George and Charlie: Off the Bridle

Can’t believe how much we’ve crammed into just under half an hour in our latest episode. Of course, we preview Charlie’s Melbourne Cup runner Prince of Arran and we also focus on his equine namesake, who has been flying the flag for the podcast syndicate and George, who remains in hot form at the track. Talking of the podcast syndicate, there’s now a new one for listeners to hear all about in Epis...

George and Charlie look forward to high-profile assignments for their horses at Doncaster’s Leger Festival. They also give an insight into the yearling sales, plus find out why Scott and Fellowes have just done racing’s equivalent of MTV Cribs! * This episode was recorded on Sept 8th before the latest COVID restrictions were announced.

Classic-winning jockey turned broadcaster Jason Weaver makes for a superb interview in an episode in which we are also joined by York Racecourse boss William Derby. Jason shares his fascinating story in which he switched from being a budding teenage scrum-half in Wales to a star of the saddle. He reflects on a fine career as a jockey, including offering insights on two of his former bosses Luca Cu...

Record-breaking trainer Mark Johnston is our very special guest in the latest episode. In a great chat, he takes us inside the mighty organisation and family business that is Johnston Racing. We hear the story of how he came upon the firm’s famous ‘Always Trying’ motto – and also find out which race DVD he’d take to a desert island (he recently appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs and rev...

In our latest episode, Shadwell’s racing manager Angus Gold gives us a superb insight into Sheikh Hamdan’s renowned racing and breeding operation. Angus is a fascinating and amusing guest, reflecting on his 30-plus years working for Shadwell. Among others. he talks about sprint stars Dayjur and Battaash as well as Derby heroes Nashwan and Erhaab. His insights on trainers, including Major Dick Hern...

George and Charlie are back just in time for Royal Ascot. In the latest episode, the pair provide trainers' insights into behind-closed-doors racing and then turn their attention to the Royal meeting. Our partners Fitzdares are going 4/1 for either Scott or Fellowes to saddle a placed horse at Ascot and Charlie shares details of one of his runners that he thinks has a squeak of landing the price....

Who better to give us lockdown laughs than Jack Whitehall. The stand-up comic and actor - among his many talents - talks to us about his love of a day at the races and a brief flirtation with racehorse ownership. He also debates whether it's harder to be a jump jockey or a stand-up comedian, while George recalls a day in the dim and distant past when he once served as Jack's driver before a gig in...

Welcome back to the start of a new series of George and Charlie: Off The Bridle. For our opening episode we were joined by West Brom striker and racehorse owner Charlie Austin, who was great fun. There’s also all the latest on the Podcast syndicate horses ‘George Scott’ and ‘Charlie Fellowes’. Find out too which one of the lads is adopting a skinhead look for lockdown, while the other grows a debo...

When our partners Fitzdares suggested an episode in front of a ‘live’ audience at the King’s Head, Dullingham, we thought ‘what a great idea’. So, George, Charlie and Tony mustered a bit of Dutch courage and set out to entertain an assembled throng that included friends, family, owners and others. It was a fun way to finish the very first series of Off The Bridle. So, please enjoy Episode 17. We’l...

He just about got through the birth (sheet-white, sat in the corner with his head down). So, in our latest episode front and centre we hear about George’s early days as a proud parent and proud husband. Indeed, the birth story is one not to miss. Also tune in for traveller’s tales as Charlie looks back on a bold bid for glory in the Melbourne Cup with Prince of Arran.

Episode 15 and we hear about George’s pending paternity and the perils of building a pram. Charlie’s been off to see his favourite band Foals again, while both boys have a rugby World Cup semi-final conundrum. There’s the latest on the Podcast Syndicate – both yearlings are now bought and shares are available! Scott and Fellowes also discuss recent big-race winners and mull over landmark news from...

Episode 14 is full of the usual mix of racing chat and good humour, but attentive listeners will note on more than one occasion that Charlie appears to be nibbling away on something in between sentences. Something had to give and, sure enough, while Charlie is in full flow a peanut takes a wrong turn. Happily, father-to-be George is in the room, poised and ready to apply newly-learned skills. Just...

We’ve had jockeys, broadcasters but it’s taken until Episode 13 of Off The Bridle for us to persuade another trainer to sit around the table with us. It was worth the wait! Robert Cowell proved to be an excellent guest with insights and advice. Plus, he happily joined in with George’s jibes about Charlie’s racing attire! Anyway, we think it’s the best episode we’ve done in a while - but we’ll let...

All those mornings waiting on the Hill for your horses leave plenty of time for thinking for trainers... and at this time of the year thoughts tend to revolve around the yearling sales and, specifically, how to secure new recruits. Well, George and Charlie have hatched a plan that will add at least one to their respective 2020 teams… each buys a cheapish horse and sends it into training with the o...

Khadijah Mellah gave racing one of its best feel-good stories of the year when she won the Magnolia Cup at Glorious Goodwood. She’d never sat on a racehorse before this year, but ended up winning in front of huge crowds at one of British racing’s biggest festival meetings. She was victorious on Haverland, trained by Charlie, so who better for Episode 11 of the podcast than Khadijah. And, of course...

Some bright spark suggested we do a podcast to preview the King George and Glorious Goodwood – only we chose to record it on the most sweltering July day that Britain has ever experienced. Suffice to say there was even more hot air than normal as both the boys looked ahead to the Magnolia Cup, in which their respective stables go head to head – the subject of a hefty match bet. Plus, Fellowes glee...

To hoots of derision Fellowes claims to be ‘the saviour of racing’ in an episode in which use of the whip in racing provokes some very lively discussion. Thankfully, ITV Racing’s presenter Ed Chamberlin is along to offer excellent insights and some welcome common sense! Ed also reveals what it was really like to work alongside Gary Neville on Sky Sports and gives a couple of thoughts on the upcomi...

After Charlie smashed it with his first ever Royal Ascot winner, we knew there was no chance we’d get away without hearing all about it. So to help the tale, who better to have with us than the rather marvellous Hayley Turner, the history-making jockey who teamed up with Thanks Be to make it all happen for team Fellowes. It’s Hayley’s second outing on the podcast and, as always, she was in brillia...

So, when our good friends at Fitzdares asked if we’d like to take the pod on tour to the prestigious Annabel’s in Mayfair, how could we refuse? Especially given that the one and only Frankie Dettori joined us to chat about his rides at Royal Ascot. Even better, George manfully took the helm after @RushmerPR got lost – or something like that – in east London. Enjoy...

Here’s Episode 6 and George and Charlie mix reflections on the Derby with their thoughts about gallops mornings. With insights from both of their stables and news on upcoming runners, the boys convey what it’s really like to train in Newmarket, the historic home of horseracing.

Possibly the best episode so far; definitely the episode with the most laughs. Apprentice runner-up Luisa Zissman is a magnificent guest, joining us in the Kings Head, Dullingham straight after riding out on the gallops for George. Luisa is preparing to compete in the Magnolia Cup at Goodwood and her latest outing on the Newmarket Heath won’t be forgotten by anyone who witnessed it... ’Watch out!...

With the first Classics of 2019 upon us we thought it was time for a real heavyweight guest – hence multiple Group 1-winning jock and all-round top guy James Doyle joins us in the Kings Head, Dullingham for a wide-ranging chat. There’s insight on being part of the Godolphin team, as well as finding out his every-day breakfast cereal of choice – and a whole lot more besides. Meanwhile George has a...

Episode 3 Extra - Big News! by George and Charlie: Off the Bridle

It was very good having Oli Bell on the pod for Episode 2 but we thought we’d get ourselves a proper star guest for Episode 3 – so we put a call into Hayley Turner and, of course, she was great fun. Hayley gives us an insight into weighing-room life – Havlin loves his music, Norton is good for boxing chat – while she also recalls glorious Group 1 days on Dream Ahead and Margot Did. There’s also so...

We thought having a special guest along would ensure Episode 2 wasn’t all about Charlie... but somehow the plan backfired. Our first guest, Oli Bell from ITV Racing, was of course an absolute star with tales of his recent Frodon-Frost moment at Cheltenham alongside an insight on his boxing ‘career’ plus loads of other great stuff. Oli was indeed a brilliant first guest and yet Fellowes trumps him...