ITV Racing presenter Oli Bell is set to return to screens this weekend (Saturday, August 8) to present coverage of the Shergar Cup, a team competition featuring top jockeys from around the world. Racing from Haydock and Newmarket will also be shown.
Bell will be joined by Kevin Blake and Hayley Turner, with reports from Rishi Persad and Natalie Green, and commentary from Mark Johnson.
Famous Family Connections
Oli's father is Rupert Bell, a well-known sports commentator who has been a prominent figure in racing media for several decades. Rupert has been a regular voice on talkSPORT and has covered major racing events for BBC Radio, with his career also including work for Sky Sports and other outlets.
Oli's uncle is Derby-winning trainer Michael Bell, who specialises in flat racing. Despite these connections, Oli wasn't immersed in horse racing as a child, having been raised by his mother in Somerset, away from the racing environment.
Career and Past Relationship
At 18, Oli became an editorial assistant at Racing UK before moving in front of the camera as a presenter. He has covered events including Royal Ascot, the Grand National, and the Cheltenham Festival.
Oli previously dated his ITV Racing co-star Francesca Cumani, daughter of trainer Luca Cumani. Francesca married Australian polo player Rob Archibald in 2014, and they had a son two years later. The couple split in 2018, after which Francesca explored a romance with Oli.
However, ahead of the 2020 Cheltenham Festival, Oli and Francesca ended their relationship. Despite the split, they have continued to work together at ITV Racing events, maintaining a professional on-screen relationship.
ITV Racing is free to stream on ITVX.
