This was the opening remark of Go Racing In Yorkshire’s sponsored jockey, William Pyle, as we sat down for a chat at Thirsk.

“I’m not complaining, we’re getting into the thick of the turf season and fortunately I’ve been busy.  So far so good.”

So where are all the miles coming from?  While William is apprenticed to Craig Lidster and goes into his Malton yard twice a week, Craig gives William the opportunity to make contacts and build relationships with other trainers.

“I went to Haydock to ride a couple of gallopers before racing at Redcar on Monday,” said William.

“I’ve also started to ride out John Jenkyns, he’s based about 20 minutes outside of Newmarket.  It’s just a case of building connections across the country and people are giving me chances.  I’m riding more often than not and I’ll take that.

“This time last year I was very optimistic, but feel a bit more vulnerable this year.  I’m trying to recapture the optimism and I’ve got some very loyal people supporting me.  I want longevity in my career and I’m comfortable claiming off 8st 9lbs, so long may it continue.”

Although William has been riding for quite a long time, he is still very young at only 22 years old, but has a very mature approach to his career.

“I think it’s important to step back and look at everything that’s happening around you, rather than being really close to it.

“Last year, before I broke my wrist I was sitting third in the apprentice title and I’d love to get some early winners to get ahead in that.  I had a lot of momentum last year, just from Craig and it spirals and gives me confidence to look at something like the apprentice championship.

“That said there, don’t seem to be a lot of spare rides going.  The field sizes are fairly average and there are a lot of jockeys about – some yards have two or three stable jockeys.  That’s why I’ve been putting in the miles travelling, getting to some trainers who are located further afield and outside of the main racing towns.”

With the racing life being so intense, I asked William what he does to unwind.

“I recently played golf for the first time since breaking my wrist last summer.  I wasn’t great before and I certainly haven’t improved after a year out!

“I really enjoy cycling.  It works on so many levels, it keeps me thin and fit, passes time and it’s good for my head.  I tend to do about 60km when I venture out, it’s not huge in comparison to serious cyclists, but it’s enough for me.

“I’d love to do the London to Brighton bike ride at some point.”

We may see him out sooner than that though as his eyes lit up when I told him about the Jack Berry House 10-year anniversary bike ride, from Jack Berry’s House in Bedale, to Jack Berry House in Malton.

First race time was beckoning and as it was an apprentice race, William, now fully kitted out in Go Racing In Yorkshire branded gear, courtesy of White Rose Saddlery, had a ride and his thoughts quickly returned to the job in hand.

“Being a jockey is so unique, there’s nothing else like it, it’s not even comparable with other sports.

“I wasn’t born into the sport and wish I had had people around me to stop me making mistakes, however I think I’ve made nearly every mistake you can so far and I’ve had to learn from them.

“It’s important to not to have a “work” mentality when you arrive at the races.  Riding is my job, but at the end of the day, racing is a sport and it’s vital to harness the will to win and treat yourself as an athlete.  It isn’t going through the motions, it’s the results that matter.”

Well clearly it did the trick as William was triumphant in the first aboard Kats Bob for Ruth Carr.  That’s 6 wins from 38 rides since he returned from America at the beginning of February.  Keep it up William!

Kats Bob wins at Thirsk
Photo credit: Hannah Ali