'They say it's a mid-life crisis' - why a 53-year-old is back in the saddle

His family may be calling it a mid-life crisis, but 53-year-old Mike Robinson is raring to go as he prepares to make his race-riding return after a 26-year absence at Haydock on Friday.

Australian-born Robinson, who now lives in Lincolnshire, had two winners in his old career as a jockey in the mid-1990s before retiring and going to work in his family's furniture business.

While his interest never truly faded, he recently became eager to take out an amateur licence, which he did successfully at the Northern Horseracing College.

In March, he purchased Jack D'Or as the horse to have his first ride on since 1995 and their big moment will come at 6.45 in the Plank Lane Amateur Jockeys' Handicap.

Robinson said: "Everyone's saying it's a mid-life crisis, and I think it's a little bit of that, but it's for myself. When you get over 50 you can still do things so it might not be the most stylish ride you ever see, but we're going out there in true amateur style and having a go.

"It's been very refreshing and now I'm ready to give it a bash. I just want to go out, have a good laugh and have a great time. It's for my daughter to see me race, my wife to see me involved and my young cousins too – all the family will get a kick out of it."

Robinson rode in 101 races and gives an honest assessment of his career as a jockey. He said: "When I used to ride I wasn't a good jockey – I used to ride bad horses in bad races. I only rode two winners, one of them was in a match race and the other was for my father.

"I can't believe how much things have changed now, this whole process has been really in-depth. I went to the Northern Horseracing College, there was myself aged 53, a colonel who was 43 and everyone else was in their 20s – you're a bit intimidated by the younger guys but we both passed."

Fitness is certainly no concern, however, as for the last ten years Robinson has been competing at a high level in mountain bike races. He is even readying himself to take on some of the world's best the two days after Haydock when competing in the prestigious Graythwaite PMBA Enduro World Series qualifier on the weekend. It is the biggest event in the calendar and known as 'The Epic'.

Robinson added: "Mountain biking is the closest thrill I've had to riding a racehorse and I've done all right at it. I'll see how I feel as to whether I'll race on Saturday and Sunday. It's a World Series qualifier so it's a proper race and the best of the best, the world champs will be turning up. I'll be chucking myself in the deep end."

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