#BettingPeople

Interview: AODHAGÁN CONLON Aodhagán Conlon rode as a jump jockey for nine years and had 36 winners under rules in the UK. Always fascinated with the psychological aspect of racing, on retirement from the sport, Aodhagán went on to complete a Psychology degree at Bath University with first class honours. He has continued his education with a masters in Sports and Exercise Psychology and snow studying for a PhD. Alongside his academic work, he is working in practical settings with a range of athletes including delivering workshops at the British Horse Racing Authority jockey training seminars and as a Performance Consultant for the Professional Jockey Association. Following the tragic death of Liam Treadwell, jockey mental well-being has been in the spotlight. In this three-part interview with Simon Nott, Aodhagán explains why the life of a jockey is so tough, what is being done to help individuals and what more there is still to do as well as pinpointing symptoms and telling us where help is available. Meeting Aodhagán Conlon.

MEETING DAVE CLARK: Dave Clark of the Racing Post talks to Simon Nott about the challenges that greyhound racing faces, great days punting, bad days punting, what to look for in a Greyhound Derby winner and his views on Greyhound Racing as a whole. Meeting Dave Clark.

Interview: SHANE CIURLEO Shane is a professional punter who spends a lot of his time watching gallops despite some trainers doing their best to thwart his efforts to identify the horses. He plies his trade on course, seeing the horses in the flesh an important part of his armoury. In addition to automated bets, sectional timings and ‘knowing your horses’ he adds mindfulness to his list of weaponry in his battle to beat the bookies. Meeting Shane Ciurleo. (interview by Simon Nott)

INTERVIEW: AMY CHRISTOPHERS She burst into the public consciousness as an 18-year-old glamour model ‘Brandy Brewer’ and gained TV, press and even musical success in the decade that followed. Then at the height of her career she took the brave decision to take her career in a different direction. She’s now perusing a sport-based future and has already qualified as a football referee and is in the process of writing two books. Simon Nott caught up with Amy….

Interview: BRIAN CHAPPELL aka ‘Jimmy Justice’, founder of the ‘Justice For Punters’ Gambling consumer rights group talks about his continuing battle for fair play in some areas of the bookmaking. In this three-part series he explains the reason behind the group’s formation and the action being taken on punter’s rights. Meeting Brian Chappell.

Interview: ROGER BUSH: Meeting Roger Bush, successful businessman, owner & punter. He’s also one of those much maligned characters in racing, a tipster. He is in the often considered mythical bracket of that ilk, a profitable one. But of course you are only as good as your last winning advice! He talks winning without winning, the value of going racing, terrible losing runs, irate punters, how he beats restrictions and what really gets his goat. Over to you Roger. Meeting Roger Bush. (interview by Simon Nott)

Interview: BO BROWN Bo Brown started his career as a professional punter, became a greyhound bookie then bought into the racecourse game at the first opportunity in 1999. In this two part interview with Simon Nott, he talks about his early days, anecdotes from racecourses, do’s and dont’s for bookmakers, advice for aspiring layers and some caustic words for some of his brethren. Meeting Bo Brown.

Interview: ROGER BROOKE Roger Brooke first went greyhound racing when he was 12 years old. The sport became a huge passion for him and also led him into a life as a punter and bookmaker. Affectionately known as ‘Fat Roger’, in this three part interview, he tells Julie Collier that he would pitch himself against anyone when it comes to betting on dogs, why he should have made more money than he has and he recounts some of his wonderful memories in the sport he loves. Meeting Roger Brooke. 

 

Interview EMMET KENNEDY: Emmet was broadcasting on live radio as a teenager. Becoming disillusioned with spinning the wax he realised his passion was sport, particularly horse racing. That passion manifested itself in the form of fledging media and podcasts. Fast forward and his baby ‘The Final Furlong’ podcast is one of the leaders in the genre, attracting big sponsorship and bigger name guests. It’s not all be plain sailing, behind the genial Irish tone lurks memories of a troubled childhood – victim of an abusive father, bravely laid bare here. More recently under attack from Twitter trolls while supporting a mother battling cancer, Emmet proved to be a battler too. Here’s his very candid story. Meeting Emmet Kennedy. (interview by Simon Nott)

INTERVIEW: MALCOLM BOYLE Simon Nott from Star Sports catches up with racing journalist and pundit Malcolm Boyle about his experience in the industry including a spell odds-making. Meeting Malcolm Boyle.