Episodes

  • King's Plate-Winning Jockey, Pietro Moran. Godolphin Flying start and Claiming Races vs. Allowance Races
    Aug 25 2025

    This week on Blinkers Off, we welcome back King’s Plate-winning jockey Pietro Moran, the show’s first returning guest, for a full breakdown of his unforgettable Plate day, what it’s like riding against American stars, and how he balances being a full-time student with a full-blown jockey career.

    In Track Talk, we spotlight the launch of the 23rd class of Godolphin Flying Start, a global training program for the next generation of racing leaders.

    Then in Mail from the Rail we cover what the difference is between a claiming race and an allowance race, and what happens to horses after they retire from racing?

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    40 mins
  • Bloodstock Agent David Ingordo, Racing Reality TV, and the State of the Industry
    Aug 18 2025

    In this week’s episode of Blinkers Off, we speak with one of the sharpest minds in the game, bloodstock agent David Ingordo. David's eye for talent helped discover champions like Zenyatta and Flightline. From picking a horse to managing syndicates, David breaks down what separates a good horse from a great one and shares his thoughts on the direction of the Thoroughbred industry.

    In Track Talk, we break down a viral racing reality show pitch, talk about Canadian Horse Racing history, and look at Lil Yachty’s surprise Del Mar appearance that had the grandstand buzzing.

    All that and more, this week on Blinkers Off.

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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • King's Plate Feat. Javier Castellano, Faser Aebly, and Pietro Moran
    Aug 11 2025

    It’s the 166th running of the King’s Plate, and Blinkers Off is going all-in for Canada’s biggest day in racing. Host Colton Phillips kicks things off with a dive into the rich history of the King’s Plate before sitting down with an all-star lineup of jockeys competing in this year’s race. Hear from Hall of Famer Javier Castellano, rising Western Canadian star Fraser Aebly, and Woodbine standout Pietro Moran as they share insights on their horses, race day prep, and what makes the Plate different from any other race. Don’t miss this special episode taking you right into the Sport of Kings.

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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Dr. Vicky Banks, Book: Death of a Racehorse, and Euro vs. NA Racing
    Aug 4 2025

    In Episode 6 of Blinkers Off, Colton dives into Death of a Racehorse, Katie Bo Lillis’ groundbreaking book on regulation, breakdowns, and the future of the sport. Then, we’re joined by equine veterinarian Dr. Vicky Banks, who talks about the highs and lows of her career, the difference between private and regulatory vets, and how technology is reshaping horse care. We wrap up with Mail from the Rail, tackling questions on the key differences between European and North American racing, plus whether taller jockeys can ever succeed at the top level.

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    43 mins
  • FanDuel Reporter Andie Biancone, AI Vetrinarians, and Syndicates
    Jul 28 2025

    In Episode 5 of Blinkers Off, we take a closer look at how artificial intelligence is reshaping veterinary assessment in horse racing. Then, we’re joined by Assistant Trainer and FanDuelTV analyst Andie Biancone for a wide-ranging conversation on life on the backstretch, transitioning into broadcast, and carving out your own identity in a sport steeped in tradition. We wrap up with listener questions in Mail From the Rail, including a breakdown of racing syndicates and what exactly a regulatory vet does.

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    55 mins
  • Woodbine Oaks feat. Katerina Vassilieva, Catherine Day Phillips, and Rachel Halden
    Jul 18 2025

    The 70th running of the Woodbine Oaks is here, and Blinkers Off is going behind the scenes. Colton Phillips chats with top trainers Katerina Vassilieva, Catherine Day Phillips, and Rachel Halden about their contenders for Canada’s biggest race for 3-year-old fillies. Covering Reveler’s Row, Innisfree Isle, and Aristella, we get the stories, strategies, and quirks behind this year’s Oaks hopefuls. Plus, we wrap things up with a quick round of Mail from the Rail, answering your listener-submitted questions. It’s all Oaks, all episode.

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    52 mins
  • Trainer Santino Di Paola, National Thoroughbred League, and The Maple Leafs with a Wild Colt
    Jul 12 2025

    The National Thoroughbred League is shaking up tradition. Is it the future of racing or a step too far? Plus, the Toronto Maple Leafs bring a colt to development camp, and Colton breaks down what it means for building trust in high-performance athletes. Then, Canadian trainer Santino Di Paola joins the show, and we wrap things up with listener questions, including why bettors are called handicappers and why there’s always a wait between races.

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    49 mins
  • Jockey Emma Jayne Wilson, the Supreme Court, and Mail from the Rail
    Jul 5 2025

    Welcome back to Blinkers Off! In Episode 2, Colton covers some headlines, including the Supreme Court’s decision in HISA's favour, the opening of the Saratoga meet, and the issues of computer-assisted wagering.

    Then, Colton welcomes the podcast’s very first guest, legendary Canadian jockey Emma Jayne Wilson. From being the first woman to win the Queen’s Plate to holding the title of highest-earning female jockey of all time, Emma shares stories from her career, her mindset on competing, and what’s still left on her bucket list.

    Finally, in “Mail from the Rail,” we tackle a couple of listener questions, including why horses run on turf vs. dirt and whatever a "furlong" is.

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    51 mins