WITH a dad who is a disc jockey, it was no surprise when Lee Gueller also became a jock.

Dad Ivor is still going strong at the age of 48 around the clubs and as a mobile DJ in Greater Manchester.

Prestwich-based 18-year-old Lee has just started out in his career - but instead of spinning records as a jock, he's spinning along the turf riding winners for top trainers David Evans and Les Eyre on the Flat.

He has already clocked up three winners since starting out as an apprentice jockey in January, the best of which came on Italian Symphony over seven furlongs at Catterick.

Lee also rode the same horse to victory at Warwick, his other winner being 10-1 shot Time of Night at Thirsk.

Former King David High School pupil Lee first became interested in the racing game at the age of 14 because of his dad and brother Mark's interest in horse racing.

"Mark is a market trader, but he also has a friend who is a bookmaker and he helps him out in his spare time. My dad has always been keen on the horses too," said Lee. It's a hard and busy life being a jockey. Apart from whizzing up and down the motorways of Britain to ride at various meetings, Lee still has to work in Mr Evans's stables at Middleham, North Yorkshire, where he started out as a 16-year-old.

"That means a 6am start, riding out, mucking out and feeding the horses. Unless I am riding, I finish at noon, but we are back at it at 4pm until 6pm in the yard."

While not quite a jetsetter on the circuit just yet, Lee has already had a taste of life in the fast lane as a jockey.

"I had three rides in one day not too long ago," he recalled. "The first was at Nottingham at 3pm and the other two were up at Catterick, the first one there was at 6.30pm.

"We didn't get away from Nottingham until after 3.30pm and we just made it in time, reaching Catterick at 6.05pm.

"At least my brother tends to do most of the driving, so I got a bit of a breather in the car on the way up," said Lee.

And what of the future? "It's my first season," says Lee. "I want to ride a few more winners and then maybe in a few more years it would be great to be champion apprentice. "You don't become a full professional until you are 25 or ride 90 winners," explained Lee.

Lee's tip for today? His mount Italian Symphony in the 3pm at Newmarket over 6f. "The trip might be a bit short for it, but we're in with a chance," said Lee.

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