From drink and drug addiction that nearly killed him to becoming an amateur jockey in a charity race

A former drug addict was joined by the boss who gave him a new lease of life working with horses at her yard in their first charity race as jockeys yesterday.

By Emma Ryan

Published 4th Nov 2023, 11:45 BST

Steven Coyle and Alison Garner, who herself was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021, were selected to take part in the British Horse Society’s third annual Northern Charity Race at Wetherby.

They lined up as two of 12 equestrians who have had to undergo training and fitness tests to take part in the one mile flat race alongside their normal jobs and day to day life.