The Parade Ring

Episode 11: Harry Herbert - The Highclere Story: Royalty, Racing & Champions!

Today we are joined by Harry Herbert, founder of Highclere Thoroughbred Racing and one of the most influential figures in modern horse racing. Born into one of Britain’s most historic racing families, Harry has spent decades at the heart of the sport, building Highclere into one of the most recognised and successful syndicates in the world, whilst also working closely alongside the Royal Family and some of racing’s biggest global operations. In this episode, we dive into the world of elite ownership and what really goes on behind the curtain of top-level racing. From syndicates and bloodstock to the psychology of ownership, Harry breaks down how Highclere transformed the experience of owning racehorses and opened the doors of the sport to a whole new audience. We also explore the Royal Family’s deep connection to racing, the traditions and heritage that make the sport so unique, and why racing still holds such a special place within British culture. Harry shares stories from a lifetime in the game, the evolution of the industry, and what the sport must do to attract the next generation of fans. It’s an honest and fascinating look into the business, heritage and emotion behind the sport of kings - from Highclere Castle to Royal Ascot and everything in between. We hope you enjoy it.

Episode 10: X Compete - How Champions Are Built in the Gym!

Today we are joined by James from X Compete, the strength & conditioning mind behind some of the fittest, sharpest and most resilient jockeys in the game. In a sport where fractional gains mean everything, James works at the coalface of elite performance, shaping athletes from their teenage years right through to the top of the weighing room. In this episode, we dive into what truly makes an elite athlete. The obsession. The sacrifices. The non-negotiables that separate the good from the great. From early development to high-performance routines, we unpack the foundations of physical and mental excellence, strength, mobility, nutrition, recovery, discipline and the reality of living like an athlete 24/7. We also explore the day-to-day work with jockeys: weight management, sauna strategies, injury prevention, conditioning under fatigue, and how to build a body capable of controlling half a tonne of horsepower at 40mph. It’s an honest look at the demands of the sport, the science behind peak performance, and the mindset required to reach and stay at the top. We hope you enjoy it.

Episode 9: Henry De Bromhead - Everything you need to know…!

We were incredibly lucky to be joined by one of the most respected and successful trainers in world racing. With a CV that includes multiple Cheltenham Festival wins, Gold Cups, Champion Hurdles and Grand Nationals, Henry De Bromhead has trained some of the sport’s greatest modern-day stars. In this episode, Henry talks us through the fundamentals of training, his views on gambling, what he believes is holding racing back, and the pressures and joys that come with operating at the very highest level. We also discussed the extraordinary and deeply meaningful work of the Jack De Bromhead Equine Centre, created in memory of Henry’s late son Jack, who tragically passed away in a racing accident. Hearing Henry speak about the centre, its purpose, its impact and its future, was both inspiring and profoundly moving. It was an honest, thought-provoking conversation and a rare insight into the mind of a true master of the game. We hope you enjoy it, and we can’t thank Henry enough for his time.

Episode 8: Rich Ricci, Joe Chambers - Everything you need to know...!

Episode 8: Rich Ricci and Joe Chambers We were extremely fortunate to be joined by a formidable combination in jumps racing. With over 100 Grade 1 winners, the Ricci’s have owned a multitude of superstars. Faugheen, Douvan and Annie Power have treated us to some awesome days and Lossiemouth and Gaelic Warrior are the current stars. Rich and Joe cover a breadth of topics including their professional careers to getting involved with Willie and their young horses coming through - it truly was fascinating. We hope you enjoy it and can’t thank Rich and Joe enough for their time - they even provided us with our new theme song so watch this space!

Bonus Episode: Brothers, Horses & The Private Equineity Syndicate

What happens when two brothers who are obsessed with racing decide to start their own syndicate? You get The Private Equinety Syndicate, part chaos, part dream, and fully dedicated to getting more young people hooked on the sport. In this bonus episode, Fred joins Chip to chat about how it all started, from a half-serious idea over a pint to actually buying horses, building a syndicate, and trying (desperately) to find that first winner. We talk about what it’s really like to be involved behind the scenes, the buzz of race days, the group chats that never stop, and why racing needs a fresh wave of fans and owners who just love the sport for what it is. It’s a funny, honest, and very real look at racing from two brothers who are just trying to make something special happen and maybe, just maybe, end up in the winner’s enclosure one day.