TV host Samantha Armytage has been spotted at the races arm-in-arm with a handsome male companion after she split from her husband of four years Richard Lavender.

Samantha Armytage has been spotted arm in arm with a new “wingman” at the 2025 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.

Fashion designer Jonathan Ward took to Instagram on Thursday to post a photo of himself beside the former Sunrise host at Royal Randwick following her split from husband of four years Richard Lavender last December.

In the caption Ward revealed Armytage invited him to accompany her to the race day.

“Very special to be the guest and wingman for my gorgeous friend Sam at the Autumn Carnival Derby Day Royal Randwick @sam_armytage #royalrandwickracecourse,” he wrote.

Armytage donned a silk cream angle-length skirt, which she matched with a white shirt, polka dot tie, and black fascinator.

The 48-year-old completed her very chic ensemble with a pair of gold hoops, black pumps and a matching clutch.

She has kept her appearance at the races under wraps on social media, refraining from posting photos of the races at the time of writing.

Ward has a career in the fashion industry spanning three decades and was spotted having lunch with friends Armytage and Lavender at China Doll restaurant in the Sydney suburb of Woolloomooloo in 2021.

Pictures obtained by Daily Mail at the time show the trio joking between mouthfuls of San Choy Bow.

Armytage wore a figure-hugging black pencil dress and tan leather sandals for the outing.

She looked elated as she was seen laughing at something Jonathan told her.

Notably, the couture designer who has worked with Yves Saint Laurent and R.M. Williams follows Armytage on Instagram but does not appear to follow Richard, despite once being pals with the equestrian businessman.

Armytage and Jonathan’s latest sighting together comes just three months after she shared a hopeful post about love, which could have been interpreted as a sign she is on the path to finding romance again.

Armytage shared a cryptic post about love, which could be interpreted as a sign she is on the path to finding it again. Picture: Instagram

Samantha Armytage is the host of the Golden Bachelor. Picture: Getty Images for Australian Turf Club.

Jonathan Ward (R) was Armytages’ “wingman” at the 2025 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival. Picture: Instagram
In January, the TV host posted a photo of the heart-shaped milk art at the bottom of her empty coffee mug on her Instagram Stories.

“When there’s a lovely little sign from the universe,” Armytage wrote.

She added the shooting star and white heart emojis as well as the sideways glancing eyes, typically used to convey a telling situation, over the snap.

The journalist hosts the Nine Network’s new dating show, The Golden Bachelor, which is currently being filmed in Sydney.

The Golden Bachelor is a new twist on the popular Bachelor dating franchise and will see a group of older Australians competing for the hearts of Barry ‘Bear’ Myrden, a widower in his 50s from Manly.

Armytage announced her split from Richard Lavender (L) in December. Picture: Instagram
In a statement to the Daily Telegraph, Armytage announced her split from Lavender in December after four years of marriage.

“Yes, Richard and I have separated. All breakups are hard, but it’s somewhat lessened by the fact it’s amicable, and we wish the best for each other,” she said.

“I appreciate you respecting our privacy. I won’t be making any further comment.”

The news came as a  surprise to some industry insiders after Armytage told Women’s Day she quit the Seven Network’s breakfast show program in 2021 for life on Lavender’s NSW Highlands estate.