Who's like Haaland? The big names in racing who don't like TV interviews

Footballer Erling Braut Haaland's interviews are earning him as many headlines as his goals for Borussia Dortmund but the Norwegian is not the only sportsperson with a reputation for giving terse responses and below are some of racing's trickiest interviewees.

Ryan Moore

By 2010, Ryan Moore had already made his aversion to interviews quite clear and delivered a typically blunt response after winning his first Classic aboard Snow Fairy for in the 2010 Epsom Oaks.

He said: "It's not the Derby. I haven't really worried too much about Classics. It's just nice to be riding in them and get the opportunity to win one. To be honest there's not too much emotion going on.

Ryan Moore: delivered a typically blunt response after winning his first Classic in 2010Credit: Masakazu Takahashi

"It's a marvellous race to win. There's no point getting too excited. You're back out there tomorrow or later in the day. I just get on with it and hope it works out well."

Moore may lead up to believe he lacks ability in front of a camera but he makes up for it on the track. He duly won the Derby the following day with Workforce.

Barney Curley

Broadcaster John McCririck was rarely lost for words but he was left stunned by the telling off he received from trainer Barney Curley.

In 2005, the renowned gambler treated viewers of At The Races's coverage from Folkestone to an incandescent rant in which he called out almost every member of the channel's commentary team.

Curley went ballistic on air after McCririck had called for a Jockey Club inquiry into the betting patterns surrounding the Curley-trained hurdler Cristoforo, who drifted markedly and was pulled up, having been forecast to start 8-13 favourite in the Racing Post.

After suggesting former jockey Luke Harvey knew nothing about racing, Curley told McCririck: "You're downgrading racing, pouring out for inquiries, and you're always pumping up things."

David Elsworth

Ordinarily you could set your watch to David Elsworth providing some entertaining material after a winner but the trainer was in no mood to talk after landing the 2015 Juddmonte International.

He had just won the Group 1 with 50-1 outsider Arabian Queen but chose not to accompany her into the winner's enclosure and then refused to receive his prize from the sponsor on the victory podium.

When does racing return? Complete schedule including Royal Ascot and the Guineas

While many wondered where he was, Elsworth attended to his next runner in the pre-parade ring and later emerged to explain himself.

"None of you guys could bother to talk to me before the race and Juddmonte couldn't even invite me to the lunch," said Elsworth.

Pat Kelly

Pat Kelly is a man of few words. The Irish trainer refuses to play the PR game, keeping himself to himself and avoiding interviews.

When Cheltenham Festival winner Presenting Percy came along, many felt he would be thrust into the limelight but even then owner Philip Reynolds took responsibility for all media duties.

That did not stop Johnny Ward, a particularly determined journalist, trying valiantly, but without success, to get a line or two from Kelly as he unsaddled a winner at Gowran Park in January 2019.

Sir Michael Stoute

Sir Michael Stoute has never been talkative on camera and took that to the extreme last year when interviewed by Matt Chapman on ITV after Crystal Ocean was denied in the Juddmonte International.

A question about the long straight at York received a short answer. "Rubbish," said Stoute, as he glided away from the live interview.

Read more:

Irish summer festivals set for shake-up as HRI reveals July fixture list

Naas to host first meeting back with Irish Guineas to be run on June 12 and 13

Racing set to resume on June 1 with all-weather fixture at Newcastle

International runners given green light to compete in Guineas and Coronation Cup

Keep up to date on the must-have news, tips, photos and more by following the Racing Post across all social channels