Josh Apiafi: 'I haven't seen a gelding good enough to give her 7lb in the Champion Bumper'

Over the course of the next few weeks we will bring you a series of app-exclusive Q&As with star racing broadcasters. Next up: Sky Sports Racing broadcaster Josh Apiafi

How did you get into TV?

In the most random of places, Seoul in South Korea, attending the Asian Racing Conference in 2018. I was asked if I'd consider it over lunch by Sky Sports Racing's director of content Rob Dakin and it came as a bit of a shock. Rob installed the hugely experienced producer Dermot Cumiskey as my mentor. Everyone will have their own opinion if he did a good job or not!

Who were your TV heroes?

On a presenter front it's Adam Hills, presenter of The Last Leg. I love the ridiculously clever way he can bring humour into some of the most serious subjects. We can all take ourselves too seriously at times (especially in racing), and he makes us see there's always another way to look at it. In racing, the diversity of our presenting squad across all three channels is gradually getting there. I'd love to see more young faces of our sport. Hearing what they have to say will assist in engaging our next generation of fans.

What's your favourite meeting?

Internationally, it's the Melbourne Cup, with its pageantry over the whole week. Four racedays with a day off to recover between each of them – genius! They brand each day to attract different demographics and I'd love to see the same here with our festivals. Domestically, I love the Coral Welsh Grand National. Everyone is buzzing from Christmas and the crowd is so passionately Welsh and proud of their race. The Welsh national anthem before the start of the big race is worth the ticket price alone, bringing goosebumps to everyone. I don't think I've missed this meeting for nearly 20 years.

What's your worst meeting?

Any meeting where one of our horses doesn't return home. The best days can be shattered in an instant. It is a dangerous sport and we make every effort to minimise risk. The following day we all go about our business, but that lad or lass has to walk past an empty box. I've been there as a stable lad and it's heartbreaking.

What's the funniest thing you've seen on a racecourse?

Wincanton in January 2012. Hunt Ball had just won a handicap chase, the start of his run-up to his Cheltenham Festival win. His owner Anthony Knott, so high on the excitement of having a winner, momentarily forgot his surroundings and asked jockey Nick Schofield to 'budge up'. In a flash he was up in the saddle behind Nick, riding his horse into the winner's enclosure. The crowd were in hysterics, the stewards less so – he was slapped with a £100 fine!

What's the key to doing your job well?

The same as the scouts' motto – be prepared. Nothing runs 100 per cent to plan but when you're live and the ability to stay calm and relaxed is crucial. So many things can go wrong while televising live racing, so having an experienced producer in your ear while any madness unfolds is our secret weapon.

What was your most embarrassing moment on TV?

I first dipped my toe into the world of TV in 2008 when I was brought in to 'bring the weighing room to life' for Channel 4 Racing. It was so uncomfortable for me and the viewer! I was useless and thrown in at the deep end with no training. Luckily, the legendary Alastair Down stepped in on more than one occasion when I froze in front of the camera.

Which horse are you most looking forward to running again?

Queens Gamble. She has the potential to lead the mares' ranks for the next few years and I haven't seen a gelding this season good enough to give her 7lb in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham. I'm sure the Irish will unearth a rival who will go off favourite but I wouldn't want to be on anything else come March 15 – not that I'm counting down the days! If there were tears from connections after her first win, buy shares in Kleenex when she bags the Champion Bumper.

Who wins the King George?

I'm leaning towards L'Homme Presse but Bravemansgame and Noble Yeats are geared up to make the class of 2015 a golden generation. L'Homme Presse really dazzled me on his return this season at Newcastle. Winning a handicap off 164 is mightily impressive and pure grit saw him see off Into Overdrive, who was getting a whopping 26lb.

Read our exclusive TV presenter Q&As:

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Ed Chamberlin: 'Des Lynam is my ultimate TV hero - he could do anything'