What brought you to Dubai?
Nine years ago I was offered a six month job at the magazine ‘Race Week’. Once the six months were up I decided I did not want to leave Dubai and managed to remain at the magazine for another year. After this I moved to another magazine called Equestrio Arabia and then in September 2009 I started working for Dubai Racing Channel full time. Prior to this I had no TV training and had to learn on the job, although my knowledge of racing and some experience on the radio certainly helped.
Describe a typical day
In all honesty there is never a typical day for me, which is good. However to take today as an example, it’s a race day, I started work at 9am. I began by finalising and editing all our feature material - we record interviews and fillers to entertain viewers between the races. This kept me busy until about 12pm and then the rest of the afternoon was spent researching and studying in preparation for the races this evening. I usually arrive at the race track at around 5pm, when I will have a last look through the runners and riders. I go on air just after 6pm and we are live continuously until 10.30pm. Some weeks I will be the anchor while other times the interviewer, and I really enjoy both roles. At times the job can be quite pressurised and it requires a lot of time management, but all in all it is a lot of fun.
How did you get into this profession?
Ever since I was 14 I wanted to be a journalist, in particular a sports journalist, so after gaining a degree in English and then a journalism diploma at City University London I decided to concentrate on racing. I was lucky enough to gain a place on the British Horseracing Authority’s graduate scheme which helped a lot with my knowledge of the industry. I moved to Dubai straight after that.
What is the best thing about your job?
I really enjoy presenting live especially at events such as the Dubai World Cup as you experience an incredible buzz. I also love that I get to meet and interview numerous people; speaking to those behind the scenes, and meeting new owners, is always a highlight.
What is the worst thing about your job?
It’s a part of racing and thankfully very rare but I hate to see any of the horses get injured. They are the stars of the show and we get very attached to them.
What would you class as a stand out moment in your career?
It would have to be standing at the finish line when Animal Kingdom won the Dubai World Cup in 2013. He was the first really top class World Cup winner we’ve had at Meydan. Equally amazing was witnessing Dawn Approach winning the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in England in 2013, and having the privilege of interviewing HH Sheikh Mohammed afterwards.
What advice would you have for any young woman wanting to get into your field?
Whatever your chosen subject is, whether it be cookery or Formula 1, you have to make sure you know everything about it, inside and out; there is no room for error and background knowledge goes a long way.
What are your thoughts on the upcoming World Cup?
It would be a great story if the American ‘rags to riches’ horse California Chrome could win it. It would be a dream result for American racing and it would get Meydan’s new dirt era off to the perfect start.