Richard Dunwoody

Sportsvibe caught up with Champion jocket and star of Strictly Richard Dunwoody as he was out and about promoting the launch of his new book ' Method In My Madness'

How did you get into racing?  Your father was obviously a very famous point to point rider, did he heavily influence you?

My old man was training in Ireland, then we moved to Newmarket. So watching him ride and stuff as an amateur jockey and then as a trainer and stuff, it was all I ever really wanted to do.

Which is your favourite horse?

Chief’s Song was a great horse I used to ride. Desert Orchid was the best horse I ever rode you know… and Waterloo Boy – a very, very good horse – there’s quite a big selection to choose from.

What was the best thing about horse racing for you?

As a jockey the best thing is competing really. Anyone who is a professional sportsman would do it for nothing, I’m very, very lucky.

Who is your biggest inspiration in horse racing (apart from your father?)

Lester when I was working in Newmarket, Lester, he was the best at what he did you know.

Do you admire anyone outside horse racing?

I love sports, rugby, football, motor racing -  Ali what he did in boxing, Schumacher was so dominant in F1 for so long as well. AP (A.P. McCoy) why he is so good is what he has consistently done over the last 40 years is amazing, the longevity has made him great, that’s the thing.

Who is the most competitive person you have come up against?

I would say AP as a competitor.

Does it ever get nasty in the starting blocks?

No, not really, you just fight for the position but it never gets nasty, you have to stand your ground but in jump racing you tend to work it out between yourselves.

Do you ever have any pre-race rituals, superstitions?

Not really, no.

So you did 1000 miles in 1000 hours what made you do it?

I was asked to do it to follow a guy called Captain Barclay, and was approached by Ron Wallwork  who was a  Commonwealth gold medallist in walking and he wanted to commemorate Captain Barclay. We got a lot of support and we were able to raise a lot of money for 4  charities.


How was that in comparison to doing the Magnetic North?

It was difficult as I dislocated my shoulder but the South Pole was the hardest thing I’ve done. The South Pole would have been tougher.

So why was it so tough, what did you come up against?

The conditions, the wind chill takes it toll on the body. Mentally it  was pretty tough but a good guy led us there called Doug Stoop he did a great job and managed to get us there and made it all possible.

Let’s talk about Strictly?

Fantastic thing to do, great privilege to be asked to do it. The hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life, amazing,  could of done with a few months practice before I got into the studio though. It was a great show to be connected with, I’ve watched it a bit in the past and have a lot of respect to the dancers who are fit and skilful - some are the best in the world. I’ve enjoyed going back and watching the show and it was a good experience.

What is the most memorable moment in your sporting career and why?

Winning the Grand National 1994, it was unexpected, I wondered how the horse would handle the ground, it was unexpected and the horse made it very easy for me.

What do you want to achieve next, what are your goals now?

In the immediate future I want to get away holiday…I also have my book out (Method In My Madness) and I’m busy with book signings leading up to Christmas. Doing a lot of PR and signings.

I also work for a travel business called wild frontiers.co.uk so I’m doing trips to Georgia and Mongolia  next year and I might do a geographic North Pole expedition in 2011.


If you hadn’t been a jockey what would you have been?

I don’t know probably a vet or a trainer


What music do you listen to, what’s the last thing you listened to on your Ipod.

Snow Patrol, last concert I went to was Snow Patrol and my favourite song is  Run by Snow Patrol.


What do you do on your day off? What’s a chilled out Richard day?

Um, i just like travelling, I might travel to Europe or Italy – I love Italy.


If you had 24 hours to live how would you spend it?

Similar question…travelling really…..It would involve copious amounts of Champagne and lots of beautiful women…I’m very easily pleased. Take them to Italy as well!
Best hotel …Hotel Splendido in Portofino so that might come into it as well…

What’s your favourite film?

Don’t really have one…


Do you get any strange fan mail?

Yeah the odd one, but nothing that really stands out. No strange requests , no.

What is the funniest thing that you’ve heard about yourself in the media?

Lots of funny stuff since doing Stricly. I tend to ignore it, in Strictly someone said on some website they couldn’t believe I was younger than Jo Wood… I stopped reading the papers when doing Strictly!

Tell us a joke about horseracing…

I don’t have any jokes about horseracing – I think Luke Harvey as a presenter is enough of a joke…..!

What are your guilty pleasures?

Champagne/icecream