Nick Luck Daily Podcast

Joined today by Lee Mottershead and coming to you from Flemington once again where we've just seen a sparkling performance from Zardozi in the Kennedy Oaks and her jockey James McDonald joins the show to assess the performance and reflect on a successful Carnival so far. Then with the National Hunt season really starting to ramp up back in the UK and Ireland, I catch up with Barry Connell who trains possibly the most exciting novice chaser this season, Marine Nationale, and also Steve Preston who owns top two mile chaser, Editeur du Gite, ahead of his seasonal reappearance in tomorrow's Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter. Finally, Sophie Buckley of Culworth Grounds explains her new venture into stallion ownership.

Nick is joined by RTE and Racing TV broadcaster Jane Mangan to discuss the latest from around the racing world. Among topics in the agenda today are the Denis Hogan case, the release of major stallion fees, and upcoming sport at the weekend. Guests today include trainers Ollie Greenall (yesterday's smart winner Iroko and Grand Sefton favourite Gesskille), and James Owen, who is responsible for leading Triumph Hurdle hope Burdett Road. Cheveley Park Stud's Richard Thompson is also along to outline plans for Inspiral in 2024 and look ahead to tomorrow's Clonmel run for Allaho, plus Annie Alexander, wife of trainer Archie, explains how her team is driving forward with an ownership initiative in Australia to embrace the LBGTQIA+ community.

Joined in Melbourne by Adam Peacock on the back of a dominant display in the the 2023 Lexus Melbourne Cup by Without A Fight, I begin by getting the reaction from his jockey Mark Zahra who was winning the race for a second year in a row. Adam and I also dissect the runs of some of the placed and fancied horses. Britney Eurton is along to pay a moving tribute to the young Cody Dorman who very sadly passed away, 24 hours after watching Cody's Wish win at the Breeders' Cup. Also from the US, trainer Rick Dutrow discusses future plans for his Breeders' Cup Classic winner White Abarrio and finally, news broke yesterday in Britain that Henrietta Knight, who trained Best Mate to win three Gold Cups, has re-applied for her training license and joins the show to explain the decision.

Nick is in Melbourne for the Lexus Melbourne Cup, and is joined by journalist and broadcaster Lydia Hislop to canter through the global racing headlines. Here in Australia we hear from Willie Mullins and Rich Ricci about the confidence behind heavy Cup favourite Vauban, and also from 5-handed defending champion trainer Ciaran Maher. Owner Ben Arbib discusses the chances of Soulcombe, while - fresh off the plane - Frankie Dettori reflects on his successful Breeders' Cup and looks forward to spectating in Aus. Lydia and Nick also debrief on events in California and the best of the jumps action over the weekend.

Nick brings you the final podcast of the week from Santa Anita Park in California ahead of Breeders' Cup 40. Among his guests enjoying the LA sunshine are Chris Richardson, Ado McGuinness, Mike Repole, Kia Joorabchian, David Redvers, Jim Crowley, CEO Drew Fleming and Josh Christian. Jane Mangan joins the show to fill us in on goings on in the UK and Ireland this weekend, while Darley Stallions' Sam Bullard brings news of a new continuing education initiative from the TBA and JA McGrath is entertained in Melbourne by prominent owner Richard Pegum.

Nick is joined by Lydia Hislop to discuss the latest news and events from around the racing world. They begin by assessing the current positions taken on affordability checks and recommendations from the Gambling Commission in the company of the Gamblers Consumer Forum Abbie MacGregor. They also hear from Michael Prosser, outgoing Newmarket Clerk, leaving post after 23 years amid a shocking weather forecast in the UK. In the sunnier climes of Santa Anita, Nick talks at length to veteran trainer Roger Attfield and travelling assistant Ally Walker, as well as Saudi Cup supremo Tom Ryan and Mage's owner Ramiro Restrepo. The Racing Post's Martin Stevens explains how he produced a remarkable piece of prescience over the success of Night of Thunder.

Nick is joined at Santa Anita Park by The Sun racing correspondent Jack Keene ahead of Breeders' Cup 40. Nick and Jack reflect on the difficult events of Tuesday morning, and get the lowdown from trainer Jena Antonucci as to why Classic favourite Arcangelo scratched. Also on today's show, the heartwarming story of how Juvenile Turf Sprint contender Givemethebeatboys has given so much to two families through challenging times. Nick talks to Shane Foley, Liv Marnane and Kate Harrington. In the latest in our nutrition series with Saracen and Kentucky Equine Research, Dr Joe Pagan and Polly Bonnor explain the intricacies of feeding thoroughbreds on their travels and preparing for major International races, while, in Australia, JA McGrath catches up with Victoria Racing Chair Neil Wilson. Back in California, Nick gets an owner's perspective on the Breeders' Cup from Littleredfeather Racing's Billy Koch.

Nick is joined by Mirror journalist David Yates to look over the headlines from around the racing world today. They lead with the news broken by Nick yesterday that jockey James Doyle would leave his nine year role with Godolphin to become the first stable jockey for Qatar's Wathnan Racing. They are joined by Doyle himself, who explains his decision. Also on today's show, Paul Nicholls articulates his dilemma over whether to run Bravemansgame in Wetherby's Charlie Hall Chase at the weekend, while Nick talks at length to legendary and sometimes troubled rider Patrick Valenzuela, who is considering a return to the saddle aged 61. Also in California, pod regular Steve deLemos gives us the lowdown on Turf Sprint candidate Live In the Dream, while - in Australia - JA McGrath gets a personal view from Melbourne Cup pioneer Michelle Payne.

Nick, in transit to Los Angeles ahead of Breeders' Cup 40, is joined by travel companion Rishi Persad to canter through all the world's racing headlines today. They reflect on Doncaster's Futurity, the prospects for Ancient Wisdom in Classics in 2024, and the significance of the result for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin. They also look back at the jumping over the weekend, and are joined by J'Etoile's trainer Ryan Potter. Also on today's show, Nick talks to Jena Antonucci, trainer of Breeders' Cup Classic favourite Arcangelo, and to James McDonald, who reflects on a famous win in the Cox Plate on Hong Kong trained Romantic Warrior. In Australia, Jim McGrath meets up with IFHA Chair and Hong Kong Racing boss Winfried Englebrecht-Bresges.

One hundred episodes of the Saturday Edition and quite rightly this week's episode contains plenty of insight ahead of the weekend racing. First stop is Australia for the Cox Plate where we hear from JA McGrath, Blake Shinn & Gai Waterhouse.

Then onto Doncaster for the final domestic Group 1 of the season, the Kameko Futurity Trophy which looks set to be a clash between Coolmore and Godolphin although Roger Teal, David Menuisier and Ben Brookhouse all share positive updates on their runners. Ben Brookhouse also has an interesting contender in the bumper at Cheltenham so we switch codes and look at the meeting there with added input from Olly Murphy and finally Lucinda Russell and Sam Thomas look ahead to their national hunt runners this weekend which include 2023 Aintree Grand National hero Corach Rambler.