Running Loose with Francesca Cumani & Vanessa Ryle

Francesca Cumani & Vanessa Ryle
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Sports
  • Updated Biweekly

A podcast ‘loosely’ based around horse racing. Join two leading fillies from the world of Horse racing, ITV Racing host Francesca Cumani, and Sky Sports presenter Vanessa Ryle, for their brilliant new podcast. Whether you're a die-hard racing fan or just here for the banter, the pair cover everything from turf talk to off-track gossip, plus their real-life fashion disasters. Tune in, hold tight, and enjoy the ride. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Jul 8

    Newmarket July Cup, The Shergar Mystery & Track Bias | Running Loose Podcast

    Welcome back to Running Loose with Francesca Cumani and Vanessa Ryle! This week, Francesca and Vanessa look ahead to Newmarket's July Cup and dive into the split-second 40mph jockey decisions that can win – or lose – the biggest races. Plus: is track bias fact or fiction, and can racecourses really do anything about it? ALSO, we discuss the new Channel 4 documentary on the disappearance of Shergar and ask, how will AI impact the future of horse racing? Don't forget to Like, Subscribe and let us know your thoughts in the comments! Sponsored by Old Gold Racing. 00:00 Intro 02:17 What's coming up: Q&A, July Cup & track bias 03:15 July Cup Week & Cumani family traditions 05:40 July Cup preview & top sprint contenders 07:29 Jim Crowley's injury & Almeraq Royal Ascot win 09:19 Inside the mind of Tom Marquand 15:59 Should racing broadcasters criticise jockeys more? 22:27 Track bias - is it real? 27:33 New Shergar documentary 31:14 Listener Q&A 31:51 Is York Racecourse worth visiting? 32:14 How to enjoy racing on a budget 33:44 Vanessa's dating update 😅 37:28 Surviving race days in a heatwave 38:24 Best race meeting in the US 39:00 How will AI change racing? 40:52 UK vs Australian horses 41:10 Vanessa's skincare secret 43:26 Thanks for watching! SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL HERE:  @RunningLoosePodcast  FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:  @RunningLoosePodcast  #Newmarket #royalascot #HorseRacing #RunningLoose #FrancescaCumani #VanessaRyle #HorseRacingPodcast #Podcast #TomMarquand #AI #Jockey #ITVRacing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  2. Jul 1

    Soumillon BANNED at Royal Ascot: Who’s Really to Blame? | Running Loose Podcast

    Welcome back to Running Loose with Francesca Cumani and Vanessa Ryle! Fresh from an unforgettable week at Royal Ascot, Francesca and Vanessa unpack everything that happened on and off the racecourse. After Christophe Soumillon's eight-day ban for team tactics, they ask: do racing rules punish the wrong person? Plus: Vanessa and Francesca’s favourite Ascot performances, Henry Cavill's viral moment, the bizarre reason men are stopped at the gates by the Royal Ascot fashion police, and Vanessa is dumped by her therapist. How was your Royal Ascot? Let us know in the comments and don't forget to Like and Subscribe. Sponsored by Old Gold Racing. 00:00 Intro 02:30 How do you pronounce Ascot? 05:00 Behind the scenes at Royal Ascot 08:40 Celebrity spotting: Henry Cavill & Tinie Tempah 14:20 Team Tactics at Royal Ascot: Who deserves the ban? 20:40 The best performances of the week 24:45 Francesca's favourite Royal Ascot outfits 28:30 Vanessa's favourite Royal Ascot outfits 32:00 Royal Ascot's Fashion Police did what?! 35:45 Vanessa's post-Ascot dating disaster 😅 SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL HERE: ‪@RunningLoosePodcast‬ FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:   / runningloosepodcast   #RoyalAscot #HorseRacing #RunningLoose #FrancescaCumani #VanessaRyle #HorseRacingPodcast #Podcast #HenryCavill #tinietempah #ITVRacing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  3. Jun 11

    Royal Ascot Rule Breakers & Does British Racing Have a Track Safety Problem? | Running Loose Podcast

    This week on Running Loose, hosts Francesca Cumani and Vanessa Ryle dive into the strangest rules of Royal Ascot and the Haydock track disaster. Plus, Vanessa's *very short* list of must-haves for a boyfriend, what Vanessa and Francesca are wearing to this year's Ascot and is Clerk of the course the worst job in racing? Who are you tipping for Ascot success this year? Let us know in the comments and don’t forget to like and subscribe so you never miss an episode!  Sponsored by Old Gold Racing. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL HERE: @RunningLoosePodcast  FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @RunningLoosePodcast  #royalascot #horseracing #fashion #haydock Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  4. Jun 5

    Are Team Tactics Ruining Racing? | Running Loose Podcast

    The big debate this week centres on TEAM TACTICS in horse racing. Should trainers with multiple runners be allowed to use team tactics to control a race? Or is horse racing an individual sport where every horse should be running solely on its own merits? With Aidan O'Brien's dominance of the biggest races once again under the spotlight, Vanessa and Francesca tackle one of the sport's most divisive topics. The pair discuss Constitution River's victory in the French Derby, pacemakers, public perception, betting implications and whether powerful operations have an unfair advantage over smaller owners and trainers. Elsewhere, the Running Loose hosts reflect on a whirlwind week that included trips to Cartmel and Windsor, Tyson Fury's racehorse Big Gypsy King making headlines via Paris Fury's appearance on Jamie Laing's Great Company podcast, and one very awkward panel discussion in which Cesca accidentally puts her foot in it with a Married At First Sight reference before the great and the good of Holker Hall. Plus, the pair dive into Jilly Cooper's Rivals (are you Team Cameron Cook, Taggie or Rupert Campbell-Black?), discuss feminism, television storylines, life in racing media, and announce the winner of the Sophie Harden artwork competition. And, of course, there are plenty of stories from racecourses, fairground rides and life behind the scenes in horse racing. With George Boughey, Sam Haggas, William Haggas, George Ward, his Derby hopeful Maltese Cross, Jimmy Moffatt and Mark Prescott all featuring in the conversation, it's a packed episode as Derby week unfolds. ITV Racing host Francesca Cumani and Sky Sports presenter Vanessa Ryle join forces on a brilliant new podcast. Whether you're a die-hard racing fan or just here for the banter, the pair cover everything from turf talk to off-track gossip. Expect racing industry insights, personalities, opinions and stories from inside the sport. Sponsored by Old Gold Racing. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL HERE: https://www.youtube.com/@RunningLoosePodcast FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/runningloosepodcast/ #HorseRacing #AidanOBrien #Derby #TeamTactics #HorseRacingPodcast #RunningLoose #Ballydoyle #Coolmore #FrancescaCumani #VanessaRyle #MAFS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  5. May 21

    Can THIS Save the Derby? Michael Owen's Racing Rules & Horse Phrases Explained

    This week on Running Loose, hosts Francesca Cumani and Vanessa Ryle dive into the changing face of the Epsom Derby and its bold new party plans... Plus, is Michael Owen Cesca's new best friend?! The everyday sayings you didn't know came from horse racing AND what makes a great TV presenter. Tell us who think the best is? Gary Lineker, Clare Balding, Graham Norton, Jonathan Ross? What's your favourite horsey saying? Let us know in the comments and don’t forget to like and subscribe so you never miss an episode! Sponsored by Old Gold Racing. 00:00 Intro 02:28 The Derby’s decline: what happened to Epsom? 04:50 Can the Derby be revived? Big changes for 2026 11:31 Ibiza comes to Epsom?! 16:25 Michael Owen's take on racing behaviour 18:20 Why weather matters at the Derby 19:16 Horse racing phrases hidden in everyday language 21:35 “Ridden hard and put away wet” explained 😂 23:34 What makes a great TV presenter? 27:55 Behind the scenes of live racing TV 29:07 The Greatest TV presenters SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL HERE: ‪@RunningLoosePodcast‬  FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM: @runningloosepodcast #horseracing #podcast #derby #epsom #michaelowen #ibiza Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  6. May 15

    Rivals is Back! Why Aiden O'Brien Dominates Derby Trials and the Horse with 3000 Owners Off to Paris

    Vanessa and Francesca are back with another chaotic episode of Running Loose! From car disasters and therapy revelations to Rivals, the horse with 3,000 owners, and why Aiden O’Brien keeps getting it so right. Apple Away is heading from Perth to Paris in the Auteuil Grade 1 French Champion Hurdle and the pair reflect on Peter Scudamore's reaction to riding her. The equestrian world on screen sparks the question: best and worst representation of riding in film? Does Jilly Cooper get the horse world right? Has Wuthering Heights found the slowest horse ever? Is Rupert Campbell-Black up to scratch? Plus: who is the most intimidating person in racing? Why horse racing attracts risk takers, and somehow Francesca and Vanessa end up in a war zone… Don’t forget to like, comment and subscribe so you never miss an episode! Sponsored by Old Gold Racing. 00:00 Intro 00:57 York races 02:09 Chester drama 04:11 car disasters 05:19 Starting therapy & training the mind 08:42 Apple Away & 3,000 owners heading to France 11:40 Rivals returns & horses on the telly 15:17 Why horse racing attracts risk takers 20:35 Guineas reaction 23:36 A Newmarket clique 24:01 The Most intimidating people in racing 26:34 Derby trials & Aidan O’Brien dominance 31:18 French Derby vs Epsom Derby debate 32:22 Vanessa and Francesca in a war zone 33:08 Sophie Harden art giveaway 34:17 Derby picture wrap-up & outro SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL HERE:  ‪@RunningLoosePodcast‬  FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM: @runningloosepodcast #horseracing #rivals #podcast #horse Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  7. May 7

    Chester Shenanigans, Racing in California and Weird Race Day Rituals

    Welcome back to Running Loose! Fresh from another week in British racing, Vanessa unpacks the unique atmosphere that makes Chester one of the maddest weeks in the calendar and how Michael Owen has helped boost its popularity, while Francesca questions some of the stranger things people do before heading to the track. Plus: Your questions, would Vanessa rather have feet for hands or hands for feet?! And whether social media gets racing people completely wrong. What are your race day rituals? Let us know in the comments and don’t forget to like and subscribe so you never miss an episode! This episode is sponsored by Old Gold Racing. 00:00 – Rugby Shirts & First Impressions 02:48 – “Do You Ever Do Anything Other Than Horses?” 05:27 – Cutting Back On Social Media & Racing Content 08:00 – Why Horse Racing Isn’t Treated Like Mainstream Sport 10:46 – Life Outside Racing & Daily Routine 13:18 – Racing In California & Growing The Sport 15:50 – Syndicates, Stable Visits & Racing Ownership 18:41 – Michael Owen, Chester & Celebrity Owners 21:04 – Pre-Race Atmosphere & Getting Horses Ready 23:30 – Weird Horse Racing Rituals 26:14 – Rules & Racing Politics 29:04 – Listener Questions & Francesca’s Hair 31:46 – Final Thoughts & Quickfire Topics SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL HERE:  @RunningLoosePodcast  FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM: @runningloosepodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  8. May 1

    The Guineas, Getting Cancelled, & How Much Stallions REALLY Make | Running Loose Podcast

    Francesca Cumani and Vanessa Ryle preview the 1000 and 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, share the story of Vanessa's epic point-to-point win with Cap Du Mathan, and break down what top stallions (and not just the likes of Frankel and Night of Thunder) really earn at stud. ITV Racing presenter Francesca Cumani and Sky Sports host Vanessa Ryle are back with another episode of Running Loose—bringing you behind the scenes of horse racing with insight, stories, and plenty of personality. Ahead of the 1000 and 2000 Guineas at Newmarket Racecourse, the pair break down the key contenders, storylines, and what these races mean for the future of breeding in the sport. They also dig into the economics of racing, discussing what top stallions can earn at stud—using examples like Frankel and Night of Thunder to highlight just how lucrative winning the Guineas can be. Vanessa shares the story of her own “Gold Cup” moment in grassroots racing, winning a point-to-point with Cap Du Mathan—a brilliant look at the amateur side of the sport and why it still matters. Meanwhile, Francesca relives a memorable winner at Wetherby Racecourse and her experience with Old Gold Racing, giving insight into ownership and life inside a racing syndicate. There’s also plenty of racing chat and debate—from whether strong opinions are needed in the sport, to a light-hearted discussion on the most likeable personalities in racing, featuring names like Aidan O'Brien, Charlie Fellowes, Ben Pauling and Kieran Fallon. Whether you're a hardcore racing fan or just enjoy great sporting stories, this episode blends expert insight with behind-the-scenes access and plenty of humour. 00:00 Intro & chaos to kick things off 00:20 Welcome to Running Loose 01:50 Cap Du Mathan point-to-point win story 08:00 Why grassroots racing still matters 11:40 Wetherby winner & Old Gold ownership experience 16:00 Why winning in horse racing is so hard 18:30 Guineas preview & racing insights 22:30 Racing personalities & controversy chat 27:00 1000 Guineas discussion 30:00 Travel stories & behind-the-scenes chat 31:00 Most likeable people in horse racing Sponsored by Old Gold Racing. horse racing podcast, Guineas preview, Newmarket racing, Frankel stud fee, Night of Thunder stallion, point to point racing, Cap Du Mathan, Francesca Cumani, Vanessa Ryle, Old Gold Racing, UK horse racing podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

A podcast ‘loosely’ based around horse racing. Join two leading fillies from the world of Horse racing, ITV Racing host Francesca Cumani, and Sky Sports presenter Vanessa Ryle, for their brilliant new podcast. Whether you're a die-hard racing fan or just here for the banter, the pair cover everything from turf talk to off-track gossip, plus their real-life fashion disasters. Tune in, hold tight, and enjoy the ride. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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