Apr 19

Apr 19 My Life in Sport: Laura King

An Interview with Horse Racing Journalist Laura King

In today’s interview we talk with Laura King, horse racing journalist, presenter and pundit about her life in Horse Racing.

Racing journalist Laura King enjoying the weather at Royal Ascot

Laura is the current Managing Editor of World Horse Racing, but is perhaps best known for her time in Dubai, leading the coverage of racing for the Dubai Racing Channel. She has also contributed to the Racing Post and myriad other horse racing media outlets.

A regular on our screens from Meydan, Ascot, Churchill downs and just about every other notable racing venue, Laura now lives in the UK with her husband and two young children.

In our interview, Laura discusses her work with getting to know amazing horses, incredible jockeys and how she first started making a living from sports journalism.

Fun Fact: Laura and Sporting Blog founder Oli have had drinks together on 3 different continents!

1. What are your earliest memories of sport or a sporting event?

Wow, that’s a tricky one… I went to my first football match aged two but I think I went Point-to-Pointing way before that so it would probably be Pointing with my Dad.

I was obsessed with a horse called Prince Pippin; I doubt anyone else remembers him.

2. Did you have a sporting role model or idol growing up?

As a Southampton fan, it has to be Matt Le Tissier who was pretty much responsible for the Saints staying in the Premiership in the 1990s.

I met him a couple of times when I worked at St Mary’s in 2002-3 and he’s great.

3. Who was the biggest influence on you when you were growing up?

Sporting-wise, definitely my Dad. He took me to football, racing, rugby, rallying, speedway, cricket… the Olympics. I wouldn’t be working in racing if it wasn’t for him.

4. When did you think or realise that you might be able to make a living from sport?

From around the age of 12 (when it was clear I wasn’t going to make it as a ballet dancer, due to a complete lack of rhythm) I planned to be either a racing or football journalist.

5. Does any one moment from the beginning of your career stand out?

It was a surreal moment when I found myself within arm’s reach of the great Uruguay and US star Invasor in the winner’s enclosure after the 2007 Dubai World Cup.

6. Can you name one player, coach or colleague that was instrumental in the success you had as someone working in sport?

I worked a lot with a guy called Brett Williams early on in my Dubai career – we hosted a racing radio show and then both moved to Dubai Racing Channel at the same time.

Also, a shout-out to a couple of extremely helpful jockeys – Tadhg O’Shea and Richie Mullen were and are brilliant with all of the media work I’ve done in Dubai.

7. What has been the proudest moment of your career?

I’ve taught myself to film from scratch (and more recently, to edit) so I’m very proud of the travel/racing documentaries I’ve presented and produced.

They’re all called ‘Inside’… Kenya, Durban, Harness Racing etc,. on YouTube, if anyone’s interested!

8. Likewise, is there a regret that stays with you on an event or opportunity missed?

I suspect I’ll always regret not making more of an effort to live and work in America – I love it there.

I also need to make more of an effort with commentating, which I’ve flirted with a few times.

9. What one lesson can you take from your career that everyone should know?

Talk to people! Just get out there and chat to people and find out their stories – connections are everything.

10. What are you working on now?

I’m Managing Editor of World Horse Racing which is something I really believe in. It tells the good stories in this wonderful sport and is very much a global – and growing – concern.

It aims to shed the light on the human stories and some of the unsung heroes.