It's the prerogative of youth to be young and foolish. Some of us don't even need to be young. And for a lot of people the impulse to be foolish with drugs contains little direct impact on anyone but themselves. But jockeys aren't a lot of people. Being under the influence of drugs isn't just foolish on the back of a racehorse, it is dangerous. That this is obvious and the rate of positive tests for cocaine among riders is increasing appears like rank irresponsibility rather than foolishness.

BEING forced to retire from race riding due to injury was a disappointment. I had my last ride four years ago and I’m still only 35. I would have liked to have stayed going for another few years but you just have to get on with things and I’m doing that, looking forward to what will hopefully be successful fixture on Sunday at Thurles.