Tipstar 2024: Liam Firkin and Sharon Hamilton share spoils

Liam Firkin and Sharon Hamilton were crowned joint winners of our Tipstar Search For a Broadcaster competition after a superb final at Cheltenham on Friday afternoon.

Since first staging Tipstar, in 2014, there had never previously been a dead-heat. But our judging panel found it impossible to split the pair, who excelled with their knowledge and delivery in the company of Nick Luck and Dan Barber.

Our six finalists all had a race to preview and review on the card. James Woods, Dan Walsh, Joel Rees and Lee Gibson also did themselves proud and made life extremely tough for the judges, with Joel throwing in a winning tip (King Turgeon) for good measure.

However, it was Liam, a 32-year-old Sales Manager for an automation and robotics company, and Sharon, a 54-year-old Marketing Director for a firm of Auctioneers, who shared the spoils.

Liam was excellent with his coverage of the second race on the card, the SSS Super Alloys Novices' Chase, won by Jango Baie.

Sharon had the last of our six races to cover, the Glenfarclas Crystal Cup Cross Country Handicap Chase, and was similarly flawless.

Luck said: "It was such a strong competition. Liam and Sharon were absolutely brilliant in their own different ways. And the good news is that we will be seeing more of them on Racing TV."

The pair will now split the winner’s cheque for £1,000 plus the trophy. Their others prizes include: 

- A live shift on Racing TV 

- A day behind the scenes at Racing TV headquarters in Ealing 

- Six-week vlog on Racing TV’s social media platforms 

- An interview on Raceday TV 

- A guest appearance on The Friday Club 

- 12-month Racing TV subscription and a bundle of Racing TV merchandise 

- Opportunity to preview the racing at a Racing TV club day (including free tickets for family and friends) 

Commiserations to the beaten finalists, and many thanks to everyone who took part in recent weeks. 

Age: 32. 

Occupation: Sales Manager for an automation and robotics company. 

Where does your interest in racing come from? Bizarrely, I first attended Cheltenham Racecourse to watch John Bishop’s stand up! On the way out of the Centaur Building, I noticed a brochure for the Cheltenham Festival and mentioned it to a friend, Shea. We then attended every Festival for the next decade, my first being when Denman, Kauto Star and Long Run turned for home together in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. I may have peaked too early! 

What is your favourite racing memory? Undoubtedly, Champagne Fever’s win in the 2012 Champion Bumper. We’d started backing him at 8-1 months before and were still having a few more quid on at 16-1 before the off. It wasn’t just that he won, it was the fact that I lived in a small, tight-knit village, and there was not one of our friends who hadn’t backed him!  It was incredible seeing everyone in the pub after that race. The closest feeling to owning a Cheltenham winner, I’m sure! 

Why did you enter Tipstar? I initially entered to put myself out of my comfort zone. If the truth is told, I wouldn’t have continued with Challenge Two as I’d left it to the last minute and on the morning of the deadline, I was also doing all the last-minute preparations for the engagement party I’d planned for later that afternoon, where I was going to propose to my long-term girlfriend! I did message my Dad saying “maybe next year” but fortunately, he insisted that I get the video done, and I’m glad he encouraged me to do so. 

Dream job in racing? As ambitious as this may sound, I’d love to assist with creating a brighter future for National Hunt Racing in the UK. Ideally, I’d like to represent a group who can be a contributing voice during the decision-making process, when the consultation process occurs, and around changes to the race programme etc. I believe that racing fans are underrepresented when these decisions are made, and there are many good ideas and opinions amongst us that need a voice and consideration. 

Age: 54

Occupation: Marketing Director for a firm of Auctioneers. 

Where does your interest in racing come from?  An old boyfriend bought me a share in a racehorse as a birthday present: Magic Mistress trained by Stuart Williams (she won three times). It ignited a life-long love of the sport. From there, I started riding out and held an amateur flat licence for a while. 

What is your favourite racing memory? Can I have two?! The EPIC 2011 edition of the Cheltenham Gold Cup! I was there...and it was electric. With the bias of recency, the hour in which Constitution Hill and Honeysuckle both triumphed at The Festival in 2023 was also incredibly emotional.   

Why did you enter Tipstar? My son is an apprentice jockey and I find myself studying form and reading races to a greater depth than I ever thought possible. I thought I should put it to good use. 

Dream job in racing? To play a part in broadcasting - through whatever medium - the utterly compelling narrative of this incredible sport; the highs, the lows and behind the scenes. There are so many untold stories that deserve a platform.