The Royals with Roya and Kate - Inside the glamorous world of Royal Ascot

Episode Date: June 19, 2025

Roya and Kate take you with them as they attend Royal Ascot 2025—a dazzling celebration where time-honoured traditions, powerful thoroughbreds, and extravagant hats take centre stage. While Ascot Racecourse hosts nearly a month of racing each year, its crown jewel is the Royal Meeting each June, a highlight of the royal summer calendar.Join Roya and Kate as they go behind the scenes of this horse-racing extravaganza, speaking with some of the people who can explain the connection between the Royal Family, horse racing and fashion. You’ll hear from racing journalist Brough Scott, MBE; the late Queen’s Press Secretary Ailsa Anderson, LVO; Ascot Creative Director Daniel Fletcher; and an extraordinary father-daughter racing duo, Jamie and Saffie Osborne. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the Royals with me Kate Mansi and me Roya Nikah. Today, Royal Ascot 2025, we've got some cracking guests on this week's episode. We're going to be talking to the one and only Elsa Anderson, former press secretary to Queen Elizabeth II. And I don't think anyone knew more about horses than her and Elsa is going gonna tell us a lot more about that. And we'll be speaking with a remarkable father-daughter jockey duo. Who else? We've got Daniel Fletcher, who is the creative director

at Royal Ascot. He's gonna be telling us all about the fashions and the look books. Fantastic. And Brough Scott, of course, the legendary racing journalist. He knows everything about Ascot. He's got all the stories and he's been in the game since 1971. Welcome to the Royals, Royal Ascot 2025. And up first we have

managed to nab Bruff right now, Bruff Scott. Let's go and chat with him. Well we're now joined, Parade Ring, by the brilliant Bruff Scott. Aged Bruff Scott I I think we should say. Not aging, you just told me you were still riding until 70. Oh yeah, but it's not very difficult really. It's like riding a bike, long as the horse is well behaved. After you only sit on it, that's all you have to do. Well, yes.

Anyway, it's wonderful to have you on. Thank you, racing journalist, author, former jockey, Times contributor, we're delighted to have you on The Royals. Yes, absolutely. But tell us what's the big story of the day and why is Ascot so important this year of all years do you think, Bruff? The Royal procession is 200 years old. It is. And actually I read a long piece, I think it's perhaps too long, I looked at it in the papers more than the Times this morning, but when it started the idea was to show George IV to his people because to try and keep popular and in a sense that's still the same idea but

actually racing needs Royals every bit as much as the Royals might need racing but if you think about it the Royal Possession is one of the most iconic single events in British life. Yeah. And if you think of Britain from abroad, of the images you have of Westminster Abbey and, I don't know, the Lake District, York Minster, what else are we going to have? The Royal Procession is one of the things coming up at Ascot.

So it projects for UK PLC as much as for the world of racing. Why is it important that the King is so visible at these events and how do you think that's going to be taken on by the Prince of Wales? Well, from racing's point of view, that's always been the big situation because as you know, the Queen was the single greatest benefactor that horse racing in the world, certainly in Britain, ever seen. She loved it. And by the end of her reign, she'd gone absolutely ape.

I mean, she had more horses, more race horses and more trainers the end of her life she'd ever had before. But obviously, when the King took over, people forget now, they see him in his 70s and battling with cancer and stuff. He was an action man prince. He was sky diving, all sorts of stuff. I can remember him. And he was a pretty good skier. But anyway, would he follow on? And there was racing, he was very much holding its breath and it would he bother go on with the studs. Everyone was holding their breath at Change of Rain to see whether the king who yes he'd been a jockey in his heyday but he'd

never really shown the interest in racing not even close to that of his late mother. No and everyone knew he couldn't but would he hang on at all? What we did know is the Queen was pretty keen. We knew that. But the key day was the 2013, 2023 rather, came to us for the first time, everyone was very tense really in the racing world and perhaps wider world. And he had a horse called Desert Hero,

which won in dramatic fashion and he was- He burst into tears. Well, you'd had to be made of stone not to be thrilled. It was home bred, wasn't it? Bread by his late mother. Home was homebred wasn't it? Homebred by the mother and also it weaved through from an impossible position and it got in the last stride.

Well you know I hope they all backed it but I mean. It was lovely actually both the King and the Queen Bessentoteers you could really see what it meant to them. I think you know the heritage, the history, the family link kind of sealed the new reign as well didn't it? And of course remember it's not just this outward visible bit here but if you've got studs and your own horses the real fun of the whole thing is remembering the horses, the mothers and the children and all the rest of it and

going to the studs and going to this stable yards all that which is on your own I mean again I remember being at Sandingham once and doing something and the Queen just came round the corner because that was her world and he would enjoy that. But of course he is by any ordinary standards of 70 whatever he is, an exceptionally busy man. He is. But still finding time to come every day this week. He's coming every day? He's coming every day, we're told. Well, it's remarkable. Again, most importantly... And again, no one expected that a couple of years ago, did they? Oh no, absolutely not. Very much I thought if he was to come a couple of days, it would be fine.

Were you surprised or interested or thought it was a good thing that he put the late Queen's Horses into the joint names of himself and Queen Camilla? Because she is much more on it than I think him. Yeah I think it's again it's a great believer in transparency, I mean two things that are not necessarily in the same sense as the transparency of the royal. Discuss, that's another broadcast. We'll get you on for that one, Brough. But no the fact is I think that's a very good idea but also I think by any reasonable standards good idea. But also I think by any reasonable standards, this number of years into the reign, you've got to be very uncharitable or very harsh Republican, not to think that the King and Queen's hearts are in the right place. That's a resounding endorsement isn't it? Well I think it's true. I think again if you didn't pay your people because of all the history and everything else, sort of rather were a, I don't know what sort of a king he's going to make, I don't know about this and that.

I think they played their role as such. That's the feeling I get around the country. And I think this is interesting to see this week, isn't it? Because this is a point you were just saying that this is a week in which we see them every day in a way that we don't in the rest of the year. It's quite an extraordinary week in the Royal Calendar in that respect and it's a chance for them to connect with the public and be seen to see other people and we also see them enjoying themselves. Those pictures of the late Queen, they were always the best pictures of her when she won a race or when she was at the races and they let their guard down so you know the public

actually get to see them a bit more as they are. As they are but as they'd like to be seen because basically in the past 200 years ago I mean the sense of privilege still exists. On the other hand there's a desperate attempt isn't it to make monarchy connect through. Try and make things more the people in the carriages and that sort of thing, make it look less of we're looking down on the poor old plebs. Do you think it does? Because I mean, you know, there are glorious images of the royal carriages coming through the Golden Gate, sweeping up the course, coming into the parade ring, there's lots of cheering. But do you think those images are modern and relevant to most Britons today? They're absolutely not modern, they're 200 years old.

But the point is, the traditions you can keep, it's like having a stately home. You want to make sure that inside it feels okay. And does the sense of them coming through here, does that actually say, well, it's part of our great tradition. And if you think the royal family, their heart's in the right place, then you can accept it. If you think they're just having a privileged time, then you're gonna have a problem.

Why do you think, Ruff, you touched on it earlier, that the royal family and patronage is so important for the racing industry. Expand on that a bit. Why is the patronage of the king and queen so important to racing? Frankly, in the past 30 years, it is because because amongst other things, but it's hugely important financially, it has attracted the huge benefactors from the Middle East. It seemed mad the amount of money they were spending, but on the other hand, they spent the same amount of money in Formula One. They wouldn't necessarily have won as much and they certainly wouldn't have been in the

Royal Carriage or having pictures of them shaking hands with the Queen when they won the trophy. So it's that link with the Royal Family because of course there is racing at Maidan, there is racing in America, we've just had the American classics, there is racing all over the world. Is it the Royal link with British racing that makes it? Horse racing as such was not only codified here first, it was also the actual thing, the dog, the thoroughbred, the horse that you see there, that thoroughbred was developed here,

it's a British thoroughbred. It is the fastest weight-carrying creature in the world, and it's Britain's greatest gift to the animal kingdom. Well, thank you so much for joining us. It's been a joy. It's a really busy day for you, we really appreciate it. Thank you so much, Prer. Thank you.

So Kate, you know how much I love this week, Royal Ascot. Yes, you have mentioned it a few times. Love the horses. Someone else who loved the horses was the late Queen Elizabeth, probably one of the greatest patients of the sport the world has ever seen. Yep. And who better to dig into that more with than her former press secretary Elsa Anderson. Fabulous Elsa. Here we are at the parade ground with Elsa Anderson. Very special guest. Now Elsa was communication secretary to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth for many years. That makes me

sound old. No, it makes you sound in the no. And no one, you knew her very well and you knew her love of horses very well. Oh my golly, I tell you Royal Ascot was one week that come hail or high wind the Queen would never miss ever. This was the highlight of the Royal calendar I think. I just was reminding myself this week there was a brilliant, I think it was in 2017 where her commitment to racing, I don't think I've ever seen it more, she did the state opening of parliament. She delivered the queen speech in parliament, helicopter to Royal Ascot

and was in her carriage for possession at two o'clock. Chop her in. Yeah, absolutely. Doesn't surprise me at all. Nothing would have stopped her. And was there a lot of chat about it beforehand? Was it the topic of conversation for weeks beforehand? Oh gosh, yes, absolutely.

Outfits, planning of outfits, horses, who was going to go to the lunch party, who was going to go into the carriages, coming in to ask it. Yes, lots and lots of chatter, really. How much planning goes into something like the Royal Procession and who goes into the carriages, you could say?

Oh, a lot, but of course it's down to the Queen, it's entirely up to her as to who goes into what carriage. But you know, she wanted to make it fair, it's a mixture of family and of friends and actually saying thank you to the people who've helped throughout the year. Brough Scott was reminding us earlier that 2013 was a very special year for the late Queen because she won the gold cup with her Philly estimate which was the

first time a reigning monarch had ever won the gold cup and there are those fantastic images of her sitting with John Warren, her racing manager, getting very excited as estimate came through. Were you here with her that year? I was indeed and of course it was the coronation year as well, so the celebration of the coronation, so what a year for that to happen. What was it like when she won? Electric, absolutely electric. I don't think there was a dry eye in the house, I mean you know the gods were on our sides that day. And the crowd loved it and the video footage of when she came down into the parade ring to be presented with the trophy by the Duke of Kent.

And the crowd just absolutely erupted. They were so thrilled. It was so nice to see. I know. And what a wonderful thing to have, especially at the twilight of her reign as well. Could you take us through what a day looks like for the Queen? Because obviously we see the carriages turn up here, but it begins a long time behind the scenes before that.

Of course. So it's all the prep. It's the lunch beforehand, so she will have invited guests to lunch at Winter Castle. Absolutely. Then they will drive to where the carriages are, mountain the carriages, and then of course, it's that lovely ride, especially when the sun is shining

like it is today, through to the parade ring, and then with all the crowds. Why was the Royal Procession, and still is, I mean, this year we're celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Royal Procession, started by George IV. The Queen was such a fan of it, very rarely missed it, why do you think it was so important to her? Is it, was there something about the sort of visibility of the Royal Family and the public or tradition? I think it is, but it's also about, it's all about pomp isn't it? It's all about you know Britain is what we do best and actually seeing these

beautiful caraties which are beautifully maintained by the Royal Muse processing here at Ascot, I just think it makes a celebration of all that is British. So it wasn't just her kind of personal love of the horses, there was a very kind of significant... Yes, absolutely. ...and a public show that she was obviously aware of. Yes, absolutely. And also that she wanted to share this with the public,

so what a greater way of doing it and actually processing in the carriages. And people could, of course, famously bet about what color outfit the queen was going to wear, whether it would be her hat or her outfit. Another thing to bet on. Absolutely. I mean, how would she place a bet? It would be done through the aquarium.

Yes, absolutely. So actual cash was handed over for the queen to bet, like anybody else here today. Absolutely. She just didn't plate it herself, but yes. herself, but yes, the race cars were there. We laughed following the protocol. There was a brilliant picture of her once with a wad of notes, I think, and she heard just having won and looking absolutely thrilled with it.

Not sure what to do with it, probably. I was talking earlier this year to the trainer, Nicky Henderson, who's a jump trainer. He knew the Queen mother very well. He trained a few horses for the Queen as well. I was lovely talking to him about the Queen Mother very well. He trained a few horses for the Queen as well. It was lovely talking to him about the Queen, his relationship with her, because he said she used to ring him every Sunday and sometimes if she didn't have a full diary she'd be on the phone for about an hour talking through everything. The form, the history, the breeding and he said he always felt

when he spoke to her whenever he saw her at race meetings. Occasionally she came for lunch. He felt that racing was an amazing for her, a sort of form of relaxation and another sort of away away from the main day job. I think that's right. Can you talk a little bit about that? I think, and also I think racing is a leveler, isn't it? It's for Prince and Pawpaw. You know, you see the crowds at Ascot today

and it's not everyone in their fancy hats. It's for sort of public as well. Yeah. And I think it is a great leveler. It's where everyone can get together. I think that's what she enjoys. She enjoyed the spectacle of it and something that everyone could get behind. And behind the scenes in the rest of the year,

tell us a bit about the Queen and her relationship with her racing managers, John Warren Springs to mind. How often was she down looking at the New Horses, the Poles and... Well, of course, famously, she had CCTV cameras put inside the stables at Sandringham so she could actually view foals being born. I love that.

How amazing is that? Morning, noon, or night. And she said to the sub-manager, wake me up whatever time of day or night it is. Yeah, so she could see it. Yeah. People used to say that John Warren. That is commitment, isn't it?

People used to say that John Warren, who was still racing at Weiser now to their majesties, was pretty much the only person who, whatever the Queen was doing, could get through on the phone. You may say that, Roya, but I couldn't possibly comment. He didn't deny when I asked him about it last year, which I think just sort of speaks to just how important a part of her life racing in her horse's work. Absolutely. Horses and dogs, animals, all shapes and forms. As long as they had four legs she'd be happy. It's such a joy to speak to you today. Thank you so

much for joining us. Lovely to see you. Thanks Elsa. So Kate, we're just a couple of hours away from the first race. Race goers are pouring in to Royal Ascot. They've come from all over the country, up from London on the train, they've come from all over the world, there are a lot of international people here. But today is as much about the fashion as it is about the horses. That's right. So that's why we're going to take a short stroll and go and see Daniel Fletcher. He's a fashion designer and also the new creative director of Royal Ascot. of Royal Ascot. So we're delighted to be joined by Daniel Fletcher, returning for the second year in the role

of Creative Director of Royal Ascot. So you're in charge of all the fashion, Daniel, is that right? I'm in charge of influencing the style of Royal Ascot. I see. So what's the influence this year? What are the styles? What are you seeing?

So one of the things that I do in my role is to create a lookbook and the lookbook is supposed to show people what they can do within the dress codes because the dress codes remain the same. There are so many things that you can do within it. And yeah, we put this lookbook together and actually I can already see some of the influences out in the wild today.

So as soon as I came in, I just saw an abundance of polka dots. There you go. That was one of the key. Kate has read the lookbook. And that was one of the key trends in the look book. So tell us about the dress code. So why do we have a dress code? What is it and how strict are you on enforcing that? So there are four enclosures and each one has a slightly different dress code.

So the most strict one is the Royal Enclosure. So the options there are a morning suit with top hat, black shoes, full waistcoat, tie shirt, or you could wear a dress where the straps have to be a minimum of three centimeters, no open backs, no halternecks below the knee. So you know, it's a little bit- And that hasn't changed for years, has it? One change that was made a few years ago was that the introduction of a navy morning suit,

which I'm sporting today. Wow, hold the front page. Yeah. But actually, there are many, many things you can do within that to inject your own personality. So, you know, today I've opted for all the pastels, mixing those together under my morning suit. There's quite a lot of vintage going on here.

Talk us through. Yeah, I mean, well, so this is a vintage top hat. And then also when I went for the fitting, they were teaching me the importance of how I should wear it on my head. And to do that, they gave me this wonderful cane, which should keep me upright all day and make sure that I'm not, you know, wobbling around.

Oh, that's what it's for, to keep your posture. Yeah, for my posture, yeah. Okay, marvelous. And the shoes, they are really quite marvelous. Black shoes with a kind of a white stitching around them. They're kind of a modern take on a brogue. We're here, obviously, it's a very important day for horse racing, it's a very important day

for the royal family. The royal family, great ambassadors to British fashion, for international fashion. How important is that partnership between the royal family and fashion at Royal Ascot? I think, you know, the royals undoubtedly have such an impact on fashion. You know, if Kate wears something, then it's going to sell out.

And I think what's so special about Royal Ascot is that everyone dresses up. It's such a unique occasion. And yeah, I love to see people embracing that and the royals themselves. When all is said and done, who do you think will be, will emerge as sort of the royal who is synonymous with Royal Ascot? Is it the Princess of Wales? Is it the late queen? I think it could be one of the kids, one of the up and coming kids.

Princess Charlotte, you know? I feel like in a couple of years everyone be like, oh, look what Charlotte's worn to Ascot. Love that. But your fashion histories are marvelous as well because you've worked for Victoria Beckham, you've designed for Harry Styles. You know, is there a lot of pressure

when you're picking an outfit for somebody else or trying to design for somebody else? For me, one of the things I always love is if it's collaboration with someone and we kind of work on it together. We've done a couple of people for ASCA in previous years, and that's always fun because there's some rules that we've got to follow

and it pushes me a little bit creatively. How are we going to do a hat? Make sure that the dress is the right dress for the dress code. So, it's always fun. Would you ever like to dress a member of the Royal Family? And if so, which one? And what would you put them in?

I mean, it would have been Diana, of course. You know, that would have been the dream. Otherwise, who would I like to dress? I wouldn't mind doing something for Harry, but I don't know if we're going to see him here or not. Wow, brilliant answer. So nice to speak to you today. There's so many outfits to come and have a look around. Absolutely joy. Will you hang on with us

Dan because actually we've got a few people here we'd love to talk to and we'd love to get your views on their outfits. Absolutely. And there's some very strong fashion coming. We just welcome them in here. Wow look at this. This is amazing. Welcome to the Royals, you look absolutely amazing. Who are you, what's your name and what are you wearing? I'm Anushka Lancaster and I'm wearing a dress by Rebecca Vallance and an incredible headdress by Carrie Courtney. I mean, the headdress is spectacular.

Where did you get all this from? So I bought the dress about a year ago and then my friend Carrie is so talented. I sent her a photo of the dress and she came up with this incredible mermaid-esque creation. It's got kind of a Liberace feel about it. So for people who can't see what you're wearing it's a kind of a beautiful floor-length frock of shells very kind of see under the sea theme you've teamed it with this amazing kind of shell necklace and then shells on top, this huge sort of edifice

on top of your head. Is that heavy to wear? It is quite heavy. I can't lie. It's quite heavy, but it's kind of worth it. You look stunning. I'm a huge cheerleader for her and her millinerina. Every year I wear Carrie's works of art.

It's absolutely spectacular. How important, I mean I can tell, how important is the fashion to you versus the racing today? I think the fashion comes first for me, unfortunately. I do love the racing and I'm crazy about horses. I've always been a horse rider but I think for all the ladies here would agree it's just so nice to have an occasion to dress up for because I feel we don't get many of these occasions anymore so it's definitely the highlight of my calendar. I think you wouldn't be the only one to say that I think for a lot of people here today the fashion is first. What do you make of this outfit Daniel? I think it's fabulous I mean I love the headdress I think if you can't dress up

like this for Royal Ascot then when can you hey and this is you've really embraced it and you look fabulous. Well have a wonderful day you look fantastic. Hi tell us a little bit about you and a little bit about your outfit. So hi my name is Victoria I live in London but originally I come from Ukraine and my outfit so I got it from one website it was was like a few months ago. I don't even remember. And I love this headpiece. It's my second time being at Royal Ascot. Today I also got a compliment that I look like Queen Victoria. That she was also small, short and also had a similar outfit. Small but stylish.

Yes, and my name is also Victoria. Perfect. Absolutely fabulous and have a wonderful day's racing Perfect. Well, lovely. Very regal. And have a wonderful day's racing. Thank you very much. You too. Thank you. Absolute joy to talk to you, Daniel.

Thank you so much. Have a wonderful week. Thank you. And hopefully we'll see you again next year. Yeah, absolutely. And we'll check out the changing trends. Fantastic. Thank you for having me.

Thanks, Daniel. So we're nearly done here, but before before we go we've got two extra special guests. Two jockeys, father and daughter. A bit of a double act. Former jockey Jamie Osborne who's now a trainer and he's got plenty of runners here this week and he's back by popular demand because we had him on the show last year. We had some lively feedback from some of our listeners. He was critiquing your riding in a very positive way I have to say. I mean, nothing has changed in the past year. And we're joined by his daughter, Safi, who is...

She's doing incredibly well, doesn't she? She's dynamite. She's a rising star of flat racing, and they're quite the double act. So let's go and have a chat. Well, I'm delighted to welcome... No, you're not. ...to welcome back to the Royals. Quite a a double act and we haven't even started yet but you'll see what I mean.

Jamie Osborne, lovely to see you back, back by popular demand on the Royals. Jamie, for listeners who don't know him, is a trainer based in Lamborne, former National Hunt jockey, former believe it or not Times Racing columnist. If you go way back in the archives, you find Jamie's columns. I'm not as stupid as you think I am. I really think you're stupid. I just didn't think they'd allow you to have one. I thought it'd be too controversial. He can't remember how many Grand Nationals he rode in, he says, but I can tell you that in one year, I better get this right or you'll be in trouble, 1996-97 season, you won 131 races, is that right? Yes, I think it is.

I have no idea. But welcome, for the first time, the other half of the double act, Safie Osborne. Safie is one of the rising stars of flat racing. She was top jockey in the racing league for the last three years running. Thanks to me. You sound like one of those parents now that's like they've only got anywhere because of me.

Well, Neppo kids. That's a really awful game. I'm still doing the introduction and off they go. Last year Safi became the first female jockey to win a race at Maidan in Dubai on Uzo. I know it was trained by you, Jamie, but actually it was a fantastic ride. Welcome Safi Osborne. The double act, the Osborne's. I don't think I want to be known as the double act to be honest. Tough, you are. Hasn't there been a double act called the Osborne's before?

They're not as good as you. So I mean Jamie coming to Royal Ascot, I mean we talked a little bit about it last year but what makes this meeting so special? Well look at it, since the revamp I think it's the most spectacular venue. It's probably the most recognised meeting globally, anywhere. It takes a very good horse to win here. Everybody wants to be here, you know, in spite of the fact that the prize money isn't actually as good as it should be. And you see the number of people from around the world that want to buy horses to run here or bring

horses from their own nation to be here. There's just something rather special about it and I think one of the reasons that it is so special is the royal involvement. Last year we had a little bit from you about what it was like riding for the Queen Mother. Of course you rode for her for quite a few years towards the ends of your career, is that right? Yes I was lucky enough to ride for Her Majesty the Queen Mother. And we heard about what a character she was and she did sound like quite a character. Safi I know that you rode for the late Queen. I did. As a jockey it's an unbelievably special feeling when you get to put on the royal colours.

Why? What does it mean? Yeah why? to put on the Royal Colours. Why? What does it mean? Yeah, why? I suppose as a British person, it's such an honour, especially sort of my grandparents never come racing, ever. And they came racing that day because it was such a special thing. And it's just a real honour to put those colours on.

There's certain colours that you watch growing up, sort of in racing, the likes of Godolphin, Shadwell, all these amazing huge owners, as well as the Queen. I think I remember sort of growing up and one of the first Royal Ascotts that I really watched was Ryan Moore winning on Estimate. And it was just the most amazing thing to watch and her reaction was so incredible. And the emotion was incredible. Yeah, amazing because a Queen's horse winning the gold cup watch and her reaction was so incredible. The emotion was incredible. Yeah, amazing because a Queen's horse winning the gold cup at the Royal Meeting is so special

and I think it's just those are colours that I've watched growing up that have been so successful and so poignant in British racing obviously. Yeah, it was really special to be able to put them on. Now I get to see the two of you occasionally together at home at Lamborne riding out and behind the scenes it's quite a fun dynamic most of the time. Can you talk a little bit about how important the relationship is between Traynor and Jocky and who gets their way? I'm not kind of know the answer to this but I would like our listeners to hear both of your perspectives on this. What it's like working with your own children. Carry on, Seth. However much she likes to be sarcastic and tries to be funny. You sarcastic?

We have a very good relationship because even when we decide we want to scream at each other or disagree on something. I can confirm that occasionally happens. Yeah, two minutes later it's very much, we don't really discuss that, we just kind of move on and then two minutes later it's, are you, yeah, all good, yeah, all good. When you're riding in the big races like at Royal Ascot, obviously we've seen you in Dubai and more recently in those huge races in America, which they were, is there an outer dimension of pressure or pride riding for your father? I don't think so. I feel completely relaxed riding for him. I think there's something to be said for riding horses. Because she knows she's not going to get the sack if she makes it more difficult. That's what I was about to say. There's something to be said for knowing when you have a job

there's always this added pressure of feeling like I need to prove that they've made the right decision in choosing me. With dad, I feel completely relaxed riding for him because I know that I'm not scared to make mistakes. Yeah. Because... Does that make you a braver rider? Yeah, it does. And I think the jockey that rides the best is the one that rides with the most confidence. And I think trainers that fill you with confidence are the best

because you're not scared to make those mistakes. If you do, you're very happy to come in and say sorry. Just told me that last year when you asked Jamie about what it was like way back in the day being a jockey in the training, Jamie basically sort of said there wasn't really much training. He didn't really do much. He just turned up at the races. That's kind of fair. It's quite different now, isn't it? Yeah. Tell me a little bit about the kind of... Did I say that?

Pretty much, yeah. Tell me about what it takes to get here, to ask in terms of sort of mental and physical training. As you know, obviously having ridden in a race, you have even to get your license, have to pass the- Very underrated rider, Roya. Yeah, very underrated.

We keep trying to persuade you to get your amateur license out. Thinking about it. I'm still pushing for it. Still thinking about it. But you have to undergo a fairly physical fitness test, but I think not even that prepares you for how fit you need to be to ride racehorses. It's very physically demanding on certain areas of your body and I think that you get a lot stronger the more you do it. I think now I'd hope that I'm at a point that no one would ever look at me

and pick me out as a weak link. It's interesting, well you've always said, we've talked about it before, we've never really made much and you've never really made much about being a female jockey because you've always said, I don't really ride quite like a boy anyway. Yeah, it's still an industry

and it's still a sport dominated by men, both in terms of trainers and jockeys. So being a very successful female jockey, I mean what are the challenges if there are any? I think the one thing I would say about female jockeys is a lot of women take longer to get stronger and you can get a license from the age of 16 and it takes girls quite a bit longer to get to that point where you're physically as strong and I think that probably there's quite a few female jockeys that get written off before they get to that point and I suppose I was very lucky that I had dad to supply those rise to allow you and if I'm being perfectly honest you I

do a lot of work in the gym still I'd run most days or cycle. Just like I used to do. And not. But the reality is that you only get really to that really strong point when you're riding every day, riding two, three, four, five, six horses every day. How many runners do you have this week? Seven. And is Safi riding all of them? No. Ah.

I've jocked her off a couple. No, I've got, no that's a lie. You've got all the rides. I've got all the rides. Jamie's version is he's jocking you off. No, that've got, no that's a lie. You've got all the rides. I've got all the rides. Jamie's version is he's jucked you off. No, that's not true. The truth is she's riding for other people. No, she is riding for other people,

but of my seven runners, there's two races where I've got two in the same race. Right. So obviously she's good, but she can't ride them both. She's not that good. No, Mia would have picked wrong. What would having an Ascot winner mean to you, Safie? I know that it's still eluded you. It's only a matter of time. You have a long career ahead of you What would having an Ascot winner mean to you, Safie? I know that it's still eluded you.

It's only a matter of time. You have a long career ahead of you. What would an Ascot winner mean? She needs to hurry up. It might not be that long. All the jockeys in the wearing room keep taking the mickey out of me because they always keep joking that my strike rate Ascot is phenomenal. But then they go, no, Safie, this is Royal Ascot.

Your strike rate at Royal Ascot is really bad. I haven't had a Royal Ascot winner yet. But 2025 is the year I hope. It would be unbelievably special. I suppose every European jockey, probably even sort of jockey worldwide dreams of riding Royal Ascot winners and this is where you want to be. When you know you're riding in front of a crowd that includes the King and Queen, does that make any difference to when you're riding? I mean are you aware of that? It's probably not something I'm thinking about when I'm getting on the horse. Unless it's owned by the king and queen.

Yeah, unless I'm stood with them in the braiding. Ooh, his majesty's watching me. I'm looking up to the royal box checking if they're watching me. No, it's obviously not something but I think when you look back on it it's obviously something that's incredibly special. Just the whole atmosphere around this meeting, like when you come back in and you see the crowds. I think Ascot some days on a normal sort of on Royal Ascot Trials day, for example, on a Wednesday, it feels very empty and then you get to the Royal meeting and it's absolutely packed full of people and you're sort of cantering down to the start and you look because if you glance over to the ground you can't see any part of the floor, it's just hats and it's a very special place and there's just a really magical feeling about it.

Okay well listen it's an absolute joy to have you back Jamie Osborne. It's a joy to have you with us for the first time I hope you'll join us again. I hope 2025 is your year for your first I've got confidence and I love occasionally riding out with you, so can we ride out again soon please? Definitely. You actually talk better than I thought you would. Actually, not bad. Thank you both so much for joining us and have a great rest of the week. Good luck. Yes! Come on! Come on! Come on! Come on!

Come on! Come on! Come on! Come on! Come on! Come on! Come on! Come on!

Come on! Come on! Come on! Come on! Come on! Come on! Come on! Come on!

Come on! Come on! Come on! Come on! Come on! Come on! Come on! Come on! seeing the royal family out in their finery. What do you make of that this first day? Do you know what? It's still, even though this happens every year and there's a sort of certain amount of regularity about it, the royal procession,

the things that you can sort of set your watch by, it still feels so special. And when you talk to people like that, whether it's the race goers, the trainers, the jockeys, people here like enjoying the fashion, everyone just talks about how Royal Ascot is, it's more special than any other meeting because of the the Royal Link, because it looks so beautiful, it's just got that edge hasn't it? And I think every year feels fresh doesn't it in different in a different way.

I mean this year we've got the 200th anniversary of the carriage procession you know we saw the 9th Duke of Wellington in that carriage procession and 200 years before that the first Duke of Wellington in that carriage procession and 200 years before that, the first Duke of Wellington travelled down with George IV. You know, it's essential kind of bringing back to this kind of British history aspect of the day as well. Meanwhile, everyone's out having a good time, you know, there's a significance to it and there's also just a sense of fun and people enjoying the summer. What's been your highlight so far that you've seen today? Has it been a hat? Has it been a dress? Has it been a horse?

I think it was the Royal procession. I think it was the carriage and those brilliant greys bringing the Royal Family into the parade ring just right here. And there were three cheers for the King. He would have liked that because it's never guaranteed what reception you're going to have as a member of the Royal Family and there was a real welcome for him. I thought there was a lot of love there for the king. He'll enjoy that and he'll get that every day because he's here every day this week. Every day this week, you know, we're still being told that there's no change to his cancer treatment. Having said that, he's here every day.

It'll be encouraging for the racing industry that even though we know he's very busy, he's got a very full diary, he's still prioritizing his racing every day during this week. What a week. What a week. Well we've loved it. It's been great fun. It's been fashion, it's been horses, it's been galloping thoroughbreds. Do we get a glass of something fizzy now? Well we definitely do. We're back here tomorrow aren't we Kate? We are. For fun. Can't wait. For the Royal Editors Day out. Yes. For the Jolly. No recording. No.

Thank you, Roya. What a fab day. See you tomorrow, Kate. Bye.