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

In this episode of The Paddock and The Pavilion, Stephen Wallis is joined by young National Hunt trainer AJ O’Neill, who stepped into the role of joint trainer alongside his legendary father Jonjo O’Neill in May last year. AJ offers insight into life at Jackdaws Castle, working closely with both his father and brother, jockey Jonjo Jr., and reflects on a successful first season in the job. It’s an...

In this episode of The Paddock and The Pavilion, Stephen Wallis speaks to young amateur jockey Paddy Smullen, who recently rode his first winner at Dundalk — the same track where his late father, Pat Smullen, recorded his first success.  Paddy reflects on his journey in racing so far, shares memories of his father, the 2016 Derby-winning jockey who sadly passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2020...

In this episode of The Paddock and The Pavilion, Stephen Wallis welcomes back Shazia Rahman Zazai— a trailblazer for Afghan women’s cricket. Shazia reflects on the historic match between the Afghan Women’s XI and Cricket Without Borders, held in Melbourne earlier this year, and shares her reaction to the ICC’s decision to provide financial support to Afghan women players. She also talks about her...

After 22 years, Zimbabwe are back on English soil for a Test match, taking on England at Trent Bridge. In this episode, Stephen Wallis is joined by Zimbabwean cricket commentator Tawanda Eli — known as The Master Eli — to discuss the significance of Zimbabwe’s return, the state of their Test side, key players to watch, in particular opening bowler Blessing Muzarabani and what this historic fixture...

With Cambridgeshire CCC progressing to the last 16 of the Women’s T20 County Cup, Stephen Wallis welcomes back head coach Lee Smith—joined this time by bowler Laura Robinson—to reflect on their victories against Herefordshire and Northumberland, and to look ahead to a tough test against Tier 2 side Kent. Also in the episode, Worcestershire Rapids captain Chloe Hill shares her perspective on the ne...

The 2025 Women’s County T20 Cup begins on Bank Holiday Monday, May 5th, and in this cricket-focused episode of The Paddock and The Pavilion, Stephen Wallis previews this new competition. Main guest Lee Smith, Head Coach of Cambridgeshire Women, discusses his team’s preparations for their opening match against Herefordshire. Lee, along with Cambridgeshire players May Busher and Kelly Haynes, shares...

To mark its 10th anniversary in 2025, Discover Newmarket — the official tourism service for Newmarket and the surrounding area — is offering five exclusive racing experiences like no other. In this episode, CEO Tracey Harding joins Stephen Wallis to reveal how you can bid for these unforgettable days, featuring icons of the sport including Frankel, Sir Mark Prescott, Godolphin, and Tattersalls. Fi...

After a long and successful career in the saddle, Grade 1 and Cheltenham Festival winning jockey Nick Scholfield has retired from race-riding. In this episode of The Paddock and The Pavilion, Nick joins host Stephen Wallis to discuss why he decided the time was right to retire after his ride on Monbeg Genius in the 2025 Grand National at Aintree. Nick also talks about the fire that still burns wit...

In this episode of The Paddock and The Pavilion, Stephen Wallis is joined by Vince van der Bijl, the former South African fast bowler who was named one of Wisden’s Cricketers of the Year in 1980, following a brilliant season with Middlesex that saw them crowned County Champions.   Although he never played Test cricket due to South Africa’s sporting isolation, Vince is celebrated as one of the game...

In this latest episode of The Paddock and The Pavilion, Stephen Wallis continues his “What Was It Like To…” series with a special look back at snooker’s Golden Age and is joined by former world number three, Neal Foulds. With the World Professional Snooker Championship fast approaching, Neal reflects on a time when the sport’s biggest names Alex Higgins, Steve Davis, Jimmy White, Stephen Hendry an...

In this episode of The Paddock and The Pavilion, host Stephen Wallis is joined by rising star Sophia Smale, the talented slow left-armer who’s made the move from the west to the east to join Essex.   Sophia shares her reasons for the switch, reflects on her time with Western Storm, and gives insight into her experiences in The Hundred with the Oval Invincibles. A fascinating look into the journey...

Who are the greatest Grand National winners of all time? In this episode, author and former diplomat Oli Hein—whose 2024 book Immortals explores racing’s most legendary National Hunt horses—reveals the Grand National winners he believes stand above the rest. Plus, we look at three unlucky losers—horses that, for various reasons, never managed to claim the most famous prize in National Hunt racing....

Former leading jockey and now television broadcaster Tom Scudamore returns to The Paddock and The Pavilion to share the Scudamore family’s deep connection with the Grand National—a legacy that began in 1951.   From famous rides and training successes to the race’s enduring significance for the Scudamore name, Tom offers a fascinating insight into one of horse racing’s greatest dynasties. He also d...

As promised, Roland Butcher returns to The Paddock and the Pavilion to share the latest on the launch of his autobiography, Breaking Barriers: From Barbados to England and Back. He reveals details about his 2025 book launches, events, and signings in the Caribbean, England, and the United States. For more information about his UK book launch on May 14th, visit: www.cricketsociety.org.uk 🔹 Subscri...

Former England international Roland Butcher returns to The Paddock and The Pavilion to reflect on India’s victory in the recent Champions Trophy. He shares his in-depth thoughts on what went wrong for England—both with bat and ball—and gives his opinion on who should be their new white-ball captain. Please subscribe to us on Apple podcasts, Amazon music, Spotify or on our YouTube channel. Connect...

In this episode of The Paddock and The Pavilion, host Stephen Wallis is joined by Tony Watts, a former Cambridgeshire Minor Counties cricketer from the mid-1960s, to discuss his new book Town v Gown, City v Village: A History of Cricket in Cambridge.   Tony explores the rich cricketing history of Cambridge, from the county’s near-first-class status to the influence of the University, the divide be...

Simon Finch, the Barmy Army’s well known trumpeter, was back in New Zealand during November and December last year entertaining supporters of both sides and lifting the England players throughout the tour. In his third appearance on The Paddock and The Pavilion, Finchy looks back on a successful series for England, the new song he created for a young debutant, and his pre-tour visit to Australia t...

In this episode of The Paddock and The Pavilion, Stephen Wallis catches up with Gloucestershire’s young fast bowler, Archie Bailey. Archie reflects on his cricketing journey so far, including his dream county debut at Lord’s last summer. He also shares insights into the support he’s received from his father, Kim Bailey—the Grand National, Cheltenham Gold Cup, and Champion Hurdle-winning trainer.  ...

In this special episode of The Paddock and The Pavilion, host Stephen Wallis is joined by legendary horse racing trainer Aidan O’Brien to reflect on the extraordinary career of Istabraq. Originally bred to win a Derby, Istabraq instead thrived under Aidan’s guidance at Ballydoyle, becoming one of the greatest hurdlers in racing history.   A true people’s horse, Istabraq captured the hearts of raci...

In this episode of The Paddock and The Pavilion, host Stephen Wallis is joined by four expert guests to analyse England Women’s crushing Ashes defeat in Australia. Rosa Simkin (Rosa Talks Ball), Worcestershire’s Chloe Hill, former England all-rounder Kathryn Leng, and current German international Tina Gough share their insights on what went wrong, the key issues facing the team, and what changes a...

In November 2024,Shirley Anderson-Jolag made history as the first female bloodstock auctioneer in Britain, bringing the gavel down at Tattersalls in Newmarket. In this episode of The Paddock and The Pavilion, we explore Shirley’s journey in the racing world and her path to the rostrum at Park Paddocks. Shirley shares what inspired her to take on the role of an auctioneer, the preparation leading u...

In this special cricket-focused episode of The Paddock and The Pavilion, host Stephen Wallis welcomes back Clare Cannon, founder of Cricket Without Borders, to share her firsthand experience of a groundbreaking match. On January 30, at Melbourne’s Junction Oval, Cricket Without Borders took on an Afghanistan Women’s XI in a game that was much more than just cricket—it was a symbol of resilience, o...

Cricket has the power to build bridges and break down barriers, and this episode highlights that like no other. Stephen Wallis is joined by Father Eamonn O'Higgins, the Manager of the Vatican cricket team, who toured England last summer.   In this conversation, recorded in late September, Father Eamonn shares insights into the Light of Faith tour, which included matches against the England Over-60...

Fifty years ago, England were blown away in the Ashes by the sheer pace of Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson. The 1974/75 series didn’t just crush England it changed Test cricket forever.   In this episode, I’m joined by David Tossell, author of Blood on the Tracks, a new book about the contest, to look back at one of the most brutal Ashes series in history. We talk about the fearsome fast-bowling du...

Rab Havlin joins me to reflect on a successful 2024 season, which saw him claim his second-ever Group 1 victory alongside several other big-race wins. We also discuss his nearmiss in the 2024 Derby at Epsom, the story behind that race and what might have been. Plus, Rab gives insight into life at John and Thady Gosden’s Clarehaven Stables in Newmarket and looks ahead to what 2025 has in store.   P...