Shorts: Rachael Blackmore, Fuse, Cole Palmer. Cheltenham Racecourse has appointed former jockey Rachael Blackmore as Head of Ladies Day to encourage greater female participation in horse racing. Blackmore, who retired in May 2024, became the first woman to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the Champion Hurdle, and to be crowned leading rider at the Festival. In her new role, she will work with Cheltenham Racecourse ahead of the 2025 Festival to engage more women with the event and the wider sport. According to data from The Jockey Club, women make up around a quarter of visitors to Cheltenham Racecourse during the season. Further research from the organisation has indicated that many women feel horse racing is not an inclusive environment for them. The appointment comes as The Jockey Club continues efforts across its racecourses to increase diversity and audience representation within British horse racing. Guy Lavender, Cheltenham's Chief Executive, said, "Rachael is a household name whose success and passion for horse racing resonates not only with racing fans and aficionados but general sports fans and even wider audiences. "We've been evaluating customer data and feedback and what really stood out was the opportunity to grow our female fanbase. From there we've been developing a campaign aimed at encouraging more women to attend racedays and Rachael is exactly the kind of aspirational figure we hope will attract a new fan base to the sport." Sports and entertainment marketing agency Fuse has appointed Matt Bailey as Managing Partner within its Rights Consultancy division. Bailey joins from Octagon, where he most recently served as Head of Brand Partnerships. He brings over 20 years' experience working with brands such as Amazon, Cisco, UPS and Sony, as well as rights holders including UEFA, The FA and the NBA. In his new role, Bailey will report into Lucy Basden-Smith and becomes part of the Fuse Executive Leadership Team. He will lead a client republic within the Rights Consultancy division, overseeing a portfolio of accounts and contributing to new business efforts and product development. Prior to his 14 years at Octagon, Bailey began his career at IMG before moving to Leo Burnett. Matt Bailey, Managing Partner, Fuse, said, "In a fragmented marketplace, the brands that break through are the ones that connect to culture - showing up where interests thrive, not just where impressions are bought. Fuse stands apart in its ability to translate these interests into authentic brand experiences. As a Managing Partner within Rights Consultancy, my priority will be ensuring relationships that advance our ability to connect brands to moments that matter most, turning cultural relevance into measurable business impact." Louise Johnson, Global CEO, Fuse, added, "Matt's deep experience across sport, his strategic and commercial mindset, and his reputation for building trusted client relationships make him an exceptional addition to the Fuse leadership team. He brings not only world-class expertise, but also the collaborative and forward-thinking approach that will help drive our agency's next chapter of growth." Chelsea and England footballer Cole Palmer has had his UK trade mark applications successfully granted. The applications, filed by law firm Mills & Reeve, were granted by the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) and include Palmer's name, signature, and 'Cold Palmer' nickname. A photographic portrait and a motion mark of his goal celebration have also been registered. The corresponding EU applications have also been granted by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), with the exception of the portrait application which remains pending. The registrations are intended to help Palmer control the commercial exploitation of his personal brand. Alex Newman, partner at Mills & Reeve, said, "There has been significant speculation and commentary about these applications, and particularly Cole's goal celebration. It was never about stopping other sportspeople, or kids in the playground, from doing the same or similar celebrations. It is about putting Cole in a better position to control how his name, nickname, likeness and goal celebration - which are all highly marketable aspects of his personal brand - are commercially exploited by others." London Lions have completed first phase of new arena plan. The study, undertaken in collaboration with The Sports Consultancy and Trivandi, represents the completion of RIBA Stage 1 and confirms the viability and demand for a large-scale arena suitable for basketball and other events in the capital. The project aligns with the Mayor of London's support for creating a permanent home for basketball in the city, following a statement in July 2025 that backed the Lions' ambition, with City Hall providing technical and strategic assistance. Independent analysis has projected that the proposed development could generate an economic impact of more than £3.4bn over 13 years and create around 10,000 jobs. The main arena would be used for approximately 40 basketball games annually, including London Lions fixtures and international competitions, as well as over 100 sports and cultural events. The proposed community arena would serve as the home of the London Lions women's team and as a training and grassroots facility, offering increased access to basketball for young people and local residents. Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, said, "We will continue to harness the huge popularity of basketball to create positive opportunities for young people, attract new fans to the sport and host even more major events, which will provide a significant boost to the economy and help build a better, healthier and more prosperous London for everyone." Lenz Balan, CEO of the London Lions, said, "This is a significant moment for the London Lions and British basketball. We've always known we need a true home for the game in London - somewhere that brings people together and gives young people a place to belong. This study shows it's not only possible, but that the impact on the city would be substantial."

Octagon will also work directly with the sport's American governing body, US Squash, to elevate the sport's profile ahead of its Olympics debut in 2028.

Rousey, who left the Octagon for creative pursuits and recovery-focused living, expressed her opinions on an edition of the Untapped podcast.