Nick Luck Daily Podcast

With the Breeders’ Cup under way at Keeneland, Charlotte Greenway brings together the best of Nick’s interviews from the past fortnight, race by race in running order. Friday’s juvenile races come first. George Boughey talks about Libertango, and Adrian Keatley and Mikey Sheehy discuss Hell Of A Spin. Gatewood Bell hopes Scarlett Begonia can repeat his family’s 50-1 Epitome win from 1987, Francis-Henri Graffard runs through Amusingly’s clash with Sun Goddess, and Kieran Lalor and Hugo Palmer cover Folsom Blues and Sale Shark. Then on to Saturday, Brad Cox explains why Further Ado goes for the Dirt Mile, and Karl Burke and Jack Nicholls talk about the remarkable rise of Miss Yechance. In the Filly & Mare Turf, we hear from Juddmonte’s Barry Mahon and Andrew Balding on Blue Bolt, Jess Jell on Gimme A Nother and Willie McCreery on Jancis. Ahead of the Breeders' Cup Sprint, we hear from Duabi-based trainer Ahmad Bin Harmash on dual Golden Shaheen winner Dark Sfafron, Miguel Clement and Isabella Paul preview the Mile with Deterministic and Lake Forest. In the Turf, David Casey and Dylan Browne McMonagle talk about Ethical Diamond’s defence, Aidan O’Brien discusses Benvenuto Cellini and George Scott explains why he trusts Bay City Roller. Finally, Godolphin’s Michael Banahan on Sovereignty and Knightsbridge in the Classic. Plus we hear from Price Bell, Fergus Galvin & Mark Taylor ahead of the Fasig Tipton November Sale next week.

Nick Luck is trackside at Keeneland, Kentucky, on the eve of the 2026 Breeders’ Cup. In a star-studded special, Nick is joined by leading trainers Francis-Henri Graffard, Andrew Balding and George Scott to discuss their runners and hopes ahead of one of the biggest weekends in international racing. Jane Mangan provides her insight into the action, while William Butler, assistant to Sir Mark Prescott, and Issy Paul, assistant to William Haggas, offer a behind-the-scenes perspective on their respective teams. Plus, Hugh Anderson, Chief Operating Officer of Godolphin, joins the show to discuss the global racing operations Breeders’ Cup ambitions. All the latest news, views and interviews from Keeneland as the world's best prepare to do battle on racing's biggest international stage.

Nick is back on the Keeneland backstretch before dawn, starting outside the quarantine barn, where Hugo Palmer explains why Sale Shark steps up in trip for the Juvenile Turf, and Pierce Dargan of Equine MediRecord and the IRB’s Adrian Beaumont lift the lid on the logistics behind the international raid. Twenty-year-old Jack Nicholls looks ahead to his first Breeders’ Cup ride on Miss Yechance, George Boughey updates on Libertango, Survie and Melbourne Cup hope Hopewell Rock, and senior handicapper Gary O’Gorman explains how the panel ranked the oversubscribed Juvenile Turf Sprint. Matt Chapman and Johnny Murtagh drop by, Gustavo Delgado Jr. believes The Puma is peaking for the Classic, Rose Elliott talks Tiffany and her daughter Jane’s 100th US winner, and Elite Sales's Katelyn Jackson previews Fasig-Tipton’s November Sale. Plus J.A. McGrath from Hong Kong, and Godolphin USA’s Michael Banahan on the Sovereignty and Knightsbridge double act in the Classic.

Nick, coming to you from the barn area at Keeneland before dawn on the second morning of Breeders’ Cup week. First, Miguel Clement walks Nick through his team of five, led by Deterministic, who takes on Notable Speech in the Mile, while his wife Acacia gives her take on the Sovereignty v Forever Young showdown in the Classic. Keeneland’s Gatewood Bell hopes Scarlett Begonia can repeat his family’s 50-1 Juvenile Fillies success with Epitome in 1987, Mikey Sheehy looks ahead to his first Breeders’ Cup ride on Hell Of A Spin, and Brad Cox explains why Further Ado goes for the Dirt Mile. Timeform’s Dan Barber runs the rule over Enable’s son Entrust, Michelle Yu tells the story behind Domain Expansion’s jockey, Aidan O’Brien and Matt Chapman drop by, Brian Taylor, who manages the shipping of the European horses, describes why it wasn’t a totally straightforward journey and Maddy O'Meara updates on Andrew Balding’s team, led by Blue Bolt.

Nick, coming to you this morning from Keeneland at the start of Breeders’ Cup week and joined by the Mirrors’ David Yates, from back in the UK. Following Constitution Hill’s fifth in Italy on Sunday, owner Michael Buckley is along to reflect on the performance and also hits back at those calling for the horse’s retirement. Al Shira’aa’s Kieran Lalor looks ahead to Folsom Blues in the Juvenile Turf whilst Alessandro Marconi talks about the journey they’ve been on with Group One winner Miss Yechance, who will be heading to the sale before appearing in the Turf Sprint. Breeders’ Cup President Drew Fleming looks ahead to the two day meeting and Tanya Gunther discusses a couple of mares she’s sending to the Fasig Tipton November sale and with bloodstock in mind Jason Singh previews the Tattersalls Mare Sale.

Nick is joined. by Jane Mangan for a canter through today's horse racing headlines. First today, Irish Champion jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle talks to Nick about his extraordinary autumn schedule, taking in the Breeders' Cup (4 rides), Melbourne, where he has opted to ride Defiantly, Bahrain, Hong Kong, and this week's Group Ones in Doncaster and Saint Cloud. Also today, William Muir on Breacher in the William Hill Futurity, Adrian Keatley on trying to conquer Cheltenham and Keeneland, Tony Carroll on breaking more records and with an eye on the ARC £1m AWT bonus, and TBA boss Naomi Mellor on the new Point to Point bonus scheme that launches next week.

Nick is joined by Rishi Persad for a special edition of the podcast, focusing on the European challenge for the Breeders' Cup at Keeneland, for which pre-entries were announced last night. They are joined by guests Barry Mahon (Juddmonte), who explains why they are leaning towards the Filly and Mare Turf with Blue Bolt, Jess Slack (Jell), owner of South Africa-turned-US hopeful Gimmeanother, Wille McCreery (Jancis), Karl Burke (Miss Yechance), Ed Walker (why Ten Bob Tony is not running), Rebecca Menzies (dejected to be on the reserves list), and David Casey (Ethical Diamond).

Nick kicks off the show this Wednesday morning with Regulus Partners’ Dan Waugh, reacting to a report in The Times that Machine Gaming Duty is set to rise to 25 per cent in next week’s budget rather than the feared 40 per cent. Racing Post senior writer Lee Mottershead joins Nick to unpack the story and what it says about racing’s lobbying, plus Flutter’s job cuts and ex-Gosden stayer Point of Law’s Geelong Cup win. George Scott confirms Bay City Roller will join Ombudsman in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland, while Jayne McGivern explains why she has brought Hukum back from Japan to stand at Overbury alongside Golden Horn. In France, Nick Bell reveals why Haras de Meautry is standing a stallion for the first time in 20 years, and Timeform’s David Johnson looks back on Champions Day and where Ombudsman ranks among the Gosden greats.

In this special edition, Nick interviews the recently appointed Chair of the British Horseracing Authority, as he seeks to determine his vision and strategy for the sport. Mirror journalist David Yates provides commentary and analysis.

Nick kicks off the show this Monday morning by catching up with John Gosden who confirms that Ombudsman will head to Keeneland for the Breeders’ Cup following his fabulous victory in the Champion Stakes at Ascot on Saturday. Racing TV’s Lydia Hislop is alongside Nick for today’s show and they reflect further on Saturday’s racing whilst TPD’s Adam Mills tells us just how Ombudsman got the better of Calandagan this time around. Dave Ord is at Cheltenham as he catches up with Chief Executive Guy Lavender and clerk of the course Jon Pullin on the busy summer sorting out the drainage and also having the track ready for racing this weekend. Further afield we hear from Everest winning trainer Ciaron Maher after his filly Tempted downed Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising. Also from Australia ,Vicky Leonard joins us to discuss the impact of the incredibly unfortunate incident in Saturday’s Caulfield Cup, which resulted in a fatality.

Charlotte Greenway brings you all the interviews from the podcast this week ahead of British Champions Day at Ascot. It’s an incredibly important day for Andrew Balding as he looks to land his first trainers title and discusses his team before Rob Hornby, Kieran Shoemark and Clifford Lee run through their rides in the Group 1s.

Nick is joined by Matt Chapman to look ahead to the 2026 edition of British Champions’ day, with guests Rob Hornby, Clifford Lee, and David Redvers. Plus we hear from Zac Purton ahead of Ka Ying Rising’s Everest run, while agent Archie St George looks forward to a potential windfall at the Breeders’ Cup Championship sale.

Nick is joined by Racing TV’s Lydia Hislop and they kick off with the only broadcast interview to date with Betfred’s Fred Done on impeding tax rises and what they will mean for his business, racing and the country, with a stark warning for the U government. Lydia shares her views on the matter and where we might be with getting the government to listen. Following on from the story at the beginning of the week about final demand being disqualified at Cheltenham, Lydia shares what she’s found when doing some digging of her own, regarding the missing CCTV. Following on from the end of Tattersalls Book 2, Charlotte catches up with Australian bloodstock agent John Foote and American owner Matt Dorman, who have both been busy over the last couple of weeks. With the Breeders’ Cup around the corner Nick, along with his NBC colleague Matt Bernier, brings your a preview of what might be on offer in Keeneland and in partnership with Weatherbys, Nick speaks to Jody Standing about her recently released 26/27 Point to Point recruits.

Nick is joined by ITV host Oli Bell to discuss the latest from around the racing world. They lead today with the relentless Dan Skelton, who set yet another record yesterday for the fastest ever century of winners in a jumps season. The trainer tells us about the targets he has in mind and shares thoughts about one or two more prominent prospects on the cusp of seasonal debuts. Also today, Neil Callan shares his pride in two of his sons being crowned champions this Saturday, while Ed Crisford looks forward to assembling a huge and powerful team in Dubai with the news that Oisin Murphy will be his retained rider in the Middle East this winter. Plus, Charlotte catches up with agent Hamish Macaulay after a successful day at Tattersalls Book 2, Justin Vermaak outlines the ambitions of Mike and Matthew de Kock as they, too, set their sight son Dubai this winter, and JA McGrath has all the news from Hong Kong.

Nick is joined by Racing Post senior writer Lee Mottershead to discuss the latest from around the racing world. They lead with two news stories that have dominated the agenda over the last 24 hours. First, the Final Demand medication DQ from Cheltenham, and the mystery surrounding the missing CCTV from the racecourse stables. Second, the appointment of Sir Philip Davies to the BHA board, with new Chair Simon Cox appearing to prefer his candidacy to the suggested racecourse-affiliated names of Martin Cruddace and Bridget Guerin. Also today, Kieran Shoemark looks forward to his two high profile rides on Champions’ Day, Almaqam and Ten Bob Tony, while Roger Varian shares his thoughts on Caulfield Cup aspirant Enfjaar as well as Autumn Stakes winner Rock Montreal. Plus, Sarah Guest on Racing Home and Women in Racing’s initiative to help the workforce through the challenges of menopause and midlife, and Xander Brett talks to Norwegian trainer Niels Pietersen about setting up a satellite base in Newmarket.

Nick is joined by David Yates from the Daily Mirror to discuss the latest from around the racing world. They look ahead to Champions’ Day, and analyse the changing complexion of the two biggest races, particularly in light of the news that Talk of New York is set to be supplemented for the QE2. They are joined by Andrew Balding, tantalisingly close to a first trainers’ championship, and whose Kalpana bids for an unprecedented BCD hat trick. He also has news of which Breeders’ Cup target is more likely for Blue Bolt. Also today, Richard Brown on the Wathnan Ascot team, plus Bjorn Baker on another Group One weekend in Australia and looking ahead to his pair of runners taking on Ka Ying Rising in the Everest. Dan Barber runs the Timeform rule over both the upcoming QE2 and also gives the lowdown on both the juvenile performances at the weekend and items to note from the jumps meeting at Chepstow.

Nick alongside Lydia Hislop, is welcomed into Eve Lodge , the base of man of the moment, George Scott. George talks through his brilliant weekend just gone at Longchamp, with a Group 1 and Group 2 success along with a second in the Arc. George Scott takes us through the layout of the yard, how it works and why the smaller details are so important. We're also getting up close and personal to the stable stars, as Friday morning is trot up day and they're all on parade. There's still big targets ahead for the rest of the year and George runs through where they're all headed and has some breaking news regarding Bay City Roller.

Nick comes to you LIVE today from the final day of the Tattersalls Book 1 yearling sale and pre-sale catches up with some of the vendors, starting with Julian Dollar of Newsells Park Sud, who sold yesterday's top lot and as well as reflecting on that result, he talks us through what's to come today including a filly by Japanese superstar Equinox. Luke Lillingston looks ahead to his Sea The Stars this afternoon and Charles Shanahan tells us what it's like consigning at this sale for the first time, 20 years on from when his father Paul last did it. Jane Mangan provides an update on what went on on day 2 and looks ahead to the weekend racing before we follow the Equinox filly through the ring and speak to her purchaser Anthony Stroud, who signed the docket on behalf of Godolphin. Kia Joorabchian pops in for a chat, having sold a million guinea lot yesterday and explains how they are balancing what horses Amo Racing breed, buy and sell.

Coming to you today from Day 2 of the Tattersalls Book 1 yearling sale and plenty of sales content coming your way but we start today with news from Australia as Nick catches up with David Hayes to get his thoughts on Ka Ying Rising's barrier trial yesterday which has a few asking questions. Back at Newmarket, Charlotte and Jane Mangan run through the headline acts from day 1 and we hear from Hamish McCalmont of Norelands Stud after they sold the record breaking Night of Thunder yesterday for 4.6 millions gns, Jeffrey Hobby shares his delight at his Sea The Stars selling to Cheveley Park, whilst purchasers Billy Jackson Stops and David Ingordo provide an update on how they're getting on as well as on some of the key horses they are already associated with. Alex Frost speakes to Nick about why he's stepping down as CEO of the Tote and we get the latest from Hong Kong with JA McGrath, whilst Nick has news of another new stallion heading to India.

Nick coming to you from day one of Tattersalls Book 1 as the first few lots go through the ring. Just as the action kicks off, Nick catches up with Anthony Rogers about how he feels ahead of one of the biggest weeks of the year and shares what he has in the sale. Fernando Laffon joins after purchasing Lot 1, a half to star stayer Scandinavia and then there's been fireworks already as Godolphin go to 1.8 million guineas for a Frankel colt and Anthony Stroud discusses why they were determined to come home with him before vendor Charlie Vigors share his joy at the price for a first foal. In this week's Weatherbys Bloodstock segment, Hamish McCalmont of Norelands reflects on producing yet another Group 1 winner at Longchamp over the weekend whilst also looking at their draft for this week. Fallout from the weekend continues as Timeform's Dan Barber assesses some of the key performers before Barry Irwin of Team Valor shares his delight at landing the Champagne Stakes with USS Valor and why this could be the best horse we've seen in these silks to date.