Darkydog,

I watched a program last night with Greg Hall as guest.
He said that at eight years of age he was mucking out stalls at 3:30a.m. then rode horses trackwork. Later, after tending to the horses needs, he had breakfast and went to school, where he promptly fell asleep.
He equated it to "slave" conditions and it wouldn't happen today( I think he earned $8 p.w.). He also stated that he slept outside the horse stall and put horse blankets on the harsh cold concrete floor and one over him for warmth. As any Victorian will attest, it gets mighty cold in the Victorian winter and all this, for an eight-year-old boy.
What a story!!
It puts a whole different dimension on those hoops who achieve financial success after striving hard and "doing the right thing" by owners and trainers all their career. It was a real eye-opener.

Cheers.