#BettingPeople

MEETING BEN KEITH: Star Sports’ founder Ben Keith in this interview with Simon Nott, talks candidly about his early ambition to become a bookmaker, the humble beginnings of Star Sports, the pressures of taking on the high-rollers and his hopes for the future of the industry, plus plenty more besides. A real insight. 

Interview: MARTIN & BELINDA KEIGHLEY: Martin and Belinda met while working at David ‘The Duke’ Nicholson’s yard then went on to set up their own currently successful training operation in the Cotswolds. They talk of their respective riding careers, point to points, frustration with handicappers, becoming Cheltenham specialists plus the agony of losing a Festival winner on a technicality.

Interview: PAUL KEALY Having spent much of his working life at the Racing Post, Paul has progressed through the ranks to his current position as head of tipping at the paper. He’s hugely respected in the industry as one of the UK’s best judges of form with his tips loyally followed by punters nationwide. In this interview with Simon Nott, Paul gives an insight into how he deciphers the form book and sees what others don’t in his quest for picking value winners. Meeting Paul Kealy.

Interview: MARTEN JULIAN Hailing from a mining village and son of a vicar Marten Julian was sent to a private school in Hove funded by an uncle who was a founding father of the NHS. University in London followed with an eye on the Church – as a vocation he studied theology. However, at some point during his degree Marten’s attention focused on Hackney Dogs as opposed to Heaven, of course some may say they were one and the same. Regular visits proved profitable as was a greyhound tipping service run while still a student. The dogs were soon usurped by horses in a quest for winners, they soon followed, the cloth was ditched for the turf and 50 years later the rest is all in the form book. As Marten explains in this five part interview, there were celebrity studded highs and crushing, debilitating, lows but he’s still on top of the game. It’s all here, in a rare and candid five part interview. Meeting Marten Julian.

Interview: STEVE JONES 12 years ‘Templegate’ of The Sun, Steve talks about his globe-trotting jockey grandfather, working at the Soaraway Sun, being Templegate, moving on to pastures new and his opinions on racing topics. Meeting Steve Jones.

Interview: JOHN HUNT Racecourse, Olympic and Commonwealth commentator and presenter John Hunt talks about his early life getting into racing. He tells of giving up the life of a policeman after seeing an advertisement for a trainee as a racecourse commentator. He tells a few stories along the way including one where he was barred entry to his commentary box by a president’s security team and another where he was determined to pay his respects despite the best-intended intervention by a jockey. Meet John Hunt.

Interview: NATHAN HORROCKS Raised in Kenya by his father Alan Horrocks, Nathan sat on his first horse at 16, rode 60 jump winners whilst based with Nicky Hammond, rode Attraction, Shamardal and Double Trigger at home, before doing the same with Many Clouds and then winning an international award with a film about the 2015 Grand National Winner. He also created the successful Equine Productions in 2013. Meeting Nathan Horrocks.

Interview: MICHAEL HOLDING is one of the greatest bowlers in the history of test cricket. Now a commentator for Sky, horses have been a part of his life since childhood and he blends his time following the exploits of the England cricket team with daily visits to Freemasons Lodge, home to the great Sir Michael Stoute. In this special Betting People Interview with William Kedjanyi, Holding talks about how he discovered racing, what the sport means to him, and reflects on an extraordinary cricketing career. Meeting Michael Holding.

Interview: MARK HOLDER Mark has betting in the blood. His grandfather was a keen punter and father a Cheltenham Festival winning trainer. He was inspired by a professional backer who was friendly with the yard and realised, via him, that a living could be made betting on horses. After several years successful punting, Mark took the decision to offer his tips via an 0898 number then a personal subscription service. Three decades on and Mark is still beating the bookies betting for a living and tipping to a select group of private clients. In this interview with Simon Nott, Mark offers invaluable and candid advice for those wishing to beat the bookmakers. Meeting Mark Holder.

SIMON NOTT MEETS: Racecourse and ITV Racing commentator RICHARD HOILES to find out how he got started as a commentator and the tricks of the trade.