Majesty of a thousand thoroughbreds smooths rocky start for racing convert

I can remember every Saturday morning, from about the age of eight, sitting in my grandparents' front room with the horses on TV. They'd have the papers out in front of them and we'd pick our horses – at that age I just went for the blue silks every time (which would probably still get you back more than you put down!).

However, it wasn't until I moved to Newmarket 12 years ago that I really got hooked. I had a new non-horse-related job and needed to be in by 6am. I thought I'd given myself plenty of time and could see the clock tower on the High Street in the distance when suddenly all the cars in front of me ground to a halt. There must have been well over a hundred horses crossing the road – I'd never seen anything like it, streams and streams of them! I couldn't believe horses took priority over humans and cars, and I was late to work on my first day.

I quickly realised I was working in a bit of a bubble, and within a few months began to understand why everyone loved the sport. I started to appreciate the sheer beauty of the animals that made me late most mornings, and from then on I was hooked.