OLBG Partners with Ella McNeill

Racing Background

Q: What’s your earliest memory from the racecourse?

I was thinking about this the other day. I’m sure I’ve got earlier memories, but one that really stands out was when I was about eight or nine. My dad had just started owning a few racehorses, and one of his early horses was a lovely grey called Walkon. He turned out to be one of our most successful horses, though we really didn’t realise how lucky we were at the time.

He was running in the Triumph Hurdle on Gold Cup Day at Cheltenham and ever since Dad got involved in racing, I was obsessed. I loved everything about it from day one, especially having not grown up around horses, it fascinated me. When I found out the whole village was going, I was gutted because I had to go to school. We ended up writing to my headmistress saying it would be an educational experience because I wanted a career in racing - which luckily turned out to be true!

Mrs Stanley, my headmistress, kindly let me go. So we all piled onto this big bus, about 25 of us and headed to Cheltenham. Walkon ran brilliantly and finished second by just half a length behind Zaynar. 

For our first Cheltenham Festival runner to come that close was just amazing and being allowed to skip school and miss double maths made it all the sweeter. That was definitely one of my earliest racing memories and I’ve had the bug ever since. 

Q: Who’s been the biggest influence on your passion for racing and your journey so far?

Definitely my Dad. We don’t come from an equestrian background as such and I didn't really ride as a kid. I was into lots of other sports and spent all my spare time on the sports field but it was Dad’s passion for racing which heavily influenced my love for the game. 

Dad picked it up from his father, who was a professional golfer. When Grandad wasn’t playing, he’d regularly head down to the bookies and take Dad along, he'd give him a bag of crisps and a can of Coke while he waited outside. They would also go to the races every so often and Dad often recounts memories of going racing from his childhood. 

Racing has brought our family so close. It’s not always easy, ownership has plenty of highs and lows, but the good days are unbeatable. Dad’s enthusiasm is infectious and he’s the reason I do what I do.

Career and Presenting

Q: You started out as Racing Manager for Chelsea Thoroughbreds. How did that experience prepare you for life in front of the camera?

After university, I went into tech sales in London - nothing to do with racing. I thought racing would always just be a hobby, I never thought I'd be lucky enough to work in the sport I love. Then I met Richard Morecombe, who ran Chelsea Thoroughbreds, at the Grand National in 2022.

He told me they were looking for someone to run their National Hunt division. It sounded like a dream job, so I quit my sales role, did the BHA Graduate Scheme that summer and joined Chelsea Thoroughbreds soon after.

Richard was an incredible mentor. He taught me so much. Not just about syndicate management but also about business and people. I also worked closely with Emma Spencer, who ran the flat side. Both of them were amazing to learn from.

The job got me out on racecourses meeting people across the industry and that’s how I got into presenting. I met the Raceday TV team (aka the orange mic) one afternoon on track and thought it might be fun to try some presenting during the quieter summer months. My first gig was at Aintree in 2023 with Natalie Pike, who was brilliant at showing me the ropes. That’s really where my presenting career began.

Q: This summer, you joined the broadcast team at Racing TV. How did that come about, and what do you enjoy most about the role?

My time at Chelsea Thoroughbreds ended in late 2024 after Richard sadly passed away. Around that time I was already working with a handful of racecourses, doing on course TV coverage, along with my work for OLBG and Raceday TV. 

A junior presenter role then opened up at Racing TV, just a few weeks after my syndicate work came to an end and it felt like an opportunity too good to pass up. I was really keen to take the next step with my presenting career, learn more about the presenting world and gain more live broadcasting experience and what better place to do so than at Racing TV, so I applied.

After a few months of interviews, I got the job in May and started in July. The team has been fantastic and I’ve learned so much already. The TV world is all very new, but I’m thoroughly enjoying it and I’m excited to keep building on what I’ve started. It’s crazy to me that I'm now presenting full time, having only had my first presenting gig just over two years ago now, it feels like such a dream!

Q: Do you have any behind-the-scenes moments from filming that stand out as especially memorable or chaotic?

I have so many memorable days filming. Interviewing Willie Mullins after he won the British trainers championship for the first time was very cool! Working with Aintree TV on ladies day this year was a pinch me moment, having had so many happy memories there over the years with Dad’s horses. I love the work I do with Newbury racecourse each year too, being able to interview jockeys, trainers and connections both pre and post race is awesome.

But one that definitely stands out was when I was working with the Henley Festival. I was doing post-performance interviews with artists, which was such a fun job. One of the performers was Nicole Scherzinger. We were told she was ready for her interview, so we waited outside her truck backstage while she had some final touch-ups. We ended up waiting an hour and a half.

Her team said I’d only get 90 seconds with her, so I was trying to come up with the perfect questions to ask Nicole Scherzinger in that very short space of time! She eventually came out (looking unbelievable by the way) and she ended up chatting to us for five minutes. She was really lovely.

Life at OLBG

Q: You’ve been working with OLBG for nearly two years now. What makes this partnership work so well?

From the first meeting, I knew it was going to be a great fit. Our goals and ideas align perfectly. We’re all really collaborative, everyone brings their own ideas and we build on them together.

OLBG also gives me creative freedom to try things. If something doesn’t work, we regroup and try again. That freedom and trust are a big part of why it works so well.

Q: You’ll continue covering Harry Derham Racing and Dorking Wanderers. What do you enjoy most about those partnerships?

I love getting out on the ground and doing more behind-the-scenes work. Visiting Harry’s yard twice a month never feels like work, it’s a privilege to see the horses, talk to him about each one and capture that journey for OLBG.

Lucy, our videographer and I feel like part of the team at Harry’s now. We’ve been filming there for two years and watched the yard go from strength to strength. It’s amazing to document that progress.

The Dorking Wanderers content has been great too. I’ve watched football all my life, but working within it is new to me and I’ve really enjoyed the challenge.

Q: OLBG has such a passionate community of racing fans. What can they look forward to from you as brand ambassador?

More of what we’ve been doing - but even better. We’re always trying to improve the content and keep OLBG members informed and engaged.

We’ll be following the progress of the horses at Harry’s yard through the winter and sharing regular updates. I’ll be at as many race days as possible too, because meeting OLBG members in person is one of my favourite parts of the job.

Everyone’s so passionate and knowledgeable, and it’s great to catch up with them all at yard visits or on course.

Q: If you had to describe working with OLBG in three words, what would they be?

Exciting, creative, and fun.

Every project with OLBG feels fresh and full of energy. There’s always room to try new ideas and the team constantly looks for ways to push things forward.

Q: You’re also bringing your fashion insights to OLBG. Where did your love for racing style begin?

Definitely from my mum. In my opinion she has amazing taste and we always chat about outfits before race days. She’s been collecting beautiful pieces for about 15 years, and I regularly “borrow” from her wardrobe - not always with permission, oops sorry Mum. She’s all about investment dressing and choosing clothes that last. Her wardrobe is full of timeless pieces. But she also encourages me to have fun with fashion, push boundaries and try something different. That’s really shaped my approach to racing style.

You can explore Ella’s latest work by visiting the OLBG YouTube channel, featuring exclusive content in partnership with Harry Derham Racing and Dorking Wanderers Football Club.