As the long awaited Cheltenham Festival returns in all its glory (spectators and all!) for 2022, we are all aware that months and years of hard work and dedication by breeders, owners, trainers and jockeys are about to come to a head – and only the select few will win.
In the run-up to the Cheltenham Festival 2022, Betway invited football stars to meet their racing counterparts to get an idea of just what is involved behind the scenes as they prepare for the biggest week in horse racing betting.
Follow the Trading Places miniseries to watch the results!
David Moyes and Ross O’Sullivan
In episode one, West Ham manager David Moyes finds out from Betway ambassador Ross O’Sullivan what it takes to be a trainer at The Festival.
The topics they cover include:
- The desire to keep improving and how to deal with the pressure that comes with success
- How to plan ahead for big race meetings and prepare a horse weeks in advance
- The challenges of communicating with horses and getting instructions to jockeys
- Celebrating a victory and the feeling when a plan comes together
Jarrod Bowen, Aaron Cresswell and Mark Noble talk to Katie Walsh
In episode two of Trading Places, it’s the turn of West Ham players Jarrod Bowen, Aaron Cresswell and Mark Noble. They talk to Betway ambassador and 2018 Champion Bumper-winning jockey Katie Walsh about what it takes to be a jockey at The Festival.
The topics they cover include:
- What the atmosphere is like in the Weighing Room before a big race
- How to know when to make your move when coming towards home
- The relationship with other jockeys they are competing against
- The feeling of coming home first on a favourite
Peter Drury and Richard Hoiles
The third episode of Trading Places by Betway sees leading football commentator Peter Drury talking to his ITV Racing opposite number Richard Hoiles about what it takes to be a commentator at The Festival.
The topics they cover include:
- How to spot defining features on a horse in the parade ring
- What the responsibility of calling an important sports event feels like
- The privilege of working on something you are also a fan of
- The preparation that goes into learning the names of up to 90 different horses
Karen can usually be found glued to her computer or at the stables. Having edited several national magazines she co-founded Eclipse Magazine in 2008 after realising that many of her friends were nervous about going racing due to lack of information – what to wear, how to bet etc.
She absolutely loves her job (how many people can say that?!) and is truly grateful to all supporters of and contributors to Eclipse Magazine.
If you are reading this she would like to say THANK YOU! (And please spread the word about Eclipse…!!)
