Why do you think the William Hill Racing League is so positive for horseracing in the UK?
It’s something new and exciting, and it’s really easy to follow, especially if you are new to racing. It’s bringing trainers and jockeys together for a whole new challenge, and I love how competitive it is.

Tell us a bit about your team, Team Swish
I sat down with Team Swish last week after riding out for Charlie Hills, and all I can say is that this team is determined. I won’t let our secrets slip, but I think we have an exciting adventure ahead!

How did you get involved in horseracing?
As I mentioned, I was asked to take part in the Magnolia Cup in 2018, and I jumped at the idea and loved it. The same year, I rode in Ascot Racecourse’s charity race and then again in the Magnolia Cup in 2019. I was then given the opportunity to present the in-house television coverage at both Goodwood and Ascot racecourses and since then I haven’t looked back. I still ride out for Charlie Hills and the more I learn about racing the more I am loving it.

Tell us a bit about your experience competing in the Magnolia Cup at Goodwood Racecourse in 2018
It was terrifying, exciting, tiring and just pure magic! I had ridden all my life, but never on a racehorse, so it was like learning how to ride all over again. I have to admit, the first month or so I hated it, it was so scary and these horses are so strong. As soon as I got in the gym, put my stirrups up and had lots of jockey training, I started loving it. There is nothing more special than going up the gallops at 07.00 with the sun rising over the hill. I’ve even managed to get used to the 04.00 start to get to Charlie’s [Hills].

The last year has been incredibly challenging – how important is it for horseracing to have spectators back at racecourses?
It’s so important! You only need to watch Frankie Dettori’s reaction to the fans to understand how much they have been missed. There is nothing like a racecourse being filled with spectators, the atmosphere is amazing. Plus, it gives younger fans a chance to start enjoying racing again.

The William Hill Racing League will be hosted at four racecourses – Newcastle, Doncaster, Lingfield Park and Royal Windsor. Do you have any fond memories of attending these tracks?
Interestingly, I’ve never been to any of these tracks, so I’m really excited to create some memories at each one.

For somebody attending one of the William Hill Racing League evenings, what advice would you give on the fashion stakes, and what should they wear to an evening at the races?
I’m told that the evening races will be a smart/casual dress code. Personally, I would wear a pretty, but understated dress and a nice subtle headband to go with it. I don’t think a massive hat would suit evening racing. My plan is to try and look classy, elegant and understated.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given? And what piece of advice would you give to someone considering a career in horseracing?
In terms of riding, the best piece of advice I’ve been given was by our head girl at Charlie Hills’ yard. She said to me, if you get a strong horse, you just have to sit and suffer, and breathe! My advice to someone getting into racing is to ask lots of questions, and if you don’t understand something, just ask. It can be complicated to understand all the different types of races and the way it all works. Trust me, as soon as you start to understand it, you will be hooked!

If you had to pick a stand-out horse for this season, who would it be?
Without a doubt, Adayar. It was incredibly special to witness live both his Derby and King George wins – what a legend he is.

RACING MANAGER
Matt Gibbens

TRAINERS
Keith Dalgleish

Keith Dalgleish joined Belstane Racing Stables in Carluke situated high-up in the beautiful countryside of South Lanarkshire in 2011. In August 2012, the yard’s owner, Gordon McDowell, handed Keith an opportunity, which was too good to turn down and Keith took over the yard, which became home to Keith Dalgleish Racing.

As a jockey, Keith notched up nearly 300 winners, including a £70,000 Group 1 in Germany aboard Yavanas Pace. However, at six feet tall, it was a daily struggle to maintain the required weight so at just 21 he had no choice but to retire, the only sensible option, or in his words another season juggling his weight would send him “potty”. Keith’s talent and determination as a jockey is replicated as a trainer, making an impressive opening impact to the 2012 flat season, notching up 52 winners, a record not held by a Scottish flat trainer for 55 years. In 2016 he became champion trainer in Scotland, eclipsing the previous records with an impressive 80 winners.

Mick Channon
Mick Channon is a former professional footballer, who played as a striker, most notably for Southampton, and went on to represent the English national team in the 1970s. Scoring over 250 goals in his career, he also became known for his trademark windmill goal celebration. Channon later became a successful racehorse trainer.

Mick always had an interest in horseracing during his football career. After retiring from full-time professional football in 1986, he began working as an assistant trainer, before becoming a licensed trainer in his own right in 1990. He initially had 10 horses, and moved to the West Ilsley stables near Newbury, formerly owned by HM The Queen, and began to increase his number of horses, eventually ending up with almost 200.

In 2002, he ended the season with 123 winners, topping the 100-mark for the first time in his career. He is one of the sport’s most respected trainers, though has yet to produce a winner of one of the British Classic races. In May 2012, he produced his first Classic winner when Samitar took the Irish 1,000 Guineas.

Paul and Oliver Cole
Paul and Oliver Cole made history by becoming the first to register a victory with a dual license, permitted by the BHA since the resumption of racing on 1 June 2020, and were the first to be jointly credited with a winner at Royal Ascot. They also won The Cambridgeshire at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile, traditionally one of the most competitive handicaps of the year. The father and son combination train at Whatcombe, a private racing estate located in Oxfordshire. 

Champion trainer, Paul Cole is one of Britain’s most successful trainers, winning the highest calibre races. He has sent out five Derby winners globally, including the English Derby, Irish Derby, King George, Irish Oaks, St Leger and Ascot Gold Cup. He has flown horses around the world to compete (and win significant prizes) in Dubai, France, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Turkey, America, Canada, Hong Kong, Russia, Australia and Japan.  

Oliver Cole has travelled the world in his career, forging relations in the bloodstock industry and working with top trainers and owners in Europe, Australia, Asia and America. He is now one of the first trainers to pioneer the use of the BHA’s new co-licensing system.

JOCKEYS
George Bass
George is an apprentice jockey to Mick Channon. He had a good teammate in Charlie Bishop, who was an apprentice at Mick’s before he lost his claim. George is having a good season so far, riding plenty of winners and getting plenty of chances for Mick. George claims a useful five-pounds so that is certain to come into play.

Rossa Ryan
Born in Galway, Rossa was only 16 when he rode his first winner on the racecourse at Dundalk in 2016. He was always destined to have a career in racing, having been brought up knowing nothing else, as his father David Ryan is a well-known figure in the training ranks in Ireland. Ryan was a champion pony rider before taking out his apprentice licence, riding over 150 winners on the pony circuit, before making a perfect transition to racetrack riding. Having lost his claim, he can regularly be found riding out in both Newmarket and Lambourn, and is retained by AMO Racing Ltd.

Charlie Bishop
Born and raised in Herefordshire, near the town of Ledbury, Charlie started his career at Mick Channon’s, basing himself in and around Lambourn. For Bishop, there was no bigger fairytale win than at Royal Ascot in 2018, when Accidental Agent – the horse nobody wanted to buy at the sales – provided his trainer, Eve Johnson Houghton, and Charlie their first wins at Royal Ascot and also at Group 1 level. Bishop’s previous 250 wins in Britain had been more of the bread-and-butter variety – only two of them at Listed or Group class. The then 24-year-old, attached to the Johnson Houghton yard, timed things to perfection at the Royal meeting to win by half a length and a neck from Lord Glitters and Lightning Spear. Since then, Bishop has gone on to ride a number of high profile winners and has continued to build on this success.

Gary Novick, CEO at Remulate