The Paddock and The Pavilion - The Horse Racing and Cricket Podcast

Ladies Day at Newmarket’s July Festival is a special day for horse racing fans. For Newmarket residents Cheryl Scotland -Wigg and her mum Sandra they have Ladies Day at home but still go the trouble of getting the right dress, hat, shoes and even a swimming costume for the occasion. Cheryl’s lounge is converted into a VIP enclosure, a buffet is prepared, guests are invited and after enjoying the a...

In Episode 135 & Part 2 with Lisa Keightley, the England Head Coach chats about tough times living in bubbles, the Ashes and the World Cup in New Zealand where England reached the final. Lisa discusses what England need as a team to challenge the mighty Australians along with her thoughts on the future of the women’s game. A 360 degree view of her life as England’s head coach since her appointment...

In the first of two episodes Lisa Keightley, the former Australian star batter and now England's Head coach joins The Paddock and The Pavilion. In this week’s episode Lisa chats about her cricketing beginnings, which for an Aussie was not influenced by her three brothers, World Cup highs and lows, Ashes glory and her century against England at Lord’s in 1998, where she became the first woman to sc...

In Part 4 of The Road to Recovery Gavin Ashton updates us on his journey back to the saddle. Gavin again opens up on what he has learnt during his recovery. The young jockey’s comeback is growing nearer as he prepares to move back to his stable in Germany. A ride in the German Derby on Sunday 3 July remains his target. Please subscribe to us on Amazon Music, Apple podcasts, Google, Soundcloud, Spo...

Sam Freedman is a new member of the Freedman training dynasty in Melbourne and in this episode I spoke to the 26 year old about his short career in horse racing and his burgeoning partnership with his Dad, Anthony. Sam discusses what it is like to work with his Dad, the two years he spent in Newmarket as the pupil assistant to Roger Varian, the growth of Australian racing along with his time playi...

In Part 3 of The Road to Recovery Gavin Ashton is in upbeat mood following better news of his injury after the physical and mental frustrations he was going through in Part 2. A return to riding in Germany is now the immediate target. Please subscribe to us on Amazon Music, Apple podcasts, Google, Soundcloud, Spotify or Stitcher. Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram @ThePaddandPav Lear...

Sean Magee a personal friend of Lester Piggott and author of Lester’s Derbys gives a heartfelt tribute to the legendary jockey who passed away on Sunday 29 May. Sean who interviewed Lester on many occasions gives his insight into the character of one of the most iconic sportsmen of the 20th century. From his first win aged 12 in August 1948 on The Chase, his nine Derby’s, to his sensational comeba...

What was it like to….. train for The Queen? In Episode 4 where I pose the question ‘What was it like to…. I spoke to Neil Graham, who took over the licence to train for The Queen in late August 1988 when Derby winning trainer Dick Hern became seriously ill. Neil looks back at his time working for The Queen at her West Ilsley stables in Berkshire. Neil experienced first-hand The Queen’s love of her...

In the first of two Platinum Jubilee podcasts I spoke to current jockey Rab Havlin and former jockey Dale Gibson about what it’s like to ride for The Queen. Both Rab, who is based with John and Thady Gosden and Dale, the PJA Racing Director will be getting the famous royal silks back on at Epsom for the Derby Day guard of honour. Please subscribe to us on Amazon Music, Apple podcasts, Google, Soun...

Andrea Nelson, the CEO of this year's Women's World Cup tournament reflects on the tournament which proved an overwhelming success for the women's game. Andrea talks about the tournament’s challenges, which was originally due to take place in 2021before Covid struck the world. Andrea, who had previously worked on the London 2012 Olympics, FIFA under 20 World Cup and the 2017 Rugby League World Cup...

It's a busy week for Natalie O'Rourke, the Manager of Park Lane Stables. Her book 'Only Heroes and Horses' is out on 26 May. Natalie gives a brief insight into the book which tells the story of her life and the saving of the South West London stables which hit the world's headlines in 2021. Please subscribe to us on Amazon Music, Apple podcasts, Google, Soundcloud, Spotify or Stitcher. Connect wit...

What was it like to….. win the Derby? In Episode 3 of a short series where I pose the question ‘What was it like to…. I spoke to Joseph O’Brien, a dual winner of the Blue Riband of the turf at Epsom. Joseph recalls his victories on Camelot in 2012 and Australia in 2014. When winning on Camelot as a nineteen-year-old for his father Aidan he became part of the first father and son combination to win...

In our third episode with Gay Kelleway, the Exning based trainer gives an update on her incredible Just Giving campaign to #savehorsesinukraine. Gay has now made further trips to the Polish/Ukraine border, a journey of 2,800 miles and in this podcast she praises the racing industry’s support and the challenges her small team are facing regarding logistics and planning. The campaign has now reached...

In this 125th edition of ‘The Paddock and The Pavilion’ I had the pleasure to speak to Jaydon Lee a young man doing his dream job. 20-year-old Jaydon is the lucky work rider who looks after two of the biggest stars in National Hunt Racing, Shishkin and Constitution Hill at Nicky Henderson’s Seven Barrows yard in Lambourn. I asked Jaydon about his racing life, which began watching the sport on the...

All jockeys love to race ride. In Part 2 of the Road to Recovery with Gavin Ashton, the young apprentice jockey opened up about his frustrations of not being able to ride and how this is affecting him mentally following recent news about his left leg which he broke on 22 March on his first day back at his new stable in Germany. Gavin previously appeared in Episode 103 – A footballing chef who beca...

In this first of a series of podcasts I spoke to apprentice jockey Gavin Ashton following a serious injury he suffered when riding out on his first day back at work with his new stable in Germany. Gavin previously appeared in Episode 103 – A footballing chef who became a jockey. Please subscribe to us on Amazon Music, Apple podcasts, Google, Soundcloud, Spotify or Stitcher. Connect with us on Twit...

Chris Millard, the Managing Director of the Barmy Army is back, (See Ep 69) just like the organisation touring in the Caribbean. Chris talks about the West Indies trip including new songs for new players, plans for the summer, sponsoring a team at the Fairbreak Invitational and the prospect of returning to tour Pakistan later in the year. Roberta Moretti Avery, the captain of the Brazilian women’s...

On 30 April 2011 Frankel won the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. In one of the most astonishing races in the history of the turf Frankel won the famous Classic by 6 lengths. In this podcast you will hear from Newmarket trainer and racing expert John Berry, a spectator on the day, and jockey Rab Havlin, who provided some expert first hand insight on the race. Frankel went on to win all of his fourteen r...

Newmarket is the home of horse racing but one club making giant strides in a different sport in the Suffolk town is Newmarket Cricket club. Last season, The Stampede, as they are known, achieved promotion to the Cambs and Hunts Division 1 only a year after being reformed. In this episode I caught up with two of their players, leading bowler Freddie Statham and new Aussie recruit Connor Hotham. The...

Former Worcestershire captain and now the Director of Operations at the Professional Cricketers Association Daryl Mitchell chats about his sixteen year first class cricket career with his home county and his crucial role at the PCA. Daryl recalls his time with Worcestershire which included 298 v Somerset in 2009, six years as skipper and victory in the 2018 Vitality Blast Final. In 2017 Daryl beca...

Daily Telegraph cricketing journalist & Talk Sport broadcaster Georgie Heath is back with a guest appearance from the Brazilian women’s Cricket captain Roberta Moretti Avery to review the 2022 Women’s World Cup in New Zealand. The two of them fight back the tiredness of watching the cricket over the month of the March to give their expert opinions on the best ever Women’s World Cup. Moment of the...

In a follow up to Ep 115 Exning based trainer Gay Kelleway gives an account of her recent 2,800 mile round trek to the Polish Ukraine border delivering crucial and critical aid. Gay reveals some harrowing stories she heard during her time at the Polish rehabilitation horse hub where young Charley Thorneycroft has been doing some incredible work. Gay has now started a campaign (link below) to raise...

In this podcast I was delighted to chat to 16 year old O'Shane Marsh, who recently became the first student from the Riding a Dream Academy to graduate from the British Racing School's Foundation course. Enjoy O'Shane's racing journey which began at the Ebony Horse Club in Brixton. At aged 12 O'Shane went on to win a pony race at Ascot and to help prepare for the race O'Shane received extra tuitio...

What was it like to….. win the Grand National? In Episode 2 of a short series where I pose the question ‘What was it like to? I spoke to Charlie Fenwick, the American amateur jockey who came over to England in late 1978 with his family and his horse Ben Nevis to try and fulfil a family dream of winning the world’s most famous race. Charlie looks back at Ben Nevis’s racing career in the UK which cu...

In this special podcast Exning based trainer Gay Kelleway talks about the new Racing to Help Ukraine campaign. Gay is set to join a horse racing convoy to drive one of her horse boxes to the Polish Ukraine border full of supplies to help people and animals who are currently suffering the horrifying effects of war. For more details about the campaign go to the website racingtohelpukraine.uk or @Rac...