A day in the life of a journeyman jockey – in pictures

Brice Blanc and Melanie Cassidy prepare to head to the Santa Anita track, for morning exercise. Photograph: Daniel Ross

Blanc and Buenos Dias workout on the Santa Anita main track. Photograph: Zoe Metz

Blanc watches as Buenos Dias is cooled off after exercise, at the stable of trainer Ron McAnally. Photograph: Daniel Ross

Back home in San Dimas, Blanc discovers that one of his mounts that afternoon has been scratched. Photograph: Daniel Ross

Blanc works out on a mechanical horse he built himself. Photograph: Daniel Ross

Back at the track, in the jockeys' room, Blanc handicaps his first race of the day. Photograph: Daniel Ross

Blanc (front), Mario Gutierrez (sitting) and Alonso Quinonez pass time in the jockey's room. Photograph: Daniel Ross

Blanc dismounts Coranto after his first race of the day – a disappointing endeavour. Photograph: Daniel Ross

Before the sixth race of the day, Blanc and trainer John Shirreffs discuss tactics. Photograph: Zoe Metz

The race won, on Peace and Justice, Blanc returns to the jockeys' room to watch replays of his triumph. Photograph: Daniel Ross

A job well done – Blanc watches a replay of his win. Photograph: Daniel Ross Photograph: Daniel Ross