Jockeys have 'perfect job description for depression'

Dr Philip Pritchard, a former rider himself and the current president of the Amateur Jockeys Association, believes jockeys are particularly vulnerable to depression.

Pritchard, who is GP to Graham Lee and many riders, said: "For other sportsmen their performance depends on what they do on the training field. But for a jockey, no matter how well they prepare themselves, their ultimate performance depends on the horse, which is out of your control.

"You work for an owner and trainer and you're the first blamed if things don't go right, which is very difficult from a mental health perspective."