joe barnes

€10.50 in the Galway races

I am the Cheltenham Festival’s most powerful marketing force by a mile. Let me be absolutely clear here: I am horse racing's most POWERFUL marketing asset in the modern era. A one-man operation, with no support from any governing body or PR firm in racing. No handouts, no favours, just relentless passion and undeniable results. Billions of views. Every year. My content drives traffic, customers, and attention straight to racing’s doorstep, and I’ve done it all without a single thank you or ounce of recognition from those in charge. I’ve made racing fun and accessible for everyone, young and old, die-hard fans and newcomers alike — across England, Ireland, and France. I’ve inspired an entire generation to find their voice in this sport and beyond: to start podcasts, film live from race meetings, speak to jockeys and trainers, and write about the sport they love. I’ve opened doors that were previously shut tight for years. And what’s the reward for revolutionising the game? Silence. Cold shoulders. Thinly veiled hostility and jealousy from those within. Scary, isn’t it? When someone’s passion and work ethic blow others out of the water, it makes people uncomfortable. It makes them insecure. They try to shut you out, pretend you don’t exist, or worse, create a watered-down version of you to try and replace what you’ve built. "Jealousy is the grave of affection." I remember the letter they sent me six years ago, threatening to ban me from racecourses if I continued to vlog. Can you imagine? BANNED for creating content that drew people to the sport. They wanted me to sit down and shut up. But then… The Racing Post published it. Suddenly, they backed down and the rest is history.... Every industry needs a disruptor someone who isn’t afraid to shake things up. That’s me. Always has been, always will be. If I had been an ex- Love Island star or appeared on TOWIE, doors would have been flung open for me. But because I’m just a passionate racing fan with a camera and a voice, I’m treated like a problem instead of an asset. I bring Cheltenham to life. The atmosphere, the thrill, the heartbreak, the stories. I make people feel it from their phones to their living rooms across continents and generations. And do you know what it costs Cheltenham? Absolutely NOTHING. Not a single penny. No media pass, no free tickets, no public acknowledgement. They know it. I know it. The ENTIRE industry knows it. And while they might try to ignore it, the impact I’ve made is undeniable — and I’m here to stay. I got into racing because of my grandmother, Mary Power. She got me hooked aged 15 watching races in her flat in Kilburn and took me to Newbury one day. She always loved Newbury for reasons I wish I'd asked her about. One of my most unforgettable moments with her was when she won a competition from the Evening Standard newspaper, and we flew into Sandown in a helicopter. It’s a memory I’ll always cherish, one of many incredible experiences I was lucky enough to share with her. She may never have seen what I’ve built, and that’s something I’ll always be sad about. But it’s thanks to her that "Bloggsy" exists. She introduced me to this world, and it’s because of her that I’ve been able to build something that truly connects with people. That love of mine for racing hasn't faded. If anything, it’s stronger than ever. They can’t ignore me forever. They can’t erase the impact I’ve made. And whether they like it or not — I’m not going anywhere. Best, Stephen, Bloggsy to the masses.