Channel 4 announces horseracing team

25 October 2012

Having already secured acclaimed sports broadcaster, Clare Balding, as lead presenter of Channel 4 Racing, the channel today announces its complete horseracing line-up.

Experienced racing broadcaster, Nick Luck, will take on a key presenter role, supporting Clare Balding on all the sports premium events from 1st January 2013.  These include Cheltenham Festival, Aintree's three-day John Smith's Grand National meeting, the Investec Derby Festival from Epsom Downs, Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood and the QIPCO British Champions Day.  Nick will independently lead Channel 4 Racing's weekly Saturday afternoon programmes.

Celebrating his newly appointed position, Nick says: "I would like to thank Channel 4 and IMG for what is an incredibly exciting opportunity. Together, they have some fantastic and dynamic ideas to drive the sport forward and I very much look forward to being part of the new team."

Clare and Nick will be joined by horseracing specialists, reporters Alice Plunkett and Emma Spencer with Rishi Persad also re-joining the channel.  The trio will be responsible for trackside interviews with jockeys, trainers and winning connections, and will have a strong presence across traditional Saturday meetings for both jump and flat racing.

In-depth race analysis will be provided by the formidable Jim McGrath with new recruits Graham Cunningham and former top jump jockey Mick Fitzgerald.

Simon Holt will deliver race commentary supported by Richard Hoiles.

Betting will continue to have a significant presence and Tanya Stevenson will relay the market movers and exchanges. 

Channel 4's Saturday Morning Line show will continue with Nick Luck at the helm and Alice Plunkett stepping in as an alternative front presenter.  The show, live on-course from 7:55am provides racing enthusiasts with tales from the turf, racing updates and the latest betting news.

In time, further key names will be added to the core presenting team, which will be supported by a number of new talent that include attheraces presenter, Gina Bryce, and jump jockey Sam Thomas - the latter already familiar to Channel 4's audience through his Dark Horse Morning Line series.

The refreshed Channel 4 Racing team will present their first show live from Cheltenham Racecourse on Tuesday, January 1 2013 produced by IMG Sports Media.  Carl Hicks, the former BBC Sport Senior Programme Editor, will be the Executive Producer of Channel 4 Racing with a team of horseracing and creative experts.

From 2013, Channel 4 Racing will be the new home of horseracing broadcasting 88 days a year and showing nearly 300 hours of live action.

Jamie Aitchison, Channel 4's Sports Editor, says:

"Being the new home of horseracing is a real privilege and I'm delighted to announce this carefully selected team of presenters and reporters; a mix of broadcasting heavyweights and racing experts.

"Sports fans have something to look forward to - our racing coverage will be insightful, intelligent and ground-breaking.  I'm hugely excited about the future of racing on Channel 4 and greatly look forward to 2013."

"I would like to thank all of the presenting team for their commitment and enthusiasm to Channel 4 and the racing coverage over the years."