Nick Luck Daily Podcast

Coming to you today from the July Course in Newmarket as Nick his joined on track by Lydia Hislop to bring you the latest news stories from around the racing world. First up, Jockey Club CEO Jim Mullen talks all things Kempton, governance of the sport and his views on the financial risk assessments that the Gambling Commission gave the green light to this week. Lydia, listening in to this, shares her views and tries to infer what the Jockey Club’s stance is on Kempton and what’s likely to happen there. Trainer in form, Ed Bethell joins the show ahead of Danger Bay in the John Smiths Cup at York tomorrow and runs through his other weekend runners whilst Richard Ryan looks forward to Superlative Stakes hopeful, Green Sovereign, who was luckless at Royal Ascot. Lydia previews what looks to be a competitive and classy renewal of the July Cup tomorrow before proving an update on the classification of pattern races in Australia. Finally, Eva is at the sales speaking to Tattersalls’s Jason Singh.

Nick is joined by Jane Mangan to discuss the latest from around the racing world. Nick is at Newmarket for the Debenhams July Festival, but leading the news today is the reopening of Towcester racecourse, now slated for October 2027. Overseeing the project, Richard Thomas tells Nick about how it is likely to come together, while Betway's Lewis Knowles explains the betting company's role as naming partner. Also today, Nick and Jane discuss the Financial Times report of a brand new team racing venture launched by F1 and TripAdvisor magnate Greg Maffei, which has buy in from some of US Racing's biggest names. Plus, Mark McStay on Falmouth hopeful Balantina, and top French trainer Christophe Ferland on his UK runners this weekend. Meanwhile -at the TBA awards- Eva catches up with award winners Colin and Melba Bryce of Laundry Cottage Stud.

Tom in for Nick and joined initially by David Yates who was busy in Westminster yesterday at the Kempton Park parliamentary debate secured by MP Lincoln Jopp. We hear from Lincoln and trainer Nicky Henderson who had made his way to Westminster in the fight to save the track and it appears there is, at least, a shaft of light on that front. Dave also spork to Conservative MP Louie French on Financial Risk Assessments after yesterday’s Gambling Commission announcement and we hear from the CEO of the Betting & Gaming Council Grainne Hurst who outlines her concerns. George Boughey talks Libertango who lines up at this week’s July meeting after her Ascot win and also updates us on Bow Echo’s wellbeing. And Juddmonte’s Barry Mahon talks Field Of Gold retirement and looks ahead to this weekend’s key runners including Blue Bolt in the Tattersall’s Sceptre Sessions Falmouth Stakes.

Following the Gambling Commission’s announcement this morning that they will be proceeding with their proposed financial risk assessments, Nick kicks off the show in the company of our political expert Neil Channing to look at how the government are now likely to proceed and when these changes will come into force. Brant Dunshea provides a response from the BHA whilst Nick also has a statement from the Betting and Gaming Council’s CEO Grainne Hurst. ITV‘s Matt Chapman is alongside Nick today and shares his views before Timeform give their take on Saturday’s Coral Eclipse. We then move on to the racing this week and hear from Paul Curran on the chances of Double Rush in Saturday’s Group 1 July Cup and Ian Williams, who has the hot favourite for the Bunbury Cup, Aalto. Henry Dwyer is along to reflect on a disappointing run from his star sprinter Asfoora and touches on whether or not we will see her again on a racecourse, before Eva O’Neill has an update form the Tattersalls July Sale and finally William Jarvis shares who those in the Newmarket area can see on the cricket pitch this weekend.

Nick is joined on his return to TW11 from South Africa by Racing Post senior writer Lee Mottershead to discuss the latest from around the racing world after a hectic weekend. They lead today with the publication of a governance blueprint from Goodwood and York racecourses, with Nick talking to bothe CEOs William Derby and Adam Waterworth. Nick and Lee ask just how good is Constitution River, with Donnacha O'Brien joining the show to talk about his Eclipse runner up A Boy Named Susie and his Belmont Oaks heroine Kensington Lane. We run the rule over Calandagan's GP de Saint Cloud comeback, while TPD's Adam Mills puts the Belmont Derby and the Deutsches Derby under the microscope. Lars-Wilhelm Baumgarten, who bought and raced the second, third and fourth in the Hamburg feature, tells us how he did it. Nick Smith - Racing Director at Ascot - also drops in to talk about how Hong Kong is beefing up the Shergar Cup, to clear up the Ka Ying Rising/Ascot debate, and to give Ascot's view of the York/Goodwood proposals. Plus, Nick and Lee discuss that controversial photo at Newmarket on Saturday, the retirement of Field of Gold and the upcoming events in Westminster surrounding the future of Kempton.

Eva O'Neill on the Saturday Edition this morning. She debriefs the week with the Christophe Soumillon case along with Ray Dawson and his ride in the Eclipse. Arqana Summer Sales leading vendor on Day 1 spoke to Eva on Wednesday and we hear the Durban Diaries Day 2 highlight.

Nick is joined by David Yates for today's canter through the racing headlines. First, Spelthorne MP Lincoln Jopp issues a stern warning to the Jockey Club and developers Redrow over the renewed intention to build 2,000 homes on a flattened Kempton Park racecourse. Also on today's episode, Nick and Dave pay tribute to Graham Bradley, who died yesterday at 65. Plus, new arrangements for Christmas racing and an update on Frankie Dettori. In Durban, Nick brings you the final part of his Durban Diaries, which today take in a trip to the magnificent training, pre-training and rehabilitation centre at Ashburton, with contributions from Devin Heffer, trainer Vengi Masawi, pre-trainer Hayley Dixon and rehab boss Nicole Willle. This week's Weatherbys Guest is International Bloodstock Agent Justin Casse.

In association with In The Box Seat, and featuring Deez Dyanand, Alistair Cohen, Vicky Minott and Warren Lenferna.

Nick is in Durban and brings you Day Two of his diaries, featuring connections and personalities associated with the Hollywoodbets Durban July, including Candice Bass, Erico Verdonese, Lucinda Woodruff, Michael Roberts, Barend Vorster, Glen Kotzen and more. With added commentary from Vicky Minott, Brandon Bailey and MJ Byleveld.

At the beginning of today's show, Lydia Hislop gives her commentary on the Soumillon appeal verdict, which was released shortly after lunch BST.

Nick is in Durban, South Africa, for Saturday's Hollywoodbets Durban July, and takes you on a whistlestop tour this morning, encompassing the Summerveld training centre - the gallops and trainers' barns - as well as Greyville Racecourse. With Ali Cohen as his guide, he talks to trainers Peter Muscutt (and assistant Vanessa Beets), and Justin Snaith, as well as ex-jockey MJ Byleveld, and trainer and former legendary rider Garth Puller. At Greyville, Mike de Kock makes a cameo, much to the delight of today's home guest Matt Chapman, who also provides commentary on the Coral Eclipse, the threat to racing in Wales, and the SMF's new Machine Gaming Tax proposals. Plus, Eva O'Neill is in Deauville, where she catches up with trainer Noel George.