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

The Paddock and The Pavilion presents Longchamp Legends, a two-part special celebrating the greatest winners of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. In Part 1, host Stephen Wallis is joined by author and former diplomat Oli Hein to revisit the Arc-winning champions from Great Britain, Ireland, and Italy, all of whom feature in his book Punch a Hole in the Wind. Please subscribe to us on Apple podcasts,...

In this episode of The Paddock and The Pavilion, Stephen Wallis is joined once again by bestselling author Felix Francis, the master of suspense and intrigue. Felix talks about his latest racing thriller, Dark Horse, sharing the background to the book, the research that went into it, and the return of one of his most popular characters, Sid Halley. Interview date 8 September 2025 Please subscribe...

The 13th Women’s ODI World Cup begins on the 30th of September, with hosts India facing Sri Lanka in the opening match. It’s the first global tournament for the England team under new coach Charlotte Edwards, with Nat Sciver-Brunt leading the side as captain. In this episode, Stephen Wallis is joined by Rosa Simkin of Rosa Talks Ball and Northamptonshire’s Chloe Hill. Rosa shares her reaction to E...

Over the years, The Paddock and The Pavilion has welcomed actors, authors, and musicians and in this episode, Stephen Wallis is joined by Andy Brown, the official artist of the 2025 Indian Premier League. Andy has painted sporting arenas all over the world, beginning with baseball stadiums in South Korea before turning his brush towards cricket. He discusses how he discovered his love of art, his...

In this episode of The Paddock and The Pavilion, Stephen Wallis is joined by Rosa Simkin from Rosa Talks Ball to look back at the 2025 edition of the Women’s Hundred. Together they review the performances of all eight franchises and explore how the Northern Superchargers secured this year’s title. The episode also revisits the tournament predictions.  Rosa and special guest Chloe Hill for the wome...

After a run of cricket episodes, The Paddock and The Pavilion returns to the turf with the popular young Australian trainer Henry Dwyer. Henry joins the show to talk about his talented 7-year-old mare Asfoora, who is bidding to make history at the Curragh this weekend. Fresh from her stunning victory in the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York, Asfoora will line up in the Group 1 Flying Five Stakes, a...

Just over a year ago, England won the inaugural Over-70s Men’s Cricket World Cup, defeating Australia in the final at Wormsley. In this episode of The Paddock and The Pavilion, Stephen Wallis is joined by John Evans, England’s captain on that historic day, as he looks ahead to the Silver Ashes tour in Australia and the prospect of a second World Cup in New Zealand in February and March 2026. Also...

England and India have just served up one of the greatest Test series of the century, finishing level at 2–2. Joining Stephen Wallis to look back on all the drama is former England player Roland Butcher. Roland reflects on whether this summer’s contest was even better than the iconic 2005 Ashes, names his player of the series, and shares his thoughts on what the result means for England ahead of t...

In this episode of The Paddock and The Pavilion, Stephen Wallis is joined by Tim Wigmore, sports journalist with The Telegraph and author of Test Cricket: A History. Tim discusses his new book, which charts the definitive story of Test cricket. The conversation covers India’s fascinating Test history, the future of the long format against the challenges of T20 cricket, and some of Tim’s personal T...

In August 2006, York witnessed one of the most dramatic finishes in Ebor history. The 100/1 outsider Mudawin, dismissed by almost everyone, came with a late run to snatch victory in the Ebor Handicap, the world famous race first run in 1843. For jockey John Egan, it was a remarkable win, and during this episode he reveals more about Mudawin, a horse he would go on to ride 14 times, winning four of...

Young Australian trainer Henry Dwyer returns to The Paddock and The Pavilion for the third time this summer to talk about his flying mare Asfoora. After finishing unplaced at both Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood, Asfoora now heads to York on Friday 23 August, where she lines up in the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes over 5 furlongs. Can she make amends and claim the Group 1 glory her connections are ch...

In this episode of The Paddock and the Pavilion, Stephen Wallis looks ahead to the first Heroes Gallop for Autism in Racing at Chepstow Racecourse. Founder Bobby Beevers explains why he set up Autism in Racing and how the organisation supports autistic people to enjoy the sport, whether as spectators or employees. The episode also features Jane Buick, ambassador for Autism in Racing; Luke Admans,...

Tom Dunlop is cycling 2,600 miles to all 60 British racecourses on Tom’s Big Bike Ride, aiming to raise £60,000 for the Injured Jockeys Fund and Diverse Abilities. Tom talks about the physical challenges, the mental challenges, and the incredible support he’s received along the way especially from his mum, Christina. Follow Tom’s journey on Instagram @tomsbigbikeride and to support Tom, click the...

In this third episode of our 2025 series on The Hundred, Stephen Wallis catches up with rising star Grace Scrivens, who is prepped and ready for her third season with the Trent Rockets. Grace 21, has captained England A at home and abroad in 2025 and now leads her county side Essex. She also led England to the final of the 2023 under 19s World Cup in South Africa. In this episode, she reflects on...

In this episode of The Paddock and The Pavilion, Stephen is joined once again by Rosa Simkin of Rosa Talks Ball to preview the 2025 edition of The Hundred. Together, they analyse all eight teams in the women’s competition, with Rosa offering her predictions for the tournament. Stephen also shares his thoughts on the men’s competition. Featuring cameo appearances from two special guests, this episo...

Mick Newell, General Manager of the Trent Rockets, joins Stephen Wallis to look ahead to what could be a transitional year for The Hundred. Mick shares his measured views on the future of the competition, investor involvement from 2026, and the Rockets’ chances this season. Please subscribe to us on Apple podcasts, Amazon music, Spotify or on our YouTube channel. Connect with us on X, Facebook & I...

In this episode of The Paddock and The Pavilion, part of the What Was It Like To…? series, Stephen Wallis speaks to Pauline Eyre, who spent nearly 20 years as a line judge at Wimbledon, including officiating at 12 finals. Now performing as a stand-up comedienne Pauline is heading to the Edinburgh Fringe with her show Anyone for Tennis? – a humorous take on her time in the world of elite tennis. Tu...

Aussie trainer Henry Dwyer returns to The Paddock and The Pavilion to talk all things Asfoora, his flying 6-year-old mare who ran a gallant fifth in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot. Now, Henry has his sights set on Friday 1 August at Glorious Goodwood, hoping Asfoora can go one better than last year in the King George Qatar Stakes.   I catch up with the ever-engaging trainer to hear how...

Former England international and show regular Roland Butcher returns to give his half term report on the gripping Test series between England and India. India could and perhaps should be 3 nil up, but Roland explains why that hasn’t happened. He also shares his thoughts on the latest cricket news from around the world and answers questions from our listeners.  A packed episode full of insight and...

In this special tribute episode, The Paddock and The Pavilion remembers former England, Northamptonshire, and Durham cricketer Wayne Larkins, who sadly passed away on Saturday 28 June at the age of 71. Wayne, who was a guest on Episode 108, enjoyed a remarkable career spanning more than 20 years and scored over 25,000 first class runs. To honour his cricketing achievements, host Stephen Wallis is...

In this special episode of The Paddock and the Pavilion, host Stephen Wallis is joined by Roland Butcher, the former England cricketer and sporting trailblazer to explore his remarkable life and new autobiography Breaking Barriers Barbados to England and Back. Roland reflects on his upbringing in Barbados, his historic debut in 1980 as the first Black cricketer to play for England, and the key lif...

In this episode of The Paddock and The Pavilion, host Stephen Wallis is joined by Zimbabwe cricket commentator Tawanda Eli, known as The Master Eli to reflect on Zimbabwe’s recent one off Test match against England, the first between the two nations in 22 years. Although England secured a comfortable win, the match was a proud and emotional moment for Zimbabwean cricket fans in the UK. Several sup...

In this episode of The Paddock and The Pavilion, host Stephen Wallis rounds off his coverage of the inaugural Women’s T20 County Cup — the FA Cup of women’s cricket with a special interview featuring Ellie Threlkeld. Ellie captained Lancashire to glory on Bank Holiday Monday, 26 May, at Taunton, steering them to a thrilling 3 wicket win over The Blaze in the semi-final and a commanding 32-run vict...

With Royal Ascot just around the corner, The Paddock and The Pavilion welcomes back Australian trainer Henry Dwyer, who returns to the UK with his star sprinter Asfoora for the 2025 King Charles III Stakes.  Asfoora took Group 1 honours in the 5-furlong sprint last year, and Henry joins host Stephen Wallis to preview her chances of going back-to-back at one of the world’s most prestigious racing f...

In this episode of The Paddock and the Pavilion, host Stephen Wallis is joined by the show’s cricketing expert and Test Match Special commentator Roland Butcher. Roland looks back at England’s one-off Test match against Zimbabwe and ahead to the five-Test series against India — including his prediction for the outcome. He also shares his thoughts on the latest stories from the world of cricket and...