TOM CANNON

(RGS 2004-2007)

I first started riding when I was a very small child as my mum was a riding instructor and so I was around horses my whole life. I rode ponies and did eventing but I always loved the speed and danger element of riding.

As I got older I gravitated towards this more and started riding out for racing yards at weekends and riding in pony races. I then graduated to point to pointing as an amateur and was national novice point to point champion as well as runner up in the amateur jockeys championship for races on proper racecourses. This gave me the confidence to turn professional when I was 19 and I linked up with trainer Chris Gordon as stable jockey. That was it and I was a full time professional with all the ups and downs that came with it. I’ve had over 500 winners to date. After a few years I was approached by Alan King to become his stable jockey and ride mostly for him and Chris Gordon respectively. Last season I linked up with Edwardstone to win the Arkle chase at Cheltenham having already won a Grade 1 at Sandown and 2 Grade 2’s in the season. The Arkle was the biggest win of my career and this year he will be aimed at the champion chase at Cheltenham. The hardest part of the job is the relentless driving (70,000 miles p.a.) and the battle with the scales. Injuries are part and parcel of the job and you know you’ll be injured during the season. I’ve broken my neck, both legs and had my knee reconstructed. My goals for the future are to ride 100 winners in a season (I had 74 last year) and to win the Grand National, I’ve ridden in it a few times but never completed! I wouldn’t change anything no matter how tough it gets as I’ve managed to make a career from something I love. In my eyes it’s a privilege to have the adrenaline rush and experience the highs and lows, it’s addictive and hopefully I can keep going for as long as possible. In my head I’m still the boy who likes going fast and being dangerous!