'You have to be thick-skinned or stupid to ride horses'

The early exchanges of an audience with Jamie Spencer are akin to reaching the Pearly Gates with some negotiating to do. You’ve got that far, so there’s a chance you’ll be allowed in, but for that to happen you’ll have to talk your way past the jockey’s in-built defences.

Spencer guards the keys to his kingdom closely. He has a reputation for being detached, standoffish, remote. Even those who get close to him find him emotionally impenetrable.

In 2005 Spencer aligned himself with Chris McGrath, the writer-turned-jockeys’ agent who propelled him to the first of two jockeys’ titles in Britain. They practically lived in each other’s pocket for eight months.