Talk Horse

From Peckham to Goodwood… this is a story that changed British racing.

Pippa Funnell and Tristan Phipps sit down with Khadijah Mellah, the trailblazing jockey who stunned the racing world when she won the Magnolia Cup at Goodwood in 2019. The first hijab-wearing jockey to ride in a competitive horse race in Britain, let alone win.

Growing up in Peckham with no racing background, Khadijah’s journey into the saddle took off at the Ebony Horse Club in Brixton and quickly became one of the most inspiring stories in British sport.

She talks about learning to ride as a teenager, the whirlwind of going from riding school to one of racing’s most famous tracks, and the pressure of competing in front of a global audience. Khadijah also reflects on what that historic win meant for diversity in racing and how horses changed the direction of her life.

Plus, it’s that time of year again… Pippa and Tristan gear up for the biggest race in the calendar - the Grand National!

We love hearing from you, so drop us a line on [email protected]
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it take to build an Olympic medal-winning eventing team and keep horses performing at the very highest level?

This week on Talk Horse, we’re joined by one of the most respected figures in the equine world - Yogi Breisner. From competing at the Olympics himself to leading the British Eventing Team through four consecutive Games as Team Performance Manager, Yogi has shaped some of the biggest moments in modern equestrian history.

Over 17 years he helped deliver four Olympic team medals, multiple European titles, and a World Championship win transforming Britain into a dominant force on the global stage. But it all could have been so different were it not for a postal strike… Listen now to hear the full incredible story. 

Plus, Pippa turns her attention to Thoresby Park, a crucial qualifier for Badminton and Tristan reveals a rather shocking truth for a horse podcast presenter. 

We love hearing from you, so drop us a line on [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pippa Funnell and Tristan Phipps are joined by Ben Atkinson, one of the UK’s most electrifying equestrian performers, stunt riders and horse trainers. From standing astride galloping horses in Roman Riding to commanding teams with nothing but voice and body in Liberty, Ben isn’t just a rider… he’s a true action star on horseback.
Raised in a family of elite horsemen, Ben was performing by the age of nine, working on film sets by eleven and training with world-class stunt riders as a teenager. Today he leads Atkinson Action Horses, supplying highly trained horses and stunt riders for major productions including Poldark, Peaky Blinders and Victoria.
Plus, Pippa and Tristan dive into some of the strangest horse events around the world, and Tristan reveals what happened when he had a rather sharp encounter with a New Forest pony…
We love hearing from you [email protected]
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pippa and Tristan are joined by a true powerhouse of the equine world this week. If you don't know Nat's story - then you really should!
From being fired because of her passion for horses to raising over £1 million in a national campaign to save her riding school, Natalie O’Rourke MBE has one of the most remarkable stories in grassroots equestrian sport. As the founder of Park Lane Stables in South London, she has built a community where horses help children and adults with disabilities develop confidence, independence and joy through her long association with the RDA.
When the stables faced sudden closure in 2021, Natalie and her volunteers launched an extraordinary fundraising effort that captured the public’s imagination. The campaign secured the future of the centre and the thousands of families it supports each year, earning Natalie an MBE and The Sunday Times Grassroots Sportswoman of the Year along the way.
Plus Pippa and Tristan are dallying with AI once again!
Details of Park Lane Stables can be found here - https://www.parklanestables.co.uk/
We love hearing from you. Do email us at [email protected].

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Cheltenham week! And who better to join Pippa and Tristan this special week than one of jump racing’s most successful riders, Nico de Boinville.
As the principal jockey for Champion Trainer Nicky Henderson, Nico has ridden more than 800 winners, claimed over 50 Grade 1 victories and celebrated many wins at the legendary Cheltenham Festival - including on Old Park Star this week - winning the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, the opening race of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival. 
With the Cheltenham roar ringing out this week, Nico joins the pod to talk about the thrill, pressure and preparation behind the biggest meeting in jump racing. He reflects on his journey into the sport leaving university early to pursue a career in racing and working his way up. Nico also opens up about bouncing back after a recent fall earlier this season, the mindset it takes to recover from injury and get straight back in the saddle, and what it’s like riding some of the greatest horses in modern racing, including the phenomenal Constitution Hill. Plus and unusual technique to avoid post race interviews...
Plus we'll have a guest appearance from pod alumni Mick Fitzgerald and a mini Cheltenham quiz.
Keep sharing your stories, join us on social media, or drop us an email at [email protected].
See you soon for lots more Talk Horse.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices