Jim McGrath (British commentator)
Encyclopedia
Jim McGrath is an English
-based horse racing
pundit and broadcaster. He was associated with Timeform
from 1974 until 2009.
McGrath had an ambition to become a jockey
, but after a summer at trainer Bill Marshall's yard at Whitsbury
, he was advised that he wouldn't make the grade. On leaving Brunts School
in Mansfield, McGrath joined publisher Timeform in 1974 "putting the glue on cards." After five years, he became a racecourse reporter, in 2000 Managing Director and in August 2008 Chairman.
McGrath joined Channel 4 Racing
at launch in 1984 as a pundit. He was a member of the British Horseracing Board’s Jump Racing Advisory Panel from 1993 until mid-2004. In 2004 he stepped down as a member of the Horserace Writers and Photographers’ Association Committee. In 2005 he became an independent director of the British Horseracing Board
, a nominee of the Jockey Club
. and retained this position when the BHB became the British Horseracing Authority
in July 2007.
McGrath is a breeder and owner, with current interests in horses in training with Sylvester Kirk, Jamie Osborne
and Jonjo O’Neill.
McGrath gave notice of his intention to resign from Timeform on 22 December 2008. Timeform had been bought by Betfair
in November 2006, but the reason for McGrath's resignation remained private. McGrath maintained his involvement with the charity race day at York in June which had been known for from 1971 until 2008 as the Timeform Charity Day but in 2009 became the Macmillan Charity Day.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
-based horse racing
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
pundit and broadcaster. He was associated with Timeform
Timeform
Timeform Publications is a publishing company in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England founded in 1948 to provide information to fans, bettors, and others involved in the horse racing industry...
from 1974 until 2009.
McGrath had an ambition to become a jockey
Jockey
A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...
, but after a summer at trainer Bill Marshall's yard at Whitsbury
Whitsbury
Whitsbury is a village in Hampshire, England, close to Fordingbridge.Whitsbury is part of the group of villages on the edge of the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty...
, he was advised that he wouldn't make the grade. On leaving Brunts School
The Brunts School
The Brunts School is a large comprehensive school in north east Mansfield, Nottinghamshire in England. The school is designated as a Performing Arts College. It has previously been a Grammar School and a Technical School and traces its foundation back to a bequest by Samuel Brunts in 1709...
in Mansfield, McGrath joined publisher Timeform in 1974 "putting the glue on cards." After five years, he became a racecourse reporter, in 2000 Managing Director and in August 2008 Chairman.
McGrath joined Channel 4 Racing
Channel 4 Racing
Channel 4 Racing is the name given to the horse racing coverage on the British television station Channel 4.-History:The first transmission of racing on the channel was on 22 March 1984 from Doncaster, as it took over midweek coverage which had previously been on ITV...
at launch in 1984 as a pundit. He was a member of the British Horseracing Board’s Jump Racing Advisory Panel from 1993 until mid-2004. In 2004 he stepped down as a member of the Horserace Writers and Photographers’ Association Committee. In 2005 he became an independent director of the British Horseracing Board
British Horseracing Board
From 10 June 1993 until 30 July 2007, the British Horseracing Board was the governing authority for horseracing in Great Britain. It was created in 1993, and took on responsibilities previously held by the Jockey Club...
, a nominee of the Jockey Club
Jockey Club
The Jockey Club is the largest commercial organisation in British horseracing. Although no longer responsible for the governance and regulation of the sport, it owns 14 of Britain's famous racecourses, including Aintree, Cheltenham and Newmarket, amongst other concerns such as the National Stud and...
. and retained this position when the BHB became the British Horseracing Authority
British Horseracing Authority
The British Horseracing Authority, also known simply as the BHA, is the regulatory authority for horse racing in Great Britain.It was formed on 31 July 2007, after the merger of the British Horseracing Board and the Horseracing Regulatory Authority .Its stated objectives are to: “provide the most...
in July 2007.
McGrath is a breeder and owner, with current interests in horses in training with Sylvester Kirk, Jamie Osborne
Jamie Osborne
Jamie Osborne is a jockey and race horse trainer. Born 28 August 1967 he rode his first winner in March 1986 and in 1999 obtained his trainers licence. Once a favourite of the Queen Mother, he was acquitted of race fixing in 1998.-References:...
and Jonjo O’Neill.
McGrath gave notice of his intention to resign from Timeform on 22 December 2008. Timeform had been bought by Betfair
Betfair
Betfair is the world's largest Internet betting exchange. The company is based in Hammersmith in West London, England. Since Betfair was launched in June 2000 it has become the largest online betting company in the UK and the largest betting exchange in the world. Betfair claim to have over 3...
in November 2006, but the reason for McGrath's resignation remained private. McGrath maintained his involvement with the charity race day at York in June which had been known for from 1971 until 2008 as the Timeform Charity Day but in 2009 became the Macmillan Charity Day.
External links
- Bio at the British Horseracing BoardBritish Horseracing BoardFrom 10 June 1993 until 30 July 2007, the British Horseracing Board was the governing authority for horseracing in Great Britain. It was created in 1993, and took on responsibilities previously held by the Jockey Club...