsewoman, judge and trainer Henrietta Knight.

She said: “Writing this book has been an enlightening experience and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. I have heard some fascinating stories, and the 14 months of research have enriched my life.” She added: “It was not easy to draw up a list of jockeys [past and present] for this book, and it kept getting longer. Those interviewed represent a wide cross-section of the profession, not just the top rank, and I could write a second volume on the ones I’ve missed out.”