Girls battle it out to become the first female racing commentator
Two wannabe racing commentators go head-to-head at Ascot racecourse on Sunday (24 July) in the final of the search to find Britain’s first female race caller.
Forty-six women entered the competition launched in May by www.lovetheraces.com.
Twenty-four-year-old Hayley Moore, sister of Flat jockey Ryan, will take on 26-year-old Rachel Casey who works for a bookmaker in the final.
“Horseracing has a strong female fan base, unlike many sports, so we thought it was high time that we found a woman who could call the races from the top of the grandstand,” said Amy Sherman from lovetheraces.com.
“We’ve been very pleased with the number of entrants and the quality of their performances, so we’d be very disappointed if the winner didn’t go on to be a regular race caller in the years to come.’’
Rachel and Hayley will each call two races in front of the Ascot crowd, who will then be asked to choose between them in a text vote. The winner will be announced before the last race.
The pair are battling it out for a cash prize of £2,500 and a place on the industry’s commentary training course.
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TV viewers can also help decide the winner as At The Races will be broadcasting the performances and publicising the voting procedure.
“When I commentated for real at Doncaster for the first time [during the semi finals] it was such a buzz. I loved every minute of it. I just can’t wait for the final at Ascot,’’ said Hayley.
Rachel added: “It was an absolutely amazing feeling to commentate on a live race. I am delighted to have got through to the final but slightly surprised as all the other girls were so good.’’
Listen to Hayley Moore’s commentary
Listen to Rachel Casey’s commentary
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A graduate of Exeter University, Amy joined our news team from Redpin Publishing in 2008 as news writer. She was promoted to deputy news editor in May 2013 and became news editor in April 2015. She left Horse & Hound in March 2016 to take up an editorial position in Dubai.