'It's getting harder and harder' - why Flat jockeys are dreading the winter

It's not long now until the season of peace and goodwill is upon us, but things might not be quite so joyous for Flat jockeys this winter.

While some will be heading to sunnier climes to work, it will be the hamster wheel of Chelmsford, Kempton, Lingfield, Newcastle, Southwell and Wolverhampton for the majority of British-based riders.

As well as the prospect of tightly packed fields populated with lower-grade horses, many jockeys will face an additional challenge this year. They will have to shed weight, as they have done for their entire careers, but without the assistance of a sauna at their place of work.