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Hi everyone,

Thanks for checking out my website, basically I’m going to tell you a little bit about myself and I’ll try and make it interesting!!

So my name is Laura Pike, I grew up in Upminster Essex, YES ESSEX! And I’m proud of it lol! My parents and family have never really been in to horses or even had much of an interest in them so I'm not sure where I get my love for the GGs from.

I had a pony when I was about 14 called Woody, I did a few shows on him and really enjoyed show jumping but due to my Dad's work commitments I couldn't keep him for very long so I had to give him up :( . I left School at 16 not really knowing what I wanted to do. Its hard at 16 to decide what you want to do with the rest of your life so I took a year out and worked in a health food shop in Upminster on the check out, stacking shelves etc. One day I saw an advert in Horse and Hound magazine for the British Racing School, it caught my eye as it involved working with horses and getting paid for it.. RESULT!!!

I never dreamed of being a Jockey when I went to BRS, thinking I’d be setting my sights too high. I left home and moved to Newmarket at 18, got my apprentice licence out in my first job for Neil Graham. I had one ride that felt like it was over in a flash! I moved to W.J.Musson and had four winners in my time there, the highlight was beating Frankie Dettori in a finish at Lingfield! Racing is tough, I put some weight on and the rides quickly dried up.

I chose to leave Racing, and was out of the sport for three years, I was an Assistant Manager in the Card Factory in Newmarket for just under a year. I left there to do a computer course at college, this was good decision as having computer skills are so important, this later enabled me to work for The British Horseracing Education and Standards Trust as an Office Assistant it was great experience for me and I enjoyed my time there but I missed the outdoors being in an office 9-5. I rode out for David Simcock on Saturdays and I approached Jenny and David to see if I could get my apprentice licence back. Hayley Turner has always been so supportive and encouraged me to give it another go. David said we could give it a go but never knew how many rides he could actually give me.

My first ride for Team Simcock was in 2009 at Newmarket, I finished 2nd and that was it, I had the Racing bug again and wanted to succeed!! I was older and mentally ready for what it takes, there are many ups and downs in racing and you have to be prepared to cope when things don’t quite work out how you'd like.

Earlier in 2011 I spent five weeks riding out for Simon Callaghan in California. It was such good experience for me and helped my confidence no end.

Most recent statistics CLICK HERE

• I don’t eat lamb for the reason when I was young I wanted a pet sheep lol!
• I’m addicted to shopping online and finding the cheapest deals, my friends call me tight, cant think why!!!!
• I have a ginger cat called Timmy he used to be called Tilly as I thought it was a girl apparently you cant get female ginger cats! He is a great male to have in my life as I can moan all day and he never answers back, he loves me just the way I am :)
• If I wasn’t a Jockey I’d like to be a Chef as I love cooking and I’m good at it.
• Can’t beat Bridgette Jones diary when you’re feeling down it makes me laugh and I know life could be so much worse.
• My favourite foods are fish and chicken, my favourite restaurant is Loche Fynne in Cambridge any offers are welcome? lol.

To watch Laura’s winning ride please visit Racing UK

WATCH LAURAS’ VIDEO BLOGS aka.. ‘VLOGS’ CLICK HERE

2011 was a great year for me I had 7 winners including my big win at York. I also had over 100 rides which was a great achievement.

This year my aims are to improve on 2011 stats to include:

• A WINNER ON CHANNEL 4!!
• WINNER AT NEWMARKET
• GET THE WINNERS INTO DOUBLE FIGURES!!