Horse Racing Heroes Podcast

S02 E10: Istabraq - with JP McManus

October 27, 2021 05:00 - 41 minutes - 57 MB

Proudly sponsored by Horse Racing Ireland. This episode is about the incredible Istabraq - with his owner, the great JP McManus. Two individuals who truly need no introduction. It was an incredible experience to meet and interview JP. I hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed making this episode. This is the season finale. All being well, I will hopefully be back again soon with more. Follow HRI's social channels below: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HRIRacing/ Twitter: https...

S02 E09: Dark Emerald - with Brendan Powell

October 13, 2021 05:00 - 55 minutes - 75.7 MB

Proudly sponsored by Horse Racing Ireland. This episode is about Dark Emerald - with the horse's trainer, Brendan Powell. Formerly a Grand National winning jockey, Brendan turned his hand to training, where he had almost 650 winners. Dark Emerald was a flag-bearer for the yard, and had some big days out in Dubai, as you'll soon hear when you listen to the episode. Brendan is a brilliant storyteller, so I hope you enjoy listening to him as much as I did. Follow HRI's social channels below:...

S02 E08: The Fellow - with François Doumen

September 29, 2021 05:00 - 39 minutes - 54.3 MB

Proudly sponsored by Horse Racing Ireland. This episode is about The Fellow - with the horse's legendary trainer, François Doumen. Really enjoyed learning about this incredible horse, who won the King George twice, and the Cheltenham Gold Cup on his fourth attempt in the race, having been beaten twice by a shorthead. Follow HRI's social channels below: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HRIRacing/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/HRIRacing Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hriracing ...

S02 E07: The Pat Smullen Special

September 15, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 130 MB

Proudly sponsored by Horse Racing Ireland. This episode is being released on September 15th, 2021, which is the one year anniversary of the passing of the great Pat Smullen. I wanted to do something to mark that. Rather than try to tell Pat's life story, as this podcast typically does with its subjects, I thought it best instead to speak to a number of people close to Pat, to talk about some good days, hear some happy memories, and hopefully put some smiles on faces on what is a sad day. ...

S02 E06: Brown Panther - with Michael Owen

September 01, 2021 05:00 - 59 minutes - 81.5 MB

Proudly sponsored by Horse Racing Ireland. This episode is about Brown Panther - with the horse's owner and breeder, Ballon d'Or winning footballer, Michael Owen. An incredible opportunity and pleasure to interview Michael, who spoke remarkably well in our chat. I hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed producing this episode. Follow HRI's social channels below: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HRIRacing/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/HRIRacing Instagram: https://www.instagram....

S02 E05: Mister Benedictine - with Brendan Duke

August 18, 2021 05:00 - 57 minutes - 78.4 MB

Proudly sponsored by Horse Racing Ireland. This episode is about Mister Benedictine - and sees the return to the show of one of the great characters in the world of racing, Brendan Duke. Brendan has been on the show previously, in episode 7 of Season 1. I knew leaving his yard that day that I had to have him back on the show sometime. Thankfully, he was kind enough to oblige. As always, he was an absolute pleasure to speak to. I hope you enjoy it. Follow HRI's social channels below: Face...

S02 E04: Finian's Rainbow - with Conor Murphy and Barry Geraghty

August 04, 2021 05:00 - 58 minutes - 79.9 MB

Proudly sponsored by Horse Racing Ireland. This episode is about Finian's Rainbow - trained by Nicky Henderson to win the 2012 Queen Mother Champion Chase, among other Grade 1s. I speak to Conor Murphy, who looked after the horse at Nicky's, and also took him in after he was retired. I also had the pleasure of speaking to Barry Geraghty, who rode the horse in the vast majority of his races. Follow HRI's social channels below: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HRIRacing/ Twitter: https:...

S02 E03: Montjeu - with John Hammond

July 21, 2021 05:00 - 51 minutes - 70.3 MB

Proudly sponsored by Horse Racing Ireland. This episode is about Montjeu - one of the greatest flat horses, and one of the greatest stallions of recent times. I speak to his trainer, John Hammond, who offers a lot of excellent insight about the horse, as well as the story of his own background. Follow HRI's social channels below: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HRIRacing/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/HRIRacing Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hriracing Or subscribe to their n...

S02 E02: Hardy Eustace - with Lar Byrne and Kevin O'Ryan

July 07, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 116 MB

Proudly sponsored by Horse Racing Ireland. This episode is about the remarkably tough Hardy Eustace. Hear from his owner Lar Byrne, as well as a brief chat with Kevin O'Ryan, who rode the horse to his first victory. Follow HRI's social channels below: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HRIRacing/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/HRIRacing Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hriracing Or subscribe to their newsletter on their website: https://www.hri.ie/ My own Twitter: https://twitter....

S02 E01: Faugheen - with Andy Slattery, Patrick Mullins, Ruby Walsh and Paul Townend

June 23, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 107 MB

Proudly sponsored by Horse Racing Ireland. This episode is about the one and only Faugheen. Hear from four men who played huge parts in the horse's brilliant career. Follow HRI's social channels below: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HRIRacing/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/HRIRacing Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hriracing Or subscribe to their newsletter on their website: https://www.hri.ie/ My own Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarkWalsh I greatly appreciate any and all s...

Announcement: Season 2 Details

June 18, 2021 05:20 - 3 minutes - 4.29 MB

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 ...

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

February 24, 2021 04:33 - 1 hour - 92.8 MB

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...

Ep 9: Captain Cee Bee - with Eddie Harty

February 17, 2021 04:39 - 1 hour - 118 MB

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 wit...

Ep 8: Laurens - with John Dance

February 10, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 97.2 MB

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...

Ep 7: Openide - with Brendan Duke

February 03, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 92 MB

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 ...

Ep 6: Roaring Lion - with Oisin Murphy

January 27, 2021 04:00 - 43 minutes - 60.1 MB

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 educationa...

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

January 20, 2021 04:00 - 49 minutes - 68.7 MB

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 ...

Ep 4: Crisp - with Richard Pitman

January 13, 2021 04:02 - 37 minutes - 51.5 MB

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...

Ep 3: Sole Power - with Paddy Power

January 05, 2021 10:18 - 1 hour - 95.1 MB

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 som...

Ep 2: Shake The Bucket - with Niall Slippers Madden

January 05, 2021 10:03 - 27 minutes - 38.1 MB

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 h...

Ep 1: Dawn Run - with Tony Mullins

January 05, 2021 09:55 - 34 minutes - 47.3 MB

The brilliant Tony Mullins tells us all about Dawn Run - the only horse to win both the Champion Hurdle and the Gold Cup at Cheltenham. A fascinating listen about a fantastic horse. Many highs and a few lows, and even couple of stories that Tony believes haven't been made public before, so I hope that even massive Dawn Run fans will learn something new about her. Younger fans who may not be all that familiar are in for a real treat. Contact me with any questions/feedback on @MarkWalsh on...

Episode 0 - Introduction

December 27, 2020 16:35 - 3 minutes - 4.49 MB

A brief overview of the idea behind the Horse Racing Heroes, and what episodes are currently completed and ready for you to look forward to.