Matt Chapman was born in Guildford in 1971, with no family links to the racing industry, though his parents were fans of the sport and took him to meetings at Sandown and Fontwell as a child.

He studied History and Music at university, working on the Independent’s racing desk during his final year, before joining the International Racing Bureau in Newmarket after graduating. He then spent eight years as a journalist at the Racing Post.

His broadcasting break came via a trial with the Racing Channel, where he presented the cult US racing show “Stateside” and earned the nickname “MC Yeeeehaaa.” When the Racing Channel closed in 2003, he moved to Sky Sports, hosting shows including “On The Line” and “The Booth.” In 2017 he became ITV Racing’s betting expert when the broadcaster launched its terrestrial horse racing coverage.

Alongside his ITV and Sky Sports Racing roles, he has written columns for the Sun, produced the “Unbridled” horse racing podcast, served as a Paddy Power ambassador, and commentates on greyhound racing at Towcester. He spends time away from work with his wife, who stays out of the public eye, and daughter Coco, who features regularly on his social media.