And it's the perfect description.

Forrester is back where it all started after three decades carving out an elite career in the saddle around Australia and overseas.

The now 53-year-old was born and grew up in Ballarat, and began his apprenticeship in the city.

It's more than that too.

Forrester spent time during his apprenticeship with Barry James at Sylvan Lodge in Delacombe after initially being with the now retired Vin Grace nearby.

Ironically, James is reason Forrester has returned to his hometown.

He has taken up a position with Barry James and son Glen, who are now training in partnership at the relocated Sylvan Lodge near Miners Rest, as stable jockey and foreman.

And he could not be happier to be back.

Forrester said it was only by chance that he secured the position.

Forrester said he was living on the Gold Coast and admits his focus was probably more on surfing than race riding.

"I wasn't doing much."

He said he was browsing a website advertising racing industry jobs when he came across one from the James looking for a live-in manager.

He replied and it was not long before he was talking to Barry's wife Lois and the move was on.

Forrester said as a young apprentice it had been like being part of the family so returning to again work for the James had been an easy choice.

With Forrester, the James not only have someone to help oversee the stable operation, they also have a stable jockey.

The live-in role suits Forrester down to the ground.

"It's not just a job," he said.

"It's a lifestyle.''

And he says importantly he is relaxed and enjoying life.

There's also the family aspect.

Forrester has his 17-year-old son Lachlan, living with him, he has a brother and sister living in Ballarat, and is not far away from his mother, who lives at Phillip Island.

Forrester said everything had just fallen into place.

Importantly too, the stable is producing winners.

"We're having luck.

"It's a family operation…a boutique stable.

"We've got 10 in work.

"It's perfect."

Since his return at the start of the season, Forrester has had 18 rides on James runners for five wins and three minor placings - a strike rate the stable is proud of.

The first came on Sylvan Power at Coleraine in late September on what Forrester describes as a special moment.

Forrester's biggest win since his return though came on Stawell galloper Mujadale in the Ararat Gold Cup for trainer Paul Jones.

"I knew his (Jones') dad," Forrester said.

He said he secured the ride out of the blue, with Jones giving him a call.

That pick-up ride now gives him a chance of landing a big one on his home track.

Forrester will again ride Mujadale in the $200,000 Sportsbet.com.au Ballarat Cup, 2200m, today.

Forrester said he had only ridden in the Ballarat Cup once.

"It'd be nice to win the local cup.

"We'll be having a go," he said.

It is his only ride on the 10-race program, but one he is really looking forward to.

Forrester has lived up to the saying of "have saddle will travel" right from the start of the riding career, which took him to the top of his profession.

After starting out with Grace and James, he had stints during his apprenticeship with Ballarat master trainer Noel Kelly and then Geoff Murphy at Caulfield.

His first win came on Jay Boy at Donald in 1977.

Six years later he landed his first group 1 success on Old Currency in the West Australian Derby.

His first Victorian group 1 win came on Admiral Lincoln in the 1984 Australian Cup.

Forrester was also fortunate enough to have a close association with start sprinting mare Miss Andretti.

It was 2004 and he was living in WA.

He scored on her in a maiden at Pinjarra.

Forrester went on to ride her 14 times for nine wins, including the group 2 Winterbottom Stakes.

He had his last ride on her in the 2006 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.

She then moved from the WA stable of David Mueller to Lee Freedman and went onto to win the King Stand at Ascot in England in 2007 in a racing career which reaped 19 wins and $2.85m in stakes.

As well as WA and Queensland, Forrester has also spent time based in NSW and Malaysia.

Forrester can now lay claim to being one of the oldest active race jockeys in Victoria at the moment.

But age is of no concern.

He cannot see his career coming to an end soon.

He's fit, relaxed and feeling good physically.

"I don't have waste. All's good." Forrester said.