After much speculation, Sky Sports Racing has confirmed just some of the new faces to be expected on the 11th Sky Sports Channel, which goes live on 1 January 2019.
Alex Hammond, who has spent over 15 years at Sky Sports News, arrives as a full-time lead presenter, while viewers can expect to see former Group 1 winning jockey Freddy Tylicki on a regular basis as a guest analyst.
Also joining Freddy Tylicki for regular race analysis are Josh Apiafi, the former head of the Professional Jockeys Association, and Jamie Lynch, who is leaving his post as Chief Correspondent at Timeform to become Sky Sports Racing’s Senior Racing Analyst.
In addition to the new team members are a number of familiar faces from At The Races, which include Gina Bryce, Kevin Blake, Matt Chapman, Mick Fitzgerald, Luke Harvey, Hayley Moore and Jason Weaver.
Commenting on her new role, Alex Hammond emphasised: “I’ve loved horses since I was a child and to be returning to my roots to present racing on Sky is my dream job. I’ve been part of the Sky family for over 15 years and know we will bring superb quality to the racing coverage. I’m incredibly excited about the future and can’t wait to begin on 1st January, 2019.”
New guest pundit, Freddy Tylicki, whose career was cut short after a riding fall left him paralysed in 2016 said: “I’ve really enjoyed the television work that I’ve been doing since my accident and am excited about working for Sky Sports Racing. There’s a great team assembled to cover some of the sport’s best events and I’m looking forward to starting this new chapter.”
Rewards4Racing founder and former head of the Professional Jockeys Association, Josh Apiafi added: “To work for the best sports broadcaster in the country is an incredible honour and the launch of Sky Sports Racing is a huge opportunity for British racing, which should not be underestimated. I can’t wait for fans of horse racing to see what’s in store.”
Long-term At The Races presenter and Racing Broadcaster of the Year, Jason Weaver added: “I’m excited about the imminent launch of Sky Sports Racing and delighted to be part of such a strong group of presenters. I’d like to welcome Alex, Freddie, Josh and Jamie to the team as well as Bangor and, particularly, Ascot and Chester to our group racecourses. I have many fond memories of race riding at those two tracks and together with my colleagues I’m really looking forward to the new season.”
Jamie Lynch, Sky Sports Racing’s Senior Racing Analyst, commented: “It’s a big thrill and a bigger privilege to be part of the Sky Sports Racing team, where my full-time role will combine elements of on-screen appearances on the channel with written analysis on attheraces.com, as well as some creative input behind the scenes, all designed to bring colour and context to the sport and its participants, drawing on my background of two decades at Timeform and being a regular pundit on ATR. It’s hugely exciting to be involved in the dawn of this new era.”