Derek Thompson

The BBC saw potential in the then-22-year-old and enlisted his talents to present sport for BBC Radio and World Service which, as a measure of his true professionalism, included the presentation of no fewer than nine Grand Nationals.

In 1981 Derek moved to ITV, where he appeared on World of Sport and midweek racing coverage, and in 1985, he joined the newly formed Channel 4 Racing team as a presenter. He was also part of a team of three who tried to negotiate for the release of the kidnapped Epsom Derby, winner Shergar.

Derek currently heads Sky’s At The Races as a presenter, reporting on the horse racing world frequently for large demographic of devoted fans. He also lends his hand to radio appearances, featuring for talkSPORT whenever an expert opinion is needed for recent races and affairs.

Derek’s enthusiasm for his sport, combined with his passionate delivery of talks as a horse racing speaker, make him a highly sought-after personality on the after dinner speaker circuit. With an extensive portfolio of both corporate and social clients, he has become an incredibly accomplished character for event appearances and will guarantee success for any function.