Why I love... horse racing

Channel Four's Countdown host Richard Whiteley explains to BBC Sport Online how he fell in love with horse racing.

It is a conundrum the man himself would be proud of.

How did the host of a daytime TV show watched by grannies and students come to fall for the sport of kings?

Not surprisingly in Richard Whiteley's case, the answer is not entirely simple.

"I'm a sucker for corporate hospitality," he explained.

"For a long time, Yorkshire TV, who I work for, sponsored a lot of racing in Yorkshire.

I really know nothing about racing, but I quite like the social aspect of it

Richard Whiteley

"So I used to go along and present the prize, judge the best turned out and all that kind of stuff."

It was from these humble beginnings that Whiteley began to grow more involved in the sport - and eventually ended up as an owner.

"I met a trainer in Middleham, near where I live, called James Bethell and I got involved as an owner in a couple of his syndicates," he said.

"And then I persuaded him to name one of his fillies Mare of Wetwang.

"I am the mayor of Wetwang, which is a village in Yorkshire - so I thought it would be a fun name."

Confession

All well and good, but does the horse ever win?

"She's on good form actually," Whiteley revealed.

"She finally won - after 16 outings - in Ripon last September and we're looking forward to a good season this year."

But the more mature housewives' favourite did have a confession to make.

"I really know nothing about racing, but I quite like the social aspect of it," he laughed.

Carol Vorderman - another fine filly

"It's nice to be involved as a semi-owner, and even though it might be money down the drain - I think it's money well spent."

Whiteley continued: "The thing with racing is that it's a very classless thing.

"It attracts all classes and there's never any trouble - everybody seems to know their place and enjoys it.

"There's nothing like the roar of a crowd in the last few minutes of a race, or the chance to get something for nothing off the bookies.

"All in all it's just a delightful day out."