ITV Racing’s Matt Chapman is not everyone’s cup of tea – the sometimes-outspoken tipster and presenter is often referred to as a ‘marmite’ character in the industry. So, just who is Matt Chapman, how did he get into horse racing and where can you find the ‘love him, or hate him’ pundit’s tips each week?
Matt Chapman Racing Pundit: A Familiar Face On Sky Sports & ITV Racing
Some horse racing fans have likened ITV Racing’s Matt Chapman to the loveable rogue John McCririck in the past. Not because Chapman has out-of-control bushy sideburns and wears a deerstalker hat.
But due to his sometimes loud and outspoken views on horse racing – a trait Big Mac also had.
While, just like the old Saturday night TV entertainers, Chapman has even got his own catchphrase that now follows the presenter from track-to-track when it comes to racegoers interacting with him.
Step forward ‘Yeeehaaa’, which Chapman started saying after a big winner or at the end of his oncourse odds broadcasts for the old C4 or At The Races channels.
Meaning over the years the Matt Chapman’s loud-mouth style has certainly divided many horse racing viewers with some in the ‘Chappers Camp’ and others happy to give the Sky Racing man a wide berth.
However, regardless on where you sit on the Matt Chapman fence, one thing is certainly not in question and that’s his passion for horse racing and his hard-working ethic that gets him in front on the TV cameras most weeks.
Who Is Matt Chapman? The Unique Horse Racing Broadcaster Making A Difference
Having graduated with a BA Honours degree from Radley College in Abingdon, England, this gave Matt Chapman the perfect springboard into writing for the Racing Post.
But it was in 2000, when horse racing TV coverage stepped away from only being shown on the BBC and Channel 4, that Matt Chapman moved into broadcasting.
Chapman started to become more of a household name within the horse racing community with his role as presenter and roving broadcaster on the new satellite channel At The Races. Including hosting regular racing phone-ins with punters (watch below).
His loud and confident views became a hit with producers, which then led to Chapman also being snapped up by C4 and now ITV Racing, where he’s been a regular fixture for the last 20 years.
In between the big weekend horse racing fixtures, including the Cheltenham Festival, Royal Ascot and the Grand National, Matt Chapman can often be found midweek at the lesser tracks broadcasting for Sky Sports Racing.
Matt Chapman also has a regular weekly column for Sun Racing, plus showcases his tips around the main meetings and weekend action on the Paddy Power betting blog.
In 2010 Matt Chapman was also voted HWPA Broadcaster of the Year and has been a finalist for the same award many times since.
Plus, one of the current new batch of ITV presenters Megan Nicholls has credited Matt Chapman for helping her get her foot in the ITV racing door.
Matt Chapman Date Of Birth
Matt Chapman’s birthday is on the 3rd February and was born in Guildford, Surrey. While he also has a teenage daughter called Arnelle Coco-Chapman, who is an aspiring actress and model.
Matt Chapman Not Afraid To Over-Hype A Horse
The Matt Chapman style has also seen the popular presenter being no stranger to pinning his hopes and views to a horse – often during the early part of their careers.
Just like in 2018 when the Gordon Elliott-trained Samcro won the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival (watch below), which at the time was his eighth win in-a-row.
Prompting Chapman to declare to everyone that would listen that Samcro was the ‘Second Coming Of Jesus’.
However, this title backfired in Samcro’s very next race when falling in the 2018 Punchestown Champion Hurdle and then failing to win his next three.
Chapman’s Samcro billing did, however, gain a bit of compensation when the Gigginstown House Stud-owned horse bounced back to win the 2020 Marsh Novices’ Chase at the Festival.
But it remains, that since the Chapman ‘Second Coming of Jesus’ Samcro tag the horse ran 20 more times under rules and won just three of those.
Is Matt Chapman A Horse Racing Commentator?
Matt Chapman has delved into the world of horse racing commentary a few times. He started a calling role at Towcester, the home of the Greyhound Derby, in his early broadcasting days.
Since then, Chapman’s horse racing commentary roles have been few and far between but has been known to step up in an emergency. Just like he did once at Bath races when on a studio Raceday live shift and there was a technical issue with no race commentary from the track.
Where Can You Find The Matt Chapman Racing Tips?
Chapman has a regular weekly column with the Sun Racing team, plus you can also find the Matt Chapman horse racing tips at lading Irish bookmaker Paddy Power. Where the Matt Chapman tips will cover all the best of the weekend action, plus all the big meetings through the year.
Is There A Matt Chapman Twitter ‘X’ Handle
Yes, you can find Matt Chapman’s views on X or Twitter <a href=”http://@MCYeeehaaa” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener” data-wplink-url-error=”true”>@MCYeeehaaa, where he currently has over 139k followers.
The abuse I got for this idea – oh well, thanks for the @CheltenhamRaces Champion Hurdle entry @JPOwenRacing @CobdenHarry @UnexCompetition. Always wise to keep options open. 💛🖤 https://t.co/ftLcYqLrsL
— Matt Chapman (@MCYeeehaaa) January 9, 2024
Matt Chapman and The Dancing On Ice Saga
The wider ITV audience might also know Matt Chapman for his stint – albeit a brief one – on the popular celebrity skating show Dancing On Ice in 2018. Replacing Tony Gubba, who had held the role since the first show in 2006.
Chapman was signed-up to provide commentaries on the skates right after each celeb had performed on the ice, before handing over to the judges.
However, this primetime ITV role was short-lived as Chapman quit the role after just one show having received mixed reviews. With some saying his commentaries were too much like horse racing.
He was replaced by talkSPORT and ITVSport commentator Sam Matterface, who is still in the Dancing On Ice hotseat today.
WATCH: Some Funny ‘Chappers’ Moments
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