Sky Sports presenter Kate Tracey ‘torn’ by online trolls doing dream work

Sky Racing FANS have fallen in love with glamor presenter Kate Tracey.

The beautiful, bespectacled 30-year-old presents the Weekend Winners show and fronts William Hill’s Racing League coverage.

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But beyond her beauty, there’s also a smart horse racer who once had her own ambitions to become a jockey before a career in media took off.

However, despite her incredible knowledge of the sport, Kate is a target for nasty trolls online.

Worse still, she has admitted she pre-empted their thoughts when a clip of her went online.

She told SunSport: “I’m torn about everything on social media, about the way I speak, the way I look, the way I’ve done my hair, the way I dress day to day.

“I have quite a thick skin, but I have had to develop that over the years.

“But when you know a video about you is being shown, and you’re almost anticipating what someone is going to say… that’s the worst.

“Your brain starts to tune in to what the trolls will think.

“Then when that comment comes in, because you’ve anticipated it, you start to feel like it’s justified. Then it starts messing with your head.”

Kate is one of many women who, rightly, dominate the sports TV landscape for their talent.

She grew up in Cornwall with a father who was a big sports fan. It was a coincidence that she fell in love with horses.

“We went to Warwick races when we were visiting family,” she revealed.

“It was the worst racing day imaginable, the quality of the racing was terrible, the weather was worse, but that was it. I was completely addicted to it.

“I was five and I thought that’s where I wanted to live my life.”

From the age of 12, Kate’s parents insisted on taking riding lessons because at that age she would “appreciate it because it wasn’t cheap.”

She then attended the British Racing School at the age of 18 and completed her International Baccalaureate.

Initially, Kate dreamed of becoming a jockey. However, a nasty fall made her focus on her career as a journalist.

“I always knew media was something I wanted to go into eventually,” she said.

“I worked as a groom for Philip Hobbs. But I realized that becoming a jockey, which was the original goal, was never going to happen for me.

“I bought my own horse with my wages and tried to target him point by point.

“I’ve done a few trail rides for other people, but nothing special.

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“I also had a big crash: my horse slipped in a bend and we crashed together.

“It was a reality check. Was there enough permanence in this situation to justify these falls and possible injuries?

“Or do I want to maintain the IQ I could have to start a career in media?

“I have now obtained my NCTJ qualification, but even then the doors did not open.

“I was busy hosting racetracks and taking care of guests in boxes, but nothing was really working for me.”

Heaven dream

Tracey was given the opportunity to showcase her skills on a racing podcast, after which William Hill Radio used her services.

Sky Sports soon came knocking. But not after she begged producers to give her a chance.

“My ultimate goal, when I was watching as a kid, was to work for Sky Sports,” she explained.

“I watched every sport with my dad on Sky, so that was the aim.

“It got to the point where I wondered if other doors would open, or if I should force the issue.

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“I approached some guys who I knew were producers there, and they were so great and tried to fight my case for me with the powers that be.

“There were a few setbacks, I was often told there was no role for me.

“Eventually they got the opportunity for a preview show on a Friday, sponsored by a bookmaker, and they asked me to take care of that.

“It was kind of standard. Other presenters they had were linked to other bookmakers and I was a freelancer so I had no links. It was the right place, the right time, but I had forced myself to be in that place .”

Making a name for themselves

Where Kate found it difficult to be noticed stemmed from her background.

Her name didn’t carry the weight of someone who had worked in horse racing.

“I don’t have a racing background,” she explained.

“My parents were both teachers, so for me I had no influence on the sport.

“If your name is already known and established in any industry, you are already on a pedestal.

“I feel like I’ve had to carve my own reputation and path through the sport, and hopefully I’ve made a name for myself on my own.”

On Instagram, Kate has attracted more than 20,000 followers to her account.

Her amazing lifestyle on set and her fashionable looks attract a lot of likes.

The beautiful brunette deliberately tries to merge the worlds of horse racing and fashion, which she believes belong together.

“I know that a large majority of racing fans will argue that fashion and the recognition of fashion and style have no place,” she told us.

“I hope I bridge the gap. Racing is my absolute first love, my entire world consists of the sport itself.

“But I love dressing up. It attracts a new audience. Those summer racing days – what other occasions can you wear a fascinator or a hat?

“I also think that if there’s something that’s more aesthetically pleasing, we’re more likely to start working on it.

“I’m not just saying this from a female perspective, but you’ll see the guys on Monday Night Football dress so sharp and fabulous.

“It is naturally more attractive. It’s something that excites you first and foremost and it gives a more positive and cool feeling to the sport.

“That’s something I try to take advantage of. It’s the perfect excuse for me to just dress up, which is great because fashion is one of my other loves.

“I think it’s a big part of racing and I don’t think it’s something that racing should shy away from or become too snobbish about.”

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