Some of Britain's best jockeys use the quiet winter months in the off-season to head out internationally to compete in the saddle, raising awareness their respective profiles.
Many head to the East to race in China, Japan or Hong Kong, others prefer the sun in Dubai for Meydan's World Cup Carnival, or if you are someone like Frankie Dettori, you can sit at home in your luxury armchair with a cigar in hand.
However, David Allan has once again plotted a different route, by enhancing his reputation as the most successful foreign jockey in India's racing history.
Allan is in the hunt for a fourth Indian Derby aboard the Sadakshara Padmanabhan-trained Sir Cecil – already a four-time Grade One winner.
Winner of the Indian 2,000 Guineas and unbeaten in eight starts – Sir Cecil: nicknamed the 'Indian Frankel', is in fact named after the late legendary British trainer.
Allan opened up on his time in India, and seems to be enjoying the experience now entering his tenth season in Asia.
(Credit: Racing Post) Allan said: "Sir Cecil is the best horse in India – he won the Guineas in Mumbai and will go for the Indian Derby. He’s won easily each time and is the horse everyone has to beat.
"I’m flying along and riding some of the top horses in India, so it’s going very well. The style of racing is quite different here – they tend to go a lot faster early on and you have to be on the ball otherwise you get found out. It makes you sharper."
"I'm racing a couple of times a week and flying around to those meetings. It’s miles better financially to come out here during the winter, and Tim [Easterby] doesn’t run too many on the all-weather."
In a strange turn of events, one of Sir Cecil's rivals for the next Indian Classic is called Adjudicate, who is trained by James McKeown - son of Lady Cecil and stepson of the late Sir Henry Cecil.
You can find out the results of the Indian Derby, in our weekly Irish/World Racing Round-Up, which is published every Monday.