Champions: Full Gallop is a six-part horseracing docuseries to air this summer…
The world of jumps jockeys will be seen like never before in a brand new, prime-time series for ITV1, ITVX and STV and STV Player in Scotland. On the eve of the Grand National Festival 2024, ITV has released a preview clip of Champions: Full Gallop, which goes behind the scenes with jockeys, trainers, owners and horses as they compete in the 2023-24 Jumps season.
The six episodes have full access to all areas from weighing rooms to stable yards as cameras follow the dramatic high octane thrills, emotion and drama both on and off the racetrack.
Champions: Full Gallop gets a backstage pass to the lives of jockeys and trainers at some of the best Jumps fixtures, including the iconic Cheltenham Festival and world-famous Grand National – some of the most dramatic sporting events on earth. Millions of people will be watching, millions of pounds will be bet and millions more will be up for grabs in prize money.
Among other racing figures, the series will feature exclusive access to Harry Cobden and Sean Bowen in the fight for Champion Jockey as well as Dan Skelton and Paul Nicholls as they vie for the Champion trainer title.
The series will take in all the elements that make racing such a compelling sport, from helmet-mounted cameras that will provide the visceral experience of the risk each jockey takes when racing the jumps, to the charismatic owners – salt-of-the-earth syndicates to landed gentry and even royalty – trainers and stable staff who invest so much in the welfare of their horses.
Following the dramatic highs and lows of the jockey and trainers championships, the series will take viewers on a journey into racing, providing a unique insight into the sport, its stories and its characters from parade ring to the winning post.
Katie Rawcliffe, Head of Entertainment Commissioning, ITV:
Katie said: “We are excited to be bringing Champions: Full Gallop to ITV and ITVX this summer. It’s an opportunity to see at close quarters the adrenaline, tension, drama and emotion that goes on behind the scenes of Jump Racing. The series promises a rich mix of excitement, colourful personalities and powerful stories. ITV is pleased to work with South Shore and partner with Flutter and RMG to bring viewers a show that will lift the lid on this fascinating sport and the unique characters that make it tick.”
In other ITV sporting news their live coverage of England’s victory over the Republic of Ireland last night was watched by more than the combined audience who saw the two Champions League matches featuring Manchester City and Arsenal.
The Champions League Quarter-final first leg between Real Madrid and Manchester City last night was watched on TNT Sports 2 by an average of 685,000 with an audience share of 5.6%, while on TNT Sports 1, Arsenal v Bayern Munich was watched by an average of 617,000 with a share of 5%. On ITV1, England’s 2-0 Euro 2025 Qualifier away win against the Republic of Ireland was watched by an average of 1,479,000 with a share of 11.3% of the overall audience viewing television.
ITV’s coverage of the England game also came close to matching the combined peak audiences for both Champions League matches. England’s game peaked with 2.1m, while Arsenal v Bayern peaked at 1.1m and Real v City peaked at 1.3m. ITV will show all of the Lionesses qualifying matches for Euro 2025, plus their Nations League matches and friendlies.
