Champions: Full Gallop: first episode of new ITV docuseries on racing attracts 1.1m viewers

The opening episode of Champions: Full Gallop, the new behind-the-scenes docuseries on jump racing, was the fourth most-watched sports documentary on any channel in 2024.

The first of a six-part series, which aired in the primetime slot of 9pm on ITV1 last Friday and was available to stream on ITVX along with the second and third episodes, drew an audience of 1.1m viewers across the weekend.

Only BBC1's Andy Murray: Will to Win and Boris Becker: The Rise and Fall (ITV) had attracted more viewers in the genre than Champions: Full Gallop this year, although BBC1's documentary on Olympic athlete Linford Christie subsequently surpassed Champions: Full Gallop with 1.4m viewers on Thursday night.

Although behind the two tennis-focused series and Linford, Champions: Full Gallop attracted a higher audience than other episodic editions of sports docuseries such as Drive To Survive, Full Swing and Unchained, albeit the Formula One, golf and cycling series were aired through subscription streaming service Netflix rather than terrestrial television.

Peter Crouch (centre), pictured at the premiere of Champions: Full Gallop with (from left) Harry Skelton, Bryony Frost, Nico de Boinville, Harry Cobden, Gavin Sheehan and Sean BowenCredit: Joe Maher (Getty Images)

The dramatic conclusion of the King George VI Chase, including Shishkin stumbling and unseating Nico de Boinville before Hewick's successful late rally portrayed in the first episode, captured the attention of former England international footballer Peter Crouch.

"I don't know the full ins and outs of racing," said Crouch. "But, honestly, I'm all in after that. It's brilliant. I've watched a lot of the sports documentaries and the one thing I want to know are the things you'd never dream of seeing. That was a proper peek behind the curtain."

The second episode led on the jockeys' title battle between Sean Bowen and Harry Cobden airs at 9pm on ITV1 on Friday.

• Read Scott Burton's recap of episode two of Champions: Full Gallop, due to be published at 10pm on Friday night on racingpost.com and on the Racing Post app

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New horseracing docuseries Champions: Full Gallop - when to watch, TV details, where to stream and more 

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