Henry Brooke plans to make the most of winning the conditional jockeys' title this season as he is well aware the serious work starts now.
The young Yorkshireman, exiled in Cheshire due to his position in Donald McCain's leading northern stable, has managed a significant feat in thwarting Lucy Alexander and Conor O'Farrell to a prize won by no lesser sportsmen than Tony McCoy and Richard Johnson over the years.
"It's been a great season, I've really enjoyed it, and there hasn't been a downside at all," he says.
"I ride out for Donald but I've managed to get a lot of rides for other trainers and it's because my agent, Richard Hale has been really good, and between him and Donald, they've pushed me.
"When I turned conditional I wasn't sure it was going to work out, but Donald was really supportive and I owe him a lot."
Brooke has always been around horses, with a mother who is involved in point-to-pointing and a blacksmith as a father. He rode for countless trainers when learning his trade, including a placement with the formidable Jim Bolger in Ireland.
Flat racing's loss has been jumping's gain and Brooke has established good relationships with other yards like Jim Goldie and Martin Todhunter.
His most valuable prize came on McCain's Bourne at Ascot in February, then keeping the mount in the Martin Pipe conditionals' event at the Cheltenham Festival.
"Bourne was the best win of the season, no question, and he's one of my favourite horses," Brooke said.
"But I also enjoyed winning on a horse called Panthers Run at Hexham. The trainer, Jonathan Haynes, only has a couple of horses and it meant a lot to win a race."
Aside from getting more of a chance to return home and see his family this summer, Haynes has been considering the risk of opportunities drying up when his 3lb claim expires. With Jason Maguire being McCain's established number one, he must remain pro-active and available.
"Next season is going to be a difficult one, maybe the hardest season yet, but we'll see what happens," he says. "Jason is going to be going for the title, and I'd like to see him win it.
"Hopefully I'll keep getting a few spare rides from Donald. It will be hard, but hopefully it'll work out."
