Barry Geraghty has revealed he will be running on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to keep his weight down for St Stephen's Day's horse racing action.
While the majority of people will be stuffing their faces on the big day, jockeys have to eat with caution ahead of one of the busiest periods of the year for horse racing.
Sporting Index ambassador Geraghty, who also has three children to keep him on his toes over the festive period, told The Irish Mirror: "It will be busy!
"I’ll be running on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and then back riding on St Stephen’s Day, so there’s no let off on the exercise side of things.
He added: "When people start getting stuck into the odd glass of wine I tend to wind down a bit.
"Christmas Day, particularly in the afternoon and the evening isn’t a very easy spectator sport, but I do get to have a good lunch and spend some time with the family."
Geraghty admits he will still get stuck into his Christmas dinner before running it off before Kempton's meeting the following day.
He said: "I make sure I eat well but I’ll be sure to run it off too. I suppose it depends what weight I’ve got to make on St Stephen’s Day, but hopefully it won’t be too light.
"I run a bit more so I can eat a bit more, put it that way!"
The Co Meath jockey has some good rides on St Stephen's Day, including Epatante in the Christmas Hurdle and Footpad in the King George.
- Barry Geraghty is an ambassador for Sporting Index. you can read his thoughts each week at: https://www.sportingindex.com/barry-geraghty-racing-insights
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