Isolated Memories: Interview with Aly Vance
A quick trip down memory lane with… Aly Vance
We popped in for a virtual fireside chat with horse racing and equestrian sports presenter, journalist and former modern pentathlete, Aly Vance.
First Car?
A red VW golf called Geoffery.
First ever Job?
Working for a wedding catering company for a summer. Although it was mostly washing up and peeling potatoes, I did pick up some useful cookery skills as well as learn how to carry 5 plates at once.
Can you remember your first ever big purchase?
Does the Spice Girls CD in 1997 count? I think it cost around £16…an absolute fortune at that age but worth every penny IMO!
First memory of your sport?
Going to our local point to point which was held on Grand National day. The commentary from Aintree was played out over the rather archaic PA system. My brother and I were allowed in the sweep stake and by some miracle, my horse, Party Politics won! I collected £12 and was hooked!
First day on the job in sport?
I started covering racing for BBC Wales when I was in journalism school in Cardiff. However much training you’ve had, nothing prepares you for your first ‘live’ hit on real radio. Every ounce of me was shaking with nerves as I read out my script which I written a million times over.
Thankful those nerves soon eased and I learnt to use the energy from them as a positive.
Favourite memory of your life in sport?
I now look back on the Kauto Star/ Denman era with real nostalgia. Seeing Denman win the Hennesey Gold Cup at Newbury under top weight in 2009 and watching Kauto Star win a 5th King George will live with me forever. I was blessed to be working in racing during that time.
Photo: Paul Whelan
Did you ever contemplate doing something different?
I wanted to be an Olympic Gold medallist but once I realised that wasn’t going to happen, I fulfilled the next best thing of being a sports journalist.
I’m very lucky that I have enjoyed so many years travelling to the best events around the world. I hope it continues however, the recent few weeks have made me realise how unnecessary the job is. A part of me wishes I had used my medical sciences degree to become a doctor and make a real difference to people in the world.
If you had to work in another sport what would it be?
When I was with BBC Wales I would report on all sports and I really miss covering rugby. I would present a Friday night radio programme from a cold regional rugby ground as well as report from the pitch side during the 6 nations. I miss the people involved, the intense rivalry between nations and the pre-match media lunch laid on at the (what was) Millennium stadium. Pie and chips!
Sporting Hero?
It was Lance Armstrong. I still have very conflicting feelings towards him so my ’sporting hero’ position, will for now, remain vacant.
Isolation tip?
I like to run a deep bath, pour myself a glass of wine and lay back with my ears under the water so shouts from my 2 year old daughter or my husband can’t be heard!
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