After almost eight years with the BBC, Clare Balding is widely acknowledged as being one of BBC Sport's leading broadcasters on a wide range of sports.

Known specifically as BBC Television's racing presenter and a Radio Five Live broadcaster, her other credits include Wimbledon and the Atlanta Olympics.

She was also part of the presentation team at the Sydney Olympics and fronted the BBC's Paralympics coverage.

A leading amateur flat jockey in 1989 and 1990, and Champion Lady Rider in 1990, her speciality, unsurprisingly, is horse racing.

Daughter of trainer Ian Balding with Uncles Toby and William also renowned trainers, Clare's presentation has been at the heart of the BBC's enhanced racing coverage for the last three years.

Clare's move into television began in the summer of 1994 as she made her debut during Royal Ascot, following a recommendation from Julian Wilson, the man she would eventually take over from as horse racing presenter in December 1997.

Clare was part of the presentation team for BBC One's Sports Personality of the Century programme and is also a regular presenter on Radio Five Live's Sunday morning show Sportsweek.