#BettingPeople: GEOFF LESTER

#BettingPeople: Award-winning racing journalist and author Geoff Lester got a job at the Sporting Life in 1964 after being told by his careers teacher he couldn’t become a racing journalist. He stayed at the paper until it closed in 1998. In this four-part interview, he talks about his long career where he mixed with the royals and rascals on the turf and travelled the world in search of a racing scoop.

GEOFF LESTER Part 1 of 4

Geoff talks about his background before the life, mixing with the Harrow and Eton boys of the press contingent, working on course from 1971, remembers the late Jeffrey Bernard, being racing journalist of the year and mentions his enviable address book.

GEOFF LESTER Part 2 of 4

Geoff talks about how tricky it is breaking racing stories and how he suffered after one upset, the drinking culture of the press, he also remembers Barney Curley and Alex Bird and other colourful characters on and off course.

GEOFF LESTER Part 3 of 4

Geoff talks about betting and how big a part of his life it’s been, who impressed him most in the training ranks and how many of his ante-post and punting successes were down to info and form.

GEOFF LESTER Part 4 of 4

Geoff talks about jockeys, the sort of person that makes it to the top of that profession, the most memorable performances he’s witnessed from Arkle to Frankel, the ingredient that’s kept his love of the turf alive, looking back on his career, choosing a best moment and more.