Clare Balding

About

Clare is an instantly recognizable BBC sports presenter, journalist and jockey, best known for presenting the BBC’s horse racing and rugby coverage. Her presenting style is characterized by her passion for sport.

Clare Balding (born 1971 in Kingsclere, Hampshire) was a leading amateur flat jockey in 1989 and 1990 and Champion Lady Rider in 1990.

Her radio career began with BBC National Radio in 1994, working on 5 Live, Radio 1, Radio 2 and Radio 4. She currently presents the walking programme Ramblings for BBC Radio 4, and Wimbledon for 5 Live.

In 1995, she made her debut as a television presenter during Royal Ascot. She became BBC horse racing presenter in December 1997 and has fronted coverage of the Grand National.

She has reported from four Olympic Games. She is the face of the BBC’s rugby league coverage, having presented Grandstand from a Rugby League Challenge Cup semi-final.

In August 2011 Clare joined BBC’s Countryfile, she co-hosts the show with Matt Baker.

Clare was the Royal Television Society’s “Sports Presenter of the Year” in 2003. In the same year, she won the “Racing Journalist of the Year Award” and has followed up with the award for “Racing Broadcaster of the Year”.

Clare has written regular columns for The Observer, the Evening Standard and The Sporting Life.