Running Loose with Francesca Cumani & Vanessa Ryle

The big debate this week centres on TEAM TACTICS in horse racing.

Should trainers with multiple runners be allowed to use team tactics to control a race? Or is horse racing an individual sport where every horse should be running solely on its own merits?

With Aidan O'Brien's dominance of the biggest races once again under the spotlight, Vanessa and Francesca tackle one of the sport's most divisive topics. The pair discuss Constitution River's victory in the French Derby, pacemakers, public perception, betting implications and whether powerful operations have an unfair advantage over smaller owners and trainers.

Elsewhere, the Running Loose hosts reflect on a whirlwind week that included trips to Cartmel and Windsor, Tyson Fury's racehorse Big Gypsy King making headlines via Paris Fury's appearance on Jamie Laing's Great Company podcast, and one very awkward panel discussion in which Cesca accidentally puts her foot in it with a Married At First Sight reference before the great and the good of Holker Hall.

Plus, the pair dive into Jilly Cooper's Rivals (are you Team Cameron Cook, Taggie or Rupert Campbell-Black?), discuss feminism, television storylines, life in racing media, and announce the winner of the Sophie Harden artwork competition.

And, of course, there are plenty of stories from racecourses, fairground rides and life behind the scenes in horse racing. With George Boughey, Sam Haggas, William Haggas, George Ward, his Derby hopeful Maltese Cross, Jimmy Moffatt and Mark Prescott all featuring in the conversation, it's a packed episode as Derby week unfolds.

ITV Racing host Francesca Cumani and Sky Sports presenter Vanessa Ryle join forces on a brilliant new podcast.

Whether you're a die-hard racing fan or just here for the banter, the pair cover everything from turf talk to off-track gossip. Expect racing industry insights, personalities, opinions and stories from inside the sport.

Sponsored by Old Gold Racing.

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#HorseRacing #AidanOBrien #Derby #TeamTactics #HorseRacingPodcast #RunningLoose #Ballydoyle #Coolmore #FrancescaCumani #VanessaRyle #MAFS
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This week on Running Loose, hosts Francesca Cumani and Vanessa Ryle dive into the changing face of the Epsom Derby and its bold new party plans...

Plus, is Michael Owen Cesca's new best friend?! The everyday sayings you didn't know came from horse racing AND what makes a great TV presenter. Tell us who think the best is? Gary Lineker, Clare Balding, Graham Norton, Jonathan Ross?

What's your favourite horsey saying? Let us know in the comments and don’t forget to like and subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Sponsored by Old Gold Racing.

00:00 Intro
02:28 The Derby’s decline: what happened to Epsom?
04:50 Can the Derby be revived? Big changes for 2026
11:31 Ibiza comes to Epsom?!
16:25 Michael Owen's take on racing behaviour
18:20 Why weather matters at the Derby
19:16 Horse racing phrases hidden in everyday language
21:35 “Ridden hard and put away wet” explained 😂
23:34 What makes a great TV presenter?
27:55 Behind the scenes of live racing TV
29:07 The Greatest TV presenters

SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL HERE: ‪@RunningLoosePodcast‬

FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM: @runningloosepodcast

#horseracing #podcast #derby #epsom #michaelowen #ibiza
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Vanessa and Francesca are back with another chaotic episode of Running Loose! From car disasters and therapy revelations to Rivals, the horse with 3,000 owners, and why Aiden O’Brien keeps getting it so right. Apple Away is heading from Perth to Paris in the Auteuil Grade 1 French Champion Hurdle and the pair reflect on Peter Scudamore's reaction to riding her.

The equestrian world on screen sparks the question: best and worst representation of riding in film? Does Jilly Cooper get the horse world right? Has Wuthering Heights found the slowest horse ever? Is Rupert Campbell-Black up to scratch?

Plus: who is the most intimidating person in racing? Why horse racing attracts risk takers, and somehow Francesca and Vanessa end up in a war zone…

Don’t forget to like, comment and subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Sponsored by Old Gold Racing.

00:00 Intro
00:57 York races
02:09 Chester drama
04:11 car disasters
05:19 Starting therapy & training the mind
08:42 Apple Away & 3,000 owners heading to France
11:40 Rivals returns & horses on the telly
15:17 Why horse racing attracts risk takers
20:35 Guineas reaction
23:36 A Newmarket clique
24:01 The Most intimidating people in racing
26:34 Derby trials & Aidan O’Brien dominance
31:18 French Derby vs Epsom Derby debate
32:22 Vanessa and Francesca in a war zone
33:08 Sophie Harden art giveaway
34:17 Derby picture wrap-up & outro

SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL HERE: ‪@RunningLoosePodcast‬

FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM: @runningloosepodcast

#horseracing #rivals #podcast #horse
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Welcome back to Running Loose!

Fresh from another week in British racing, Vanessa unpacks the unique atmosphere that makes Chester one of the maddest weeks in the calendar and how Michael Owen has helped boost its popularity, while Francesca questions some of the stranger things people do before heading to the track.

Plus: Your questions, would Vanessa rather have feet for hands or hands for feet?! And whether social media gets racing people completely wrong.

What are your race day rituals? Let us know in the comments and don’t forget to like and subscribe so you never miss an episode!

This episode is sponsored by Old Gold Racing.

00:00 – Rugby Shirts & First Impressions
02:48 – “Do You Ever Do Anything Other Than Horses?”
05:27 – Cutting Back On Social Media & Racing Content
08:00 – Why Horse Racing Isn’t Treated Like Mainstream Sport
10:46 – Life Outside Racing & Daily Routine
13:18 – Racing In California & Growing The Sport
15:50 – Syndicates, Stable Visits & Racing Ownership
18:41 – Michael Owen, Chester & Celebrity Owners
21:04 – Pre-Race Atmosphere & Getting Horses Ready
23:30 – Weird Horse Racing Rituals
26:14 – Rules & Racing Politics
29:04 – Listener Questions & Francesca’s Hair
31:46 – Final Thoughts & Quickfire Topics

SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL HERE: @RunningLoosePodcast
FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM: @runningloosepodcast
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Francesca Cumani and Vanessa Ryle preview the 1000 and 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, share the story of Vanessa's epic point-to-point win with Cap Du Mathan, and break down what top stallions (and not just the likes of Frankel and Night of Thunder) really earn at stud.

ITV Racing presenter Francesca Cumani and Sky Sports host Vanessa Ryle are back with another episode of Running Loose—bringing you behind the scenes of horse racing with insight, stories, and plenty of personality.

Ahead of the 1000 and 2000 Guineas at Newmarket Racecourse, the pair break down the key contenders, storylines, and what these races mean for the future of breeding in the sport.

They also dig into the economics of racing, discussing what top stallions can earn at stud—using examples like Frankel and Night of Thunder to highlight just how lucrative winning the Guineas can be.

Vanessa shares the story of her own “Gold Cup” moment in grassroots racing, winning a point-to-point with Cap Du Mathan—a brilliant look at the amateur side of the sport and why it still matters.

Meanwhile, Francesca relives a memorable winner at Wetherby Racecourse and her experience with Old Gold Racing, giving insight into ownership and life inside a racing syndicate.

There’s also plenty of racing chat and debate—from whether strong opinions are needed in the sport, to a light-hearted discussion on the most likeable personalities in racing, featuring names like Aidan O'Brien, Charlie Fellowes, Ben Pauling and Kieran Fallon.

Whether you're a hardcore racing fan or just enjoy great sporting stories, this episode blends expert insight with behind-the-scenes access and plenty of humour.

00:00 Intro & chaos to kick things off
00:20 Welcome to Running Loose
01:50 Cap Du Mathan point-to-point win story
08:00 Why grassroots racing still matters
11:40 Wetherby winner & Old Gold ownership experience
16:00 Why winning in horse racing is so hard
18:30 Guineas preview & racing insights
22:30 Racing personalities & controversy chat
27:00 1000 Guineas discussion
30:00 Travel stories & behind-the-scenes chat
31:00 Most likeable people in horse racing

Sponsored by Old Gold Racing.

horse racing podcast, Guineas preview, Newmarket racing, Frankel stud fee, Night of Thunder stallion, point to point racing, Cap Du Mathan, Francesca Cumani, Vanessa Ryle, Old Gold Racing, UK horse racing podcast

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