Victoria Haigh: What’s on your mantelpiece?

The Steeple Times asks former jockey turned racehorse trainer Victoria Haigh: What’s on your mantelpiece?

The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

Passion and love.

“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

Anger, envy and greed eat away at you so I’d say: “Be thankful for what you have”.

Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2015?

Paedophiles in government and state run organisations.

Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

My eldest daughter: I have been prevented from contacting her for five years.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

When I get wealth, it would be swapped for health. If I had health, I would swap it for living amongst nature.

Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?

It is a sad state of affairs that the banks seem to be running governments who are then raping and pillaging the people they govern.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

“How are you feeling?” and “are you happy?” Please don’t.

In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

I am supporting a group of mothers who have lost their children through the UK family courts in cases identical to one that I had when I lived in England. It is very depressing and I will eventually put a charity together to support the children and the emotional problems caused by their being taken away from their maternal bond when they reach adulthood. It worries me that the state doesn’t follow the law of nature when putting its many systems in place.

The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?

I hate them: I hate being too accessible and I hate people knocking on my door.

If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

All my old racing mates and a few beautiful women (or men) to keep them occupied.

If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

This could still be a possibility! I suppose oysters, foie gras and a glass of champagne would see me off nicely.

What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

For me, 7.30pm.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

A cup of Yorkshire Tea.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

I recently went to Dan Pena’s party at his Scottish castle. It was amazing.

Who is the most positive person you know?

I am.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

French chocolate.

If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

I hate tattoos. I would never have one. They’re ugly, defacing things.

If you were a car, what marque would you be?

A Mercedes-Benz.

Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

That I received the longest ever prison sentence given to someone for breaching a court order.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

Photos of my daughters, one I am not allowed to name and the other one is called Sapphire.

Victoria Haigh was brought up in Doncaster and became the first female jockey to win at The Military Meeting at Sandown. She was a successful trainer in the UK and then fled to France to enjoy a private life with her now 4-year old daughter. She is based in Maisons-Laffitte and has sourced and trained numerous winners. Follow her on Twitter at @HaighVictoria.

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