#BettingPeople: Recent Episodes
#BettingPeople
BettingPeople. Characters from the world of betting. Brought to by starsports.bet. For our full library of video interviews visit https://www.starsportsbet.co.uk/betting-people/
Ed Thompson found he had an aptitude for maths when working out orders when selling his smallholding father’s produce in his head.
In this interview, he talks about his bookmaking career, which started with a pencil and field book at local point-to-points and culminated in working some of the top pitches in the country.
BettingPeople: Louise Powell spent her childhood going greyhound racing at ‘flapping’ tracks in the North East.
A very talented writer, Louise has written three commissioned short art films and had her plays performed at nine different theatres amongst other achievements.
Now taking inspiration from her early life going greyhound racing, she is publishing her debut novel ‘Underdogs’ which follows a father and son becoming involved in a greyhound gambling ring led by a charismatic ex-miner.
In Louise’s words, “I’ve poured my heart and soul into telling a story that’s worthy of the community that I grew up in.”
Ian ‘Ricky’ Rixon 61 years in the betting ring talks about his life from the Silver Rings of his youth to taking huge bets on the rails.
BettingPeople: David Stewart has been working behind the scenes as head of Star Sports’ content team for over a decade, what many people might not know is that his career started with a bang on the front page of the Sun and on national TV, meet David Stewart, aka Computer Kid.
BettingPeople: Professional poker player Marty Smyth was the highest European earner in 2007, winning top tournaments, then extended into sports and horse racing betting. This is his first interview in 20 years.
Professional punter, friend of the stars and avid Chelsea fan, ‘Tracksuit’ Dave Standbridge is a much-loved character on and off the racecourses of the UK. In this four-part interview, he talks about his life battling the bookies and, more recently, a much deadlier foe.
Dave has asked that we share a link to the charity that helps people with MPN (myeloproliferative neoplasms). You can find out more and donate by clicking the link below:
MPN Voice – Donate.
David Lovell, born into a respected and innovative bookmaking family, started life learning the odds with his father John, and started one of Wales’ first in-running suites, where fortunes were made before he became a full-time professional punter with runners countrywide until founding DragonBet with his brother James. Reticent to talk publicly for years, finally we have David Lovell in the #BettingPeople chair, speaking to Simon Nott.
BettingPeople: Winning over 1,600 points in three years on golf and 200 a year backing horses over the last four years for his followers has made Ginger Joe become a thorn in bookmakers’ sides. In this four-part interview, he tells Simon Nott how he does it.
Rob Furber – professional reality TV punter, founder of TV betting analysis website entertainmentodds.com and author of ‘The Gambler’, speaks to Simon Nott at our flagship betting shop in Mayfair!
Ryan Conneely is the face thousands recognise as the punter striving to beat the bookmakers on the Barking Mad Betting channel. In this interview, he tells Simon Nott about his love of greyhound racing, learning the hard way and how he could be very rich indeed.
Jason Timms and his father made a living sticking on for sharp punters for decades, betting on and off course, using accounts and betting shops. These days, those activities are much harder to do, so Jason has decided to come out of the woodwork to tell the story of what was one of the best-connected operations in racing to Simon Nott.
Simon Nott met with Races Now tipster, on-course presence and content creator Stephen Darbyshire to discuss his tipping, what SD offers, and his visits to racecourse betting rings.
Ahead of the start of this year’s Star Sports Greyhound Derby, Simon Nott sat down with the Managing Director of Greyhound Racing UK, Mike Davis.
David, the son of a bookmaker, has been in the game all of his life and worked through the many changes in the betting ring over the last 30 years. In this interview, he talks about a life in the betting industry.
BettingPeople: Recorded in WJ Arment & Son’s traditional pie and mash shop, Walworth, son of an illegal street bookmaker and brother of betting ring legend Johnny Lights, author and journalist Alan Hurndall’s new book, ‘The Kid From The Kiosk,’ tells the story of his upbringing in South East London, some of which he relates in this interview with Simon Nott.
Maurice ‘Mo’ Charge – bookmaker, punter and sportsman rose from council estate boy to a top bookmaker and feared punter – here’s his story as told to Simon Nott.
BettingPeople: David Hipkin is a betting industry expert with a wide range of experience looking for edges. He is the co-founder of SharpBetting.co.uk, a site that was launched in 2024 with a focus on horse racing, football and boxing.
BettingPeople: PATRICK VEITCH: Professional punter and thoroughbred investor Patrick Veitch is revisited by Simon Nott to find out what’s been happening in his world since they last talked two years ago.
BettingPeople: Horseracing legend Bob Champion is world famous for racing Aldiniti to win the Grand National in 1981 and since then he has raised £16,000,000 and rising for cancer charities. In this interview with Simon Nott he talks about before, during and after his famous victory.
BettingPeople: Peter Barron was editor of the Northern Echo for 17 years and in that time championed horseracing and other sports coverage in the paper. His career started as racing correspondent of the Scunthorpe Telegraph. In his time at the paper, he was awarded an MBE. He’s now a freelance publicist and is heavily involved with Redcar racecourse as well as charity work.
BettingPeople: Based in Portugal, Jose Ribeiro enables and advises betting syndicates across the globe, he’s also a gifted chess player and continues to be at the highest level. In this four-part interview, Jose talks about his beginnings, the workings of betting syndicates and the strategies that some of them use.
BettingPeople: After the success of his interview, Gambler, Coder & SharpBetting.co.uk Co-Founder Chris Fawcett is back to answer your questions, covering a range of topics about the gambling world!
BettingPeople: Million-selling author Felix Francis started his writing career with a physics paper in 1986 while following his first career in academia. He is the son of best-selling author and ex-jockey Dick Francis ultimately helping with and eventually continuing the family ‘Dick Francis’ series of books, however, not before learning to fly a plane, becoming a sharp-shooter, teacher and successful businessman in his own right. Felix talked to Simon Nott as his latest book ‘Syndicate’ was launched.
BettingPeople: Mark Adcock is one of the UK’s top pigeon fanciers who has followed in his father and grandfather’s footsteps training out of their loft in Croydon. In this interview Mark explains the ‘nomination’ system of betting, how the top birds can sell for £1,000,000, how the game works, discusses the side bets stuck on races, breeding, getting involved and more.
BettingPeople: Jerry White, bookmaker’s assistant and professional punter has been in the game man and boy. He was introduced to and fell in love with greyhound racing before he was of legal age to bet. He cut his teeth at both the dogs and horseracing and even went behind the scenes working in a yard for a period of time. In his time on course, he’d known some of the legendary punters of the day in an environment where the underworld wasn’t very far away. These four parts cover some fascinating stories, the bonus episode covers Jerry’s parallel life in music mixing with Britpop Royalty and punk rock legends. Was Jerry born lucky? You decide!
BettingPeople: William Morgan, educated at Radley and Cambridge, was an amateur jockey for 30 years, the manager of Limestone Stud for 20 years, a Jockey Club steward for 10 years, a Trustee of the European Breeders Fund, a council member of the Thoroughbred Breeders Association, writer for various breeding publications, and member of the Race-Planning committee 2002 -2009. William was also a committee member of Carlisle racecourse who still found time to write four huge volumes on long gone racecourses called ‘Strongholds Of Satan.’ Two versions have been published, both of which stand at 1,032 and 1,016 A4-sized pages, whilst another version is on the printers.
Strongholds of Satan can be found at: mainholmpress.co.uk
BettingPeople: Chris went from having his very first bet, a tip from a computer program in 1991 to becoming a full time professional punter in seven years. He’s since educated himself along the way creating bots and AI programs to beat the bookmakers, he’s now co-founder of SharpBetting.co.uk and sharing his knowledge.
BettingPeople: Barry Hearn rose from lowly beginnings in the East End of London to become one of the most successful sports promoters of recent times. He was responsible for the rise of Steve Davis and the popularity of snooker and went on to make household names of countless sportsmen and sports.
His Matchroom empire is now headed by his son Eddie, but ambition and passion still burns bright in the patriarch of the business, Barry. In this punchy interview, he talks about his rise to the top and how he has dealt mentally with the highs and lows on the way, talks about his top 10 rules and gives valuable advice to anyone wishing to succeed in business.
BettingPeople: Terry Allen is an ex-Jockey Club Betting Intelligence Officer, SP Returner and SP Validator who has also clerked for on-course bookmakers, run betting shops worked as a Pontins Bluecoat and once appeared as a dancer on Ready Stardy Go and shared a dressing room with The Kinks. In this three-part interview, he talks about his career.
BettingPeople: Dual-purpose trainer Joe Tickle has worked his way through the ranks in racing as a Jockey and assistant trainer, he’s now training under his own name and is expanding his operation and enjoying winners in both codes. In this four-part interview, he talks about the reality of getting a foothold on the training ladder.
BettingPeople: Rolf Johnson has worked directly under and knew and been balled out by Phil Bull, Ryan Price, David Elsworth and Toby Balding as well as working at The Scout at the Daily Express writes for Highclere and various publications worldwide. In this interview he talks about his life in racing and beyond which has seen him work with the greats and travel the globe.
Award-winning racing journalist and author Geoff Lester got a job at the Sporting Life in 1964 after being told by his careers teacher he couldn’t become a racing journalist. He stayed at the paper until it closed in 1998. In this four-part interview, he talks about his long career where he mixed with the royals and rascals on the turf and travelled the world in search of a racing scoop.
Veteran professional punter Alan Potts was one of our first #BettingPeople interviewees back in 2017. We caught up with him again to find out how the mop has flopped since that initial interview. Alan says ‘there’s lots of talk about winners but never forget there were also thousands of losing bets. But the losers don’t make such good stories!’
Professional punter and now also tipster by necessity, Ian Richards has made a living by spotting value in a host of varied markets for decades. In this interview, he talks about the sorts of sports he has utilised to his betting advantage over the years, and how lockdown drew him to his current preferred value-seeking betting.
One of the UK’s leading football tipsters, Kevin Pullein’s tips made a profit for an astonishing 27 consecutive seasons. In this interview, he talks us through his strategy for beating the bookmakers at football and tells us something of his career path that got him to the top of the tipsters.
Lizzie Kelly was the first female rider to win a Grade 1 jumps race in the UK, and came very close to matching that feat in France as a jockey she won The Betfair Hurdle, Betfred Bowl and Ultima and rode twice in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, since retiring to start a family she’s a TV and Radio broadcaster and runs Valentine Bloodstock alongside her Husband Ed.
Darran Pearce specialises in betting and tipping on the lesser-known branches of popular sports, non-league football, hunter chases and Australian jump racing. In this interview, he tells us how he’s gained his edge by successfully betting and tipping on these sports while working for the broadcasting arm of bookmakers throughout his career.
Racing commentator Simon Holt has been on the national circuit since 1988 having worked his way up to that position from a ‘poor’ upbringing via Superform and The Sporting Life. In this interview, Simon talks about his current work as a commentator, his career so far and outside interests including owning and breeding horses.
TV presenter, pundit, journalist, jockey’s agent, commentator and now bookmaker Matt Chapman talks about his career so far with some juicy topics along the way.
BettingPeople: Racing Journalist, broadcaster, successful, previously professional punter and stand-up comedian Ross Brierley talks about his approach to backing winners, strategy and mentors plus his background and that comedic streak.
BettingPeople: Dave Roberts prefers the term ‘Seller of jockeys’ to agent, but whatever you want to title him he was without a doubt the biggest, handling 100’s of jockeys over his career, including AP McCoy from his very early days in the saddle. In this four part interview, we talk to the man behind some stunning careers.
Simon Nott catches up with betting industry consultant Matthew Trenhaile, who remains one of the most respected in the industry, for his second appearance on #BettingPeople. Over five parts, plus a bonus episode.
‘The Successful Punter’ has plied his trades of punting, tipping and racecourse hosting from his Midlands base for decades. He’s now based in the Philippines finding his feet fathoming their one racecourse and intends to ‘commute’ to Hong Kong and Dubai to bet and host in the coming months. Here is his story in three parts.
Training from state of the art Sarsen Farm in Upper Lambourn, Dan & Claire Kübler have virtually doubled their prize money each year over the last three years. They both achieved degrees before travelling then deciding on a career training racehorses. Here’s their #BettingPeople interview telling how they are making their training pay using science to ensure they get the best from their horses with their innovative techniques.
Mike Parcej, described by some as the ‘Phileas Fogg of racing’ is a prolific racegoer and passionate fan of the sport with some strong opinions about the game and the experience of attending the races in the UK and beyond.
Newcastle-born and-bred Paul Willis has lived in the USA since 1984 but started his sporting life working with his on-course bookmaking father in the Silver Rings of the North but venturing as far south as the Epsom Derby, working the floor, clerking and tic tacking. He was also a talented footballer, a contemporary of Paul Gascoigne signed to Newcastle United up to Under 19’s. Paul then moved to the USA where he won awards for soccer, set up his own football club and championed steeplechasing in the USA with horses in training in the USA, Ireland and the UK including his Atlantic Friends syndicate. Meeting Paul Willis with Simon Nott.
Head of trading at TTP (Trade The Prices) Steve Couling is an odds compiler and ex greyhound trainer who has enjoyed an innovative career compiling prices for the industry on many sports including German Ice Hockey and Basketball as well as more conventional horses and greyhounds. He was pivotal to the rise of Stan James and the introduction of BOG. His story is a fascinating one, in four parts.
Ex- Jockey now top bloodstock agent Tom Malone has purchased over 3000 winners for clients including Grand National Winner One For Arthur, Gold Cup winner Native River and Royal Ascot winner My Dream Boat. In this three part interview, he talks about his humble beginnings, time as a jockey, point to points and the big money world of bloodstock.
Birmingham-born and bred journalist and author Chris Pitt has turned his childhood fascination with racing, fuelled by visits to the long time gone Birmingham races, into a career. His passion for racing has taken him all around the world, to racecourses long since forgotten and a wedding at the races. Here’s the fascinating story of Chris Pitt.
BettingPeople: Jonathan Powell has been a racing correspondent for the News of the World, Sunday People, Sunday Express, Sunday Times, and the Mail on Sunday as well as writing books on Bob Champion, Paul Nicholls, David Nicholson, Frankie Dettori, ‘tidied up’ autobiographies of Jenny Pitman and Patrick Veitch, not to mention Desert Orchid and Monksfield. He’s also been involved with the IJF and the son of a Great Train Robber and guarded a racehorse armed with a shotgun. Phew. Meeting Jonathan Powell with Simon Nott.
Professional punter Shane is considered by many to be the shrewdest judge in Ireland whose opinions make the market. He started his working life working in a betting shop before taking the plunge to work in Paddy Power’s trading room. After four years he jumped shop taking the plunge as a full time professional punter and has never looked back. Simon Nott meets Shane Reville.
Professional punter Jeff Laughton has been beating the bookies professionally for almost 20 years. His apprenticeship was an unusual one, he started working life as a policeman as part of the team that caught the Yorkshire Ripper, was a DJ while still a policeman, ran an entertainment business that used to pay Gary Barlow £60 to perform at one of their clubs then became a professional punter and successful owner. Simon Nott meets Jeff Laughton.
Dave is a freelance racing and betting journalist that writes for GeeGeez.com and The Sporting Life, writes paddock notes for ‘Blue Delta’ works as a frontman for racecourse bookmakers and gets a few quid punting too. Here’s his story. Meeting Dave Massey with Simon Nott.
Ian Watkinson’s 13 year career as a national hunt jockey ended with a near fatal fall at Towcester in 1979, cutting short a career that included winning eight times on Tingle Creek, five times on Night Nurse and three on Sea Pigeon. He was of the old school of hard man jump jockeys, strapping broken bones in order to take the next ride and a social life to match the rough and tumble on course. In four parts the fascinating story of an iron man jockey. Meeting IAN WATKINSON with Simon Nott.
BettingPeople: Luiz Cunha has recently launched ‘Pedigree To Win’ which is an added tool to the punters’ armoury highlighting the most likely winners of races purely on their bloodlines. This service is a culmination of a 45-year labour of love studying the pedigree of horses. Luiz, father of Newmarket trainer Dylan, has advised trainers and owners to highly successful purchases over the years and offers the same service now on one to one basis. pedigreetowin.co.uk. Meeting Luiz Cunha with Simon Nott.
BettingPeople: Sir Rupert Mackeson, aka ‘The Bad Baronet’, makes his second appearance within the #BettingPeople series. Whilst there’s plenty of his personal story left to tell, this interview is predominantly centred around his latest book ‘Frankie Dettori’s British Classic Winners’ published under his pen name Rupert Collens by Pan And Sword but with plenty of personal memories eased out of this colourful Octogenarian too. Meeting Rupert Mackeson with Simon Nott.
Barry Beasley started in the betting business in 1975 working for Joe Coral, then the Tote, has been a commission agent, worked with City Index and been a private card marker and odds compiler since 1989 as well as still freelancing for the Racing Post. This is his story including why he’s been daubed ‘The Weatherman’. Meeting Barry Beasley with Simon Nott.
Trustee of Racing Welfare, Iggy’s Fund and 792nd Point Of Light Winner Richard Farquhar had a lifetime in racing before raising £500,000 ‘Walking The Courses’. Here’s his story with Simon Nott…
‘Juppy’ as he is affectionally known has been in the betting game all his life. He started working on course back in the 1990s at picnic races where they’d turn over large amounts of money in lively markets. After moving to London he worked with spread betting firm Sporting Index before relocating to Brighton and working for PanBet.
Now back in Melbourne, he’s a freelancer on course working for bookmakers as well as punting. Juppy was active at this year’s ‘Call Of The Card’ and has even recorded a series of food vlogs, no connection. Meeting Juppy with Simon Nott.
Professional Punter Paul Daily fell in love with racing after being taken to the races on a random Saturday, he was hooked by the buoyant betting ring. He went on to learn as much about the game, and particularly winning betting thereafter. However, when he left school he went on to form a flourishing business trading currency but continued to be absorbed by racing and striving to bet successfully. In 2008 he sold his business and took the plunge betting for a living. During this time he developed his own powerful computer model which he markets as ‘Ratings to Win’ Ratings2Win – Australia, Hong Kong & Singapore premier horse racing software and database. Meeting PAUL DAILY with Simon Nott.
Peter Lawrence has been a professional punter since his teens and a one time on-course bookmaker. He found he had an aptitude for finding winners when his father made him record his bets.
Graham Thorner was champion jump jockey in the 1970/71 season with 74 winners and won the Grand National in 1972 on the gambled on Well To Do. In this series of four interviews, he tells his fascinating story to Simon Nott.
Simon Nott talks to the Vegas sports betting legend Steven ‘Fats’ Diano about his career corralling runners for a mysterious benefactor and working with Billy Walters before going it alone and establishing himself as a legend of sports betting in his own right.
Australian Libby Hopwood is a former champion apprentice then successful professional jockey and rider of 324 career winners before a tragic fall during a race ended her career. Since then she has forged a career as a jockey’s manager, Sky TV presenter and tipster, as well as working on the ground with horses and running an ‘Only Fans’ page.
JEFF SEALEY #BettingPeople: Jeff Sealey owns and runs the Bicester schooling track, which has produced two Derby winners, two Oaks winners, one Trafalgar Cup winner, thirteen Produce Stakes winners, five Springbok winners. Following Star’s sponsorship of the venue – saving the track from closure – Carly Philpott visited Jeff at the track to understand more about the history of Bicester, see dogs being schooled, and gather input from owners, trainers and breeders. Meeting Jeff Sealey, with Carly Philpott.
BettingPeople: Jon Roberts is a professional football trader, winning since 2010 and professional since 2017. In 2014 he launched his ‘Predictology’ website helping others to win alongside him. Originally from the UK Jon now enjoys the trappings of his success living in The Philippines.
BettingPeople: ‘Spinning Mick’ has been in the on-course bookmaking game since 1987 when he was 14 years old. He’s now Chairman of ARB and a Director of the FRB heavily involved in bookmaking’s politics as well as earning his living from on-course bookmaking.
BettingPeople: Mattie Batchelor has been described as one of racing’s good guys. He’s enjoyed a career spanning over 20 years and ridden over 300 winners. He’s also well known in racing as an hilarious raconteur and presenter something he’s looking to pursue after hanging up his boots. Meeting Mattie Batchelor with Simon Nott.
BettingPeople: Joe Oliver has bet on course under the name Dick Oliver since the 1970s and has had his son and Daughter working with him over the years. Joe is now officially ‘retired’ after Dax took over at the helm. Here’s their story. Policeman, banker, bookie, the story of the Dick Oliver firm.
BettingPeople: In a Q&A Special, Johnny answers questions from social media and beyond, in three parts, nothing ducked.
BettingPeople: Jamie Benson is a sometimes PR man and man behind Tote Fantasy. He’s also the man punters have to beat with the Tote’s ‘Beat Benson’ promotion, where if you beat him, you cop, so it’s a high pressure job, but he’s up so far. In this interview Jamie talks about the public school, university role into the City at age 21. His real love, ingrained by his Father and famous in racing Grandfather is the horses for which he has a passion and went on to make his career.
BettingPeople: Professional Punter Johnny Dineen talks to Simon Nott about his career as a professional punter, from his early days clerking at weekends for bookmakers to betting on course and now purely punting for a living, in five parts.
BettingPeople: Tipster and Broadcaster Tony Calvin has worked all of his adult life in the racing industry involved with both The Racing Post and Betfair. He’s also become known as a big personality on TV and social media. In this interview, he talks about it all and more. Meeting Tony Calvin with Simon Nott.
BettingPeople: Professional Backer – he doesn’t like the term ‘gambler’, Paul Chandler-Burns started his betting life working for Tote Credit. Based in Newmarket he’s been making money backing horses, betting on golf, football and reality TV for years. He was once a full time professional but now spends a lot of his year at sea working in entertainment on cruise ships.
Here’s how he does it.
BettingPeople: Edward Chanin was an aspiring young jockey who dreamed of being the next AP McCoy. He had a job with Philip Hobbs and had not long ridden his first winner under rules when on the 19th of December 2001 his suffered a near fatal schooling accident. He was airlifted to hospital but his parents were told that he ‘had no chance’. Edward defied the Drs, not just once, but on several occasions.
After six months in hospital his wheelchair was hoisted onto some bales of hay and he was heaved onto a horse again, this before he could walk, something the Drs said he’d never do. Edward suffered a broken back which left him paralysed down his right side, he had to learn to walk, talk and write again.
This is his inspirational story.
BettingPeople: Mick Fitzgerald won pretty much every big race in his riding career, including The Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1999 on See More Business and the 1996 Grand National on Rough Quest the highlights of his UK 1303 winners. His career ending fall was in the 2008 Grand National. He has since become a familiar face on our TV screens working for Channel 4 then ITV Racing as well as At The Races and Sky Sports Racing. In this interview, he talks frankly and in places emotionally about the state of racing today and his riding career.
BettingPeople: Dave O’Reilly has spent a lifetime in the betting industry, working with Mecca, Ladbrokes then rising through the ranks with Paddy Power. In that time he survived robberies and other hardships with the humour and big personality he’s become known for. Now a freelancer he spreads his time between opening betting shops, commentating live at the dogs and off tube for Ladbrokes, works on-course for AK Bets and in his spare time, marries people.
BettingPeople: Former jockey with Martin Pipe, RODI GREENE is now a BHA Jockey coach and has trained some of the top riders active today. In this interview, he talks about the importance of his role in nurturing new talent coming into the sport as well as his own riding career.
BettingPeople: PAUL JACOBS is a record breaking 6-times champion horse racing tipster, sports commentator and voiceover artist who has been in the broadcasting business for 25 years on both local and national radio, tv, in the press and online. In this #BettingPeople interview he discusses his career as a tipster and broadcaster, his success as a tipster, and the methods which have helped him win five Racing Post NAPS competitions. Meeting Paul Jacobs, with Simon Nott.
BettingPeople: David Nicholson describes himself as a Gambling Industry Entrepreneur, he’s been gambling since he was legal to do so, ran with the Vegas poker crew in his 20’s won well and played hard. He’s now enabling big syndicates, dealing in crypto, opening businesses in Africa and more. Meet David Nicholson.
BettingPeople: Racehorse trainer and former jockey Nigel Hawke talks about his riding career, from the glory of winning the 1991 Grand National on Seagram to a crashing fall at Newton Abbot that could have claimed his life. He also talks about buying Grand National hero Tiger Roll for a mere £10,000 and his training career based at Thorne Farm in Devon.
BettingPeople: Gary Woodgate has been at the sharp end of Star Sports since jumping ship from an established career with Ladbrokes. In that time he has helped the firm to a meteoric rise from its humble beginnings taking credit bets on the telephone of a residential flat to one of the UK’s largest independent firms renowned for taking huge bets. In this four part interview, he tells his story. Meeting Gary Woodgate with Simon Nott.
BettingPeople: Harry Stewart-Moore is a litigator Partner in the Gardner Leader Dispute Resolution team. His high profile cases have included representing ex-jockey Freddy Tylicki in his successful ground-breaking claim against a fellow jockey for negligent riding and high-rolling punter James Longley. In this four part interview, he talks about his career and the post bet battles between punters and bookmakers.
BettingPeople: Tony Elves was the Newmarket correspondent ‘Warren Hill’ for the Sporting Life, then the Racing Post, he’s known, the great and good and not so good from HQ in those years. In this interview, he talks of his life at the epicentre of horse racing, the ups and the downs.
BettingPeople: Dylan Cunha was the youngest trainer to win a Grade 1 race in South Africa, trained a winner at every racecourse in South Africa, was an unashamed gambling yard, gave it all up to become an airline pilot, runs ultra marathons for fun and has now become licensed to train in the UK and has set up at Lower Yard, Phantom House Stables Newmarket with a team of talented youngsters both equine and human ready to race this turf season.
BettingPeople: Craig Edwards became a snooker professional at the age of 19 and was rated in the Top 64 in the world. At that time he played alongside all the greats from the 1980s and was only narrowly beaten 5-4 by Steve Davis after leading 4-3 in a major. He now bets successfully on golf and snooker, also running a tipping service that has proven very profitable. In this interview, he talks about his snooker career and his strategy on betting.
BettingPeople: Dave talks about going straight to the top of the business working for Colin Webster, firstly at the dogs then the rails on course. He starts the interview by talking about taking on the big and shrewd punters on course, how his boss would deal with that business and his betting the life stuff. Meeting Dave Brewer with Simon Nott.
BettingPeople: ‘Sir’ Robert Cooper is celebrating his 41st year as a broadcaster having worked on radio and TV. In this interview, he talks about his career including some of the colourful characters he’s met along the way.. Meeting Robert Cooper with Simon Nott.
BettingPeople: Simon Prout is an owner, punter, businessman and founder of the 69 Club. In this interview, he talks about his trials, tribulations and triumphs as an owner. He also talks about his syndicate ‘The 69 Club’ and has some strong opinions on a few topics. Meeting Simon Prout.
BettingPeople: Jane and Dave Hazell had been betting on course for over 25 years. In this interview they talk about the fun and occasionally fraught times they have had on the racecourse. Meeting Jane and Dave Hazell.
BettingPeople: Welsh trainer Tim Vaughan has enjoyed a successful career, training over 800 winners to date & training Grade 1 winners in the UK and Ireland.
A former Champion Welsh point-to-point jockey, he became the youngest National Hunt trainer to record 100 winners in a season in 2012 & has gone from strength to strength since. Meeting Tim Vaughan with Simon Nott.
BettingPeople: Roy Harknett left his Enfield home aged just 14 to work in Derby and Grand National winning trainer Willie Stephenson’s yard. In this three part #BettingPeople interview Roy talks about his youth working in yards, then returning as an adult in his 50’s to ride out again and drive horseboxes all over Europe.
BettingPeople: Johnny Lights was an omnipresent larger than life professional gambler on British racecourses for decades, one of the biggest players, and later, layers on the rails. He’s suffered from ill health for the last 13 years but was keen to tell his fascinating story.
BettingPeople: Andrew Black helped change the world of betting when he Co-launched Betfair in 2000. Nothing has been the same since, for Black, who amassed a personal fortune and the betting industry which for which the ramifications were huge. The man that changed the game. In five parts.
BettingPeople: Brett Lloyd started out working with racecourse bookmakers and getting a few marks. Everything changed for him when he got involved in the early days of betting in running, owning horses, landing gambles and buying sports cars with cash followed. He also worked as a bookmaker on the trotting circuit and on the rails at Cheltenham.
BettingPeople: Lincolnshire Greyhound Trust (LGT) has become one of the most successful and respected greyhound homing centres in the country. After their Epping branch recently and successfully homed a greyhound called Goldie to the boss, Ben Keith, we at Star Sports thought it was about time we went to find out more about the charity, with great thanks to homer Liv Noble for giving us her time.
BettingPeople: David Smalley worked in academia and horseracing in tandem, in racing as a Starting Price Reporter and Columnist. He’s just written a book on his life ‘A Head Full Of Jolly Robins’. In this interview he talks about his varied life in ‘the game’.
BettingPeople: Jordan Hopkins has established himself as a serious judge of French racing form. His free tips on social media have attracted a growing following. So much so that he’s now recognised as a card that moves markets. He’s also sought after in the bloodstock industry and an authority in the studbook too.
Roland de Wolfe is one the highest staking punters in the UK, he came to prominence as a top poker player after a modest career started with him writing about it in gambling magazine ‘Inside Edge’. Roland circulates in high rolling circles where he’s happy to make five figure side bets on live events with like minded friends. Feared by the bookmakers and up until now preferring to operate in anonymity, Roland has made the decision to show himself, answer some questions and dispel some myths. in four parts, our 250th #BettingPeople interview … with Simon Nott.
Racing Post/SIS Betting Shop Manager of the Year 2022 – James Maloney, the manager at Star Sport’s flagship in Mayfair talks about his career in betting shops, youth spent at racecourses, dog tracks and the bookies, in three parts… with Simon Nott.
BettingPeople: Ron Wadey is a contemporary of Fred Done when he started building his betting shop empire in Warrington, he eventually sold out to Ladbrokes for eye-watering sums and then embarked on a new career as a racecourse bookmaker where he still bets with his son Colin. Meeting Ron Wadey, a no nonsense Northerner, with Simon Nott.
BettingPeople: Dave Edwards saw active service with the RAF in Afghanistan during his military career. Now his on battles are on the exchanges, successfully trading on predominantly football and horseracing. In this four-part interview he explains how.
BettingPeople: Ken is known to racing fans nationwide as the paddock judge expert on ITV Racing. He’s also been a mainstay of William Hill Radio and the Racing Post Weekender. In this four-part interview, Ken tells us what to look out for as clues to winners in the paddock and tells us about his background in the racing game.
BettingPeople: Prolific author and former Racing Post and Sporting Life Journalist David Ashforth talks about his life writing about horseracing.
BettingPeople: ‘Mattress Mack’ is a businessman from Houston Texas who has become known as one of the biggest punters in the USA. He bets in millions on the outcome of US sporting events. His first game was an offer to customers that if they spent $3000 on furniture and the Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl, he’d give them their money back. They did and he lost $9,000,000. In this two-part interview, ‘Mattress Mack’ tells his story.
BettingPeople: Data analyst TOM WILSON is the CEO of racing², a business which uses a combination of data, analytics and technology to inform owners, trainers and bloodstock agents with racehorse purchases. Tom is also the author of a data-based blog which examines which sires are underrated by the market and which trainers provide value-based options to send horses to. Meeting Tom Wilson with Simon Nott.
BettingPeople: Data analyst TOM WILSON is the CEO of racing², a business which uses a combination of data, analytics and technology to inform owners, trainers and bloodstock agents with racehorse purchases. Tom is also the author of a data-based blog which examines which sires are underrated by the market and which trainers provide value-based options to send horses to. Meeting Tom Wilson with Simon Nott.
BettingPeople: Dieter Vanlerberghe has been a racecourse bookmaker in Belgium for over 20 years, he also started the first on-line bookmaking firm in the country, eventually selling to Unibet. In this series of interviews he talks about his history in the game, his business interests, racing in Belgium and how the industry differs to that in the UK.
BettingPeople: Dieter Vanlerberghe has been a racecourse bookmaker in Belgium for over 20 years, he also started the first on-line bookmaking firm in the country, eventually selling to Unibet. In this series of interviews he talks about his history in the game, his business interests, racing in Belgium and how the industry differs to that in the UK.
BettingPeople: Chris Hudson is chairman of the British Racecourse Bookmakers Association and hails from a Bookmaking family. He’s spent 50 years on UK racecourses and is still active today.
BettingPeople: Chris Hudson is chairman of the British Racecourse Bookmakers Association and hails from a Bookmaking family. He’s spent 50 years on UK racecourses and is still active today.
BettingPeople: Conor Grant is the outgoing chief executive of Flutter’s UK and Ireland business – having led the Paddy Power, Sky Betting and Gaming, Betfair and Tombola brands in the UK and Ireland during his time at the company. One of the top leaders in the industry, Conor began his career working at Paddy Power’s Dial-A-Bet division, before spells with Blue Square and BoyleSports, where he was head of online operations.
He then moved to Sky Betting & Gaming 12 years ago, playing a crucial role in overseeing their sale to The Stars Group (TSG) and then leading the consolidation of Flutter’s UK and Ireland division following a 2020 merger between the two.
As he leaves for a career break, Conor sits down for a Betting People interview with William Kedjanyi to discuss his rise through the ranks and the future of the betting industry. Meeting Conor Grant with William Kedjanyi.
BettingPeople: Conor Grant is the outgoing chief executive of Flutter’s UK and Ireland business – having led the Paddy Power, Sky Betting and Gaming, Betfair and Tombola brands in the UK and Ireland during his time at the company. One of the top leaders in the industry, Conor began his career working at Paddy Power’s Dial-A-Bet division, before spells with Blue Square and BoyleSports, where he was head of online operations.
He then moved to Sky Betting & Gaming 12 years ago, playing a crucial role in overseeing their sale to The Stars Group (TSG) and then leading the consolidation of Flutter’s UK and Ireland division following a 2020 merger between the two.
As he leaves for a career break, Conor sits down for a Betting People interview with William Kedjanyi to discuss his rise through the ranks and the future of the betting industry. Meeting Conor Grant with William Kedjanyi.
BettingPeople: LEWIS TOMLINSON is a professional Racing Analyst with Timeform. A finalist in the 2020 Tipstar competition for Racing TV, he previously wrote for At The Races and qualified from the BHA’s Graduate Scheme. A member of Turf Talk Pod (@TurfTalkPod), his thoughts can be found on Twitter (@LTRacing_), Timeform and in this week’s interview! Meeting Lewis Tomlinson with William Kedjanyi.
BettingPeople: Alex Keeney – also known commonly as @keendawg – is the founder of the Star Spangled Gamblers podcast – one of the leading political betting podcasts on the net, with a focus on American political markets, where Alex interviews the top minds in political betting about the most popular issues of the day.
Prior to founding SSG, Alex was a screenwriter in Hollywood, a policy advisor in the U.S. House of Representatives, and a marketing executive for Jordan Belfort, better known as the real Wolf of Wall Street.
BettingPeople: TOM BROWNLEE: Odds modelling Professional punter Tom Brownlee discusses how he uses logic to beat the bookmakers, in four parts. Meeting Tom Brownlee with Simon Nott.
BettingPeople: JAMES LOVELL: James Lovell is a bookmaker with DragonBet (formerly John Lovell racing) who is an on-course bookmaker and chairman of the Welsh on-course bookmakers association and chairman of the national on-course bookmakers association. Simon Nott met him after racing at Chepstow to discuss his journey into the game and the planned launch of DragonBet. Meeting James Lovell, with Simon Nott!
BettingPeople: JULIE HARRINGTON: Julie Harrington is the BHA’s Chief Executive. A former member of the BHA Board, she was a senior executive with Northern Racing for 8 years, including a spell as Managing Director of Uttoxeter and has also held senior roles in two other sports – as the Operations Director for the FA she was responsible for Wembley Stadium and St George’s Park, the FA training facility, and she was Chief Executive of British Cycling.
William Kedjanyi met her at the BHA’s headquarters to discuss the big issues in the sport, including a controversial decision to abandon the BHA’s own proposals to cut fixtures from 2023 programme, rapidly deceasing field sizes, and more. Meeting Julie Harrington, with William Kedjanyi.
Peter Ling is the owner and founder of the Smart Betting Club, a reviewer and assessor of tipster services and guide on how to make betting as profitable as possible. The club also provide advice on issues such as account restriction and bookmaker service. In this week’s interview, Peter explains the workings of the club’s tipster rankings, how he got into betting, and more.
Jess Stafford is a racing presenter for Racing TV and TVG and the host of the SBK Betting Podcast. She also works for her family racing syndicates Thurloe Thoroughbreds, assisting at the sales and for race planning.
Having studied at Trinity Dublin, she promoted Irish racing in the PR industry and then took a job at Betfair, before beginning presenting duties at RTV. Meeting Jess Stafford with William Kedjanyi.
BettingPeople: SIMON HOLDEN: Simon is a professional tipster, punter and author, specialising in horse racing and golf, his book ‘The Betting Blueprint’ was a ‘best seller’ on Amazon. With another title on the horizon Simon explains how he beats the bookies and helps others to profit too. Meeting Simon Holden with Simon Nott.
BettingPeople: MATT MANTLE: This week we revisit Matt Mantle, a professional in-running punter who has made it pay from home, something many thought impossible. In this set of interviews, Matthew gives us a video demonstration of how to bet in running from home using notable races from the past.
BettingPeople: PATRICK VEITCH QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: Patrick Veitch is ‘bookmakers enemy number one’. His #BettingPeople interview with Simon Nott proved a popular watch and generated plenty of debate on social media. So much so that we invited your questions to Patrick and he has kindly answered them ….. in three parts. Patrick Veitch Questions and Answers with Simon Nott.
BettingPeople: JAMIE HART: Jamie has worked in the betting industry literally since his 18th birthday, working with major firms in the UK and abroad. He is now Racing and Liquidity Director of the resurgent Tote. Meeting Jamie Hart with Simon Nott.
BettingPeople: PATRICK VEITCH: Professional Punter Patrick Veitch has long been the bookmakers’ ‘Enemy Number One’. He started making the bookies pay whilst still at university, with his own punting and enabling others to win via his ‘The Professional’ tipping line. Since then he’s been the scourge of the bookmakers winning in excess of £10,000,000. Meeting PATRICK VEITCH with Simon Nott.
BettingPeople: ANDY SMITH: Andy Smith’s education was partially conducted on racecourses, working with his bookmaker father, Chris. Andy worked for various bookmakers before going alone as Festival Racing and betting in some of the prime positions in the West country. He still retains some pitches but is now gamekeeper turned poacher earning his living from other bookies punting professionally. Meeting ANDY SMITH with Simon Nott.
BettingPeople: CHARLIE McCANN: Man about town in Gibraltar, Charlie McCann is well known in the gaming industry and identifies as a ‘Gaming Industry Professional. A sportsman until injury halted him in his prime has become as good as betting on sport as he was playing. Charlie is also well known for his stint on Talksport and renowned racing tipster. Meeting Charlie McCann.
BettingPeople: MATT GIBSON: Matt Gibson, son of church-going non gamblers, ex-soldier who seen active service in the Balkans and prison warden of 10 years vintage has been trading professionally since 2015 and now runs the ‘Hunting For Profit’ website. Meeting Matt Gibson.
BettingPeople: VICTOR CHANDLER: Victor Chandler is the third in line of a bookmaking dynasty. He inherited his father’s business aged just shy of 23 when he passed away. He did so despite not being able to work those prime pitches he left, instead embarking on a career on the rails. It didn’t take long for Victor to forge a fearless reputation as a bookmaker but also one that liked to punt too. The Victor Chandler brand grew rapidly throughout the 1980’s taking on the biggest names in the betting ring, before growing to a brand that spread globally. This is his story, as told to Simon Nott from the comfort of (one of his) own homes. Meeting Victor Chandler with Simon Nott.
BettingPeople: ROB DAVIES: Investigative journalist and Guardian correspondent Rob Davies has covered the gambling industry in the UK since 2008, and recently released his first book, ‘Jackpot’ – how Gambling Conquered Britain. This week he speaks to William Kedjanyi about the industry, his views, and his first book. Meeting Rob Davies with William Kedjanyi.
BettingPeople special: NATIONAL HORSE RACING MUSEUM: Simon Nott visited the National Horseracing Museum in Newmarket and made this short film which highlights some of what it has to offer. Including interviews with the people that take pride in running it and working there, including curator Alexandra Fletcher and director Anne Marie-Hogan!
BettingPeople: NICK GOFF Q&A: It was back in 2018 when professional punter Nick Goff took part in a #BettingPeople interview which became one of the series’ most watched CLICK HERE. Fast forward to 2022 and he’s back to answer questions posted by punters on twitter. Such was the interest that his answers are spread over five parts. You asked, Nick Goff answered with Simon Nott as the question master.
BettingPeople: PHILIP DAVIES MP: Philip Davies is a Conservative MP for Shipley in West Yorkshire who has been in Parliament since 2005. A fan of racing from an early age, Philip worked in a betting shop run by his mother and also worked at Asda in Leeds as a Senior Marketing Manager before becoming an MP, he was elected to the board of the Racehorse Owners Association (ROA) in 2019 and has been a vocal voice in support of the racing industry. Meeting Philip Davies MP with William Kedjanyi.
BettingPeople: MATTHEW TRENHAILE Q&A Following the popularity of our recent #BettingPeople interview with Matthew Trenhaile, we asked Matthew to answer YOUR questions – and he’s answered all of them! Simon Nott is the question master.
BettingPeople: JAMES STEVENS: James Stevens landed a job with the Racing Post after taking part in the BHA Graduate scheme. His love of racing was already instilled as a schoolboy, spending the time on the bus reading the Racing Post which resulted in a four-figure Lucky 15 win while still a sixth former! Now firmly embedded as part of the Racing Post team, James has some strong opinions on the current state and future of racing, all aired here. Meeting James Stevens with Simon Nott.
BettingPeople: DARYL CARTER: This week’s Betting People is with Daryl Carter, professional tipster for Betfair and GG for whom a near death experience where his parents were advised to say ‘goodbye’ to him after being stabbed, was the turning point in his life. He talks about his early life, becoming obsessed with fathoming form and being a successful tipster. Meeting Daryl Carter with Simon Nott.
BettingPeople: JAMIE PIGGOTT: Bloodstock Agent Jamie Piggott (https://jpbloodstock.co.uk/) son of the legendary jockey Lester, was expected to be a jockey but instead found his forte in the world of high end bloodstock. Meeting Jamie Piggott with Simon Nott.
In this one part #BettingPeople special, author Neil Clark talks about his new book 'Champion Jump Horse Racing Jockeys from 1945 to Present Day. He describes his background and why he decided to write this book which encompasses some lesser known Champion Jump Jockeys as well as the more recent. He talks about his three favourite Champs and their fascinating stories. Meeting Neil Clark.
BettingPeople: MARTIN ‘LOFTY’ CHAPMAN: ‘Lofty’ has spent most of his life surrounded by the heady world of betting, going to the dogs and racing from an early age and embracing it all. He soon found himself getting a few quid working on course with bookmakers and became a regular face in the betting rings of the South and beyond. In that time he mentored a keen young lad who went on to found the company that he now works for, Star Sports, meeting Martin ‘Lofty’ Chapman with Simon Nott.
BettingPeople: MATTHEW TRENHAILE has been in the betting industry for over 20 years. He cut his teeth working in the spread betting sector, pricing up golf and rugby, he’s done time in the city managing risk in currency markets, worked for betting syndicates on the other side of the fence. He remains one of the most respected in the industry. Meeting Matthew Trenhaile with Simon Nott.
BettingPeople: NEIL PHILLIPS Neil Phillips aka ‘The Wine Tipster’ https://www.thewinetipster.co.uk/ has combined life-long passions to carve out a unique career encompassing presenting as a racing pundit and is the tipster and sommelier for The Jockey Club and Jockey Club Catering. He’s also a partner in My Racing Manager and ambassador for UK Prosecco DOC and Racing Welfare plus a columnist for Unibet. Meeting Neil Phillips with Simon Nott.
BettingPeople: GEAROID NORRIS Full time gambler Gearoid Norris talks about his betting and how a less than sparkling career in the Bookmaking industry spring-boarded him into the world of betting for a living. Meeting Gearoid Norris with Simon Nott.
BettingPeople: STEPHEN HARRIS has been an odds-compiler, on-course bookmaker and pundit, he’s now a successful punter and journalist writing a profitable daily free tipping service for the ‘Betting Expert’ website https://www.bettingexpert.com/news/horse-racing. In this trilogy of interviews he talks to Simon Nott about his career, approach to profitable betting and more……. Meeting Stephen Harris with Simon Nott.
BettingPeople: HARRY FINDLAY Harry Findlay is probably the best known and certainly best loved professional punter in the UK today. He’s had some famous successes and possibly more famous lows but always seems to bounce back and still manages to turn left on every long-haul aircraft he boards. Here in five parts we meet Harry Findlay. Meeting Harry Findlay with Simon Nott.
BettingPeople: TONY LAWS We speak to the Star Sports legend Tony Laws, aged 80, who has worked in the betting industry since 1966. He still works in Star’s Woodley Branch, located near Reading …… Meeting Tony Laws with Simon Nott.
BettingPeople: SIMON CAWKWELL made his fortune on the stock market identifying and selling short ‘losers’ in business. He also became adept at backing winners in sport and horseracing. Meeting Simon Cawkwell with Simon Nott.
BettingPeople: FRANK YEO Frank Yeo is the Chairman of the Devon and Cornwall Point-To-Point secretaries. With him at the helm, the area embarked on live streaming ‘live’ point to point racing from the 2020-21 Pointing season which was largely held behind closed doors. Meeting Frank Yeo with Simon Nott.
(FROM THE ARCHIVE) #BettingPeople: JON FRANKLIN Jon Franklin has used his experiences firstly working in betting shops then progressing to managing them as inspiration to write his first novel ‘Shouting The Odds’ which is based in the pre-Internet betting, pre-mobile phone, halcyon days of betting shops of the 1990’s. Meeting Jon Franklin with SIMON NOTT.
After the success of his Betting People interview, Anthony Kaminskas answers your questions in this bonus episode!
BettingPeople: MARCO BLUME Marco Blume is the director of trading at international bookmaking giant Pinnacle. In this interview he talks about his background, laying big figures to small margins and how the nature of the ‘game’ has changed since he started…… Meeting Marco Blume with Simon Nott.
BettingPeople: ANTHONY KAMINSKAS Anthony started his career working for bookmakers, latterly Paddy Power but he soon picked up that there were people out there beating the book. He learned from them and followed them in, amassing a tank of £250,000 to go to war with as a professional punter. He’s not looked back and certainly takes no prisoners. Meeting Anthony Kaminskas with Simon Nott.
BettingPeople: ED ARKELL Goodwood’s Clerk of the Course since 2017, ED ARKELL has been a part of the course since he started helping out on racedays. Introduced to this side of the industry by Simon Claisse, the Clerk of the Course at Cheltenham, who gave him a job at university driving a vet there, he’s responsible for not only the ground conditions but the safe and effective running of racedays at Goodwood. In this week’s interview, he goes behind the scenes on a raceday with Hannah Baycroft. Meeting Ed Arkell. A #BettingPeople interview with Hannah Baycroft.
BettingPeople: MATTHEW SHADDICK - One of the most respected men in political betting, MATTHEW SHADDICK is Head of Politics at Smarkets, having recently joined from Ladbrokes, where he’d been since 2002. Shaddick took over the political betting product in 2008 at Ladbrokes and was appointed as the full-time head of that department in 2014, leading the group through a golden age for political markets with Brexit, the election of Donald Trump, three General Elections in Britain and the 2020 Presidential Election. A #BettingPeople interview with William Kedjanyi.
BettingPeople: STEVE LEWIS HAMILTON Steve Lewis Hamilton is a professional backer that has stood the test of time. He started in the racing game working in a betting shop. His punting was so successful in a small way that he decided to up his stakes and turn full time professional and bet on the racecourse. His method of getting his betting tank together was not orthodox or to be recommended. Since then he’s made his living backing horses and also advising potential winners to paying clients. A #BettingPeople interview with Simon Nott.
BettingPeople: JOAO DA MATA is the co-founder of the International Racing Club and has a background in horse racing that stretches back to when he was seven years of age ranging from punter to jockey agent and mentor, owner, tipster and TV Presenter. Joao is a wonderfully, watchable and likeable character who shares some fascinating stories with us as well as an intriguing and unique insight into how he finds his winners! with JULIE COLLIER.
BettingPeople Masterclass: MARK HOLDER Veteran in these series of three interviews pro-punter Mark talks about his continuous tweaks of the way he plays. He then embarks on answering questions on professional punting posed to him by followers on social media. A #BettingPeople special.
Interview: NICK SCHOLFIELD is a Grade 1 winning jockey who has tasted success upon the popular Melodic Rendezvous for Jeremy Scott, along with notable wins on Adrien Du Pont and Irving. A three-time Cheltenham Festival winner – most recently on Grand Annual victor Sky Pirate – Schofield was second in line at Paul Nicholls’ Ditcheat outfit for several years but has operated as a freelancer since. Meeting Nick Scholfield with Hannah Baycroft.
Interview: KEITH MELROSE: Keith Melrose is the Betting Editor of the Racing Post. Keith caught the racing bug as a teenager in the late-’90s and started his career at Timeform, via the BHA graduate scheme, in 2008.
In 2016 he moved to the Post, initially as a Racing Journalist based in the North before then becoming Betting Editor in 2019.
A weekly presence on the Postcast and leading tipster, his analysis and opinions are found both in print and online, whilst he also writes on horse racing for the MansionBet Blog as well as the Racing Post. Meeting Keith Melrose with William Kedjanyi.
Interview: STEVE RYDER: has always had a keen interest in the sport of horse racing but for the last four years has turned this hobby into a profitable service for both himself and his followers. A RacingTV Tipstar2020 finalist, his daily selections can be found exclusively on the Oddschecker app and his views can be heard every week on the On The Hunt Podcast. Steve also plays a part at Farmers Hill Stud, an operation which has had successes thanks to Choco Box, Choral Music, Pop The Cork, Lofty and Fuente in recent seasons. Meeting Steve Ryder with William Kedjanyi.
Interview: TERRY RAMSDEN: Flamboyant businessman, racehorse owner and legendary gambler Terry Ramsden talks to Simon Nott about his rise from humble beginnings to multi-millionaire status in the 1980’s focusing on his horseracing interests and exploits. Meeting Terry Ramsden with Simon Nott.
Interview: WARREN WOODCOCK: The son of a professional Australian tennis player, Warren Woodcock was born in the USA. When the family returned to Australia his dad turned to on-course bookmaking, Warren soon followed. He now works on 60 racecourses throughout Victoria and New South Wales travelling 100,000 kilometres a year in the process and is known by his bookmaking peers as the hardest working on-course bookie in the country. Meeting Warren Woodcock with Simon Nott.
Interview: CAAN BERRY: Caan Berry went from McDonalds to the Army – where he had an epiphany moment under fire in an Afghanistan trench – to professional exchange trading via a brief stint at BT, where he used his contacts to get fast broadband. He’s been trading successfully since 2011. In this four part interview he talks about his life and how he’s made exchange trading his living for a decade. Meeting Caan Berry with Simon Nott.
Interview: JIM McGRATH: Jim McGrath, also known as “The Sage of Halifax” is one of Britain’s most well-known racing pundits and broadcasters. Turning away from the ambition of being a jockey after a summer at Bill Marshall’s yard – where he was advised that he wouldn’t make the grade – McGrath left school and joined Timeform in 1974 with an entry level position, where he would quickly make his way up the ranks. After five years at Timeform he became a racecourse reporter, and in 2000 he would go onto become managing director and then it’s chairman. McGrath joined Channel 4 Racing as a pundit when it launched in 1984 and would be an integral part of their coverage until December 2016. McGrath has also had success as an owner and breeder, including the 14 time winner Decorated Hero, best known for being one of Frankie Dettori’s magnificent seven at Ascot in 1996. Meeting Jim McGrath with Hannah Baycroft.
Interview: RICH HASSALL: The ‘Mystery Punter’ Richard Hassall has been betting professionally for 20 years. In this four-part interview he tells us how he has done it and goes into the challenges any aspiring professional punter faces. Meeting Rich Hassall with Simon Nott.
Interview: SOPHIE RALSTON: Sophie is a jockey who won the Racing Excellence Apprentice Training Series in 2018 and then, following a lack of opportunities, wrote a letter to the Racing Post asking trainers to take a chance on her and give her more rides. Ralston, who has been with Epsom’s Pat Phelan since 2012, has lost her claim, spent time race riding in Cyprus and also competed in the 2019 Women Jockeys’ World Cup against the world’s best female riders, winning leg three. Meeting Sophie Ralsto with Hannah Baycroft.
Interview: RACHEL CANDELORA: Rachel Candelora is a Racing TV analyst and handicapper from New Jersey in the United States. She first fell in love with racing after visiting Monmouth Park, before moving to Churchill Downs to work as the track’s betting PR. She moved to the UK in 2013, where she started working for TurfTV’s betting shop service and following that, Racing TV. Meeting Rachel Candelora.
Interview: MEGAN O’BRIEN: Megan is the racing manager of Titanium Racing, a syndicate which has horses based with Richard Fahey, Karl Burke, Rebecca Menzies and Jedd O’Keeffe. Previously a student at the British Racing School, Megan was an apprentice at the National Stud and began her association with prominent owner John Dance in 2017. Meeting Megan O’Brien.
Interview: JOSEPHINE GORDON: is a leading flat jockey. In 2016, Gordon became the Champion Apprentice, becoming only the third female jockey to win that title after Hayley Turner and Amy Ryan, and she became only the second female jockey to ride 100 winners in a calendar year in Britain. In the same year she took her first Heritage Handicap in the Victoria Cup at Ascot for William Haggas, and then followed up when Gordon rode her first group race winner when Koropick won the Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle. She then followed up with a second Group 3 win for Hugo Palmer in the Princess Royal Stakes on Apphia on 29 September. Now a freelance jockey, she talks to Hannah Baycroft about her route into racing and experiences in the industry. Meeting Josephine Gordon.
Interview: RICHARD PITMAN: is one of the most loved ex-jockeys in racing, perhaps best known for his gallant second in the 1973 Grand National on the freewheeling Crisp, caught just before the line by Red Rum. A published author with many titles, Richard won the 1974 Champion Hurdle on Lanzarote, and can count two King George VI Chases, the Whitbread and Hennessy Gold Cups on his CV. Meeting Richard Pitman with Hannah Baycroft.
Interview: STEVE TILLEY: Steve Tilley couldn’t win as a fixed odds punter, but found his forte in spread betting. Since getting involved he’s won around £280,000 on horseracing with some cricket and football successful trades too. In this interview with Simon Nott he reveals the markets and strategy which has made him a man the spread firms are loathe to take business from. Meeting Steve Tilley.
Interview: JOE O’GORMAN: Joe is an on course bookmaker who has been in the game since the 1980’s, working for his father and grandfather as a tic-tac at Walthamstow. He would go onto take over the pitch in the mid 1990’s, standing there until the track’s closure in 2008, and then moving onto Harlow in the same year. O’Gorman has also stood at Aintree, Ascot, Brighton, Chelmsford, Cheltenham, Epsom, Fontwell, both Newmarket courses, Plumpton, Sandown, Windsor and will soon be on course when allowed back. Meeting Joe O’Gorman with William Kedjanyi.
Interview: ED HAWKINS: Ed is a cricketing analyst, journalist, anti-corruption expert and published author. Currently the cricketing correspondent for betting.betfair – and host of the ‘Cricket Only Bettor’ podcast on the same platform – he is a three time Sports Journalists’ Association Betting Writer of the Year award winner and won the Wisden Book of the Year award for ‘Bookie Gambler Fixer Spy’. After that book, which was shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year 2013, he educated the ECB’s anti-corruption unit and advised the MCC. In 2019 he embarked on his second project, ‘The Men On Magic Carpets: Searching For The Superhuman Sports Star.’ He has written for The Times, Sunday Times and Daily Mail. Meeting Ed Hawkins with William Kedjanyi.
Interview: PAUL LAWRENCE Paul Lawrence has seen the sport of greyhound racing from many angles; kennel hand, racing manager, commentator/broadcaster and owner. All these roles have shaped the way that Paul has gambled on the sport for a living for the last twenty years. This interview with Julie Collier gives us an insight into the life of a pro-gambler; the good and the bad, overcoming challenges, changing tack when needed and trying to find an edge.
Interview: TOM STANLEY: Tom Stanley is a racing broadcaster and analyst who can regularly been seen on Racing TV and Matchbook.com as a lead presenter, guest, and columnist. Formerly a tipster for Oddschecker, Tom’s love affair with racing started when his father’s first horse, Cheval De Guerre, won first time out at Warwick for Kim Bailey in the mid-nineties and he hasn’t looked back, working his way through the ranks to become one of the most recognisable faces in the UK racing media. Interview with WILLIAM KEDJANYI.
Interview: ROD MILLMAN Cullompton trainer Rod Millman talks about his career as a jockey, working for Martin Pipe and taking the plunge as a trainer with limited funds. He explains to Simon Nott what he’s looking for at the sales when searching for bargain purchases like Betty’s Hope the 2019’s Super Sprint winner. Meeting Rod Millman.
Interview: WILLIAM WOODHAMS CEO of Fitzdares Bookmakers, William Woodhams has gravitated to the betting industry via marketing, fashion, Formula One and other high end brands. He’s not new to the world of gambling though, his lineage is strewn with colourful horseracing characters including trainers, professional punters and broadcasters. He’s grasped the bookmaking nettle with mettle and has his own ideas about how things should be done, properly. Meeting William Woodhams.
Interview: SIMON NOTT Simon Nott from Star Sports catches up with bookmaker Julie Williams about her fearless father Freddie and their careers in racing and betting. Meeting Julie Williams.
Interview: DICKON WHITE In this interview with Simon Nott, we talk to Jockey Club Group Betting Director Dickon White. Dickon talks of the challenges racecourses face getting the balance right between customer service and the interests of bookmakers. He covers some pertinent issues concerning bookmakers as well as his interest in a strong Tote competition. Meeting Dickon White.
Interview: JASON WEAVER Jason Weaver went from champion apprentice with 60 winners to amassing 200, including the 2000 Guineas, the following year. Weight problems cut his career as a jockey short aged just 30. In 2018 he won the HWPA Broadcaster of the Year and is now a familiar face on ITV and Sky Racing. Meeting Jason Weaver. (interview from Simon Nott)
Interview: TOM WATERHOUSE Tom Waterhouse is the 4th generation of the Australian bookmaking dynasty and CEO of William Hill. In this interview he talks of the pressure or lack of it to get into the ‘game’, falling in love with bookmaking working alongside his grandfather on course, the importance of staying ahead of developments, the future of global bookmaking and his reasons behind gamekeeper turned poacher offering betting advice to punters. Meeting Tom Waterhouse. (interview by Simon Nott)
Interview: TIM CARROLL We meet Tim Carroll, a presenter and analyst for Sky Sports Racing who has worked in racing media since 1993. Born in Melbourne, he was previously a jockey in Australia who then switched to the media in 1993 and hasn’t looked back since. A regular face as the host of Stateside Live, he writes regular analysis of international meetings including races from Hong Kong, Australia, and America and he can be found on Twitter at @T_J_Carroll. Interview with WILLIAM KEDJANYI.
Interview: ROB WATERHOUSE Rob Waterhouse is the third generation of an Australian bookmaking dynasty. His grandfather Charles Hercules Waterhouse began making an on course book in 1897. Rob bet under his own name from the age of 18 soon taking on the high staking professional punters of the time. His career was brought to a halt when warned off for his part as a commission agent in the Fine Cotton ringer affair. This setback sent him on the path of professional punting where he had huge success. Things went full circle when he was allowed to start making a book on course again in 2001. Married to champion trainer Gai Waterhouse, Rob is a household name back home in Australia. In this interview with Simon Nott, he not only talks about his life but imparts some invaluable advice for punters and bookmakers alike. Meeting Rob Waterhouse.
Interview: JORDAN VINE At just 25, Jordan Vine is a rare commodity, an actual professional punter. He made a point of surrounding himself with and most importantly, learning from, some of the top greyhound judges in the country. He’s now ‘made it’ in his own right. Betting ‘head-down’ when he really fancies one. Meeting Jordan Vine. (interview by Simon Nott)
Interview: DEAN VALENTINE Dean Valentine started in ‘The Game’ after a chance meeting on holiday when still a teenager. He started out giving change for a bookmaker at the dogs then swiftly rose through the ranks. He did this by keeping the best company, not only the bookmakers he was employed by but by listening to and befriending the really shrewd punters too. He eventually deserted working for the bookies in favour of taking them on full time. This he has done very successfully, once a familiar figure on course but now deep undercover off course. In this interview with Simon Nott is a fascinating insight in the life and workings of a real professional punter and his operation. Meeting Dean Valentine.
Interview: SAM TURNER Sam Turner is Robin Goodfellow of the Daily Mail, pundit, broadcaster, punter, tipster and up until recently Megan Nicholls’ agent. In this interview with Simon Nott, he talks about all that and a whole lot more including a mentor that won a million quid over two race meetings, speed figures and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Meeting Sam Turner.
Interview: KITTY TRICE Kitty Trice is a Racing Post reporter who covers both racing and bloodstock. Perhaps best known for competing against Khadijah Mellah in the Magnolia Cup at Goodwood, Kitty has been at the Racing Post for two years, covering on and off course issues during that time, and will start working for the Racing Post’s bloodstock team this week. Meeting Kitty Trice. (interview by William Kedjanyi)
Interview: TANYA STEVENSON Tanya is probably best known for her work with Channel 4 Racing alongside John McCririck in the Betting Ring. It was fitting she should work there as the betting jungle was home from a very early age. In this interview with Simon Nott, Tanya talks about her early life as a bookie, working with Channel 4, her love of greyhound racing, cricket, golf and NFL, that’s all punting as well as watching. She talks about her busy life since C4 the Horserace Bettors Forum, RPGTV, the Horserace Sponsors Association and serving coffee while biting her tongue! Meeting Tanya Stevenson.
Interview: STEVE STARKEY Steve Starkey is a professional ‘reality TV’ punter. He has won an estimated half a million quid betting on the outcome of Big Brother, X Factor, I’m A Celebrity, Eurovision and the like. In this interview with Simon Nott, he talks to Simon Nott about how he manages to double guess the Great British voting public. He’s also very candid as to how he gets on and mentions the websites he uses to give him an edge in this very specialised betting medium. Meeting Steve Starkey.
Interview: JOSH STACEY Josh is at the spearhead of ‘young’ racing social media amassing over 13,000 followers on twitter and rapidly gaining a large fanbase with his YouTube content. In this interview with Simon Nott, he talks about his rise in popularity since first falling in love with racing at a tender age, the image racing has to young people, working at the Racing Post and how to attract more to the sport of horse racing. Meeting Josh Stacey.
Interview: MIKE SPENCE Mike Spence spurned a lucrative career in the city to pursue the life of a professional gambler. Much to the horror of his parents who had put him through an education that led to gilt edge job offers in the square mile. Meeting Mike Spence.
Interview: JOHNNO SPENCE Johnno set up JSC in January 2004 and remains its Managing Director. JSC has quickly established a reputation as one of the most creative and reputable agencies in the sports and consumer PR industry with a wide variety of clients. Johnno specialises in working with major brands to develop their reputation amongst high-end clients. Meeting Johnno Spence. (interview by Simon Nott)
Interview: BECKY SMITH Becky Smith – Champion Amateur Lady Flat jockey and runner-up over jumps talks to Simon Nott about the challenge of riding under both codes, dedication, learning the ropes in the Irish Point to Point scene, training a point to point winner, charity boxing, being ambassador for Racing Welfare, riding in the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies series Texas, Denmark and Abu Dhabi, riding for the love of the game, the lady jockey’s allowance debate and whip issue. Meeting Becky Smith.
Interview: GRAHAM SHARPE Simon Nott from Star Sports catches up with PR maestro and author Graham Sharpe who headed up William Hill’s PR for many years. Graham was seen as a pioneer of novelty bets from the weather to who shot JR? Meeting Graham Sharpe.
Interview: JEREMY SCOTT Somerset dual purpose trainer Jeremy started successfully training point-to-pointers with his wife Camilla on their dairy farm back in the early 1990’s. They started training professionally in 2007, the cows were sold a year later. In this interview with Simon Nott, Jeremy talks about his career and goals for the future. Meeting Jeremy Scott.
Interview: NICK RUST Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority talks to Simon Nott of his early love of horseracing and betting and his rise from a humble Ladbrokes board-marker. He covers conscientious issues such as bookmaker account restrictions, FOBT’s and the betting exchanges as well as the joys of being active in the sport as an owner. Meeting Nick Rust.
Interview: ROCKY ROBERTO Rocky Roberto was born into Racing. His great grandfather was Italian. When his dad was born in 1921 he was named Dante Roberto though everyone knew him as Bob. Through his life Dante won the Derby in 1945 and Roberto in 72 so two Derby winners were named after his Dad! Rocky tells his fascinating story of work with bookmakers on the dog tracks and racecourses in and around London and beyond. He then went on to earn his living as a tic-tac man, on busy days £1000’s of pounds would be traded over sometimes vast distances with just a twist card, tic-tac and white gloves. Relive those fascinating days with Rocky Roberto when a contract was open and closed in the wave of a hand. Meeting Rocky Roberto. (interview by Joe Citrone)
Interview: JAMIE REID Jamie Reid is an award-winning author and freelance writer who has a passion for horseracing. Anyone who has read his 2003 ‘Days Like These – The Education Of A Racing Lover’ will be in no doubt of his love of the game. His book ‘Doped’ the real-life account of a notorious 1960’s doping gang won William Hill Sports Book Of The Year. He’s followed up with ‘Blown’ & ‘Monsieur X’ both to high acclaim. In this interview with Simon Nott, Jamie talks about horseracing and his fascination with the shady side of life. Meeting Jamie Reid.
Interview: MARTIN RAYMOND Newmarket based Martin has been a jockey’s agent, in-running punter and commission agent to sharp money. He now makes his living as a professional punter in his own right. In this three part interview he talks about backing maidens, information, speed figures, spread sheets, staking, getting on, chasing, getting out and living the the life. Meeting Martin Raymond.
Interview: TOM POWER Tom cut his teeth working with his bookmaking uncle and father before taking on all comers in the main rings at the top dog tracks in London. He soon amassed betting shops home and abroad. Literally overnight things started to come crashing down around the Tom Power empire. Here’s his story, with Simon Nott. Meeting Tom Power.
Interview: STEPHEN POWER (The Racing Blogger) Arguably one of the most divisive characters in racing over the last couple of years has been Stephen Power, aka the self-proclaimed ‘Racing Blogger’. Stephen rose from total obscurity to gracing the pages of the Racing Post and amassing over 17,000 followers on Twitter in rapid time. His rise hasn’t been without controversy, his super-confident style has attracted,at times, a vicious backlash from some quarters on social media as well as having his account temporarily suspended. Despite the setbacks he’s marching on undaunted, in his own words. Meet the Racing Blogger. (interview by Simon Nott)
Simon Nott from Star Sports catches up with ALAN POTTS who is a punter that has stood the test of time. He’s punted on a professional level for decades and written books on the subject. His first ‘Against The Crowd’ has been mentioned as influential by several present-day professionals. Alan didn’t go too much on the idea of winning millions and spending the lot but rather that he’d like to be known as the punter that won half a million and kept it!
MEETING DAVID PIPE: I was very pleased to be granted an interview with the master of Pond House Stables David Pipe.
Interview: BARRY ‘PINNO’ PINNINGTON: Barry ‘Pinno’ Pinnington is a true professional on-course bookmaker. He bets from Exeter to Perth as well as the perilous waters of trotting and point to points. He bought enough pitches to keep him in travelling the turf 7 days a week and regularly does so. He learned the art of bookmaking at an early age from his father taking the plunge going into business himself after an unexpected windfall when in a share with his father. This interview with Simon Nott, chronicle the life of a stalwart from the dying breed of full time professional on-course bookmakers. Meeting Barry 'Pinno' Pinnington.
Interview: MARK PHILLIPS Mark was born into the racing game, his bookmaker father had and still has racecourse pitches all over the South and South West of England. Inspired by the lifestyles of his father’s workmen who earned on course all summer and travelled in the winter Mark started working in casinos, ultimately on cruise ships to facilitate his urge to travel. On his return he started working for fledging Internet bookmaking firms and discovered just how many shrewd punters there were out there making it pay. Prompted by his father, Mark’s career took a change when he answered an advert in the racing press to join the Jockey Club Security team including using the exchanges to ensure those up to no good ultimately got the tap on the shoulder. After moving to his wife’s native Australia, Mark set up Global Sports Integrity working to aid investigation into suspected corruption in sport. Meeting Mark Phillips. (interview by Simon Nott)
Interview: DAVE PHILLIPS Dave Phillips became an on-course bookmaker in 1970, travelling to Leicester on a Monday in November to bet in the back row of the Silver Ring for the first time. 15 years later he was president of the Devon & Cornwall bookmakers Association. Dave was one of the pioneers of using a computer and printed tickets on-course in the 1990’s. He was part of the negotiations on major betting ring events, buying and selling pitches and allowing boards on rails and how the betting ring was changed for ever. He was also on the appeals committee and talks about a curious case involving parentage. Dave was present and making a book when Frankie Dettori rode his ‘Magnificent 7’ at Ascot and remembers it fondly. In addition to bookmaking, Dave and his partner Susan owned racehorses and had a winner with Martin Pipe, he became a magistrate, oh and Chairman of Torquay United Football Club. Meeting Dave Phillips. (interview by Simon Nott)
Interview: RISHI PERSAD Rishi grew up in a family of Indian origin in Trinidad. In this interview with Simon Nott, he talks fondly of his life in the Caribbean and his first sporting loves Cricket and Horse Racing. After senior schooling in the UK he embarked on an extensive career in broadcasting with has included At The Races, Channel 4 Racing, ITV Racing, BBC and ITV covering sports from lawn bowls to the Olympic Games and Ryder Cup. Meeting Rishi Persad.
Interview: TOM PARK Tom is editor of the Racing Post Weekender, Racing & Football Outlook and the new Racing Post ‘Betting Guide’. In this interview with Simon Nott, he talks about his background, love of racing and Sunderland Football Club, why the world needs a new betting guide and divulges the more prevalent piece of advice for punters therein. Meeting Tom Park.
Interview: STEVE NOYCE A regular at racecourses of the South and South West of England, professional gambler and occasionally bookmaker. He tells his story, reflects on his past career and what the future holds for professional backers in this interview with Simon Nott. Meeting Steve 'Rucker' Noyce.
Interview: MADDY O’MEARA & JASON WATSON Maddy O’Meara and Jason Watson are head girl at Andrew Balding’s yard and professional jockey respectively. The couple talk about working in the racing industry, its plusses, minuses and what’s on offer to a young person. Jason, who won the 2018 apprentice title with 110 winners, talks about his dreams for the future as well as reliving his horror Kempton fall. Meeting Maddy O’Meara and Jason Watson.
Interview: FERGAL O’BRIEN Racehorse trainer Fergal O’Brien talks to Simon Nott about his family history, not steeped in racing as his surname might suggest. Attending Racing School, working for Captain Tim Forster, Ginger McCain then 19 years with Nigel Twiston-Davies. He elaborates on taking the plunge training himself, the importance of point to points, his love of pony racing and greyhound racing plus the importance of social media and the current state of the UK horse racing industry.
Interview: SIMON NOTT Simon has been involved working on racecourses since 1989, firstly with on-course bookies, then returning SP’s with TurfTV. He’s now the voice behind the camera on the majority of the Star Sports #BettingPeople interviews. The tables are turned as he’s quizzed himself by Star’s William Kedjanyi on everything from his love of music to controversial interviewees. Meeting Simon Nott.
Interview: ALAN ‘GINGER’ NEWMAN Alan ‘Ginger’ Newman has been a lifetime in bookmaking and gambling. In this interview with Simon Nott, he talks of his life, his decision to write his stories down, how they became a book. Subsequently raising thousands of pounds for good causes. He also relates some tales of characters he has met along the way, the great, good and not so good in this heartwarming chat.
Interview: JAMES MILLMAN James Millman, has been an assistant trainer, jockey, trainee lawyer and racing driver. In this interview with Simon Nott, trainer Rod Millmans’ son talks about his varied career in racing and beyond. Meeting James Millman.
Interview: MIKE MILLER We meet pro-golf punter Mike Miller who had a conventional career in the insurance industry but then switched focus to betting – a lifelong interest. He made the switch from full-time football punting to the fairways in the early 2000’s and he outlines to Simon Nott his very specific approach to betting. After moving to Africa in 2013 to establish a sports betting company he ‘retired’ for the third time in 2017. Meeting Mike Miller.
Interview: BRUCE MILLINGTON: We talk to the Racing Post’s editor Bruce Millington. He talks to Simon Nott of his early love for racing and betting, embryonic days as a journalist and his subsequent rise to top of the tree. He talks a host of topics and addresses criticism levelled at the paper, the FOBT debate, bookmaker restrictions and the positives and negatives of social media. Meeting Bruce Millington.
Interview: PATRICK MULCAHY Patrick Mulcahy is a 25 year old bookmaker’s assistant for Seamus and Ray Mulvaney. Patrick talks about how he got into the racing game and how his family bred Ted Veale and how it felt when he won at the Cheltenham Festival. Patrick is a hard working young man with a degree in business studies and loves working on the race tracks, especially point to point meetings. Patrick also talks about the future of the game and how young people can get into it. Meeting Patrick Mulcahy
Interview: ANDREW MOUNT Andrew Mount has worked on course for bookmakers, written a series of books, ‘Trend Horses’ for Raceform and run the Trend Horses thrice successful Scoop 6 syndicate including the Record breaking £5m pot in 2008 and been an ‘in-running’ punter. He has also enjoyed success as a winning owner with trainer Nick Williams owning a leg in triple Long Walk winner Reve De Sivola. He currently writes for the Racing Post’s ‘Spotlight’ section & Racing and Football Outlook in print, GG.co.uk on-line and broadcasts as a pundit on William Hill Radio. Meeting Andrew Mount. (interview by Simon Nott)
Interview: LEE MOTTERSHEAD Lee Mottershead joined the Racing Post 22 years ago. Since then he has risen to being acknowledged as one of the UK’s top horse racing writers. In this highly candid interview with Simon Nott, he talks about his early life, career, highlights and strong opinions in the game. Meeting Lee Mottershead.
Interview: JOHN MORRIS he hails from Liverpool and has been punting since well before he was really supposed to. He soon found that he had an acumen for picking winners and became the scourge of his local bookmakers. 26 years ago he decided to turn his passion for backing horses into something tangible and embarked on writing ‘Jumping Prospects’. Over the years he has spoken to most of the UK’s top trainers and gathered information on their stables stars as well as the beasts lurking in the shadows and in the process pointed punters in the direction of many a winner. Despite some setbacks along the way, what started as a labour of love still is one, but now also one of jump racing’s literary success stories. Given that the book runs tandem with a lifetime of successful punting that some achievement . Meet John Morris.
Interview: TIM MOORE Tim Moore is the managing director of A.G.T (Administration of Gambling on Track) in this interview with Simon Nott, he explains the AGT’s history, their work and his thoughts on how the betting ring can embrace the 21st Century. Meeting Tim Moore.
Interview: JAMES MOORE James Moore worked for IG Index with the likes of Neil Channing, he then spent the next decade living off his wits as a professional punter. He’s now the Principal Betting Investigator for the BHA. In three parts he explains the process of keeping racing straight. Meeting James Moore. (interview with Simon Nott)
Interview: MARK MOISLEY Mark Moisley joined the Greyhound Board of Great Britain in early August as their new Executive Commercial Director, tasked with overseeing the development and implementation of greyhound racing’s new commercial strategy. His remit is to raise the profile of the sport and, perhaps most importantly, increase revenue into the industry, through both new and existing partners. In this #BettingPeople interview with Julie Collier, Mark discusses his early impressions of the sport and what can be done to reverse the decline in it’s popularity, as well as how he has been struck by the passion there is for greyhound racing. Meeting Mark Moisley.
Interview: DAVID MITCHELL David Mitchell, greyhound tipster and syndicate organiser is a huge greyhound racing enthusiast and has been since he was a young boy. He now combines his regular full time job with a tipping role for My Racing and has also got into ownership in a big way through his Blue Tick syndicate. In this two-part interview, David talks to Julie Collier about his passion for the sport, how he finds the winners and why he has ventured into Australian greyhound racing. Meeting David Mitchell.
Interview: HAYLEY MOORE Hayley Moore was born into the horse racing industry, her grandfather and father both trained and rode. She sat her GCSE’s in the morning then rode her first winner at Brighton in the afternoon. Since then she’s gone on to be successful as a lady jockey, won a commentating contest, learned production and presenting in the media where she now works with At The Races and became an overnight global sensation when filmed catching a loose horse at Chepstow. Meeting Hayley Moore.
Interview: GREG MILLER Greg Miller has spent his whole life playing and working in sport and has had an involvement in greyhound racing his whole life. From owning greyhounds to later becoming CEO of one of Australia’s most successful greyhound clubs, Sandown Park, and now as Deputy Chairman of Greyhound Racing Victoria, he has seen the sport from many angles. He has also travelled the world to go greyhound racing, including here in the UK on many occasions. His views on the sport are well-informed, forward thinking and invaluable. Meeting Greg Miller.(interview by Julie Collier)
Interview: ANDREW MICHAEL Andrew Michael is an award-winning financial journalist who is possibly the only one ever to have enjoyed horse racing media accreditation too. In this interview with Simon Nott, he explains how the financial and horseracing world’s sometimes collide, his love of the sport and tips for smarter investing in the city and the betting ring. Meeting Andrew Michael.
Interview: JOHN McMULLEN John McMullen is a long-standing professional in-running punter who combines his skills backing horses with greyhounds at Towcester. In this interview with Simon Nott, he explains how life has become difficult for an in-running ‘twitcher’. He’s also candid on how he combines the uncertainties of professional punting with a family life and how he beats the Towcester books.
Interview: RASMUS SOJMARK and ANDREW McCARRON Rasmus Sojmark and Andrew McCarron of SBC (Sports Betting Community) provide B2B news to the industry and host industry leading seminars and conferences across the globe. In this interview with Simon Nott, they talk about their business, the sports betting industry, the health of the bookmaking, winners and losers, responsible betting, the future and more. Meeting Rasmus and Andy.
Interview: DEBBIE MATTHEWS Debbie fell in love with racing after a chance viewing on TV of Altior winning at Cheltenham. Despite a high profile career in marketing, Debbie also suffers from anxiety when confronted with new situations and experiences, she formed #GoRacingGreen after a solo trip to Ascot for a first visit to the races. The aim of the group is to enable people to enjoy a day at the races in an environment that feels comfortable to them. Listen to her story here. Meeting Debbie Matthews.
Interview: BERNARD MARANTELLI Bernard was born into an Australian bookmaking family and got involved working with the business and studying form in his teens. He soon began to be drawn into pool betting, successful at it he decided to move to England where he continued to do well winning the Scoop 6 on several occasions. In this time he co-founded Colossus Bets and is now striving to get the British betting public to embrace exotic pool bets. Listen to his story with Simon Nott.
Interview: CORNELIUS LYSAGHT For a generation, Cornelius was the ‘voice of racing’ broadcasting on the BBC as well as regular written word and TV appearances. Eton educated and with a peerage listing, Cornelius has links to the first ever steeplechase and possibly the Captain whose fall into a brook left his name immortalised in Grand National history. In this four-part interview he talks about his school days, falling in love with racing, first break as a broadcaster and a whole lot more. Meeting Cornelius Lysaght.
Interview: NICK LUCK For many people THE face of UK Racing, Nick Luck has been voted ‘Broadcaster of the Year’ no less than seven times by his peers in the HWPA, reflecting his work on Channel 4 Racing, RUK and NBC in the USA. He’s also the BBC voice of equestrian sport, add to that his written journalistic work – it’s a wonder he found time to talk to us, but he did. Meeting Nick Luck.(interview by Simon Nott)
Interview: JASON LOOSEMORE Simon Nott spends a race Day with Newton Abbot’s Clerk of the Course Jason Loosemore.
Interview: STEPHEN LITTLE Stephen Little was a giant of the betting ring in the 1980’s and 1990’s. The man who used to cycle to racecourses on the off chance of a day’s work with a bookie ended up one of the biggest of them all taking on anyone who wanted a bet, often no matter how large. In this interview with Simon Nott, Stephen tells of his unlikely bookmaking beginnings and his subsequent rise to the top of his game, and ultimately why he turned his back in the betting jungle. Meeting Stephen Little.
Interview: BEN KRAHE Ben was born into betting, his father was a greyhound trainer. Ben cut his teeth as a punter then tried his hand as a bookmaker in his own right, then working for others. It was while with Bet365 he decided to jump the fence and become a professional punter. In this interview with Simon Nott, he explains his strategy for beating the bookies, one that covers all aspects of gambling. Meeting Ben Krahe.
Interview: LAURA KING Laura King has lived and worked in Dubai for over a decade. Her passion is travel and flat racing, combining the two where possible. Her background was grass roots point to points and National Hunt though, she talks to Simon Nott how she gravitated to Dubai, racing in general and gives a few hints on the local action. Meeting Laura King.