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Castaway
1 appearance
A jockey and racing journalist who rode over 200 winners as an amateur and nearly won the Grand National in 1963.
On the island
Eight records
In conversation
Presenter asks
1:09Are you confessing to devoting your life to something that in your own estimation is really less than worthwhile?
Well, to have certainly spent it in a in a happy, comfortable, insignificant rut. I think I think that's that's true.
Presenter asks
1:25Did you have any residue of guilt that you didn't follow your father and grandfather into the law?
Yes, at the time I had a a a major feeling of guilt, and my beloved dad was so wonderful about it that that that guilt really didn't last very long. … he said the important thing is to do something that you enjoy.
Presenter asks
5:05How did you get the ride in the Grand National in 1963?
Well, I'd had two rides on on my beloved taxidermist, who was the best horse I ever rode, but sadly he never ran in the National when he was at his best. … and so I bought a half share in him in return for the ride.
Presenter asks
The keepsakes
The book
P.G. Wodehouse
I believe that his funniest writings were about the Mulliner family, and I would adore to have the Mulliner omnibus
The luxury
I really need quite a lot of champagne to last me and keep me cheerful. But it is what I most love drinking, and I do find that a glass any time of day really cheers me up, and I feel would just keep me going if I started to get a bit low.
Don't you have to be very brave to be a national hunt jockey?
No, no. I honestly think that bravery for the way I did it was is the wrong word, because I think bravery is overcoming fear. … I honestly don't think bravery is the right word.
Presenter asks
23:03Did your father regret not pressing you into the law, or did he follow your career with pride?
I think and hope that it it gave him some pleasure in the end. … he wrote a letter to my mother … in which he described his his day and his experience with the finish. And he said it was the most exciting day of my life.
Presenter asks
32:33What book would you take to the island?
Well, I hope you're going to allow me an omnibus because I'm a tremendous lover of P G Woodhouse. … I would adore to have the Mulliner omnibus, but if I can't it'll have to be just one big Mulliner book of the Mr. Mulliner's memoirs of his relatives and their exploits.
“Well, to have certainly spent it in a in a happy, comfortable, insignificant rut.”
“I cry quite a lot about Carrick Begg.”
“I honestly don't think bravery is the right word.”
“he said it was the most exciting day of my life.”
“the worst thing about life is the number of horses and dogs you outlive.”
“I do find that a glass any time of day really cheers me up, and I feel would just keep me going if I started to get a bit low.”