Clare Balding OBE

Clare Balding began her career as an amateur flat jockey, becoming Champion Lady Rider. The transition from competing to presenting began with her television debut at Royal Ascot and has gone on to cover some of the biggest events in sporting and national life.

She is now an established name in BBC sport, winning several awards for her broadcasting work covering everything from Wimbledon to rugby league. Whilst racing remains her first love, it was arguably her role presenting coverage of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics that propelled her to national treasure status. Clare took on the high-profile role of becoming the lead presenter of the BBC’s Wimbledon coverage, succeeding Sue Barker.

Continuing to cover as wide a range of sports as possible, Clare is a regular on the BT Sports channel as well as on Channel 4 and BBC Radio. She hosts her eponymous sports-themed chat show and co-hosts the annual BBC Sports Personality of the Year show. Away from sport Clare has fronted everything from Countryfile to Crufts to Radio 4’s Rambling. Other credits include appearances on Have I Got News For You, A Question of Sport and Countdown. She has also written regular columns for The Observer, Stylist and Sunday Telegraph, as well as the Racing Post.

After dinner Clare speaks with a wonderfully dry wit about life in the saddle, run-ins with royalty, the dog eats dog world of Crufts and the perils of live television.