Nick Luck Daily Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

This week the Saturday Edition kicks off with Eliza McCalmont speaking to both Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore following City of Troy's gallop at Southwell this afternoon, as part of his prep for the Breeders' Cup Classic. Then onto the weekend racing where David Evans and Karl Burke discuss their Ayr Gold Cup runners and Adrian Keatley provides a positive bulletin on Symbol of Strength ahead of his run in the Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury.

Nick is joined today by Timeform's Dan Barber and trainers David Evans and Karl Burke ahead of their weekend runners and Karl also has news of Irish Guineas winner Fallen Angel. James Armstrong, clerk of the course at Kelso, discusses the issue of low sun in jump racing and David Ord has our weekly Something for the Weekend in partnership with Timeform. Then looking further afield, jockey Blake Shinn looks forward to riding the favourite in Group 1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield. Finally, Peter Rotondo of 1st Racing has the latest from California including a dislocated shoulder for Dettori ahead of big targets.

Nick is joined by Racing Post senior writer to look at the latest from around the racing world. Today they are joined first by Ryan Moore, who speaks warmly of the skill and kindness of trainer Sir Michael Stoute, who announced his impending retirement yesterday. Owen Burrows, a former Stoute assistant, is also on the show, and has news of his St Leger hopeful Deira Mile. Plus, Jake Warren on the clutch of Stakes runners that he manages/bought ahead of the weekend: Economics plus the Tattersalls grads Soprano, Believing and Jewelry. Ollie Sangster has high hopes for his star juvenile fillies at Doncaster and The Curragh, while Leopardstown CEO Tim Husbands expresses dismay at ITV not covering the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes, and JA McGrath returns with a new season in Hong Kong.

Nick is joined by Rishi Persad to canter through the racing headlines from around the world. A quiet weekend in Europe, but not so in USA, as Nick catches up with Larry Johnson, breeder of Belmont Stakes second choice Mindframe. An interview to warm the heart. Also on today's show, Nick and Rishi discuss Charlie Appleby's big US squad, Frankie Dettori's appearances at Ascot and the new Jockey Club position, while Nick talks to both Charlie Hills (Pogo) and George Boughey (Believing) about their chances this weekend and beyond at Ascot. 1/ST President Aidan Butler drops into talk about the inspirational scenes on the beaches of Normandy this week, while Vincent Ho looks forward to riding at Goodwood, and Sportinglife.com's Ben Linfoot has something for the weekend.

Nick is joined by Racing Post senior writer Lee Mottershead to discuss the latest from around the racing world. With news that Jockey Club CEO Nevin Truesdale is set to step down from his role in December, Nick and Lee are joined by ex-RCA and ARC Chair David Thorpe to discuss the likely candidates for the role and what is required at a crucial time for the sport. Also on today's show, trainer Owen Burrows gives Nick the lowdown on stable stars Alflaila and Alyanaabi after watching them work at Kempton this morning en route to Royal Ascot. Jack Channon talks about a fruitful period for his own stable, while considering options for unlikely star sprinter Desperate Hero, while journalist Ellie Kelly talks about her involvement in the documentary Queens of the Turf, set to premiere on ITV on the eve of Royal Ascot.

Nick is joined by Jane Mangan to discuss the latest from around the racing world, leading with the news that Wathnan Racing, the brainchild of the Emir of Qatar, is set to have a huge number of runners at the Royal meeting, including the high profile purchases Haatem, Torito, Shartash, Dyrholaey and more. For good measure, they have also purchased leading Irish Oaks fancy Lope de Lilas with more on the way. With the potential for double figure two year olds to join the party, Wathnan's Richard Brown explains the purchases and the mechanics behind the operation. Also on today's show, trainers Harry Eustace and Ed Bethell outline Ascot plans for Docklands and Regional respectively, while Xander Brett brings us a report on the annual Swedish National Day race meeting, JA McGrath is on the Hong Kong beat and Ben Atkins has his weekly pointing update.

Nick is joined by Mirror journalist David Yates to discuss the latest from around the racing world, leading with the news that RTE documentary series Prime Time Investigates will next week put the Staffan slaughterhouse under the spotlight, with questions asked of Horse Racing Ireland. Also on today's show, Chris Richardson from Cheveley Park outlines the dilemma facing the operation as to which race they should target with star mare Inspiral. NBC's Matt Bernier has the lowdown on Saturday's Belmont Stakes and also runs the rule over City of Troy's likely opponents should he target the Travers. Timeform's Dan Barber gives context to this year's Derby, while Italian stud owner Stefano Luciani is this week's Weatherbys Bloodstock guest.

Nick is joined by Lydia Hislop to bring you the latest from around the racing world . They reflect on all the action from Derby weekend in the company of Aidan O'Brien, who won his tenth Derby with City of Troy. He talks at length about the journey from Guineas defeat to Derby glory, and assesses whether he has the attributes to excel on the dirt in Saratoga. Also on today's show, trainer Yann Lerner pays tribute to his Prix du jockey Club hero Look de Vega, Meta Osborne previews her new podcast series Changing Rein looking at the welfare challenges faced across all equestrian disciplines, while Paul Hanagan remembers Rugby League legend Rob Burrow, who died yesterday.

It's all about the Epsom Derby this week and we start by hearing how you win the Derby from stall 1, from one of only two jockeys to have done so, Kieren Fallon. Can Ryan Moore become the third aboard favourite City of Troy tomorrow? We also hear from William Buick who will be hoping to go one better than he did in today's Oaks, Ahmad al Shaikh who has two runner in the race and Tom Clover who made the decision to supplement maiden winner Tabletalk at the beginning of the week. Finally, the Epsom press room offer their selections.

NIck is joined by writer and broadcaster Lydia Hislop for a Derby weekend special edition from Epsom Downs. They take a deep dive into the Derby, Oaks and Coronation Cup, and are joined by Darley's Liam O'Rourke on the importance of a Derby winner for Dubawi, by David Menuisier, confident of playing a hand in two Classics this weekend, and by Sportinglife.com's David Ord. Renowned chef Michel Roux joins the show with some exquisite samples of the food and wine on offer at Epsom this weekend, while Nick canvasses his press room colleagues for their Derby selections.