Blackpool TV personality Jordan Wylie MBE, who is better known for chasing fugitives around the country on the BAFTA-nominated TV show’s Hunted and Celebrity Hunted, is making big waves in the world of horse racing as a new presenter on Raceday TV, an owner of several racehorses and has also recently launched his new business, www.racingclub.com to make racehorse ownership more accessible to all members of society. The former soldier and Sunday Times bestselling author has been around horses for many years since his time as a Cavalry soldier in the British Army but says at 16 stone, he has no desire to ride one!
We spoke to Jordan earlier this week after his win at Hexham with his latest stable addition, WENDIGO, which has been syndicated out to owners from across the UK. Jordan told us that his new business, Racing Club, whose strap line is ‘the future of racehorse ownership’ combines great days out with like-minded people and affordable racehorse ownership. Shares in Wendigo start from as low as £45.
Jordan has joined forces with some of his best friends, including Gary Gillies, a highly successful entrepreneur and philanthropist, who also owns 40 racehorses in training and has invested in one of the largest privately owned stables in Lambourn, Berkshire – known to many as the valley of the racehorse. Alongside Darren Colebrook, another pioneering marketeer from the sports affiliate marketing world and Richard Jaques, who was previously a director of marketing at The Jockey Club, the Racing Club looks destined for the winning post.
We spoke to Jordan after his recent appearance as co-presenter alongside Manchester City’s Natalie Pike at the showcase October meeting at Cheltenham, the home of jump racing. Jordan told us:
“My first introduction to racehorses was probably through my grandad back in Blackpool who used to be a bookmaker, I can remember as a kid picking my favourite colours and names, watching channel 4 racing, sitting on his knee on a Saturday afternoon. Many years later, whilst serving in the Army, I crossed paths with Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer Jamie Snowden, alongside whom I served for 4+ years. He was my boss and we shared a tank together.
“It’s incredible to think that 20 years later, the Racing Club team and I are sending our horses to Jamie, who is now fulfilling his lifelong dream of being one of the best trainers in the UK. Jamie trains our jumps horses and our flat horses go to Barry Brenan in Lambourn, who we really like. He is not one of the biggest names in racing by any means, but he shares the same values and work ethic as us and we always like to support the underdog in life. Watch this space!”
Jordan told us his main racing ambition this year is to win the Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown Park in January. After 9 previous attempts, he will be hoping that one of his Racing Club syndicates, which consists of military veterans and service personnel, can finally get their hands on the prestige trophy that is presented by HRH Princess Anne, who also recently presented Jordan with his MBE at Windsor Castle for services to charity in the UK and overseas.
Jordan has had one of the most diverse careers since his time as a soldier, from working on Hollywood films and reality TV shows in the UK to extreme adventures and world records to his latest chapter, Racing Club, where he aims to go up against the best in the world and take as many people as possible on the journey with him. You can find out more about his latest venture at www.RacingClub.com
