Joel is a 27-year-old racing fan from Gloucestershire who has followed the sport passionately for more than a decade. His first exposure to racing came through watching the Grand National as a child, but his interest truly grew around 2014/15 when superstars such as Faugheen, Annie Power, Douvan and Vautour were dominating the sport. Alongside racing he is also a big sports fan in general, with football and golf among his other interests, and he is a lifelong Manchester City supporter.
Joel has always enjoyed the form side of racing and the stories that surround the sport, as well as enjoying analysing races. His interest in racing media grew after reaching the final of the Racing TV Tipstar competition, where he previewed and reviewed a race live on air at Cheltenham alongside Nick Luck and Dan Barber. The experience gave him a real taste for racing media and the storytelling side of the industry.
Through the Racing Media Academy and his placement with the Racing Post, he is excited to develop his journalism skills and learn from experienced professionals in the industry. He is particularly looking forward to meeting people with the same keen interest and hopes the experience will help him build a long-term career in racing journalism.
My week on the Racing Media Academy followed by an eight-week placement with Racing Post was the perfect way into the industry for someone who has been a fan of the sport for 13 years.
The Academy week was great fun, with a brilliant group of people and some top-class talks and sessions. A particular highlight was the day with Lydia Hyslop and Lee Mottershead, whose hands-on coaching really helped improve my journalism and prepared me for the placement. Lee, Abby, Cath and Josh were fantastic throughout the week and have continued to keep in touch and offer support since.
My eight weeks with Racing Post were hugely enjoyable and informative. Coming into it without any journalism experience, I quickly learned the basics of reporting and structure through shadowing and practical work before being trusted to produce pieces of my own. Everyone was incredibly helpful and patient, and I had the chance to shadow reporters at Sandown and Epsom, interview trainers and experience what working in racing journalism is really like.
Seeing my name in the paper across race reports, profiles, opinion pieces, tips and video and podcast work was a huge highlight. I’m delighted to have been kept on by Racing Post on a freelance basis, and the experience has given me the confidence and practical experience to pursue a career in racing media.
