Richard Dunwoody rode his first winner on Game Trust at Cheltenham in May 1983 and  partnerned the favourite of the Grand National, West Tip, nine months later. They won the National twelve months later. Richard became stable jockey to David Nicholson in 1986 and had numerous big race wins, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1988. 

In 1990, he took the ride on the great Desert Orchid. The partnership won seven races including two King George VI Chases and an Irish Grand National.  Richard was a three-time champion jockey and landed a second Grand National when partnering Martin’s Miinnehoma in 1994. Richard has undertaken various expeditions since hanging up his boots, including a 350-mile cross-country ski race to the Magnetic North Pole.

What would you do if you didn’t work in racing? Something in sport - maybe race cars. I feel very lucky to have once been a professional sportsman.

With racing in the family did you ever consider a different discipline? My parents did want me to be a vet, but I fortunately got out of that one.

Which is your favourite race and why? The Grand National. The fences, the course - all of it. I loved riding over the fences, just getting round gave you such a buzz.

What’s the first thing you look for in a good horse?  I don’t get to look at that many horses these days but when I was riding they came in all shapes and sizes. When they were walking around the paddock, all I would be looking for is to see if its fit or not. Other than buying a couple of shares in a stallion, I have never bought a horse in my life and I don’t intend on starting now!

Which is the best horse you’ve competed on and why? Desert Orchid and why? Because he was quite good.

What is your most embarrassing horse moment? I was about eight to one on in a two horse race, riding a chaser called Clara Mountain for my boss Captain Tim Forster, and he gave me the orders before the race, pessimistically to keep remounting. We were about two fences clear down the back straight when he refused and unseated me. I followed orders of course and got back on him. When the other horse eventually caught up and gave me a lead into the fence I thought great, but he refused again and however hard I tried I couldn't get him over it. It wasn't a very happy walk back to weighing room!

Whose horse would you like to own? So You Think – he is a New Zealand bred racehorse who is trained by Aidan O'Brien. I saw him in the Melbourne Cup last year.

When did you last kick yourself? The last time I kicked myself when it really mattered was when I turned down the ride on One Man for Klairon Davis; One Man went on to win the Champion Chase.  I am sure I have kicked myself a lot since then, but that was the last time it really mattered.  

How do you relax?  A chilled bottle of dry white and the company of a good woman helps.

Who is the one to watch this year? The Twiston-Davis brothers, but there are a lot of good young jockey’s around.

What is your opinion your greatest achievement to date?  Reaching the South Pole after 48 days on the ice.

What does 2011 have in store for you? Travelling. I am leading trips for Wild Frontiers www.wildfrontiers.co.uk to Mongolia, Afghanistan and Georgia and then I'm back to Germany to take an Ultimate Travel group to the European Championships.

What is your top tip for H&C visitors? Have a balance in your life and travel when you get the chance. One famous Mongolian proverb is 'travel to see places while your horse is strong'.

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