COMPARED to the challenges Luke Strong has already faced in his life, riding half a ton of racehorse at speeds of 40mph must seem quite straightforward.

The 24-year-old, who works for Sheriff Hutton trainer Tim Walford, would never admit to that but his commitment and determination to become an apprentice jockey, against all the odds, is inspiring.

At 11, Strong was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes – a condition where the body stops making insulin and blood sugar levels can rise and fall to dangerous levels.

He was injecting himself up to four times a day until he was equipped with an insulin pump a couple of years ago and the disorder can have a particular effect on Flat jockeys where the need to waste and achieve light weights is paramount.

Strong can’t spend time in a sauna, for example, and neither can he routinely starve himself in the way his peers might, else he risks catastrophic effects on his blood sugar levels.

He had to wait two years to be granted an initial amateur licence, which was only handed out following rigorous testing and data collection, when the British Horseracing Authority’s medical department were convinced he would not be a danger both to himself, and other jockeys.

Even now, Strong is regularly monitored and checks his blood sugars up to ten times a day to ensure they are kept at a safe level.

What can a horse throw at him that life hasn’t already?

“I had ridden all my life and went to the Northern Racing College,” explained Raskelf-based Strong of his first steps to becoming a rider.

“I was then posted to Andrew Balding at Kingsclere and it was an amazing place.

“I was riding with William Buick and David Probert and it was great but I just thought there wouldn’t be enough space for us all. I also questioned my ability.

“I came to Tim’s and he was brilliant and he said we could get my apprentice licence. On an apprentice course, I was speaking to one of the doctors and telling her about my diabetes and she referred me to Dr Michael Turner (BHA’s chief medical advisor).

“He said that, generally, you could ride with diabetes but that there was a strict protocol to follow.”

So two years of monitoring, of writing down blood sugar levels, of trying to reach the safe levels demanded by the BHA followed for Strong who, living up to his surname, worked hard to grasp the opportunity.

“I was optimistic,” he added. “If he had told me ‘you can’t ride you are diabetic’ I would have accepted it but there was a window and you have to follow this. I thought I had to give it a go.

“It was about getting to grips with it and, at times, it was quite frustrating. There were times where I would go a couple of months and my blood sugar levels were really spot on for Dr Turner but then I might have a little blip.

“You might just miscalculate a bit of insulin. That’s when you are back to square one. (Coming through this) has taught me not to take much for granted. I was determined to prove I could go and do it.”

Awarded his amateur licence in July 2009, Strong was given his apprentice colours a year later.

“I still have to test and send the results to Dr Turner,” he added. “I do have to waste but I can’t go to the same extremes. I can’t go in a sauna – I can’t sit there for an hour because my blood sugar levels would drop.

“I try to watch and think about how many calories I have eaten and how much I need to do to burn off and it helps if I have something to aim for.”

To start with, the aim was the first victory – which came on board Walford’s Turn Me On at Catterick last year.

Seven rides this season have yet to yield a winner and Strong, who can comfortably ride at eight stone, knows full well he has to bide his time and, most importantly, impress with every opportunity he receives in the saddle.

“Everyone is in the same boat,” he said. “Everyone wants results. Unfortunately, it is a harsh game. You have to be always at the top of your form. If you come back with hard luck stories, you can be downgraded. People want the best on board to get the best results.

“But I am going to give it everything I have got and if my career takes off and whether I end up as a good jockey riding well every day then brilliant.

“I’ve had a winner and it didn’t really sink that day. I was really pleased as it was only my second ride as an apprentice. I want to feel that way again.”