Sky Racing presenter Kate Tracey reveals how she deals with online trolls, and why fashion and horse racing go together
FANS of Sky Racing have fallen in love with glam presenter Kate Tracey.
The pretty spectacle-wearing 30-year-old hosts the tipping show Weekend Winners and fronts William Hill’s coverage of the Racing League.
Glamorous Kate Tracey has taken the horse racing world by storm
Brunette beauty Kate is one of the faces of Sky Racing
Spectacle-wearing Kate impresses viewers with her in-depth knowledge
But, beyond her beauty, is a savvy horse racing nut who once had her own aspirations of becoming a jockey before a career in the media took off.
However, despite her incredible knowledge of the sport, Kate is a target for nasty trolls online.
Worse still, she has admitted to pre-empting their thoughts when a clip of her goes live online.
She told SunSport: “I have been torn apart for everything on social media, for the way I speak, the way I look, the way I have my hair done, the way I dress from day-to-day.
“I’ve got quite thick-skin, but I have had to develop that through the years.
“But when you know that a clip will be put up about you, and you’re almost anticipating then what someone is going to say… that is the worst part.
“Your brain starts to tune in to what the trolls will be thinking.
“Then, when that comment comes in, because you have anticipated it you start to feel it’s justified. That’s when it starts to mess with your head.”
Kate is one of a number of women dominating the sporting TV landscape, quite rightly, because of their talent.
She grew up in Cornwall with a dad who was a huge sports fan. It was by chance that she fell in love with the horses.
“We went to Warwick races when we visited family,” she revealed.
“It was the worst day’s racing imaginable, the quality of races was horrific, the weather was worse, but that was it. I was completely hooked.
“I was five and I thought that was where I wanted to direct my life.”
From the age of 12, Kate’s parents insisted on horse riding lessons because at that age she would have the “appreciation for it because it wasn’t cheap.”
She then joined the British Racing School when she was 18 and completed her international baccalaureate.
Initially, Kate dreamed of being a jockey. A nasty fall, though, led her to concentrate on becoming a journalist.
“I always knew that media was something I wanted to go into eventually,” she said.
“I worked as a stable hand with Philip Hobbs. But I realised being a jockey, which was the original aim, was never going to happen for me.
“I bought my own horse out of my wage and tried to point-to-point him.
“I got a few outside rides for other people, but nothing overly significant.
Growing up in Cornwall, Kate has always had affinity for horses
But a career in journalism took precedent over a life as a jockey
“Also, I had quite a big fall – my horse slipped up on a bend and we came crashing down together.
“It was a reality check. Was there enough longevity in this to justify these falls and potential injuries?
“Or do I want to preserve what IQ I might have to start a career in media?
“I gained my NCTJ qualification in the meantime, but even then the doors were not opening.
“I was doing racecourse hospitality hosting and looking after guests in boxes, but nothing was really working out for me.”
Sky dream
Tracey got an opportunity to showcase her skills on a racing podcast, then William Hill Radio utilised her services.
Sky Sports soon came knocking. But not after she pleaded with producers to give her an opportunity.
“My ultimate aim, from watching as a kid, was to work for Sky Sports,” she explained.
“I’d watch every single sport with my dad on Sky, so that was the goal.
“It got to a point when I wondered if any other doors were going to open, or will I have to force the issue.
When Kate was hired by Sky Sports she scored her dream job
Kate regularly dazzles viewers with her strong fashion looks
“I approached a few guys who I knew were producers there, and they were so great and tried to fight my cause for me to the powers that be.
“There were a few knock-backs, I was told there was no role for me many times.
“Eventually, they had an opportunity for a preview show on a Friday sponsored by a bookmaker and they asked me to front it.
“It was sort of by default. Other presenters they had were associated with other bookmakers and I was a freelancer, so I had no ties. It was right place, right time – but I had forced myself to be in that place.”
Making a name for herself
Where Kate found it hard to get noticed stemmed from her background.
Her name didn’t carry the weight of someone who had worked in horse racing.
“I am not from a racing background,” she explained.
“My parents were both teachers, so for me I didn’t have the leverage in the sport.
“If your name is already out there and established in any industry, you’re already on a bit of a pedestal.
“I feel I have had to carve my own reputation and path through the sport, and hopefully I have made a name in my own right.”
On Instagram, Kate has drawn over 20,000 followers to her account.
Her amazing lifestyle on set, as well her fashionable looks draw plenty of likes.
The gorgeous brunette purposefully tries to merge the worlds of horse racing and fashion together, which she believes belong together.
“I know that a vast majority of racing fans will argue that fashion and the acknowledgement of fashion and style has no place,” she told us.
“I hope I bridge the gap.. Racing is my absolute first love, my entire world is the sport itself.
“But I love the dressing up. It attracts a new audience. Those summer race days – what other occasions allow you to wear a fascinator or a hat?
“I also think that if there’s something more aesthetically pleasing, we’re more likely to engage with it.
“I’m not just saying from a female perspective, but you will see the guys on Monday Night Football dress so sharply and fantastically.
“It’s just naturally more engaging. It’s something to hook you in in the first place and gives a more positive and cool feel to sport.
“That’s something I try to tap in to. It’s the perfect excuse for me to just dress up, which is great because one of my other loves is fashion.
“I think it’s a huge part of racing and I don’t think it is something that racing should shy away from and become too snobby about.”
Kate revealed without any racing connections she had to carve her own career in sport
Kate has over 20,000 followers on Instagram
Her social media game is strong – with Kate showing off her enviable lifestyle
Kate believes fashion and horse racing make a good combo
It’s no wonder race fans have fallen for the charms of Kate Tracey
