Come inside the Punchestown weigh-room with the man jockeys can't do without
The top amateur jockey shines a light on the role of valet Rob Fox
Rob Fox's alarm goes off at seven and he turns on the light. It's Sunday, January 14, 2023. He grabs a quick cup of tea – milk and two sugars – while he looks at the declarations and writes out the list of jockeys he'll be looking after at Punchestown later, along with their weights.
Once that's done, he drives down to his father's house and walks out to the Shed in the back garden. He turns the key to open the door and flicks the switch for the lights. They come on with a buzz and a blink or two.
The Shed is 40 years old and hasn't had an extension, and it has housed jockeys' equipment all that time. It's big enough, but only just. Saddles, girths and leather boots cover every wall, shelf and table space. It's reminiscent of Ollivanders wand shop in Diagon Alley, except without the dust. Busy places don't have dust. There's just enough room to walk around.
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Published on inInterviews
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- 'You can see why people end up struggling - when you're trying to pay the electric bill, losing one ride can be massive'
- 'I've never paid six figures for a horse and never will - I learned pretty quickly you're only one phone call away from f*** all'
- 'I’ve trained some fabulous horses, worked with some excellent riders - maybe I have brought a little bit of talent to the table as well'
- ‘When you’re in the moment and you’re starved, you’re ready to explode - everything built up and I just lost my s**t’
- 'He must have his breakfast earlier than Willie does' - Patrick Mullins goes behind enemy lines at Gordon Elliott's yard