Nick Luck Daily Podcast

Nick is joined by the returning Lydia Hislop for news and comment on the best of the racing action from around the world. This edition, brought to you the morning after the 2024 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, features interviews with winning rider Rossa Ryan, and trainer Ralph Beckett. Also on the show, Kieran Shoemark reflects on first Group One for the Gosdens on Friendly Soul, while the trainer himself tells how Freddy Head was the inspiration for running the filly in the Prix de l'Opera. Owner/Breeder Jeffrey Hobby of Brightwalton Stud shares the thrill of winning the Abbaye with Makarova, while Lars Wilhelm Baumgarten explains the confusion over Fantastic Moon's Arc preparation. On the eve of Tattersalls Book One, Ballylinch's John O'Connor explains the success of Lope de Vega, and reflects on the victory of his latest star and Book One Grad Carl Spackler in the Coolmore Turf Mile.

PLUS... Lydia uncovers key information as regards the distribution of a portion of Levy Board funding which may well cause significant discomfort over the coming days.

It's all about the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in this week's Saturday Edition with Charlotte Greenway and we'll get the thoughts from various connections on their chances including: Yann Lerner (Look de Vega), Ralph Beckett (Bluestocking); Christophe Ferland (Aventure); David Menuisier (Sunway); Christophe Soumillon (Continuous); Lars Wilhelm Baumgarten (Fantastic Moon). Plus, we finish with an update on Kikkuli from trainer Harry Charlton as his goes for Grade 1 glory in the US.

Nick is joined by Racing Post senior writer Lee Mottershead to discuss the latest from around the racing world. Lee is in Paris ahead of the Arc, where we get the lowdown from Adrien on the shock news of the appointment of Mickael Barzalona as number one rider to HH Aga Khan. Nick is in Kentucky, where he catches up with Harry Charlton, who runs Kikkuli in the Grade One feature at Keeneland on Saturday. Harry also has news of Cosmic Year, his stratospherically impressive Sandown-winning juvenile. With a fancy in the Arc and a potential 19 runners in the Breeders' Cup, Japan is facing a huge global autumn, and Kate Hunter talks us through some of the key players. Jimmy George talks us through next week's Tattersalls Book One, while Tod Wojciechowski drops in to preview OBS.

Nick is joined by ITV and Sky presenter Matt Chapman to discuss the latest news from around the racing world. They begin with initial reaction to the draw for the Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday, and talk to Yann Lerner, trainer of one of the favourites for the race, Look de Vega. They consider the likely pace of the race in the conditions, and debate the merits of Yutaka Take's booking for Al Riffa. Also on today's show, news on Goffs Orby sale while Guy O'Callaghan from Grangemore Stud looks ahead to selling Charyn at Tattersalls Book One next week. Plus, Charlotte gets the NTF reaction to the proposed commercial agreements from CEO Paul Johnson, while Tom talks to Racing Foundation Conference keynote Bob Langert about tackling negative perception of the sport, and Nick catches up with James Harron, the Aus-based agent who has just sold this year's Everest slot. Anthea Leigh - the newest judge to the Godolphin TIEA awards - reminds everyone to get voting.

Nick is joined by Racing Post writer Jonathan Harding as the build-up continues to Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. In a longer interview today, jockey Christophe Soumillon - set at this stage to ride Continuous in this year's edition - tells Nick why the race has been even more important to him than you might expect, and discusses the nuances of his two brilliant wins aboard Dalakhani and Zarkava. Also on today's show, Ralph Beckett confirms Bluestocking's supplementary entry, while trainer Christophe Ferland takes aim at her again with Vermeille runner-up Aventure, one of eight runners of the weekend for the stable. Plus, with commercial agreements between racecourses and horsemen coming into play once again, Thoroughbred Group Chair Julian Richmond Watson fills us in, while Eliza McCalmont reports from GOFFS Orby Sale, where she talks to agent Billy Jackson-Stops and Tom Whelan, consignor of Day One's top lot.

Nick is joined by RTE and Racing TV analyst to discuss the latest from around the racing world. They lead with the news that the Jockey Club has sold a key Newmarket fixture to York, and consider the implications of such a decision. The build-up to the Arc begins in earnest, with Adrien reporting on the ground at Longchamp, trainer David Menuisier hopeful of a big run from Sunway, and owner Lars Wilhelm Baumgarten sounding a note of caution on the ground for Fantastic Moon. Also on today's show, Goffs CEO Henry Beeby looks forward to the Orby Sale, Dan Barber has prescient commentary on the changes to the Pertemps Final in the Timeform Perspective, while we pay a first visit with Weatherbys to the Czech Republic and catch up with agent Tomas Janda.

Nick, in California, is joined by Daily Mirror Newsboy (6 out of 7 at Newmarket Sat) David Yates to discuss the latest news from around the racing world. First up today, 4-time Breeders' Cup Classic winning legend Mike Smith gives Nick the lowdown on his California Crown winner Subsanador, and tells us why he is no hurry to hang up his boots at the age of 58. Also today, Nick and Dave review the excellent action from Newmarket's Cambridgeshire meeting, and begin the build up to this weekend's Arc, which could yet feature Auguste Rodin. With that horse's imminent retirement announced Friday, Nick catches up with Coolmore's Mark Byrne to discuss what he'll bring to the stallion roster. Co-trainer Amanda Zetterholm reflects on star steeplechaser Il Est Francais's sparkling comeback win, while Aussie star James McDonald looks back on another Group One triumph, this time on Cox Plate fancy Broadsiding at Rosehill, and gives Nick his views on Romantic Warrior running in the key Middle Eastern races next spring.

This week's Saturday Edition looks ahead to action from Newmarket, the Curragh and Santa Anita and features various connections with runners including: Emmet Mullin; Dylan Cunha; Philip Antonacci; Jack Davison & Joey Peacock.

Tom in for Nick and joined initially by trainer Jerome Reynier who explains the reasons behind his intended joining of focus with Jean-Claude Rouget now not going ahead. Jerome also updates us on his intended targets for runners Facteur Cheval, Lazzat and Zarakem. Rishi Persad is today’s main guest and he reflects on this news before giving views on the changes to the 2025 Cheltenham Festival. There is news of another notable Wathnan Racing purchase and we also hear from trainer Jack Davison and owner Philip Antonacci who have runners in tomorrow’s Goffs 500 and Goffs Million. Ascot’s Will Aitkenhead joins us to look ahead to the inaugural Berkshire Winter Million with tickets now on sale. Tom Clover is along to reflect on Al Nayir’s brilliant performance at Newmarket yesterday and Sporting Life’s Dave Ord gives us something for the weekend ahead of day 3 of Newmarket's Cambridgeshire meeting.

Nick is joined for today's special episode by Racing Post senior writer Lee Mottershead to discuss the published changes to the Cheltenham Festival, both on and off the field of play. Nick talks at length to Head of Racing Jon Pullin and Director Ian Renton before getting Lee's lowdown on what is likely to play well with the racing and betting public. Also on today's show, Gavin Cromwell reflects on Flooring Porter's remarkable win in yesterday's Kerry National at Listowel, racing fan Anne Bain tells Nick how a chance visit to the stable of Tom Ellis during National Racehorse Week yielded instant honours as an owner, while Hugo Palmer drops back into the podcast to extol the virtues of the Tattersalls Book One bonus.