Nick Luck Daily Podcast

The programme begins with the very sad news that former jockey Tom O’Brien, a multiple Grade 1 winner and Cheltenham Festival winner, has died aged just 39. Johnson White, who worked alongside Tom for around two decades at Philip Hobbs and Johnson White’s yard, pays tribute to “the life and soul of any get-together”, and Oli Bell, who joins Nick for today’s show, remembers a loyal stalwart of the weighing room. Baroness Minette Batters, chair of the Horse Welfare Board, tells Nick about last night’s reception at the Houses of Parliament to launch the board’s new five-year welfare plan, with traceability and wearable technology at its heart. Tom Bellamy explains what happened at Huntingdon yesterday, when the final race was void after Blues Singer was withdrawn at the start, and gives an update on White Noise. From Bahrain, Henry de Bromhead talks about his first runner in the kingdom and his strong team for Cheltenham this weekend, and Mr Araci’s racing manager discusses Glacius’s chances in Friday’s Bahrain International Trophy and Libertango’s 1,000 Guineas plans. Mini Mac’s three wins for James Owen secure a share of ARC’s first all-weather bonus, Jim McGrath reports on Saffie Osborne’s promising start in Hong Kong, and Goffs chief executive Henry Beeby previews the new Chicquita Session.

Nick is in Bahrain, with Jane Mangan alongside him. The programme begins with the very sad news that apprentice rider Izzy Neale has died aged just 22, following a fall at Warren in New South Wales on Sunday. Harry Derham explains why he reported a senior member of his staff to the BHA for passing on inside information, a case that has ended in a two-year disqualification. He also discusses Cristal D’Estruval’s sparkling chase debut at Carlisle and his plans for Grade 1 winner Le Frimeur. Nick heads down to the track at the Bahrain Turf Club ahead of Friday’s $1.5 million Bahrain International Trophy, the kingdom’s first international Group 1. He hears from Sheikh Isa on the race’s journey from its first running in 2019, and from Karl Burke on defending champion Royal Champion. Jane and Nick also discuss Englishman’s retirement to stud and the stellar novice chase entry at Cheltenham this weekend. For the Timeform Pulse, Dan Barber looks back at Gavin Sheehan reaching 1,000 winners. On the Weatherbys world tour, Pascal Noue of Haras de la Hetraie warns that France’s National Hunt foal crop could fall by up to 15% next year.

Nick is in Bahrain ahead of Friday’s Bahrain International Trophy, the kingdom’s first international Group 1. The Daily Mirror’s David Yates joins him to look back on a big weekend of jumps racing. At Naas, Kopek Des Bordes was beaten at 1-4 by Irish Panther, Love Me Tender and Anzadam won for Willie Mullins, and Champion Bumper hero The Mourne Rambler had to work hard to win his maiden hurdle. Ted Walsh pays tribute to Derek O’Connor, who has retired as the most successful point-to-point rider of all time, calling him “the Tiger Woods of amateur riders”. Ben Pauling reflects on Taurus Bay beating No Drama This End and Talk To The Man in the Rising Stars Novices’ Chase at Aintree, and looks ahead to Meetmebythesea in Saturday’s Paddy Power Gold Cup. He also talks about swapping the gallops for the dance floor for Racing Welfare. Hugo Palmer previews his two Bahrain International Trophy runners, Seagulls Eleven and Glacius. Jason Hart, crowned Cock O’ The North for the second time, calls for more recognition of northern racing after Great British Racing scaled back its support for the title.

Charlotte Greenway brings you this week’s Saturday Edition, starting at Aintree ahead of tomorrow’s action. Joe Tizzard updates us on Champion Hurdle fourth Alexei ahead of the William Hill Molyneux Hurdle, and Paul Nicholls looks forward to No Drama This End’s chasing debut in the Boodles Rising Stars Novices’ Chase. Then it’s down under for the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington. John Messara previews Autumn Glow’s run in the Champions Mile and explains why Royal Ascot is no longer in the plan. Barry O’Brien is confident Sir Delius can bounce back in the Champions Stakes, where he also has Birdman.

Nick is in Melbourne on the eve of Champions Day, the final day of the carnival. First, Neil Channing reacts to Betfred founder Fred Done carrying out his threat to pull sponsorship of all five British Classics. He warns that it won’t be the last sponsor to walk away while betting shops keep closing, and he gives his view on Bradley Walsh’s Channel 4 gambling show. Back home, the jumps season really gets going. Josh Stacey runs through the big storylines from a strong weekend at Aintree, including Mydaddypaddy’s clash with Alexei in the Molyneux Hurdle and the “six-pointer” for Paul Nicholls as No Drama This End takes on his former inmate Talk To The Man. Josh also looks ahead to Kopek Des Bordes’ return in Ireland. Alexei’s trainer Joe Tizzard explains why his stable star skips the Fighting Fifth to start at Aintree and gives an update on stable jockey Brendan Powell after his arm operation. In Melbourne, Adam Peacock previews a Champions Day of possible coronations, with Tempted in the sprint, Autumn Glow in the mile and a Cox Plate rematch in the Champions Stakes. Autumn Glow’s owner John Messara then explains why Royal Ascot is no longer in the plan for his superstar mare. Plus, a tip from Josh for Aintree on Saturday.

Nick is at Flemington on Crown Oaks Day, joined by the Racing Post’s Lee Mottershead. Lee reflects on a Melbourne Cup week that has the carnival “very much on the up again”, Proxima Dea’s dominant Oaks win and Dom Sutton’s success with Sulek in the Country Final for Grand National-winning owner Stuart Andrew. Legendary Las Vegas oddsmaker Roxy Roxborough tells the remarkable story of a life spent gambling, from going broke at Del Mar to creating the first computer programs for sports betting odds. Lee also gives his take on Billy Loughnane joining William Buick as a Godolphin retained rider, and whether the lack of a hierarchy could make life complicated for Charlie Appleby. Owner Barry O’Brien, second in the Cup with Zahrann, explains how he became an “overnight success after 35 years” with 10 Group 1 wins in 18 months and shares his hopes for Sir Delius and Birdman in Saturday’s Champions Stakes. Chas Armitage of Country Racing Victoria explains the importance of the country racing circuit, and former Great British Racing man James Oldring, now chief executive of Perth Racing, tells Nick why Ascot WA pays out more prize money than Ascot UK. Plus, Lee’s Champions Day tip.

Tom in for Nick and joined initially by Godolphin CEO Hugh Anderson who reflects on the appointment of champion jockey Billy Loughnane as Godolphin retained rider, alongside William Buick. Rishi Persad gives his view on the appointment noting the absence of any hierarchy within the new retained positions. Rishi also reflects on his experience at the Breeders’ Cup and assess the possible futures of the Classic runners staying in training. On that note we hear from bloodstock agent Ramiro Restrepo who bought Classic 2nd The Puma. He tells us why the Saudi Cup could be on his agenda. Turning our attention the jump racing, Rishi and Tom reflect on Noel Meade’s career to date having trained his 3000th winner yesterday. And we hear from Paul Nicholls who is chasing down Martin Pipe’s all time record number of winners. And it’s Wednesday so we get the latest from Hong Kong with Jim McGrath.

Recorded from Flemington Racecourse in the aftermath of the Melbourne Cup, won impressively by Point of Law. Nick is joined by his co host Adam Peacock throughout as he also catches up with winning owner Johnny O'Neil and winning trainer Ciaron Maher, who also had the 2-3-5. Cairon's CEO Sam Cavanough shares what it means for the whole team, whislt Dylan Browne McMonagle reflects on his fourth place. We also hear from Kylie Rogers, Chief Exec of the VRC, Nick Smith who discusses the possibility of Point of Law making the trip back to Britain for Royal Ascot next year and finally Dan Barber has a Timeform update as he looks back on the action from the weekend.

Nick is in transit between Kentucky and Melbourne today, but before he left he caught up with NBC’s Matt Bernier to reflect on Breeders’ Cup 43. The favourites ruled the weekend, and Matt explains why that made it a frustrating two days for American punters but a memorable one for the sport. They also discuss Sovereignty’s farewell in the Classic, T O Elvis’s extraordinary Sprint win over Englishman, Notable Speech’s bad luck in the Mile, Ryan Moore’s ride on Benvenuto Cellini, Billy Loughnane’s late booking for Libertango, and whether Hughes and Emphatic can go on as three-year-olds. Charlotte Greenway is joined by the Mirror’s David Yates back in the UK. Total Performance Data’s Adam Mills explains what the sectionals tell us about Sovereignty and the juveniles. The Racing Post’s Lee Mottershead reports from Melbourne on JP McManus and Paul Byrne’s huge bets on Hopewell Rock at Call of the Card, and he previews tomorrow’s Melbourne Cup. Hollie Doyle talks about her comeback winner at Southwell after five months out injured and her plans for Hong Kong this winter. Plus Dave runs through the weekend’s jumps action, including Pic D’Orhy’s Charlie Hall success for the Skeltons, Haiti Couleurs’ first Grade 1 at Down Royal and the row over the ground there, and he marks the end of the Betfair Forum.

With the Breeders’ Cup under way at Keeneland, Charlotte Greenway brings together the best of Nick’s interviews from the past fortnight, race by race in running order. Friday’s juvenile races come first. George Boughey talks about Libertango, and Adrian Keatley and Mikey Sheehy discuss Hell Of A Spin. Gatewood Bell hopes Scarlett Begonia can repeat his family’s 50-1 Epitome win from 1987, Francis-Henri Graffard runs through Amusingly’s clash with Sun Goddess, and Kieran Lalor and Hugo Palmer cover Folsom Blues and Sale Shark. Then on to Saturday, Brad Cox explains why Further Ado goes for the Dirt Mile, and Karl Burke and Jack Nicholls talk about the remarkable rise of Miss Yechance. In the Filly & Mare Turf, we hear from Juddmonte’s Barry Mahon and Andrew Balding on Blue Bolt, Jess Jell on Gimme A Nother and Willie McCreery on Jancis. Ahead of the Breeders' Cup Sprint, we hear from Duabi-based trainer Ahmad Bin Harmash on dual Golden Shaheen winner Dark Sfafron, Miguel Clement and Isabella Paul preview the Mile with Deterministic and Lake Forest. In the Turf, David Casey and Dylan Browne McMonagle talk about Ethical Diamond’s defence, Aidan O’Brien discusses Benvenuto Cellini and George Scott explains why he trusts Bay City Roller. Finally, Godolphin’s Michael Banahan on Sovereignty and Knightsbridge in the Classic. Plus we hear from Price Bell, Fergus Galvin & Mark Taylor ahead of the Fasig Tipton November Sale next week.