Blog Archive

A much-needed financial boost to horse racing’s coffers has been denied after the government ruled out bringing forward a review of the sport’s funding. It had been hoped by many within the sport that reform of the Betting Levy, with new rules …

It’s not just rhetoric to suggest that female jockeys still have to overcome sexism – be it overt or implied – in horse racing, with the likes of Bryony Frost confirming that there is still something of a ceiling in place for …

At least two of the Grand Prix races cancelled during the 2020 F1 season are facing further woe after a new raft of postponements were announced. The Australian Grand Prix – which was not held for the first time since 1946 last …

It’s an almighty elephant in the room for elite-level athletes: will the rescheduled Olympic Games set for July and August 2021 in Tokyo go ahead? According to the supremely-named Dick Pound, it’s looking increasingly unlikely. He is a member of the International …

Given the current nature of things, we don’t know what the rules and regulations will be tomorrow let alone in March. Only weeks ago, at the start of December, we were welcoming the news that some fans were allowed back to sporting …

Another week, another governmental U-turn. It’s hoped by all that 2021 heralds the start of brighter days, but there will be a bumpy ride until that point and the latest national restrictions in England, Scotland and Wales is testament to that. Reports …

As the weather takes a turn for the worst, the horse racing schedule continues to fall foul of the wet and wintry conditions. One of the most high-profile casualties has been the Welsh Grand National, which was originally scheduled for December 27 …

It has been a year for female jockeys smashing the glass ceiling that, to some extent, still exists in horse racing and sport in general. First, Hollie Doyle finished third in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award – an extraordinary …

It was the news that Henry de Bromhead was dreading: the ban preventing travel between Ireland and the UK will mean that Monalee will be forced to miss the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day. The former Flogas Novice Chase and Red …

After winning his opening match of the 2021 World Darts Championship on Saturday evening, Michael van Gerwen had every right to feel chuffed with himself. The result meant he could drive home through the night via the Eurostar to the Netherlands, where his …

When it was announced that the Ballon d’Or award ceremony would be cancelled in 2020, it was considered something of a shame that a giant – in all senses of the word – would not have his moment in the sun. Nevertheless, …

The UK government announced their amended tiers earlier today, and the movement of some locations from Tier 2 to Tier 3 has led to a devastating impact for horse racing. Racecourses in Tier 2 are allowed to welcome a small smattering of …

Ask Jurgen Klopp, and he’ll tell you that the TV broadcasters run English football, not the FA or any other organisation. That’s because his side, much in-demand with the likes of Sky Sports and BT Sport, often find themselves playing on a …

Beleaguered horse racing chiefs in Scotland have been handed a much-needed boost after the Scottish government announced the details of a £2 million rescue package. Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed £55 million in emergency funding for sports north of the border, with football …

While 2020 has been a year to forget for many, from a professional perspective it could not have gone any better for Hollie Doyle. She was over in Hong Kong competing in the International Jockeys’ Championship, and in the fourth race of …

When you flick through the history books of the Olympic Games, it’s fair to say that the organisers are pretty open minded when it comes to some of the ‘sports’ – inverted commas very much deliberately used – that they welcome into …

Secret calls and coded messages have been part and parcel of many sports for decades. But in cricket? It’s just not heard of, and so England’s limited overs set-up is pushing the envelope with their series of secret signals that are displayed …

It’s a week that should have been overwhelmingly positive and celebratory for horse racing. Punters were welcomed back to trackside at tier two venues including Lingfield, Haydock and Ludlow, and on-course bookmakers were also back in the betting ring as the sport …

Home advantage is very much a phenomenon in all team sports, and particularly so in the United States where the distances that away sides must travel to games puts them on the back foot before the action has even begun. And so …

It has been one of the most eagerly anticipated sporting comebacks since Michael Jordan dusted off his size 13 Nike’s in 1995. But the return of Mike Tyson to the boxing ring has been met with confusion and bewilderment after a series …