TOP names from the horse racing world turned out in force at Oaksey House, Lambourn, for the launch of former jockey George Baker's autobiography Taking My Time, writes RAY BURROUGHS.

A firm favourite with many horse racing fans in the area and one of the tallest in the jockey's weighing room, Swindon's Baker landed the British classic the 2016 St Leger on Harbour Law as well as Group One wins on Seal Of Approval, Thistle Bird and Quest For More as well as chalking up over 1,300 winners,riding more than 100 winners a season on half a dozen occasions.

In his book, Baker tells of the aftermath of the horrendous fall that ended his career in February 2017 during a white turf meeting on the ice at St Moritz in Switzerland, which left him in an induced coma and on a long road to recovery.

His wife Nicola related how her husband made slow but resolute progress and that she became aware fairly early that he was not going to come back as a jockey, but added that it did take a while for Baker himself to get around the fact that he would never get back in the saddle.

It took a television documentary to finally come to terms with the fact that his days as a jockey were over.

Always keen to stay in touch with racing during his recovery, Baker has been kept busy with media work on the Racing Channel and has now taken up a new role as a jockey's agent, booking rides for two of the top jockeys in the country William Buick and James Doyle.

His own former agent, Marlborough-based Guy Jewell, said: "It's great that George has fought back from his serious injury.

"His wife Nicola deserves a heck of a lot of praise, she has been a rock.

"Of course I will give George any help he needs, as long he doesn't get too good at the job and start nicking a few of my jockeys rides!"

Taking My Time, My Autobiography is available to order now from racingpost.com/shop.