Date of birth: 26 July 1955 Started training: 1985 Base: Minehead, Somerset 2002-2003 wins: 134 2001-2002 wins: 119 2000-2001 wins: 83 1999-2000 wins: 112 Stable stars: Rooster Booster, One Knight, La Landiere Main jockey: Richard Johnson

Hobbs read agriculture at Reading University, but the family farm near Minehead is now famous for harvesting National Hunt winners rather than more traditional crops.

A former professional jump jockey, Hobbs began training in 1985 with six horses which he kept in a cowshed.

His first runner was a winner and he has never looked back, with last season his best.

In 2002, Hobbs truly entered the big league by breaking the 100-winner barrier for the first time.

The highlight of that season was Flagship Uberalles' Queen Mother Champion Chase victory but he also won the Tingle Creek, the Racing Post Chase and the Hennessy Gold Cup.

Last season, he had his most successful yet and enjoyed another successful Cheltenham with Rooster Booster winning the Champion Hurdle.

Another of his Festival winners was La Landiere, who was recording her seventh win of the season.