Luke Harvey

Aged 20, Lucien John Harvey was already following in the footsteps of Richard Dunwoody & Graham Thorner, both of whom started their careers with Letcombe Bassett trainer Captain Tim Forster.

Luke moved into a cottage that Dunwoody had vacated, which was owned by Colin Nash, a Wantage farmer and permit holder.

Luke had taken over Dunwoody's previous role as understudy to Hywel Davies, Forster's stable jockey.

However, Luke was unseated from Lefrak City - trained by Forster - in mid-November and thought his job might be on the line.

'I thought I would have to pack my bags and go back to my father's farm' he said at the time. Instead, he redeemed himself by riding a double at Newbury shortly after.

Luke, a natural light-weight who didn't have to worry about dieting, is the eldest son of a West Country farmer from Bampton, in Devon.

He followed the usual route to the racecourse: he joined a Pony Club, did some showjumping and hunter-trialing.

Luke joined Forster straight from school.

'It never occurred to me to do anything else other than race.' he said. 'My whole life revolves around racing. I was introduced to Captain Forster out hunting in Devon. When I first moved from Devon to Letcombe Bassett my illusions were shattered starting at a strange place where everybody is so professional about their work. I have been here three years now and find it a great place.' he said at the time.

His first ride was a complete disaster. His horse was killed when falling at Fakenham and Luke was knocked out.

He rode his first winner on December 6 when partnering Bickleigh Bridge for John Roberts, a friend from Devon.

In the race, Bickleigh Bridge dropped himself out, but turning for home he flew and surprised everyone by winning at 33-1.

After riding 11 NH winners, Luke decided to turn professional for two reasons: one, he was skint. He said 'Every time I rode the valet had to be paid, and by the end of the season I was out of pocket. To get some money I clipped horses in my spare time.'

The second reason was that he thought it best to be a professional with a riding allowance. Before doing so, he sought the advice of Captain Forster.

Luke admitted that, at the time, he still had a lot to learn.

He said 'When Hywel Davies comes in after a race, he tells the Captain was has happened. When I come in after a race, the Captain tells me what's happened.'

In March 1985, Luke rode a double at the Vale of White Horse meeting winning on Forster's When In Rome and on Game Trust for Colin Nash.

Of When in Rome's win, Luke said: 'My riding instructions were to hold him up but I could never hold him so we ran him from the front. It was a terrific day as all my friends and family were there. The Captain could not have been more pleased if he'd trained a Grand National winner.'

Luke eventually rode ten point-to-point winners.

Luke rode with mixed results for 16 years: his biggest victories came on Cool Ground in the Welsh Grand National. He also had winners at Aintree, the Cheltenham Festival (Taberna Lord) and won the Mildmay Memorial Chase at Sandown. He also won Ascot's SGB Chase on Solidasarock.

He retired from the saddle in early October, 1999. In May 2001, BBC Radio 5 announced that Luke would be the new presenter.

Born at Hatfield on March 28, 1966, Luke married Georgie at Lambourn Village Church on July 19, 2003. The marriage broke down after just 16 months and Georgie began stepping out with trainer Paul Nicholls.

Luke found work with At The Races where he jointly presents 'Get In' with ex-jockey Jason Weaver.

He is also part of the ITV Racing team.

Big winners:

1987: Coral Golden Hurdle Final – Taberna Lord

1989: S.G.B. Handicap Chase – Solidasarock

1990: Free Handicap Hurdle – Coe

1990: Welsh Grand National – Cool Ground

1991: Mildmay-Cazalet Memorial Chase – Cool Ground

1993: Agfa Diamond Chase – Country Member