Ride of my life

JUST like their horses, jockeys have to be in tip-top condition to endure gruelling races on the turf. But exactly what goes into their fitness? With the Cheltenham Festival in full swing, leading jockey Johnny Burke, 29 - a former winner at the famous jump meeting - tells JAMES MOORE how he stays in shape...

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Why is fitness important for a jockey?

"It’s about being able to take falls - the fitter you are, the easier it is to recover and bounce back from them.

"I've noticed that when coming back from an injury, you feel it more than when you're fully fit and in regular action. If you have five or six rides in a day, you need to be able to give that last ride 100% just like the first one. Fitness is key to making that possible."

What's your workout regime?

"On a Saturday I don't ride and exercise the horses in the morning so I go to the gym instead. Usually, I focus on cardio, mainly running, so I will run a 5km on the treadmill, which I enjoy. To work on my strength, I will do press ups, but I avoid lifting weights as I don’t want to increase my muscle mass too much as it will make me heavier. On the days where I do ride out the horses in the morning, I run 5km beforehand."

Do you use any special kit?