Lydia Hislop

Blame Lydia Hislop’s grandpa for her obsession with racing. From the moment he left her pram outside FA Brookes Turf Accountants in Wolverhampton, she was introduced to an intoxicating mix of maths, horses, research and risk.

She was soon a regular at Dunstall Park and Monmore Green, as well as annually bunking off for Champion Chase day at the Cheltenham Festival. Thankfully, reading English at University College, Oxford, did not automatically lead to management consultancy. Instead, she pursued work experience as a Sporting Life journalist.

That led to a varied career in the racing media. She is currently best known as a lead presenter for Racing UK, as well as a columnist for the Guardian and a regular voice on Timeform Radio. Her other credits include the BBC, Channel 4, Attheraces, the Times, London Evening Standard, Independent and Racing Post.

Primarily, she is a racing fan and a punter.