Lydia Hislop

Each Christmas, Kempton hosts the most important day of jump racing in the British calendar outside the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals. It's a racecourse synonymous with the great names of this sport - Kauto Star, Desert Orchid, Wayward Lad, One Man. Yet Friday's compelling edition of the King George VI Chase crouches under extinction's peak - and we've learned it's been huddled in that brace position for the past seven years due to the wilful actions of its owners, the Jockey Club. Most people thought any immediate threat to Kempton,...

In one of his first public appearances since becoming chair of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) in September, Lord Allen admitted that there is no "single silver bullet" to ease the significant challenges facing the sport. In a question-and-answer session with broadcaster Lydia Hislop following the 254th Gimcrack Dinner at York racecourse, Lord Allen, whose appointment to the BHA was announced in November 2024, spoke of his desire for the BHA to be a "world-leading authority". Addressing a gathering of around 200 guests on Tuesday evening, he said, "I used...

Emma Berry, European editor at Thoroughbred Daily News, is among the writers shortlisted for the 2025 HWPA Derby Awards, which take place at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on Monday, December 1. Berry is nominated in the Specialist Writer of the Year category, along with Bill Barber and Alan Sweetman from the Racing Post and Laura Joy from European Bloodstock News. The shortlist for the Racing Writer of the Year features three previous winners in Lee Mottershead, bidding for a fourth victory, Peter Thomas, who lifted the trophy in...

Karl Burke, who has sent out more Royal Ascot-winning two-year-olds in the last decade than every other trainer bar Aidan O'Brien, has emerged as a fierce opponent to planned changes to the Windsor Castle Stakes, describing the new race conditions announced by the British Horseracing Authority's Flat Pattern Committee (FPC) as a "ridiculous idea". In a press release issued by the FPC on Tuesday, it was revealed that the distance of the Windsor Castle will be increased to six furlongs from 2026. In addition, the Listed contest will be restricted...

The challenges and opportunities for the future sustainability of the thoroughbred breeding and bloodstock industry were explored in-depth by speakers, panellists and delegates at the annual TBA Bloodstock Conference, held on Tuesday at Tattersalls. Two hundred breeders, owners, enthusiasts and industry professionals convened at Park Paddocks for the full-day event hosted by leading broadcaster and racing journalist, Lydia Hislop. The conference was opened by TBA chairman Philip Newton, who discussed the current challenges facing the thoroughbred breeding industry and the need for transformational change to alter racing's finances. Newton also...

On Track, Off Course, a new weekly podcast series from Racing Welfare, features many big names from the racing industry, including Racing Broadcaster of the Year Lydia Hislop. Hislop speaks about the impact the recent death of her mother, Margaret, has had on her personal and professional life. Other speakers include George Baker, Francesca Cumani, and Ralph Beckett. The podcast will cover everything from grief and loneliness to addiction and social media. The first episode is available at www.soundcloud.com/ontrackoffcourse. The podcast can also be accessed on Spotify, Acast or on...

The Royal Ascot Preview Evening, a live digital programme at 7:30 p.m. on June 11, was announced by Racing Welfare in association with Sporting Life on Monday. The event will be hosted by Racing TV's Nick Luck and feature panelists including: champion trainer John Gosden, Racing TV presenter Lydia Hislop, Sporting Life Lead Tipster Ben Linfoot and Sky Bet/Sporting Life Head of Sports PR Michael Shinners, who will be monitoring the betting market throughout the night. The panel will each be given £100 charity bets courtesy of the sponsor with...