His father, Patrick, was out with the Old Berkshire Hunt, while his mother, Sally, was doing the usual thing at home when her younger son has a ride - worrying like mad in case anything happens to him.
Foley's father is head lad to the equine expert Captain Charles Radclyffe, and as chief "breaker-in" at the yard, assists Radclyffe who prepares the Queen Mother's embryonic jumpers.
Young Foley is a lean machine. His height of 5ft 11ins. makes him tall for a jump jockey, but his stringbean 9st 4lb frame leaves him plenty of leeway to ride at the lowest weight of 9st 9lb.
Having been sired by such a specialist in educating young horses, Foley is carrying on the tradition.
He assists the guru of National Hunt instructors, Yogi Breisner, when he comes to Seven Barrows each Wednesday for coveredschool training. Foley's task is to ride the stables blueblooded debutantes.
The budding jockey could barely wait to leave his school near Oxford where he shone as a right-winger for the soccer team and scrumhalf for the rugby XV. On leaving school, he chose a two-year thoroughbred management course at Witney College, with the future aim of becoming an assistant trainer but work-experience threw him and Henderson together.
It is understandable that he did not return to college for the second year after Henderson had offered him the post of stable amateur and later the role of conditional rider.
For one of such tender years, the opportunity to ride horses of the calibre of Marlborough, Bacchanal and Tiutchev on the gallops could, perhaps, turn one's head, but Foley's feet are firmly on the ground.
He also holds the distinction of having ridden the brilliant Geos to win his first race under Rules at Leicester. Of Geos, Foley said: "I'm not sure whether we will send him back over timber for the Champion Hurdle or keep him over fences."
Surprisingly, his favourite horse, Chapeltown, does not carry the royal colours. He is owned by a stalwart Berkshire syndicate which seems to take over the whole of the paddock when he runs at his local course, Newbury.
"I've ridden him three times at that track and each time he has won," said Foley.
Another bonus for the youngster is that he has the opportunity of riding alongside stable jockey Mick Fitzgerald on the gallops. He rates the Irishman highly.
"He's the best at setting a horse up at an obstacle, and can switch off an animal to get it jumping. He doesn't mind giving me invaluable riding tips, which have already paid off.
Foley, who is hoping to be in action at Mussleburgh tomorrow, adds: "I know I must be about the luckiest young rider in the business to be where I am.
"My mother always tells me that she was sure I was going to make it.
"She recalls that when she was pregnant with me, I was already riding a finish!"
