Katie Midwinter is crowned our Tipstar champion for 2023!
Watch what the delighted victor had to say after winning the final of the competition at Kempton Park on Wednesday night.
Katie Midwinter was crowned our Tipstar: Search for a Broadcaster champion in a hotly contested live final at Kempton Park on Wednesday night.
The 26-year-old supply teacher from North Wales was adjudged the winner by our star panel after an exciting decider that also featured Paddy Aspell, Elliot Burrow, Jack Dawling, Gary McDaniel and James Watson.
It is the first time in seven editions of Tipstar, which we first staged in 2014, that a female participant has won.
Last year's Tipstar champion, Dan Overall, was on hand to present Katie with her £1,000 winner’s cheque and trophy. She will also get a live shift on Racing TV, an appearance on The Friday Club and more.
Asked if she would be swapping school books for formbooks on a permanent basis, she said: “That's the dream! Hopefully, this is the first step towards that. It's a good opportunity for me and I'm really delighted, and surprised, to have won.
“I was nervous beforehand but I love talking about the horses, so it was natural for me really. It was my first time on live television and a great experience.
“I’m not sure what I’ll do with the prize money – probably buy some more tickets to the races!”
The super six had won through to the final after getting through the qualifying rounds which more than 100 entrants from all over Britain took part in.
Each of the finalists previewed and reviewed a race live on the channel with presenters Rachel Casey and Martin Dwyer, impressing with their knowledge and delivery. The draw for matching each race with a finalist was made on Monday.
Katie drew race three on the card, the maiden for fillies over 6f. It was a tough pick, featuring plenty of unraced horses, but she had clearly put in her homework and came through with flying colours.
She was the clear pick of our panel – Casey, Dwyer, Overall, Dave Nevison, Amy Ryan and Jess Stafford.
The beaten finalists, who all delivered polished analysis, gave her a generous round of applause. We are sure we will be hearing more from all of them.
Thanks again to everyone who took part. And look out for Tipstar again in 2024. The winner could be you!
The six finalists have been revealed!
⭐ Paddy Aspell
⭐ Elliot Burrow
⭐ Jack Dawling
⭐ Gary McDaniel
⭐ Katie Midwinter
⭐ James Watson
Congratulations to Paddy Aspell, Elliot Burrow, Jack Dawling, Gary McDaniel, Katie Midwinter and James Watson who have all made it through to this year's Tipstar: Search for a Broadcaster final!
Our judges were hugely impressed with the calibre of entries this year and found it extra tough to pick a final six.
The six finalists will all preview and review a race each live on Racing TV at Kempton on Wednesday, September 13, and the winner will be decided after racing.
We would like to thank everyone who entered this year, and please enter again next time. An abundance of previous finalists didn't manage to reach the final the first time they entered, but perseverance is key, and it is always a struggle for our judges to narrow the shortlist down to six each year.
🚨 Tipstar: Search for a Broadcaster competition update 🚨
We have been overwhelmed with the amount of entries we have received for this year's Tipstar: Search for a Broadcaster competition!
Our judges have also been impressed with the calibre of entries across Challenge One, and Challenge Two, with contestants showcasing their brilliant knowledge and analytical skills in a clear and fluent manner.
With such a brilliant response to the competition, we would like to give contestants another opportunity to record a preview video this weekend before we select six finalists to go head-to-head in the LIVE final at Kempton Park on Wednesday, September 13.
Simply record a video, preferably no longer than 30 seconds,
previewing any race on Racing TV on Sunday. You can post your entry on Twitter using the hashtag #Tipstar2023 (please don't forget to tag @RacingTV in your post!) or email us at
[email protected]Entries must be sent in by midday on Sunday, and we wish you the best of luck.
Please also ensure your video is filmed landscape, and NOT portrait.
For anyone who has entered the competition already, feel free to share another preview video with us if you wish to do so! It's not mandatory, but it's all good practice AND another opportunity to showcase your talents to us.
Take a look at some of the entries we have received so far!
Why enter our Tipstar: Search for a Broadcaster competition?
Think you could make the grade as a Racing TV expert? Now is your time to shine!
Some familiar names have showcased their in-depth knowledge and persona in previous competitions before making their mark in the racing media, and now is your chance to showcase your expertise to us in the Tipstar: Search for a Broadcaster competition!
Why not grab this opportunity for your taste of TV fame and prove you have what it takes to be our next horse racing expert!
The winner of this year's competition will receive a whole host of brilliant opportunities, including a full shift on Racing TV, a guest appearance on The Friday Club, £1,000, a six-week vlog on Racing TV’s social media pages, a visit behind the scenes at Racing TV headquarters, a 12-month Racing TV subscription plus much, much more!
We must also remind you that it is NOT a tipping competition, but a competition to showcase your broadcasting skills. All entrants must also be 18 or over. Best of luck!
Previous Tipstar winner Ross Millar shares his Tipstar tips!
THE TIPSTAR FINAL:
Six finalists, who will be chosen by our expert panel of judges, will all preview and review a race each LIVE on Racing TV with one of our presenters at Kempton on Wednesday, September 13. The winner will be revealed live on the channel after racing once our judges have decided.
Each finalist will also receive two spare tickets each so you can bring along family members/friends to support you.
WINNING PRIZES
-A live shift on Racing TV
-Six-week vlog on Racing TV’s social media platforms
-A day behind the scenes at Racing TV HQ
-£1,000!
-A written column on racingtv.com
-An interview on Raceday TV
-A guest appearance on The Friday Club
-A bundle of Racing TV merchandise
-12-month Racing TV subscription
-A day hosting a Racing TV club day (including free tickets so you can bring your family and friends along with you!)
Last year's Tipstar winner, Dan Overall, provides a few hints
A reminder of what the first two challenges entailed
CHALLENGE ONE:
Send in a video, no longer than 30 seconds, previewing a race of your choice at Newmarket, Haydock or the Curragh on Saturday, August 12.
For this challenge, we want you to show off as much of your knowledge as possible.
You could mention any notable stats and trends, how you think the race will develop, and discuss any key positives, or negatives, for some of the key contenders.
Entries must be sent in via Twitter using the hashtag #Tipstar2023, and please remember to tag @RacingTV in your post! Entries can also be sent to
[email protected]Please ensure your video is filmed landscape, and NOT portrait.
Deadline for Challenge One entries: Midday on Saturday, August 12.
CHALLENGE TWO:
Send in a video (again, no longer than 30 seconds) reviewing a race of your choice from Newmarket, Haydock or the Curragh on Saturday, August 12.
Challenge Two requires you to send in a video reviewing a race of your choice from any of the three fixtures above.
For this challenge, you will be expected to showcase your analytical skills and knowledge by discussing the winner of the race, plus anything else you think was noteworthy from the contest (maybe an eye-catcher you added to your Racing TV Tracker!).
Entries again must be sent in via Twitter using the hashtag #Tipstar2023, and please remember to tag @RacingTV in your post! Entries can also be sent to
[email protected]Please ensure your video is filmed landscape, and NOT portrait.
Deadline for Challenge Two entries: Midnight on Wednesday, August 16.
The Racing TV Tipstar Roll of Honour