InterviewLaura Pearson
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'I know now my career isn't life or death' - how personal tragedies shaped a new outlook for Laura Pearson
Jonathan Harding talks to one of the rising stars of the weighing room
Jonathan HardingReporter of the year
Laura Pearson: has faced serious challenges on and off the trackCredit: Alan Crowhurst
The first book Laura Pearson learned to read in English was Frankie Dettori's autobiography.
The aspiring rider had recently returned to Britain from France at the age of ten when she stumbled across the book, which charts the fascinating but turbulent life story of the world's most recognisable jockey.
Now 22, Pearson has experienced her own share of the peaks and troughs of her profession. It would be easy to believe her rapid journey from promising apprentice to Royal Ascot winner has been seamless.
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Copymore inInterviews
- '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
more inInterviews
- '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