Horse Racing Heroes Podcast

Announcement: Season 2 Details

A quick update with some details about the upcoming Season 2 of the Horse Racing Heroes podcast. I'm very excited about the episodes that are to come over the next few months.

I'm also delighted to say that Season 2 will be sponsored by Horse Racing Ireland. A real pleasure to have HRI on board, and I'd appreciate if you check out their website and follow their social media:

Website: https://www.hri.ie/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HRIRacing/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HRIRacing 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hriracing 

Ep 10: Sea The Stars - with John Oxx and Jim McGrath

Delighted to say this episode is sponsored by Equi-Ed. Equi-Ed supply racehorse-specific accredited courses, and is Ireland's only dedicated racehorse retirement and rehoming centre. They look after some great horses such as Central House, Thomas Hobson, and Riven Light.

They're a great fit for this show, and I'm very grateful for their sponsorship of the episode. I'd appreciate if you check out their website and follow their social media:

Website: https://www.equied.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/equiedeire/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ed_equi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/equiedeire/

 

The great Sea The Stars needs no introduction. John Oxx was kind enough to talk to me at length about him. After that, I managed to get a few minutes with Jim McGrath to discuss his legendary Arc commentary. I hope you enjoy it.

John mentions a set of photos in the episode. He has kindly sent me these, which I will be tweeting from @MarkWalsh shortly after this is released. 

This will be the last episode of Season 1. I'll be back in a few weeks with Season 2. Get in touch with any feedback, suggestions, or if interested in sponsoring the season. 

If you enjoyed the series, and would like to buy me a pint as thanks, you can do so here: https://ko-fi.com/markwalsh

  

Ep 9: Captain Cee Bee - with Eddie Harty

If you enjoy the show, and would like to buy me a pint as thanks, you can do so by clicking here: https://ko-fi.com/markwalsh 

For episode 9, I'm joined by the gentleman that is Eddie Harty, who trained the brilliant Captain Cee Bee. In this episode you'll hear all about the story behind the horse's name, Supreme Novices Hurdle glory at Cheltenham, his Grade 1 win over fences, and how he overcame numerous setbacks throughout his long career. I hope you enjoy it. Please do share the show with anyone who might like to listen.

Contact me on Twitter on @MarkWalsh and share the show by using the link: horseracingheroes.com

 

Ep 8: Laurens - with John Dance

If you'd like to support the show, and help me make more episodes, you can do so by:

1. Buying me a pint here: https://ko-fi.com/markwalsh 

or 2. Joining the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/markwalsh

For episode 8, I'm joined by John Dance, who owned the wonderful filly, Laurens, who managed to win Group 1s aged two, three and four. John was extremely generous with his time, and I think the hour or so absolutely flies by. We were actually almost two hours chatting, so this is edited down to be all killer, no filler. John owns current Cheltenham hopeful, Bravemansgame, and I wish him all the best with him next month. 

Contact me on Twitter on @MarkWalsh and share the show by using the link: horseracingheroes.com

Ep 7: Openide - with Brendan Duke

If you'd like to support the show, and help me make more episodes, you can do so by:

1. Buying me a pint here: https://ko-fi.com/markwalsh 

or 2. Joining the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/markwalsh

For episode 7, I'm joined by one of the great characters in UK and Irish racing, Brendan Duke, to discuss a horse he owned, bred and trained, by the name of Openide. An interview I enjoyed so much, and which gets quite emotional at times. It still gets me when I listen back. 

There is also a brief bonus chat with former commentator Iain Mackenzie. I hope you enjoy it. 

Contact me on Twitter on @MarkWalsh and share the show by using the link: horseracingheroes.com

Ep 6: Roaring Lion - with Oisin Murphy

If you'd like to support the show, and help me make more episodes, you can do so by:

1. Buying me a pint here: https://ko-fi.com/markwalsh 

or 2. Joining the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/markwalsh

For episode 6, I'm joined by Oisin Murphy to discuss the wonderful Roaring Lion. We talk about that incredible 2018 season, for which he won Horse Of The Year, on top of four Group 1s. Oisin also speaks candidly about the colic problems the horse eventually succumbed to, in a very educational episode. I hope you enjoy it. 

Contact me on Twitter on @MarkWalsh and share the show by using the link: horseracingheroes.com

Ep 5: Champagne Fever - with Patrick Mullins and Ruby Walsh

Support the show and help me to continue making episodes by joining the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/markwalsh

 

For episode 5, I'm joined by two true superstars of the game - Patrick Mullins and Ruby Walsh - to discuss the lovable front-running grey, Champagne Fever.

Trained by Willie Mullins, Champagne Fever won the Champion Bumper and Supreme Novices Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival, before a heartbreaking defeat in the Arkle, and a freak incident causing him to miss the festival in 2015. 

He was a horse I loved watching run, and it was a real pleasure to hear both Patrick and Ruby telling me all about what he was like to have at home, how he was to ride, and about some of those days mentioned above. I hope you enjoy it.

Contact me on Twitter on @MarkWalsh and share the show by using the link: horseracingheroes.com

Ep 4: Crisp - with Richard Pitman

A brilliant story about a remarkable horse. 

Crisp is best known for finishing 2nd in Red Rum's first Grand National in 1973. Leading all the way and carrying 23lbs more than the winner, Crisp is considered by many to be the unluckiest loser in the race's history.

What younger listeners may not know is that Crisp was an Australian import, and just two years prior to THAT Grand National, he had won the Champion Chase at Cheltenham over two miles, with consummate ease. 

In this episode I am joined by the wonderful Richard Pitman. Richard rode Crisp for his boss, the legendary Fred Winter, and is a fantastic storyteller.  You'll hear some brilliant insight and stories about the horse, starting with his arrival from Australia, right through to Richard's superb recounting of that famous day in Aintree. 

I hope you'll enjoy the show whether you know nothing about Crisp, or know everything about him.

Please do subscribe, write a review, share on social media, and tell any friends. Contact me on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/markwalsh 

Share the show using the link: http://horseracingheroes.com/

Ep 3: Sole Power - with Paddy Power

One of the most popular sprinters of recent times, Sole Power was a five time Group 1 winner, who ran all over the world.

In this episode I join Paddy Power, whose family owned the horse, to hear about his eight season career in Eddie Lynam's yard. 

Paddy is a great storyteller, so it was no surprise this one lasted over an hour. We chatted over Zoom while each having a couple of beers. It lifted my spirits during lockdown and I hope it might do the same for anyone listening. 

We hear some great stories about the horse's early days, some of the incidents that occurred during his globetrotting, right up to where the horse is today. I hope you enjoy it.

Contact me with any questions or feedback on Twitter on @MarkWalsh. Cheers.

horseracingheroes.com

Ep 2: Shake The Bucket - with Niall Slippers Madden

A wonderful stalwart of Irish racing, Shake The Bucket ran 120 times over an 8 year career. He won a Point to Point, over hurdles, over fences, and an incredible 10 times at Dundalk. 

He was bred, owned, trained, and for the most part, ridden by members of the Madden family, and was very much a family pet for them. In this episode I interview recently retired Niall 'Slippers' Madden, who was on board for six of The Bucket's career wins. 

You'll hear all about the horse's early years, how he got his name, his best day at the Galway Festival, and, sadly, his passing in 2020, which Niall speaks very candidly about.

I hope you enjoy it. 

Contact me about the show on Twitter on @MarkWalsh