Hunt For Female Pundit Nearly Over
The race to become Britain’s first female race commentator is nearly over, with the two finalists going head-to-head at Ascot Racecourse on 24th July 2011 in order to decide the winner.
From an original entry of 46, Hayley Moore, 24, daughter of a racehorse trainer and sister of former champion jockey Ryan, will be taking on Rachel Casey, 26, an Irish born racing fan who works for a leading British bookmaker.
The two will be battling it out for a cash prize of £2,500 and a place on the industry’s commentary training course.
The organisers, lovetheraces.com, commenced the search for a first-ever female commentator back in May and have already held semi-finals in front of the public at both Bath and Doncaster races where Hayley and Rachel saw off stiff competition to reach the final.
Amy Sherman, spokesperson for lovetheraces.com, commented: ‘Horseracing has a strong female fan base, unlike many sports, so we thought it was high time that we found a woman who could call the races from the top of the grandstand’.
‘We’ve been very pleased with the number of entrants and the quality of their performances, so we’d be very disappointed if the winner didn’t go on to be a regular race caller in the years to come’.
Although a female commentator will be new to British racing, she won’t be the first in the world as Australia already has one female race caller.
The two finalists in ‘The Filly Factor’ competition have been spending their time practicing following their success in the semi-finals, as well as seeking advice from professional commentators at race tracks around the country.
Hayley Moore said: ‘When I commentated for real at Doncaster for the first time, it was such a buzz. I loved every minute of it. I just can’t wait for the final at Ascot’.
Rachel Casey added: ‘It was an absolutely amazing feeling to commentate on a live race. I am delighted to have got through to the final but slightly surprised as all the other girls were so good’.
At Ascot on the 24th, Rachel and Hayley will each get the chance to call two races in front of the crowds who will then be asked to choose between them in a text vote, the results of which will be announced before the last race.
TV viewers can also play their part in deciding the winner since At The Races, available on Freeview and Sky, will be broadcasting their performances and publicising the voting procedure.
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