The ITV Racing team is blessed with several former jockeys, with Ruby Walsh, AP McCoy, and Jason Weaver established members of the line-up. By his own admission, Luke Harvey didn’t enjoy quite the same level of success as that trio in the saddle. However, he has become an essential part of ITV Racing’s success story. Combining a deep knowledge of the sport with an infectious personality, Luke can be relied on to provide detailed analysis and an endearing sense of fun.
One Goal from an Early Age
The oldest of seven children, Lucien John Harvey was born in Hatfield, Devon, on 28th March 1966. While not competing professionally, his farming parents were accomplished riders, and Luke gained his first experience in the saddle aboard the family pony. Regular trips to the local point-to-points at Bratton Down, Bishopsleigh and Umberleigh fuelled Luke’s passion for horses. By the age of eight or nine, he had settled upon being a jockey as his chosen profession.
With his career path determined, Luke had minimal interest in the academic side of life and left school at the age of 16 with little in the way of qualifications. By this stage, the aspiring rider had begun riding out at the weekends for the point-to-point trainer, Geoff White. His next step took him to the yard of Captain Tim Forster, the same trainer with whom future champion jockey Richard Dunwoody began his career.
Living in the cottage vacated by Dunwoody, Luke enjoyed a successful time on the point-to-point scene, riding and winning regularly for Forster and Colin Nash.
Moving into the Professional Ranks
Like many successful point-to-point riders, Luke opted to try his luck on the professional scene. While still riding as an amateur, his first winner under rules arrived aboard the 33/1 chance Bickleigh Bridge at Taunton in 1984.
Having gained his licence, Luke headed to Fakenham for his first ride as a professional in 1986. Making the most inauspicious of starts, Luke became trapped beneath his mount following a fall at the third last. While his mount escaped unscathed, the horse lashed out as it clambered back to its feet, striking Luke on the back of the head and rendering him unconscious.
When referring to his riding talents in those early days, a self-deprecating Harvey compared his ability to that of fellow rider Hywel Davies:
“When Hywel Davies comes in after a race, he tells the Captain what has happened. When I come in after a race, the Captain tells me what’s happened.”
Happily, hardworking Luke was a fast learner. From the initial low of that Fakenham fall, the enthusiastic rider went on to experience several highs during a sixteen-year career in the saddle.
His breakout moment came in the 1987 edition of the race now known as the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival. Taking the ride aboard the Jim Wilson-trained Taberna Lord, a 20-year-old Luke exuded confidence on his way to a famous success. That would be Luke’s only triumph at the Cheltenham Festival, but he again had his name up in lights when partnering Cool Ground to victory in the 1990 renewal of the Welsh Grand National.
Experiencing his share of injuries, including a collarbone that was broken so repeatedly that it had to be removed, Luke announced his retirement in 1999. At the end of his professional riding days, Luke had amassed 197 wins, including four Graded victories, and won over £1 million in prize money for connections.
Summing up his time in the saddle, a typically upbeat Harvey states:
“Early on, everyone thinks they’re going to be champion jockey, but when I wasn’t, I simply enjoyed it. I did something I loved and made a living out of it – I was lucky.”
From the Saddle to the TV Set
At the time of his retirement, Luke had already tested the waters as a TV presenter while working for the Racing TV channel in 1998. Handed a role presenting the early morning news bulletin, Luke overcame early wobbles and soon appeared to be a natural in front of the camera.
Catching the eye of the BBC, Harvey was hired as the horse racing reporter for the Radio 5 Live breakfast programme in 2001, working alongside presenters including Nicky Campbell and Shelagh Fogarty.
With his broadcasting portfolio growing, Luke joined At The Races in 2004 and remained part of the line-up when the channel became Sky Sports Racing. Fronting shows such as The Winning Post, Harvey struck gold when paired with Jason Weaver for the hugely popular “Get In” on a Friday evening.
With his exuberance and happy-go-lucky nature proving a hit with viewers, Luke was approached to become part of the new ITV Racing team in 2017. Together with fellow Sky Sports presenters Jason Weaver and Matt Chapman, he jumped at the opportunity. Initially offered 15 days per year, Harvey impressed sufficiently during testing to see his contract extended to 50 days.
Barney Curley, Chicken Wings, and Awards
During his time in front of the camera, Luke Harvey has provided ITV and Sky Sports Racing viewers with several iconic moments. One of his most replayed segments comes from his At The Races days, when he and John McCririck felt the full wrath of furious trainer Barney Curley.
Then, in 2025, Luke took viewers and his fellow presenters by surprise while completing his link from a trackside swimming pool wearing little but a top hat. Earlier that summer, Harvey produced an unforgettable moment when tackling “Britain’s hottest chicken wings,” with predictably hilarious results.
Often informative and always entertaining, Luke’s skills were recognised in 2017, when he was named the Horserace Writers and Photographers Association Broadcaster of the Year.
A Love of Pointing and Crystal Palace
In addition to his roles with ITV and Sky Sports Racing, Luke has also served as a racing expert and ambassador for Ladbrokes.
Away from the cameras, two of Luke’s big passions in life are Crystal Palace Football Club and point-to-point racing. A regular at meetings in the Lambourn area and beyond, he follows his unfulfilled dream of becoming a fully-fledged trainer with a small team of point-to-point runners.