The Paddock and The Pavilion - The Horse Racing and Cricket Podcast

Today’s principal guest is John Blake the Chief Executive of Racing to School.  

Racing to School is an education charity dedicated to inspiring young minds. They offer free, interactive, and healthy outdoor educational events for schools, all hosted at various racing venues.

In this episode John will explain what Racing to School does and how they’re making a difference in the world of education.

Plus, you will also be hearing from Danielle Lawler a deputy headteacher from Liverpool about a typical day working with Racing to School and from one of the charity’s ambassadors Leonna Mayor, the ITV and Sky Sports racing presenter who talks passionately about the benefits of this thriving organisation.

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Esha Oza is the captain of the UAE Women’s Cricket Team and the ICC Women’s Associate Player of the Year for 2022. A leading all-rounder, she has scored three T20I centuries.

Esha reflects on her thriving career, including the UAE’s missed qualification for the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup, and their focus on reaching the next World Cup in 2026.

Plus, Esha talks enthusiastically about the benefit Fairbreak has made to her game and the growth of cricket in the UAE.

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The Paddock and The Pavilion’s cricket expert and Talk Sport commentator Roland Butcher reflects on England’s recent Test series loss to Pakistan, despite an innings victory in the first match.

He discusses the team’s struggles on turning pitches and against spinners Sajid Khan and Noman Ali. Roland also explores whether the Bazball approach is suited to such conditions, shares his thoughts on Ollie Pope’s future in the side, and answers listener questions in Ask Roland.

He wraps up with a preview of England’s upcoming three-Test tour of New Zealand.

Interview date 4 November.

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Rosa Simkin of Rosa Talks Ball rejoins the show to review the recent women’s T20 World Cup in the UAE where a revitalised New Zealand team surprised the cricketing world to win the tournament in the first ever World final which did not feature Australia or England.

Rosa shares her thoughts on why the balance in the White Ferns team helped them win the trophy, discusses the shock exit of the mighty Australian side along with the reasons why England crumbled under pressure again.  What next for England, should there be changes and who should be the next captain after Heather Knight.

Rosa adds her player of the tournament, a favourite moment, and sums up each team’s performance in one word or phrase.  Plus, we have a cameo from Esha Oza, the captain of the UAE, who was at the event.

All this and much more is covered in our 300th episode.

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Today we are going across the pond to feature City Of Troy’s bid for Breeders Cup Classic glory on Saturday 2 November at Del Mar where the turf meets the surf.

Award winning American horse racing journalist and author Jay Hovdey is back to discuss Aidan O’Brien’s Derby winner’s chances along with racing presenters Leonna Mayor, Callum Helliwell, Newmarket trainer John Berry, Racing Post bloodstock journalist Kitty Trice and leading racing historian Tim Cox.  Jay adds his thoughts on the history of the Breeders’ Cup meeting while Tim reveals the connection between the Derby winners and racing in the United States.

Jay expresses his forthright opinions on the challenges facing City Of Troy including the kick back, his likely opponents, and the tactics needed to become only the second European horse to win the Classic on dirt since its inception in 1984..

Can City Of Troy achieve what all the other Aidan O’Brien horses have failed to do and win on the dirt in the Breeders’ Cup classic.

Jay gives us his likely winner and an outsider to end this fascinating show about what could be a momentous day in the history of horse racing..

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The Lexus Melbourne Cup, the race that stops a nation is run every year on the first Tuesday in November but what many people don’t know is that the Cup travels around the globe for nearly six months promoting the iconic race.

In this episode I was joined by Joe McGrath, the Lexus Melbourne Cup tour manager, the keeper of the cup as he is affectionately known, to talk about the cup’s journey during 2024 to schools, towns, cities, businesses, and famous racecourses.  

The Melbourne Cup retains a special fascination with the Australian public both young and old.  First run in 1861 the people’s cup is more than just a race, it’s a cultural event in Australia and there is no one better to tell the story than, Joe McGrath, the man who always knows where the cup is!

Interview date 20 September.

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On today’s show we head Down Under for the Caulfield Cup, a key race in the Melbourne Spring Carnival.

Our guest is Peter Hutchinson, who won the Cup in 1993—something his legendary father, Ron Hutchinson, never did. Hear Peter’s story of that dramatic day, with a special cameo from Ron himself.

Epsom born Peter talks about his career as a jockey in the UK and Australia and his memories of the Caulfield Cup along with this father, Ron, and Edward Sadler a presenter and journalist with Racing.com in Australia.

You’re in for a treat!

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On today’s show we head Down Under for the Caulfield Cup, a key race in the Melbourne Spring Carnival.

Our guest is Peter Hutchinson, who won the Cup in 1993—something his legendary father, Ron Hutchinson, never did. Hear Peter’s story of that dramatic day, with a special cameo from Ron himself.

Epsom born Peter talks about his career as a jockey in the UK and Australia and his memories of the Caulfield Cup along with this father, Ron, and Edward Sadler a presenter and journalist with Racing.com in Australia.

You’re in for a treat!

Please subscribe to us on Apple podcasts, Amazon music, Spotify or on our YouTube channel.

Connect with us on X, Facebook & Instagram @ThePaddandPav

www.stephenwallismedia.com



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Joining us for or our opening National Hunt episode of the new season is David Hunter, the Chief Executive Officer and Clerk of the Course at Fakenham racecourse who looks ahead to their new season which begins on Friday 18 October.

The popular North Norfolk course is celebrating its 120th year of racing at Fakenham in 2025 and David reveals some exciting news about their racing calendar for the 2024/25 season.

Please subscribe to us on Apple podcasts, Amazon music, Spotify or on our YouTube channel.

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Felix Francis, the master of suspense and intrigue is back on the show to chat about his latest horse racing thriller Syndicate.  The story’s main lead is a high-end syndicate manager Chester Newton, who mirrors the role played by Harry Herbert, the Chairman and Managing Director of Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, who assisted Felix when he first came up with the idea for the book.

Felix shares a brief synopsis of the action in this fast-paced thriller which begins at Epsom on Derby Day.  Felix explains how he selects character names, the vital role his wife plays bringing the book to print as well as reflecting on his life as an author. Felix has now written eighteen Dick Francis novels.

The race is now on for Felix to write his next book and in this episode, he reveals his opening line!

Felix Francis was a previous guest in episodes 93 and 230 when he joined me to talk about Iced and No Reserve..

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