'I can barely concentrate, but when I get on a horse it's different' - Lilly Pinchin on riding, and thriving, with ADHD

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During a disciplinary hearing last year, it emerged that 40 jockeys in British racing have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. It came up because one jockey said his condition was the reason he had left a racecourse without giving the urine sample he had been asked to provide earlier that day; he suggested that officials, who were aware he had ADHD, should have reminded him about his obligation or taken some other steps to ensure he complied.

The BHA's lawyer argued that, with so many jockeys having ADHD, it would not be practical to adjust procedures for all of them. But the disciplinary panel accepted the jockey's explanation and decided he should not be punished.

That case came back to me over the weekend, while I was watching 'A Racing Mind', the cleverly titled documentary about Lilly Pinchin, now available on YouTube. For anyone curious about what life would be like for a jockey with ADHD, here's a successful one, chewing it over in some detail.

• Watch: A Racing Mind

Pinchin, who takes daily medication, was initially worried about discussing her condition in public, fearing it might affect the willingness of trainers and owners to give her work. Presumably, others have felt much the same, because the identity of the other 39 riders with ADHD remains unknown.

Charlie Longsdon, who is Pinchin's main backer, says at an early stage in the film that an upbeat mindset is essential in racing and the jockey certainly has that, much of the time. She has said that her condition makes her "bold and brave" and that she wouldn't be a jockey without it. "Having ADHD, for me, is a massive positive," she says.

But the documentary, shot by her friend, Louis Gill, illustrates some of the difficulties with which Pinchin must contend. We hear from an expert that ADHD makes it hard for someone to regulate their emotions and then see Pinchin, who has driven to Sedgefield for three rides, being visibly downhearted by defeat for the first two. It doesn't stop her winning on the third.

"This game's a joke," she says at another point. "It's what you live for and it ruins your life." Now, there's a sentiment with which most (all?) racing insiders could agree, whether or not their mental health has any complicating factor.

Does ADHD affect her ability as a jockey? Pinchin maintains that the saddle is the place where her issues melt away. "I can barely bloody concentrate but, when I get on a horse, it's completely different. I just completely switch off and concentrate."

The evidence of the documentary is that she might sometimes have trouble in her dealings with people or in remembering what Alexa had told her moments before (we've all been there) but not in giving a horse the ride that it needs.

Lilly Pinchin riding Guguss Collonges at Lingfield in 2023Credit: Bryn Lennon (Getty Images)

That, at any rate, was my conclusion. But I'd encourage anyone to watch the four parts of A Racing Mind and form their own view.

After last year's disciplinary case, I heard from a reader who wondered if punters should be told the identities of jockeys with ADHD, on the basis that it could affect their performance. Medical confidentiality makes that a non-runner but the idea didn't appeal to me anyway.

Perhaps one day there will be a study on the relative abilities of jockeys with and without ADHD. Until then, we can't be sure that the condition acts as any kind of a negative in this sphere. Perhaps, as Pinchin believes, it may have a positive impact. Some truly great athletes like Simone Biles and Michael Phelps have ADHD.

In any case, it has always seemed to me that living like a jockey would give you some of the symptoms of ADHD. You're always tired, always underfed and dehydrated, always on the move, riding out, then going racing, a new race every half-hour, then forget what happened and move onto the next one. 

How are you supposed to grow your concentration span while living like that? I've seen a lot of photographs of jockeys hanging around, killing time before the next ride, and can't ever recall seeing a rider with their nose in a book. It's hard to be like everyone else when you're a jockey.

Read these next:

What's on this week: Skelton and Mullins clash at Cheltenham, Newmarket's Craven meeting and All-Weather Championships 

Britain's jockeys have been failed by racecourses and the BHA - it is time for both to right that wrong 

Ed Chamberlin: trainers' title fight a boost for racing fans with battle set to go right down to the wire 

The Front Runner is our unmissable email newsletter available exclusively to Racing Post+ subscribers. Chris Cook provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday. Not a Racing Post+ subscriber? Join today and also receive our Ultimate Daily emails plus our full range of fantastic website and newspaper content.