The Paddock and The Pavilion - The Horse Racing and Cricket Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of The Paddock and The Pavilion, host Stephen Wallis rounds off his coverage of the inaugural Women’s T20 County Cup — the FA Cup of women’s cricket with a special interview featuring Ellie Threlkeld. Ellie captained Lancashire to glory on Bank Holiday Monday, 26 May, at Taunton, steering them to a thrilling 3 wicket win over The Blaze in the semi-final and a commanding 32-run victory against Surrey in the final. She shares her reaction to the triumph, her thoughts on the format and impact of the new competition and gives insight into Lancashire Thunder’s season so far.  A must-listen for fans of women’s cricket and anyone following the rise of this exciting new tournament. 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With Royal Ascot just around the corner, The Paddock and The Pavilion welcomes back Australian trainer Henry Dwyer, who returns to the UK with his star sprinter Asfoora for the 2025 King Charles III Stakes.  Asfoora took Group 1 honours in the 5-furlong sprint last year, and Henry joins host Stephen Wallis to preview her chances of going back-to-back at one of the world’s most prestigious racing festivals. He shares his thoughts on the key dangers in this year’s field, his preparations for the big day, and his hopes of another Royal encounter with King Charles III. Tune in for insight, optimism, and a touch of Aussie flair ahead of Royal Ascot 2025. 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     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a long and successful career in the saddle, Grade 1 and Cheltenham Festival winning jockey Nick Scholfield has retired from race-riding. In this episode of The Paddock and The Pavilion, Nick joins host Stephen Wallis to discuss why he decided the time was right to retire after his ride on Monbeg Genius in the 2025 Grand National at Aintree. Nick also talks about the fire that still burns within him and his exciting new chapter — training racehorses. 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     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to our second part with Stan Hayhurst, the oldest living Cheltenham Gold Cup winning jockey. In Part two Stan remembers another Golden day at Cheltenham with the mare Kerstin as well as riding the giant Aintree fences of the 1950s and 60s including his connection with the massive pile up in the 1967 Grand National when the 100/1 outsider Foinavon shocked the sporting world.  Stan reflects on the harsh winter of 1962/63, major victories at Ayr and his life after riding. If you missed Part 1 (Ep252) click the link below. https://chrt.fm/track/4F8ACF/traffic.megaphone.fm/COMG8982964559.mp3?updated=1710355252 Please subscribe to us on Apple podcasts, Amazon music, Google or Spotify. Connect with us on X, Facebook & Instagram @ThePaddandPav www.stephenwallismedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For our next podcast celebrating the centenary of the Cheltenham Gold Cup I was joined by Stan Hayhurst, the oldest living Gold Cup winning jockey. In the first of two parts, with the now 90-year-old Stan, the northern based jockey recounts his special day at Cheltenham in March 1958 on the mare Kerstin.  Stan recalls his early days in racing as an apprentice with Verly Bewicke, his first winner in 1950 at Hexham and what it was like to ride in those days, before he stopped for two years in the mid-1950s to do his National Service. Please subscribe to us on Apple podcasts, Amazon music, Google or Spotify. Connect with us on X, Facebook & Instagram @ThePaddandPav www.stephenwallismedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For our next Cheltenham Festival episode, I was joined by Chris Pitt, author and racing historian, who has just written ‘Let no memories fade’ a book celebrating this year’s centenary of the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Enjoy some of the unique, fascinating and major stories about the famous race from a Cheltenham Gold Cup Mastermind. The worst horse to run in the race, the war years, a controversial result, Arkle v Mill House, the only French winner, the Native River v Might Bite battle all feature. Chris also reveals how he came to write the book along with his own favourite memories of the race. Let No Memories Fade - Heroes of the Gold Cup 1924-2024 – Weatherbys Shop Please subscribe to us on Apple podcasts, Amazon music, Google or Spotify. Connect with us on X, Facebook & Instagram @ThePaddandPav www.stephenwallismedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are off to the races today, Cheltenham races, ahead of the Cheltenham Festival with Brough Scott, one of Britain’s most respected journalists and broadcasters. Brough will be at the festival working for ITV racing but for the next hour enjoy his golden memories of the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Brough reveals his top three Gold Cup winners, best horse never to win the race, best training performance, best ride, and his favourite memory. Plus, you will hear a wealth of fascinatiing stories, about the horses, trainers, and jockeys he has seen since the early 1950s. From Winter to Townend, Vincent O’Brien to Willie Mullins and Mont Tremblant to Galopin Des Champs, Brough looks back at them all. For me it was a delight to hear Brough reminisce about the blue riband of steeplechasing and If you are a racing fan, I hope you are, this is one show not to be missed.   Interview date 28 February 2024. Please subscribe to us on Apple podcasts, Amazon music, Google or Spotify. Connect with us on X, Facebook & Instagram @ThePaddandPav www.stephenwallismedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the Paddock What was it like to....win the Cheltenham Gold Cup? In Episode 13 of a series where I pose the question ‘What was it like to…. I spoke to Graham McCourt, who was part of the biggest shock in history of the Cheltenham Gold Cup when he won the race riding the 100/1 outsider Norton's Coin in 1990.. Graham recalls how he got the ride on the horse, what it was like to work for trainer and Welsh dairy farmer Sirrell Griffiths and the story of the race where the people's favourite Desert Orchid was expected to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup for the second year in a row. Please subscribe to us on Apple podcasts, Amazon music, Google or Spotify. Connect with us on X, Facebook & Instagram @ThePaddandPav www.stephenwallismedia.com   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joining us on today’s show is Grace Bambury an inspiring young woman who is currently a professional cricket umpire and in the 4th year of her 5-year medical degree at Keele University. Find out how Grace manages studying for her medical degree with the challenges of umpiring international players in the hundred. It’s an insightful look into how she balances the two roles, transferring skills between medicine and cricket and giving 100% commitment to both.  Please subscribe to us on Apple podcasts, Amazon music, Google or Spotify. Connect with us on X, Facebook & Instagram @ThePaddandPav www.stephenwallismedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2024 is a special year for the Cheltenham Gold Cup which is due to celebrate its centenary on Friday 15 March. Joining us for today’s episode is Andre Klein, the Assistant General Manager of Cheltenham racecourse, who has been on the road and much more with the original Gold Cup trophy. Andre’s tour began with a four-peak challenge in four days last summer, in aid of Racing Welfare, when he took the Gold Cup up to the summit of Scarfell Pike, Snowdon, Carrountoohill and Arkle, the name of probably the most famous ever winner of the race.  During this year as part of a 100 day countdown Andre has taken the Gold Cup to schools, care homes, hospitals, racecourses both in Britain, Ireland and now France, plus many more places to promote the blue riband of steeple chasing in its centenary year. You will hear how fondly the public has reacted to having their photo taken with the gold trophy, first won by Red Splash in 1924. Andre also talks about his role leading the Gold Cup 100 Community Fund in association with the Cheltenham rotary club which is raising money through various events and donations in support of local charitable causes. A passionate horse racing follower of many years Andre adds his favourite memory of the Gold Cup which went a long way to changing his life. Please subscribe to us on Apple podcasts, Amazon music, Google or Spotify. Connect with us on X, Facebook & Instagram @ThePaddandPav www.stephenwallismedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices