This Is Horse Racing

He's off to a fast start to the 2019 season with 15 wins through May to lead the standings, but there's plenty to Michael Mitchell's story including stops in his native England, Australia, New Zealand and now the United States.

In 1971, Kathy Kusner broke through as the first woman to ride the Maryland Hunt Cup. Eight years later, came Toinette Neilson (then Jackson), then Joy Slater (a winner in 1980 and 1981), then Liz McKnight (in 1986). We talked to Neilson, Slater and McKnight about what it was like.

We're talking Maryland Hunt Cup history with two of the best to ever win the great timber race, former jockeys Buzz Hannum and Paddy Neilson. Hannum won it twice on Morning Mac and once on the great Fort Devon. Neilson's success spanned decades with wins aboard Haffaday in 1968, Burnmac in 1974 and Uncle Merlin 1989.

Our conversation with Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard continues, with more on the great Flatterer, future game-changing stallion Storm Cat and others.

Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard has done about all there is to do in Thoroughbred racing – trained champions on the flat and over jumps, bred and owned major winners, been inducted into the Hall of Fame and on and on in a career that began with long ride from England on a cargo ship.

Guy Torsilieri is the co-chair of the Far Hills Races, president of the National Steeplechase Association and the man behind the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. If that's not enough to make you listen, you're in the wrong podcast. 

A Marylander who lives in California, Steve Hankin brings a diverse background in live sports video production to his new role with the National Steeplechase Association. His high-definition camera work hopes to set a new bar and open new opportunities for U.S. jump racing.

The good work of the like-minded National Steeplechase Foundation and Temple Gwathmey Fund gets a boost as the organizations merge to create the Temple Gwathmey Steeplechase Foundation. Board members Emily Day and Charlie Fenwick discuss the future. 

As far as we know, he's the only trainer ON EARTH to win races at 4 1/2 furlongs (at Charles Town) and 4 miles (in the Virginia Gold Cup) this year. Based in Virginia, English native Neil Morris is off to a great start to 2018 with Thoroughbreds of all types. He took some time to talk about his horses, his training philosophies and how he got here.

As far as we know, he's the only trainer ON EARTH to win races at 4 1/2 furlongs (at Charles Town) and 4 miles (in the Virginia Gold Cup) this year. Based in Virginia, English native Neil Morris is off to a great start to 2018 with Thoroughbreds of all types. He took some time to talk about his horses, his training philosophies and how he got here.