I’m a champion jockey who got banned for doing cocaine – now the boss of Butlins has hired me to fulfil a dream

TOP jockey Marco Ghiani says his troubles are firmly behind him.

The former champion apprentice, 24, returned to the saddle last month after his six-month cocaine ban.

PA

Ghiani returned from his six-month cocaine ban in early March[/caption]

He was dramatically stood down just moments before he was about to get the leg up in the paddock at Brighton last September after news reached officials about his positive test.

The Italian was understandably nervous about the reaction of owners and trainers when he returned to action – but he needn’t have worried.

One-time leading owner Peter Harris – who made his fortune as the boss of Butlins – recently returned to the sport with 15 promising horses and he has hired Ghiani as his jockey.

The runners are all in training with Jane Chapple-Hyam, who has thrown her support behind the Italian, while he will also ride for old allies like Stuart Williams and Marco Botti. 

Ghiani says he learned from his mistakes and is focused on rebuilding his career, which got off to such a promising start.

He said: “I had a few problems at home, the horses I was riding weren’t running how I expected and I put a lot of pressure on myself.

“That led to me being in the wrong place at the wrong time and I made a big mistake.

“When it first happened I was worried it would be the end of the road.

“The support people have given me since I returned has been amazing and I really want to have success for them, they have been great.

“It’s a new job and I haven’t ridden for Peter Harris on the track yet but he has some lovely horses with Jane.

“I have learnt a valuable lesson and want to be better and stronger than ever – I am only looking forwards now.”

He gets the leg up on the lively outsider Think Climate in the £100,000 feature at Chelmsford tonight for Chapple-Hyam.

He added: “I have only ridden a few times at home and he seems like a nice horse.

“He has won his last two and goes there in good form, but it is a tough race worth a lot of money.

“It would be a great way to kick off the new season – with a big winner.”

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