The first episode of Champions: Full Gallop to air on ITV this Friday 19th July 2024
On Friday evening we get the first instalment of a new six-part series Champions: Full Gallop on ITV1 and ITVX. The series follows the Jumps campaign with episode one covering Boxing Day at Kempton as the horses line up for the Grade One King George VI chase. Promoted by the Jockey Club as “a gripping must-watch docuseries that offers unmatched access to the sport’s biggest names” the series, produced by South Shore and supported by Flutter and Racecourse Media Group, aims to offer an access all areas viewing of the sport of horse racing. Later coverage will of course cover the Cheltenham Festival and Grand National meetings as the season comes to a close and the battle to be crowned Champion Trainer and Champion Jockey heat up.
A lot of the promotional blurb I have seen and read suggests we should get to enjoy plenty of interviews with big names of the game and some great action to relive from the 2023/24 Jumps season. Among other racing figures the series will feature exclusive access to Harry Cobden and Sean Bowen in the fight for Champion Jockey as well as Dan Skelton and Paul Nicholls as they vie for the Champion trainer title.
Katie Rawcliffe, Head of Entertainment Commissioning, ITV said recently "We are excited to be bringing Champions: Full Gallop to ITV and ITVX this summer. It's an opportunity to see at close quarters the adrenaline, tension, drama and emotion that goes on behind the scenes of Jump Racing. The series promises a rich mix of excitement, colourful personalities and powerful stories. ITV is pleased to work with South Shore and partner with Flutter and RMG to bring viewers a show that will lift the lid on this fascinating sport and the unique characters that make it tick."
It’s a great opportunity for the sport to put itself in the shop-window and promote itself with a prime-time TV series to a potentially new audience, and hopefully it does just that. It’s also a chance for those of us already involved in the game to watch some great action and interesting interviews from the sport we love.