Nick Luck Daily Podcast

Nick is in Riyadh for the Saudi Cup, but begins today's show by discussing the fallout from the first week of penalties under the new whip regulations which has immediately yielded a disqualification. Nick is joined by ITV's Richard Hoiles to take a deep dive into how the new regulations have manifest themselves and what the likely outcomes and difficulties will be moving forward. Also on today's show, Kate Hunter assesses the six-strong Japanese challenge for the Saudi Cup, trainer Peter Fahey looks ahead to the Grand National with the Big Dog following publication of the weights, Michelle Yu nominates her 5 favourite Steve Asmussen horses as the trainer passes 10,000 career winners, Colin Bowe looks ahead to the Tattersalls Cheltenham Sale and Goodwood Clerk Ed Arkell announces a big prize money boost for 2023.

Nick is joined by RTE and Racing TV broadcaster Jane Mangan to digest all the latest news and events from around the world of horseracing. Nick begins by reflecting on the Godolphin Thoroughbred Industry Awards last night at York racecourse, which featured victory for long time John O'Shea stalwart Sarah Guest. Fellow judge Dawn Goodfellow explains the importance of the awards to the industry. Ahead of the Grand National weights, we catch up with Lucinda Russell and Peter Scudamore to talk about Coach Rambler and Gold Cup fancy Ahoy Señor. Also on today's show, Newsells Park owner Graham Smith-Bernal is a fascinating Weatherbys Bloodstock guest, while big name owner Amr Zedan looks ahead to the Saudi Cup with Taiba and Country Grammer. Nick and Jane also discuss the IHRB's reaction to the Homer Scott story, the end of 2022 Irish anti-doping report, the sale of Brandy Love, the retirement of Bristol de Mai and more.

Nick is joined by Daily Mirror's 'Newsboy' David Yates to cast an eye over the news and events from around the racing world today. Beginning with the UK action over the weekend, they reflect on Shishkin's dominant comeback at Ascot, talk to Jamie Shepperd - excited owner of I Like to Move It - and consider the importance of Cap du Nord's victory for Christian Williams. Also in this episode, Nick and Dave consider the key themes of the Asian Racing Conference, pay tribute to the career of pioneering French rider Nathalie Desoutter, who retired on Sunday, and wonder what the immediate future holds for star riders Frankie Dettori and Oisin Murphy. Dettori's US agent Ron Anderson joins the show off the back of Dettori's Santa Anita 4-timer on Saturday night, while Hugo Palmer reflects on his valuable success with the Murphy-ridden Flaming Rib in Doha the same day. Oliver St Lawrence drops in to talk about the huge auction of stallion nominations that goes online with Tattersalls today in aid of the DEC Turkey/Syria appeal and Giving for Ukraine.

Nick is joined by broadcaster Rishi Persad to discuss the latest news and events from around the racing world today. Nick begins the show by talking to senior jockey Tom Scudamore, who has announced his retirement with immediate effect after over 1500 winners across 25 seasons. Also on today's show, Racing TV presenter Chris Dixon reports from last night's meeting at Chelmsford, where - as an owner - he provided Oisin Murphy with his comeback winner. Tote UK CEO Alex Frost dials in from the Asian Racing Conference with news of the expansion of WorldPool, while Go Racing in Yorkshire's Charlotte Russell outlines what season ticket holders can enjoy in 2023.

Tom in for Nick and joined by Newsboy of the Daily Mirror David Yates. We initially discuss the return of two-time champion flat jockey Oisin Murphy and the interesting news that he’s returning with a jumps licence. Will he have a ride in Cheltenham’s Champion Bumper on his agenda? We’re off to Melbourne to hear from Lee Mottershead at the Asian Racing Conference who has reported on BHA Chief Executive Julie Harrington’s comments. Lee and Dave gives their reaction to Cheltenham being used as a ‘shop window’ to attract new fans to the sport regarding changes to the whip rules. We have updates from Alex Hales and Gavin Sheehan re upcoming runners, or lack of given likely quick ground for the time of year. In particular the Ascot Chase could turn out to have just three or four in it. Ruth Jefferson tells us she’s yet to make a decision as to whether or not Sounds Russian runs in the Gold Cup with a return to Kelso also on his agenda. And it’s Thursday so we’ve the latest from Saudi Arabia just nine nine days out from the Saudi Cup.

Tom in for Nick and again joined by RTE and RTV broadcaster Jane Mangan to initially look ahead to this weekend and beyond. We hear from Donald McCain who has multiple entries for one of his stable stars Minella Drama, including this weekend’s Betfair Ascot Chase and also the Red Mills Chase in Ireland but the likely ground is causing a headache for him. Tom and Jane pick through the notable latest Cheltenham entries and focus in particular on the novice races. We hear from Jonathan Sweeney about Churchstonewarrior’s likely run in the National Hunt Chase after his win in the Ten Up at the weekend. Jim Walker, owner of Subjectivist, is on to talk about that horse’s comeback from injury and his run in Saudi and Jane Chapple-Hyam is along to pay tribute to her star mare Saffron Beach who retired yesterday and will now head to Frankel. And it’s Wednesday so we get the latest from Hong Kong with Jim McGrath.

Tom in for Nick and joined by broadcaster Jane Mangan with plenty to discuss this Valentine's Day. Jane starts with the news that Allaho misses the Cheltenham Festival and who we might see in his place. We follow up to yesterday's pod discussion regarding the removal of Homer Scott's license and Jane argues whether or not this goes far enough given the former trainer can still work with horses. Obstacles changing in the UK from orange to white has again been in the news this week and we hear from the Horse Welfare Board's Equine Safety Advisor, Mike Etherington Smith, who reasserts to us the reasons behind the change. Jane also gives her views on what is day two of the new whip rules coming into effect and casts the spotlight on the need for the whip review committee. Nick has been talking to Richard Kingscote who rode a winner on his final day in the US yesterday. And it's Tuesday so we head around the bloodstock world with Weatherbys and to Qatar to speak to trainer Mohammed Hamad Khalifa Al Attiyah whose family also own Al Jeryan Stud.

Nick is joined by Racing Post senior writer Lee Mottershead to reflect on the news and events from around the racing world today. Lee is in Melbourne for the Asian Racing Conference and begins today with a report on the growing tensions between the country's two most powerful racing jurisdictions. Also today, Nick and Lee discuss disturbing allegations made against trainer Homer Scott in yesterday's Irish Independent, Nick's interview with the CEO of the Gambling Commission, the beginning of the new whip rules in the UK and all the action from the weekend. Nick tracks down Charles Byrnes, trainer of Blazing Khal, talks to Fitzdares CEO Will Woodhams about opening up in Canada, and hears of pioneering horse health technology from Anne Moynet of Arioneo. Meanwhile, renowned turf writer Jay Hovdey pays tribute to the horseracing legacy of Burt Bacharach.

Nick is joined by broadcaster and writer Lydia Hislop to discuss the latest goings on around the horseracing world today. In rip-roaring form, Lydia deconstructs the key points in BHA Chair Joe Saumarez-Smith's speech to the Racing Together conference yesterday, critiquing the industry's attitude and passivity on science and welfare as well as their lack of understanding on matters pertaining to the Gambling Review. Also on today's show, owner Bill Esdaile offers an explanation for Rare Edition's below par effort yesterday, while Paul Nicholls looks forward to the weekend, Simone Sear drops in from Racing Welfare and Craig Kieswetter reflects on family success at the Dublin Racing Festival alongside a stellar year on two continents across both codes.

Nick is joined by Daily Mirror writer David Yates to discuss the latest news and events from around the racing world. They lead with the news that the Grand National has received an entry of just 31 horses from British trainers. In a bid to work out why, and what this means for the sport as a whole, Nick talks to BHA Head of Jump Handicapping Martin Greenwood, who has some strong words on the subject. Among other topics discussed are the new French whip rules, the end to the "bedding in" period in the UK, and Gordon Elliott's £1000 medication fine. Nick is at Huntingdon for the Sidney Banks hurdle, which Nick and Dave preview, while, having returned last night from Riyadh, Nick brings back news from Emblem Road's connections and a surprise guest who has travelled the world working in the sport. Elsewhere, trainer Chris Gordon looks ahead to his two runners in Saturday's Betfair Hurdle.