Successful jump jockeys come from a variety of backgrounds. Their childhoods and upbringings show vast differences. Some originate from families already connected to horses and racing - they were always going to be riders. Yet others have parents who have no equine connections whatsoever, which presents the question: why did these kids become jockeys and how?

In her latest book on racing, best-selling author Henrietta Knight - the three-time Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer of the legendary Best Mate - charts the lives of more than 80 jump jockeys in the hope of finding out what inspired them in childhood to take up one of the most dangerous jobs in sport.

Among the great and good to be profiled are household names such as Richard Dunwoody, John Francome, Sir Anthony McCoy and Ruby Walsh, and throughout Starting From Scratch we discover how many of racing’s most celebrated individuals opted to take the path they did.