Nick Luck Daily Podcast

Nick is joined by broadcaster Rishi Persad to build towards the 242nd running of the Derby, sponsored for the first time by Cazoo. They discuss why this great race still holds its special place and luxuriate in some of their favourite Derby moments as well as trying to work out what will win this year's race. They are joined by Frankie Dettori, a Derby fixture for three decades, who talks extensively about his hopes for Snowfall and John Leeper, his two big rides this weekend. Tom Marquand also drops in to discuss his Derby ride Youth Spirit, while Royal Ascot's Nick Smith joins to reassure those attending the Royal meeting about the testing procedures, and James Willoughby brings you his take on Saturday's Belmont Stakes.

Nick is joined by journalist and broadcaster Lydia Hislop as the build up to the Cazoo Derby continues. They react to a busy 24 hour period which saw Aidan O'Brien take everyone by surprise by announcing he would rely on a sole representative for the first time since 2004, namely the heavy favourite Bolshoi Ballet. They also discuss the attendant repercussions, which has seen a jockey merry-go-round, with Frankie Dettori stepping in for John Leeper and Adam Kirby switching to Adayar. Nick and Lydia tackle the huge international news last night that has seen Bob Baffert suspended from competition at Churchill Downs Incorporated tracks for two years. Also in this episode, Nick talks to Epsom clerk Andrew Cooper, Derby winning rider Martin Dwyer and The Wine Tipster Neil Phillips.

Nick is joined by RTE and Racing TV broadcaster Jane Mangan to discuss the day's racing news, with the build up to the Derby very much at the forefront. Nick and Jane ask whether Aidan O'Brien simply has the two Epsom Classic sewn up, or whether the depth is such that we should look beyond the obvious. Nick talks to William Haggas, trainer of Mohaafeth, who he feels couldn't be in better shape for the race, while jockey James Doyle also drops in with positive vibes about his ride One Ruler. Later in this edition, commentator Graham Goode remembers calling Shergar home in his first Derby as ITV's senior caller in 1981, while JA McGrath provides his weekly postcard from Hong Kong.

Tom in for Nick and joined by Lee Mottershead of the Racing Post. We ask if the recent whip-free racing at Monmouth Park in the US is a sign of things to come and speak to Jose Ferrer who rode at the meeting. We hear from Ed Vaughan who recently sent out his first winner in the States having moved from the UK. Jane Chapple-Hyam is along to talk about her Cazoo Oaks filly Saffron Beach. And in our regular Tuesday bloodstock segment, Nick speaks to Clifford Barry of Pin Oak Stud.

Nick is joined by David Yates, Newsboy of the Daily Mirror, who makes an impassioned plea on behalf of the Derby for more promotion and razzmatazz with just five days to one of the sport's key events. With the sun set to shine on Epsom this week, Clerk of the Course Andrew Cooper explains why he has had to begin the watering process, something almost unthinkable in the middle of the month. Nick reflects on yesterday's French Group One, the Prix d'Ispahan, in the company of winning trainer Jerome Reynier, while Naohiro Goda provides commentary on the Japanese Derby. Later in this edition, Nick talks to ROA President and Horsemen's Group Chair Charlie Parker about the deal with ARC Racecourse Group flagged up by Lee Mottershead in this morning's Racing Post.

Nick is joined by broadcaster Rishi Persad to discuss all the day's national and international racing news. With Australian trainer Peter Moody suggesting that Aussie trainers might be better than their British counterparts, Nick and Rishi examine that assertion, particularly through the prism of Moody's use of Zaaki's improvement as an example. Later in the show, Nick is joined by James Willoughby, who looks at this through the lens of the TRC Global Trainers' Rankings and also suggests some of the reasons why British trainers are not better represented in the TRC Top 50. Nick also talks at length to trainer Jim Goldie, whose stable star Euchen Glen won the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown last night, while there are drop-ins from Fitzdares CEO Will Woodhams and The Racing League's Oli Harris.

Nick is joined by journalist and broadcaster Lydia Hislop to discuss the day's racing news, which focuses today on largely local issues. First, Nick and Lydia discuss tonight's action at Sandown Park, widely recognised as the most significant evening fixture in the calendar, before turning their thoughts once more to the Epsom classics next weekend. With those in mind, they are joined by trainer Roger Varian, who is three handed in the Oaks and also saddles Lingfield triallist Third Realm in the Derby. Later in the show, Nick visits his local Park Lane Stables to discover why this crucial hub for Riding for the Disabled has been forced out of its premises, while Racing Post Greyhound expert Dave Clark drops in to talk about the upcoming greyhound Derby.

Nick is joined by RTE and Racing TV broadcaster Jane Mangan to discuss the day's national and international horseracing news, leading with the increased attendance at Royal Ascot, which has been selected as part of the government's Events Research Programme (ERP). Ascot's Director of Racing and Public Affairs, Nick Smith, joins at the top of the show to explain the finer details. Later in this edition, Nick talks to Charlie Johnston, assistant trainer, about the Oaks and Derby hopefuls Dubai Fountain and Gear Up, while Tote UK CEO Alex Frost considers the implications of the enhanced WorldPool which will be operational at Epsom and at Royal Ascot. JA McGrath brings you his weekly postcard from Hong Kong.

Nick is joined by broadcaster and journalist Cornelius Lysaght to discuss the day's national and international racing news. They are joined by jockey Adam Kirby, who has landed significant rides in both the Oaks and Derby aboard Saffron Beach and John Leeper respectively. Also in today's show, first class cricketer Darren Stevens talks to Nick about why age is increasingly just a number in professional sportspeople, DiRSG Chair Susannah Gill tells Nick why British Horseracing has committed to marking the anniversary of George Floyd, while veteran bloodstock agent Anthony Stroud is this week's special guest in the Weatherby's Bloodstock Segment.

Nick is joined by David Yates, Newsboy of the Daily Mirror, to discuss the day's national and international racing events. Nick and Dave begin by reflecting on the life and significant influence of the renowned gambler, trainer and philanthropist Barney Curley, whose legendary coups divided opinion sharply and whose guidance of the careers of some of the country's leading riders was without parallel. Nick and Dave also look back on the weekend's Irish classics in the company of Rory Cleary, who rode Mac Swiney to victory in the Irish 2000 Guineas. Later in. the show, Nick talks to two Brits abroad who both saddled big race winners over the weekend: Annabel Neasham with Doomben Cup winner Zaaki and Louisa Carberry with Grand Steeplechase de Paris hero Docteur De Ballon.