‘My ultimate dream is the same as most – to own my own horse!’

I’ve always been interested in horseracing, since I was little. I remember looking at the cards in the Sunday Express with my Dad – all the horses’ names were so intriguing. We always watched the Grand National as a family too and there just seemed to be a thrill about it.

My first time racing was a visit to Folkestone, although I nearly didn’t go! It was a bank holiday weekend and we were holidaying just up the road. I thought the whole thing might be a little daunting, but it was great, a fantastic fun day for all. My favourite track now has to be Market Rasen. I live equidistant to three courses but going there is like being at home. I love watching the horses coming back to the winner’s enclosure, seeing joy all round, but I do know there is a lot of hard work, determination and sometimes heartbreak involved in the sport.

The horse who resonates with me the most is Aldaniti – very much a triumph over adversity for both the horse and jockey, Bob Champion – and my best bet was most definitely Temper Tantrum. We were on holiday in Norfolk, and my partner said he was off to the bookies, so I told him to stick a quid on each way as our daughter was trying my patience . . . and he won at 33-1!