'Sporting spectacle' makes racing a winner for comedian Jack Whitehall

Comedian Jack Whitehall has spoken fondly of his involvement in racing although he admitted to being "mugged off" by trainer Jamie Osborne at this year’s Cheltenham Festival.

Whitehall, known for his stand-up comedy as well as roles in the likes of television programmes A League Of Their Own and Fresh Meat, is a longstanding friend of Newmarket trainer George Scott, and has previously been involved in syndicate ownership.

While those experiences proved less than successful for Whitehall, he remains a keen follower of racing and an admirer of the spectacle the sport provides.

He said: "I really enjoy it and it’s a bit of everything I like. I like a little bit of betting but that’s not the main thing for me.

"I love going for the spectacle of it with the sheer amount of people that you get at one of those [big] meets compared to any other sporting event. Being there and watching [the horses] coming towards you with the sound of it and the crowd going wild it’s something I really appreciate as a sporting spectacle.

"I love sports and go to lots of sports but something like Cheltenham takes some beating as an event."

This year’s Cheltenham Festival experience was not an entirely pleasurable one for Whitehall after he was confronted and teased by Jamie Osborne in the owners and trainers’ facility.

Jamie Osborne: got his point across to Jack Whitehall at CheltenhamCredit: Patrick McCann

Speaking on the Off The Bridle Podcast with George Scott and Charlie Fellowes, Whitehall said: "I got mugged off by some trainer who used to be a jockey. Oh my God. He literally came in and was like a 100 miles an hour with the banter, it was like 'whoa'."

Racehorse ownership is not a lost cause for Whitehall despite the two syndicate horses he was involved with — Pudding and Eatsleepracerepeat — failing to show much on the track.

He said: "I definitely think I could [get back involved]. Even though it probably wasn’t the most rewarding experience, it’s the thrill and the excitement of it. It’s being more invested in racedays and following your horse, and that was really exciting."

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