Ep 1527 - Industry on high alert over Equine Flu threat
Nick is joined by ITV Racing's Oli Bell to look at the news of the day from around the racing world. With the threat of Equine Flu mounting and already forcing one abandonment and the cancellation of Hunter Chasing, Nick talks to BHA Equine Welfare boss James Given and Alan Hill, leading Point to Point and Hunter Chase trainer. Also today, Nick and Oli discuss the intervention of Nigel Farage in the affordability debate as well as the reported tensions between Kia Joorabchian and his Ireland-based trainer Robson Aguiar. Oli catches up with Neil King at Goffs, while Three Chimneys' Tony Cissell discusses Gun Runner as our Weatherbys Bloodstock Guest, Dan Barber runs the rule over Notable Speech in the Timeofrm Perspective, and Tattersalls' Kat Sheridan explains a whole night of sponsorship for the stable at Huntingdon on Tuesday.
19 May 2026, 10:47 am
37 minutes 54 seconds
Ep 1526 - Can Last Ditch Letter derail Affordability Checks?
Nick is joined by Mirror journalist David Yates to discuss the latest from around the racing world. On today's show, they review the weekend's activities on and off the track, from MPs petitioning Lisa Nandy on affordability, to Notable Speech's brilliant display at Newbury, which is the subject of Adam Mills' TPD analysis. Nick catches up with Preakness winning trainer Chad Summers, Charlotte talks to Royal racing manager John Warren about Friday's treble for the King and Queen, Josh brings us his report from the Grand Steeplechase de Paris, and owner George Gill (Opulence Racing) tells us about Sukanya's bid to win the Irish 1.000 Guineas this weekend.
18 May 2026, 1:38 pm
46 minutes 3 seconds
Ep 1525 - Beckett filly could be in different Orbit
Nick is joined by Racing Post senior writer Lee Mottershead to discuss the latest from around the racing world. They reflect on yesterday's key Derby trial at York - the Dante - with reflections from winning rider Colin Keane, who caught up with Charlotte yesterday. Also today, an in-depth interview with Ralph Beckett about some of his very promising three year olds, including four potential candidates for the Oaks, plus Derby and Coronation Cup hopefuls. Plus, York's Anthea Leigh on how a nasty incident at the track yesterday could have been much worse without preparation some weeks earlier. James Willoughby has an in-depth look at the 151st Preakness, while Andrew Offerman brigs us up to speed on the NYRA Stakes schedule this fall, and York's F & B supremo Steve Cooper drops in with the latest.
15 May 2026, 10:54 am
48 minutes 31 seconds
Ep 1524 - Repole weighs in on Triple Crown debate
Nick, in Baltimore, is joined from York by Lydia Hislop to discuss the latest from around the racing world. They discuss yesterday's Musidora Stakes, with sound from John Gosden on why I Am The One will miss Epsom. Meanwhile, trainer David Menuisier explains why the victory of Master Builder in the finale meant so much, as he also has news of Guineas also-ran Inis Mor. Looking ahead to the weekend, Al Shaqab racing manager Bertrand le Metayer looks forward to taking on the big guns in the Lockinge with Moulin winner Sahlan, while Lucinda Russell gets excited about a trip to Paris for the French Champion Hurdle with Apple Away. Maiti Stirling tells us of some of York's continuing initiatives this week, Ramiro Restrepo sings the praises of the Fasig Tipton Timonium sale, where he bought Kentucky Derby winner Mage four years ago, and Ben Atkins brings us his pointing update. Plus, Mike Repole tells Nick about helping to revive the fortunes of Italian racing and breeding, while espousing some typically strong views on the future of the US Triple Crown and the decision of the Derby winners to skip the Preakness.
14 May 2026, 10:57 am
43 minutes 13 seconds
Ep 1523 - Take Me to the Pilot
Nick is joined by Rishi Persad to look at today's racing headlines. Rishi is at York, where we are joined by rider Tom Marquand, who gives his thoughts on his key rides this week, which include Morshdi in the Dante, On the theme of Derby Trials, data and time expert James Willoughby runs the rule over the Derby Trials thus far, and articulates the case for Constitution River to run in France rather than at Epsom. Also today, Adrian Bott on the freak stingray injury that will keep Lady of Camelot away from Ascot, plus news of Sir Delius and a possible trip to Hong Kong. Back at York, Tattersalls' Jason Singh on 41 years of Musidora sponsorship, and Gavin Pattison on facilities upgrades for 2026. JA McGrath has the latest on the HK beat, while Nick and Rishi assess the latest pronouncements on affordability checks from the Gambling Commission's Tim Miller.
13 May 2026, 9:21 am
50 minutes 51 seconds
Ep 1522 - Field of Gold in race against time for Ascot
Nick is joined by David Yates for Tuesday's edition of the popular daily racing podcast. Juddmonte manager Barry Mahon is first up today, with a full update on the operation's key runners at York and Newbury this week, plus an update on Field of Gold. Also today, Jim Goldie on the return of American Affair in the Minster Stakes, Dan Barber with perspective on French Classics and the Timefome Jumps Awards, and Kia Joorabchian on building a breeding operation to lay down foundations for his global ambitions, in association with Weatherbys.
Plus, Nick and Dave have further reflections on yesterday's Ballydoyle visit as well as the resignation of Dr James Noyes from his advisory position.
12 May 2026, 11:49 am
30 minutes 22 seconds
Special: From Ballydoyle with Aidan O'Brien
Special: From Ballydoyle with Aidan O'Brien by Nick Luck
11 May 2026, 2:00 pm
38 minutes 56 seconds
Ep 1521 - Blake Lively
Nick returns with the first of this week's shows, with four excellent guests. First, Aga Khan Studs racing manager Nemone Routh reflects on the Poulains (French Guineas) triumph of Rayif, yet another top level success for the operation. Nemone also gives us the lowdown on some of the other stable stars. Also today, media personality, race planner and owner Kevin Blake tells Nick about James J Braddock, his Leopardstown Derby Trial winner, hot on the heels of his involvement in Friday's Chester Cup. Plus, owner George Waud with Derby dreams after Maltese Cross's win at Lingfield, and Richard Brown on Lockinge favourite Damysus, recent acquisition Gethin, and an exciting two year old about to hit the track.
11 May 2026, 11:37 am
45 minutes 36 seconds
Ep 1520 - Where did Chester go wrong?
Charlotte Greenway in for Nick and joined by the Racing Post’s Jonathan Harding on this Friday morning. They begin by setting the scene at Chester yesterday where racing was in the balance after horses slipped in the first race. After a an extremely lengthy steward inquiry, racing did get the green light and clerk of the course Eloise Quayle explains how the track came to be in that condition and what they’ve done ahead of racing this afternoon. Hugo Palmer, who trained the winner of the first, shares his views whilst Timeform’s David Johnson questions whether they going description of ‘good’ was at all accurate given the times we saw yesterday. Kevin Buckley reflects on a very successful week so far for the Coolmore / Ballydoyle team before finally Nick takes us to Chile as we hear from the owner/breeder of last weekend’s Dahlia Stakes winner.
8 May 2026, 10:53 am
43 minutes 7 seconds
Ep 1519 - Fact or Friction?
Nick is joined by Oli Bell to cast an eye over today's major racing stories. Continuing coverage of impending Financial `Risk Assessments, Nick talks to BGC CEO Grainne Hurst to pin down the council's position and intuit the Gambling Commssion's next steps. Broadcaster and campaigner Josh Apiafi also joins the show to discuss whether his brainchild GamScore can provide an AI-based solution within the likely GC framework. Plus, John Gosden at Chester yesterday, and 1/ST Racing's SVP Peter Rotondo on the likely make-up of the Preakness and the Royal Palm qualifiers for Royal Ascot.
7 May 2026, 11:01 am
41 minutes 46 seconds
Ep 1518 - Cloth-Eared Gambling Commission set to press on regardless
Nick is joined by Lee Mottershead to discuss the latest from around the racing world. They open up today with discussion of tomorrow's key Gambling Commission board meeting on Financial Risk Assessments (affordability checks). Bookmaker Geoff Banks has his say. Also on today's show, top jockey Mickael Barzalona on another potential Aga Khan Studs star in Daryzan, as well as half brother Daryz as he limbers up for the Prix Aga Khan IV. Plus, Nick Bradley on his big Chester team, featuring the redoubtable Al Qareem, Newmarket Director Sophie Able on the spike in 18-24 attendance at the Guineas meeting, and long-time radio and TV sports broadcaster Sonja McLaughlin on being one of the voices of the new sport and music station Track Radio.