Richard Dunwoody was the guest on Friday night racing on Off The Ball to discuss his career both in and out of the saddle.

The dual Grand National winning, former champion jockey has led a fascinating life since quitting the saddle, living in Paris and Spain, exploring the north and south poles, setting up a marketing company, training as a photographer and running a marathon in North Korea.

Dunwoody's current abode is in Madrid having lived a fairly nomadic life since childhood, where he spoke to 'Friday Night Racing' from on Off The Ball.

His father trained horses and due to the troubles in Northern Ireland relocated to the UK in the 1970s. The family eventually settled in the UK's equine training epicentre, Newmarket.

Richard Dunwoody had no interest in following his father and grandfather into becoming a trainer, but is thankful for the connections he made in the sport.

"I've been very lucky through racing I've met a lot of very interesting people and I started to travel around 2001," he explained. "In 2003 I ended up going to the magnetic North Pole, racing there against a bunch of Army lads.

"Things went on from there and having met David Hempleman-Adams, an explorer and then the south pole came after that."

South Pole

When asked the obvious question why the South Pole, Dunwoody has a very much a 'Why not?' take on things. As if it's the most obvious thing in the world to do. Every achievement needs to be bettered.

"Once I'd been to the magnetic north I set myself a goal to complete a full geographic expedition," he noted naturally, "the South Pole was going to be a lot easier nowadays."

"Easier" is a very relative term here; understated being Dunwoody's default setting.

"It's practically impossible to do a full expedition to the North pole, you'd have to do it in the dark. The expedition would have to take place in the Arctic winter.

"I was in a very fortunate position to be able to do it."

Dunwoody is a passionate environmentalist who has seen first hand the damage to the Earth's climate. He has raised millions for charity and has a passion for photography.

"There was only one thing I was worried about when I was riding and that was the next winner, that's the way it was and had to be."

You can watch back Friday Night Racing with Richard Dunwoody in its entirety here. 

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