The weighing room is my safe, happy place - and I'm upset it's being vilified

I've been so disappointed and upset with recent media reports critical of the culture in the weighing room. I am certainly in no place to comment on the specific ongoing case involving Bryony Frost and Robbie Dunne as I'm not privy to the exact details, but I do want to share my own weighing room experience.

What I can say is I have always felt so proud to be part of the weighing room; it's unique and is a place where I can relax and be myself. In the 20 years I have been riding, I have not been bullied, I have not witnessed any bullying in the weighing room and I have not experienced any discrimination.

I'm not saying the weighing room is like being on a spa day with tranquillity and calmness and peace. There are certainly occasions when strong words are shared between the jockeys after races. I have been on the receiving end when I was learning or have been careless and, although it can be difficult to accept you are wrong, the words exchanged have made me learn from my mistakes and made me a better jockey. And now I have the experience, I try to speak to younger jockeys to explain where they might have done something wrong in a race. In a dangerous sport it's important to learn fast.