Jockey Shorts interview with Kevin from Racing Post!
Age 35
Marital status Very single
Licenced since July 2003
Retainer Conditional with Charlie Mann since September 2005
Lives Lambourn
Drives Vauxhall Astra (commonly known as ‘thestolen one')
What's your perfect night in, and your perfect night out? My perfect night in would involve sitting down to one of Natasha Fehily's dinners (Noel's wife), eating my own body weight in desserts, then watching my beloved Arsenal beat Manchester United. My perfect night out would involve dinner with friends, then a double-quick move to the nearest karaoke bar where I could let loose with one of my favourite Eminem tracks, or better still sing something I've written myself. I can write a song in a morning.
You've picked up a two-day suspension – what are you going to do to entertain yourself? I am in the lucky position of being in full-time employment with Charlie Mann, so there is no doubt he wouldn't let me stray far from yard duties! Nevertheless, if things were different I would sleep the first day and relax the second.
What's your favourite holiday destination? As I've just mentioned, I'm in full-time employment with Charlie Mann, so have little understanding of the word ‘holiday', but I do love to dash across the water to Ireland on the odd occasion.
Who'd be your ideal three companions for the long drive to Musselburgh? It would have to be Katie Holmes (Dawson's Creek years), Leona Lewis and Shakira. I'm sure I don't need to explain why.
What CDs would you keep in the glove compartment for when the conversation dries up? It has to be Eminem, while the Rocky soundtrack is great for motivation and just one of the ‘Now' albums, I guess.
Who are your biggest heroes – in and out of racing? I have always looked up to Tony McCoy and Ruby Walsh, but I must admit my biggest hero in racing is Mick Kinane. Mick has been a model of consistency for about 200 years and he's still at the top. Outside racing, there's no question. If I end up half the man my Dad is I will be doing okay.
What things excite you – and what do you find a turnoff? In racing, the biggest turn-on is having good rides at the toptracks, no question. I hate arrogance and rudeness.
What's the funniest thing that ever happened to you in the course of your work? I was having my second ride for the guv'nor. I was ‘in the zone' and managed to murder a certain jockey (who has a rather nice brand of chocolate named after him) from whom I received a severe telling-off. Unfortunately, we both then fell at the last. After brushing myself off, I handed him his whip. The enraged jockey attempted to take my head off with it! At the time it wasn't that funny, but we both look back now and have a giggle about it.
If you could change one thing in racing, what would it be? I would have to schedule a conditional jockeys' race at the Cheltenham Festival; there are three amateur races and we claimers have to mix it with the big guns.
If you hadn't been a jockey, what would you like to have done? I would be a stand-up comedian or a radio presenter. I think I'd be a good comedian, because every time I stand up people start laughing at me – I must have talent. I've appeared in local X Factor shows, and I've applied to be on the real thing on ITV. It's rather off-putting that everyone tells me I've a face for radio.
What's the daftest question you've ever been asked by a journalist? On riding my first winner, the commentator at the course announced that it was my first winner. Shortly afterwards, a reporter asked me: “How many is that for the season?”
What are the best and worst rides you have ever given a horse? My first winner – I was told he wouldn't get the trip in a horsebox, so I dropped him out so far that if he hadn't won I'd have been done for not trying. I got a peach of a run turning for home at Plumpton; he sprouted wings and made me look like a pure genius. My worst ride was my first ride for Jessica Harrington; I rode a sister to Florida Pearl at the Punchestown festival. What could go wrong, you say? I got left ten lengths at the start and never got within a furlong of the field – it's another one of those I can laugh about now.
What's the biggest regret of your career? I'm much too young to have regrets!
