Latest horse racing news from UK, Ireland, and around the world.

Pinhole aiming to justify connections’ faith in Geoffrey Freer

/in /by

Having got his season back on track in some style at Ascot last month, Ralph Beckett’s Pinhole again dips his toe into Group-race waters in the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing Geoffrey Freer Stakes.

The Frankel colt looked an exciting prospect when winning at Southwell at the backend of his juvenile year, but any dreams of Epsom were put to bed after he finished a well-held fourth behind the subsequent dual Derby winner Lambourn on his return in the Chester Vase.

He disappointed as a joint-favourite for the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot on his next start, but made the most of having his sights lowered when bolting up in first-time cheek pieces on his handicap debut three weeks ago, earning him a return to Group Three level at Newbury on Saturday.

Barry Mahon, racing manager for owner-breeders Juddmonte, said: “He was obviously an easy winner the last day and the handicapper has forced our hand to head back into Group company, so we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do.

“He’s a horse we always felt was up to this sort of level, hopefully it’s not coming too soon for him.

“He’s a big horse and probably still a little on the weak side. We started out with Derby ambitions and the form of the Chester Vase has obviously worked out very well, but the Derby was coming too early in his life. Let’s hope we can get back on track at Group-race level.”

Pinhole’s five rivals include the William Haggas-trained Candleford, who was last seen finishing third behind high-class stablemate Al Aasy in the Glorious Stakes at Goodwood and Ambiente Friendly, who was one place and just under two lengths adrift of Candleford two weeks ago.

His trainer James Owen said: “He worked nicely on Tuesday morning and he’s taken a step forward from Goodwood, so I think gelding him is definitely helping.

“It’s small steps but I feel I’m getting him back into form. I think if you watch his races, even at Goodwood, in the last 15 yards he’s beginning to stay on again and I just think he needs to give himself chance to get these longer trips, then I do think he will stay well.

“He’s getting better at home and he’s improved the last twice on the track. Sean D Bowen did a great job with him the last day and rode him very well and I think that was the most settled he has been for a long time.”

The Haggas-trained More Thunder is the potential star attraction in other Group race on the card – the Visit Malta Hungerford Stakes.

Tom Marquand on More Thunder after winning the bet365 Bunbury Cup at Newmarket
Tom Marquand on More Thunder after winning the bet365 Bunbury Cup at Newmarket (Joe Giddens/PA)

The four-year-old has won three of his four starts since moving across Newmarket after Sir Michael Stoute’s retirement and he is perhaps unlucky not to be unbeaten, having just failed to reel in Get It in the Wokingham Stakes at Royal Ascot.

He bounced back to winning ways in Newmarket’s Bunbury Cup last month and now gets the chance to showcase his talent at Group Two level.

Haggas told Sky Sports Racing “It was a bit messy at Newmarket, but he’s absolutely fine and it’s time he had a step up in grade.

“He’s a pretty smart horse, he’s done really well. He’s got about the lowest rating of any of the runners on Saturday and yet he’s favourite, I don’t quite understand that, but some people think that he has the potential to do a bit better, so we’ll see if they’re right.”

The highest-rated runner is Witness Stand, who bids for back-to-back Group Two wins for the training partnership of Dr Richard Newland and Jamie Insole following his surprise Lennox Stakes success.

Insole said: “We obviously have to carry a penalty now, but he’s come out of the race at Goodwood well. He did a nice breeze on Wednesday and we’re really happy with him.

“He’s already a Group Two winner now, so we just hope he turns up and puts in another brave run to do us all proud.”

Estrange camp hoping for rain ahead of Yorkshire Oaks

/in /by

Rain will have to fall at York if Estrange is to challenge Aidan O’Brien’s dominance in Thursday’s Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks, with Minnie Hauk and Whirl among four contenders for the Ballydoyle handler.

Estrange is one of just two British-trained contenders alongside Ed Walker’s Qilin Queen, with the other quartet all trained by O’Brien.

Minnie Hauk appears O’Brien’s chief hope after completing the English-Irish Oaks double at Epsom and the Curragh. Whirl, a neck behind her stablemate at Epsom and a dual Group One winner since, is also in the potential line-up alongside Garden Of Eden and Bedtime Story.

Minnie Hauk (left) defeats stablemate Whirl in the Oaks at Epsom
Minnie Hauk (left) defeats stablemate Whirl in the Oaks at Epsom (David Davies/The Jockey Club)

Estrange, trained by David O’Meara for owner-breeders Cheveley Park Stud, progressed through the levels to take the Listed Gillies Fillies’ Stakes at Doncaster last year before returning to action this term to win both the Lester Piggott Stakes and the Lancashire Oaks at Haydock.

Her only defeat to date came on good to firm ground at Yarmouth last season and connections are hoping at least some rain falls over York as they look to chart a path to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp in October.

“It depends which forecast you look at, and I am probably guilty of looking at the one I want to look at rather than the one I don’t!” said Cheveley Park’s managing director Chris Richardson on the chance of rain at York.

“But she’s very well, a bit of ease in the ground would be helpful. She’s working well but this just happens to be a year of fast ground.

“We’re working back from the autumn so we will see how we go and how we plan from here on out.

“If she can’t run then there are some entries abroad we can look at, she’s in the Fillies & Mares (on Champions Day at Ascot) and obviously the Arc later in the year.”

Royal Fixation goes to post before the Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket
Royal Fixation goes to post before the Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket (Joe Giddens/PA)

Day two of the Ebor Festival kicks off with the Sky Bet Lowther Stakes, a Group Two event over six furlongs, for which 12 juvenile fillies have stood their ground.

Walker’s Royal Fixation, second by a neck to Venetian Sun in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes, heads the market, while Ryan Moore is booked to ride Richard Hughes’ 12-length Haydock winner America Queen.

George Scott’s Princess Margaret runner-up Staya is in the mix, as are Tim Easterby’s ultra-consistent Argentine Tango and Brian Ellison’s Wor Faayth.

Royal Whip run could determine Zahraan plans

/in /by

Zahrann could set up an exciting autumn if regaining the winning thread in the Newbridge Silverware Royal Whip Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday.

Impressive when climbing the ladder earlier in the season, Johnny Murtagh’s talented colt lost little in defeat when narrowly failing to reel in Amiloc at Royal Ascot and with Group One entries having been made for later in the season, he faces another examination of his potential as he takes on star older horse Los Angeles in this red-hot Group Three event.

Murtagh said: “Everything has gone smoothly since Ascot. He ran great in the King Edward VII Stakes and he came out of it well. We gave him plenty of time to get over it and we’re looking forward now to going to the Curragh.

Zahrann (right) finished second to Amiloc at Ascot
Zahrann (right) finished second to Amiloc at Ascot (David Davies/PA)

“It’s a tough looking race but it will tell us where we’re going for the rest of the season. We hope it goes well at the weekend and we will get that out of the way first then make a plan.”

The Aidan O’Brien-trained Los Angeles heads the market for the 10-furlong contest, but he is on a retrieval mission after disappointing when a well-beaten favourite in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at the Royal meeting.

The proven quality in the line-up, last year’s Irish Derby winner is unbeaten at this venue and connections will be hoping the return to Kildare proves inspirational in this stopping point en-route to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Los Angeles (left) winning at the Curragh earlier this year
Los Angeles (left) winning at the Curragh earlier this year (Niall Carson/PA)

O’Brien also looks to hold a strong hand in the Comer Group International Irish St Leger Trial, where Puppet Master has been tasked with enhancing the handler’s fine record in the race.

Willie Mullins will saddle the consistent Absurde in opposition, while Dallas Star will bid to continue Adrian Murray’s dream run at the Curragh after last weekend’s big-race double.

Murray said: “He will be going with a chance. He’s a good horse without being probably a top-draw horse, but a race like this should suit him.

“He got within a couple of lengths of Kyprios earlier in the season and it takes a good horse to do that and I do think he will run a big race.

“He’s probably a little bit short of being that top, top horse, but you’d like to think he can be competitive and I think this trip will be key to him and his forte down the road. I guess we’ll know more after the race on Saturday evening.”

Dallas Star has always been well-regarded
Dallas Star has always been well-regarded (Brian Lawless/PA)

Murray also has strong claims in the Listed Mitsubishi Electric Curragh Irish EBF Curragh Stakes with Ipanema Queen, who impressed over a furlong extra here on debut.

Although struggling to make an impression in what has proven a strong renewal of the Albany Stakes, the daughter of Sands Of Mali bumped into an above-average type when second to Havana Anna in the Marwell Stakes at Naas and is fancied to hit the frame in her second outing at five furlongs.

Murray added: “I expect her to run a nice race, the horses are all very well in themselves and I couldn’t be happier with how they are going.

“She’s a course winner and when you’ve won there it’s a plus. We’re happy to let her take her chance and she’s in great form.”

City Walk targeting Great St Wilfrid honours

/in /by

City Walk will try to give trainer Saeed bin Suroor a first success in the William Hill/MND Association Great St Wilfrid at Ripon.

The £100,000 handicap has surprisingly not attracted a full field of 20 this season, with only 17 going to post.

As ever with big sprint handicaps, the draw could prove crucial and City Walk will be in stall three, which in the past would have been seen as a negative but two of the last three winners have come from a single-figure draw.

Saeed bin Suroor will saddle City Walk
Saeed bin Suroor will saddle City Walk (Joe Giddens/PA)

City Walk is relatively lightly for raced for an eight-year-old sprinter, but that is because prior to his run at Newcastle in June, he had the best part of two years off.

“He had been off a long time and he was too fresh, but he did show speed, which he always has,” said Bin Suroor.

“He worked nicely the other day and I hope he runs well. I know it’s a big field but if the track suits him, he’s in good form so I’m looking for a good result.

“He’s run at Ripon before but we are happy to forget it as he missed the break and got a bump.

“He’s a good horse, on some of his form he should have a very good chance.”

Rousing Encore is among the favourites
Rousing Encore is among the favourites (Danny Lawson/PA)

Richard Fahey’s Rock Opera and Ruth Carr’s Rousing Encore are amongst the favourites for the race, with long-standing Great St Wilfrid sponsors William Hill donating all profits from the contest to the MND Association, which will receive at least £30,000.

Both were narrowly denied by William Haggas’ progressive operator Elmonjed at York last time, with Rock Opera in third on the Knavesmire, just a short head in front of Rousing Encore in fourth.

Bryan Smart’s Secret Guest was third in the race last year and returns off just a 3lb higher mark after going close at Thirsk last month, with Jim Goldie’s Abduction also arriving in peak condition after a recent win at Chester.

“It’s been the plan for a bit. He won over seven and a bit last time out but he’s plenty of winning form at six,” said Goldie,

“The Great St Wilfrid can often be decided by the draw and we’re in the middle, you just need to get near the right horses. Who knows where you’ll need to be, look at the sprints at Goodwood, one day you wanted to be near side and the next far side. I think it’s to do with the pace.

“I’ve never really had much luck at Ripon, so it’s about time it changed.”

This will be the 31st year that William Hill have sponsored the Great St Wilfrid and their charitable link with the MND association which will be visible throughout the card.

Ben Wright, director of ESG and sustainability for William Hill, said: “We are excited to be teaming up with the MND Association this Saturday for a special raceday at Ripon.

“As one of the longest standing sponsorships in racing, Great St Wilfrid day at Ripon is always significant for William Hill, and this year holds an extra importance with all profits on the big race going to the MND Association.

“To further mark the occasion and highlight the legacy of Rob Burrow, we’ve created a bespoke saddlecloth for number seven in the field.”

Sajir team plot familiar route for Deauville winner

/in /by

Replicating his father in the Prix de la Foret and a tantalising Breeders’ Cup tilt are the likely targets for Sajir this autumn following his Prix Maurice de Gheest heroics.

Andre Fabre’s four-year-old excelled at Deauville when claiming the feature Group One sprint in the hands of Oisin Murphy, lowering the colours of both defending champion and Royal Ascot scorer Lazzat and Prix Jean Prat winner Woodshauna who filled the places.

It was a performance which delighted connections and vindicated their belief in the son of Make Believe as he flew home in blistering fashion, also providing compensation for being withdrawn before the start of the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes that Lazzat subsequently won at Ascot back in June.

“He looked magnificent on Sunday and these victories don’t happen often so you try to enjoy them more knowing they are not a regular thing,” said Ted Voute, racing adviser to owner Prince Faisal.

“I rang Andre (on Monday) and the horse had just arrived back from Deauville to Chantilly and was sound. Obviously with the ground as rattling as it was, we were holding our breath a little, but he was sound as a pound.

“He beat the form horses in second and third who had both won Group Ones themselves, so it franks everything and was won in the second fastest time ever in that race and the fastest time from a colt in that race – it writes quite a nice stallion advertisement.”

Make Believe won the seven-furlong Prix de la Foret for Fabre in 2015 and Sajir will take a direct route to ParisLongchamp on Arc day in a bid to emulate that achievement.

Sajir winning at Newmarket earlier this season
Sajir winning at Newmarket earlier this season (Mike Egerton/PA)

That outing could well be followed by a trip to America for the Breeders’ Cup Mile, with the master trainer also tempted to test the colt’s stamina at Del Mar in November.

Voute added: “He’s in the Foret and Andre said directly after the race we will follow his father’s footsteps. He runs best fresh, so I could see us going straight there.

“Andre also said though that there is something about him that makes him feel the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar wouldn’t be a bad idea, so we might put him in the mix there and see how we get on.

“It’s Andre’s idea and he’s a master of these sort of things and he just felt the layout of the course might play to his strengths a little bit.

“There’s a lot of water to go under the bridge before we get there, but it’s not a bad target!”

Racing Bulletin for 15/08/2025

/in /by

Latest News and Features

Your first 30 days for just £1

Today's Racing

Click on course names to view our course guides. Click on race times to access that racecard. Times highlighted in yellow are free races of the day.

Dundalk

Standard

 13:45 14:20 14:55 15:30 16:05 16:40 17:10 17:45
Epsom Downs

Good

 14:05 14:40 15:15 15:50 16:20 16:50
Yarmouth

Good to Firm

 14:15 14:50 15:25 16:00 16:35 17:05
Newbury

Good to Firm

 15:05 15:40 16:10 16:45 17:20 17:57
Tramore

Good

 17:00 17:35 18:10 18:45 19:19 19:49 20:19
Newmarket

Good to Firm

 17:15 17:52 18:25 19:00 19:30 20:00
Thirsk

Good to Firm

 17:25 18:02 18:35 19:10 19:40 20:10

Today's Feature of the Day is...

Horses for Courses report

Good luck!


Prestige run a possibility for Newbury victor Touleen

/in /by

The Prestige Stakes at Goodwood is a potential next port of call for Touleen following her impressive debut at Newbury last week.

A daughter of Lope De Vega out of Group Three-winning mare Talaayeb, the Shadwell homebred was sent off favourite to make a successful start to her career for trainer Owen Burrows and obliged in some style.

Shadwell’s racing manager, Angus Gold, admitted the performance was beyond his expectations and is excited to see how she performs when upped in class.

He said: “We’ve made an entry for her in the Rockfel and the Fillies’ Mile. I spoke to Owen briefly and he said he’ll see how she is next week and he might think about putting her in the Prestige at Goodwood, or I believe there’s a fillies’ novice coming up at Newmarket possibly.

“Owen had only ever said she went all right. They took her for an away-day at Kempton and Jim (Crowley) liked the feel of her, but they didn’t press any buttons.

“I think that experience stood her in good stead, she was in the right spot in the race and I loved the way she put the race to bed and kept going all the way to the line.

“It wasn’t expected, but it was obviously very nice to see. We’ll give her two or three more runs and see how she takes it all. She’s not a big, robust filly so we’ll just feel our way, but Owen is quite keen to get on and run her in the next three weeks or so.”

Another horse held in high regard by the Shadwell team is Almeraq, who having bolted up in an Ayr handicap last month is set to have his sights raised, with Gold not ruling out the possibility of an immediate step up to Group One level in the Sprint Cup at Haydock.

“He was in a Listed race in France the other day (Prix Moonlight Cloud) but we thought it was going to be too quick,” he added.

“I think there is a Listed race at Newmarket at the end of next week (Hopeful Stakes) so we could look at that, depending on the weather. Or if necessary, if things aren’t going to work and we want to take the bold route, we could go straight to Haydock for the Sprint Cup.

“We’ve missed a lot of the season with him, he’s always been a potentially nice horse and there is no point going down the handicapping route, so let’s just get on and see what the weather does and take it from there.”

Jason Hart joins 1,000-winner club at Beverley

/in /by

Scottish-born jockey Jason Hart rode his 1,000th winner on Rock Of England in the Racing TV Club Day Handicap at Beverley on Thursday.

Hart, brought up in Hewick, has built up a good partnership with John and Sean Quinn in Malton and partnered Highfield Princess to four Group One wins for the yard.

Fellow Scot Mark Johnston handed him his first job but he credits Eric Alston for giving him his big breakthrough on Ridge Ranger, who won a Listed race and Group Three under Hart in 2016.

“It’s a nice milestone to get to,” Hart told Racing TV.

“I started off with Mark Johnston and had a great grounding there where you had a great work ethic instilled into you, then I moved to Declan Carroll and even more of a work ethic is instilled into you there.

“I’ve had great support from John Quinn and Eric Alston as well, Eric was the one who got me going and put me on a better class of horse.

“My agent said when I get to 100 winners this year it was 1,000 for Great Britain, but I’d actually had a few abroad so that was 1000 worldwide. I’ve a few more to go for 1000 in Britain on its own but I’m really happy.

“Highfield Princess is the best I’ve ridden but with a bit of luck Jm Jungle has a chance in the Nunthorpe next week. He’s bounced out of his Goodwood win well.”

Jim Goldie favouring Ascot date for American Affair

/in /by

Jim Goldie is leaning towards Champions Day at Ascot over the Breeders’ Cup for his stable star American Affair.

The King Charles III Stakes victor was one of the most popular winners at Royal Ascot and had Goldie dreaming of a trip to America.

However, a setback in the days after Ascot put plans on hold for the five-year-old and he is still only in light work, which makes Goldie think he should target just one race.

“We’re still in pre-season mode with him, if that makes sense, we’re planning towards October time so we’ve eight to 10 weeks,” said Goldie.

“We haven’t made a final decision about America yet, but I think it’s more likely that we go to Ascot with him as I don’t want to do both as that would mean rushing him.

“Obviously the Ascot race is six furlongs and he might just be a five-furlong specialist, but if he’s not that’s another string to his bow.”

Goldie finished second in the 2012 British Champions Sprint with Hawkeyethenoo while Jack Dexter was beaten just a neck the following year, so the handler is eager to finally secure the title.

“The point about Ascot is I’ve seen it, been there and done it but not quite won it! I’ve come close a few times and we’ve had horses run well there whereas going halfway around the world, it could be too firm for him,” he said.

“The option is there next year if we need it. We know how his form is stacking up as the horse we beat easy twice this year (Jm Jungle) is now going for the Nunthorpe after winning at Goodwood.

“I do like Champions Day. Jack Dexter won the race after Frankel there but nobody remembers as everyone was still talking about Frankel!

“I had it in my head we were going to America but I wanted a prep-race and I could only see two. The Ayr Gold Cup or Ascot, and Ascot was only 10 days or so before.

“I spoke to Tadhg O’Shea who rides all over the world and he said you want to ideally get them over there in plenty of time to acclimatise, so it then became one or the other so that’s where we are. I’d think it’s Ascot but I’ll sit on the fence as long as I can.”

Aidan O’Brien holds key to Great Voltigeur field

/in /by

Aidan O’Brien dominates the confirmations for the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes at York on Wednesday with six of the 11 entries.

His potential team is led by dual Derby winner Lambourn, who also holds a Juddmonte International entry, along with Aftermath, who has yet to run this season, Mount Kilimanjaro, Shackleton, Stay True and Thrice.

Paddy Twomey’s Carmers would be a major contender if he runs as he is unbeaten in three starts and broke the track record in the Queen’s Vase.

Pride Of Arras could return to the scene of Dante victory in May, although Ralph Beckett’s charge subsequently disappointed in the Derby at Epsom and was gelded following another lacklustre showing in the Irish equivalent.

George Scott’s Bay City Roller, winner of the Champagne Stakes last season, gets the chance to run over a trip his trainer thinks he will excel at for the first time while the Andrew Balding-trained Furthur and William Haggas’ Arabian Force, who was supplemented for the race, complete the list.

A total of 15 colts remain in the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes, that last year contained The Lion In Winter and Ruling Court.

Adrian Keatley has a very interesting contender in Rochfortbridge, a debut winner at Ayr when he beat Chesham runner-up and subsequent Listed winner Thesecretadversary.

“Taking him to Ayr was always going to help us decide whether he went for the Acomb or the Convivial Maiden,” said Keatley.

“We were delighted he put his hand up to run in something like the Acomb.

“The third horse has come out and won at Catterick easily last week as well as Fozzy Stack’s horse winning a Listed race since, so the form is rock solid.

“He was given a big rating and we’re confident he can go close.

“I was quietly confident we’d be second to Fozzy’s horse but it was nice to win and we’re delighted with him.”

O’Brien could run Dorset, Italy, Montreal or Neolithic while Charlie Appleby has Distant Storm and Pacific Avenue engaged.

Ed Walker’s Do Or Do Not, who is still a maiden having placed in three Group races, Goodwood Galaxy, Hankelow and May Angel are others who have shown smart form already that could run.

Trainer Bill Turner dies aged 78

/in /by

Trainer Bill Turner has died aged 78 following a serious accident earlier this week.

Turner, who was based in Sigwells in Somerset, was a former jockey and as a trainer became synonymous with the Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster, having won the traditional first race of the Flat turf season six times.

He had been in a serious condition in hospital after reportedly fracturing his skull in a fall on Monday and his daughter, Kathy, announced his death on Thursday afternoon.

Speaking at Chepstow racecourse, she told Sky Sports Racing: “Dad passed away about an hour and a half ago.

“We got the call in the lorry, I’d made the decision to come here, the horse (Red Snapper) was to run in dad’s name in his honour, whatever had happened he would have wanted that.

“He slipped away this morning. The support from everyone in racing has been absolutely outstanding. I’ve tried to reply to as many people as I could, but I am so sorry if I haven’t replied to you or someone else. The love that man had was absolute.

“He wasn’t just my dad and my sister’s dad and Ryan’s grandfather, he was everyone’s dad and the people who he has helped in their careers saw him as a dad.

“He would have preferred to have been going flat out up the gallops but unfortunately it was a freak accident.

“I still can’t get round that this injury has done this to him, as I’ve pulled him out from such serious injuries on the gallops. Only last Sunday he was re-felting my sister’s salon roof.”

Mick’s Yer Man was Turner’s last Brocklesby winner in 2013 and that victory held special significance.

Kathy Turner added: “His best ever moment was when Ryan (While, grandson) won the Brocklesby on Mick’s Yer Man.”

In a statement British Horseracing Authority chief executive Brant Dunshea said: “Everybody at the BHA is deeply saddened by the news of Bill Turner’s death. My thoughts, along with my colleagues at the BHA and everyone involved in the sport, are with Bill’s family and friends, as well as everyone who works at the yard.

“Bill was a wonderful stalwart of our sport. He poured his heart and soul into racing, both as a jockey and then a trainer, and we will particularly miss his annual runner in the Brocklesby Stakes, which he won an impressive six times.

“We will do everything we can to support the yard during this incredibly challenging period.”

Wesley Ward ‘excited’ to mount Morny challenge with Outfielder

/in /by

Outfielder is on his way to France with the aim of providing American trainer Wesley Ward with a fourth victory in the Prix Morny at Deauville on Sunday week.

The Speightstown colt made a huge impression on his racecourse debut at Churchill Downs in May and looked tailor-made to add to Ward’s tally of a dozen winners at Royal Ascot.

However, he was ruled out of the the trip to Britain following a late setback and for the first time in a decade his trainer did not have a runner at the summer showpiece meeting in Berkshire.

But two months on, Ward is gunning for more Group One glory on European soil in a race he has previously won with No Nay Never (2013), Lady Aurelia (2016) and Campanelle (2020).

“Outfielder left Keeneland yesterday (Wednesday), so away we go,” he said.

“He’s flying right now, doing great and everything is wonderful. He’s had some excellent morning breezes and I’m so excited to get this guy going.

“He won bounding away on his only start. It was a little bit of a rush job to get him to Ascot and he told us he hadn’t quite recovered from his first effort to be ready for his next, but now he’s ready.”

No Nay Never, Lady Aurelia and Campanelle had all struck Royal Ascot gold before following up at Deauville and while Ward admits Outfielder lacks that high-level match practice, he feels there is some upside in the fact he will line up fresh.

“He doesn’t have quite the experience the others did because the others had two runs. They’d all run at home and run at Ascot,” the trainer added.

“This horse does have a bit better spacing in that all the others came back to America after Ascot and then had to travel again back to France, so he’s got better spacing from race to race.

“His last workout was an eye-opener at Keeneland. He worked in company with a horse called Longshoreman, who is out of Lady Pauline, who actually ran at Ascot in a race prior to the Royal meeting a few years ago and finished second.

“Longshoreman finished second on his debut at Keeneland and then bounded away by many lengths, just like Outfielder did, so when we worked them together last week I was kind of unsure what would happen, but Outfielder just ran away from him.

“He would relish fast ground, that’s for sure. It’s always a question mark at Deauville, but right now he’s doing great and we’re excited about running him.”

Ward is named as a part-owner of Outfielder alongside Kia Joorabchian’s Amo Racing operation and former professional baseball player Jayson Werth, who is set to make the trip to France.

Ward, who also confirmed Amo Racing’s retained rider David Egan is set to be on board, said: “Jayson is a wonderful guy and it’s great to have a great sportsman like him be involved in such a nice horse. We’re excited about that as well.”

Daryz handed International mission at York

/in /by

Daryz is on course for next week’s Juddmonte International at York after satisfying connections in a gallop on Thursday morning.

The Sea The Stars colt is in unbeaten in four races this term having been unraced at two last year and as a Group Two winner last time out, his team feel the timing is right for him to step into the best company.

Nemone Routh, racing manager for owners the Aga Khan Studs, confirmed that Daryz sufficiently impressed trainer Francis-Henri Graffard and is set to run on Wednesday.

“I’ve spoken to the trainer and jockey because Mickael Barzalona rode him and they were very happy with his piece of work. He’d taken a step forward from his piece of work last week and they were very happy with his condition,” said Routh.

“He worked with Sibayan and Surabad, a Group Two winner and Group Three placed so good horses, and after it the plan is now to run at York if everything goes fine.

“It’s obviously a big ask from what he has been doing so far. The field is a strong one and we’re under no illusions it’s going to be a very tough race, but Francis took the view that the horse is in great form, it will be fast ground which he handles well and we’ve always rated him, so we’ll see how good he is next week.”

Daryz has yet to venture further than ParisLongchamp and Saint-Cloud and Routh admits travelling for the first time to potentially take on the likes of Eclipse victor Delacroix and Japanese runner Danon Decile presents a real test.

Eclipse winner Delacroix also featured in the International confirmations
Eclipse winner Delacroix also featured in the International confirmations (Steven Paston/Jockey Club)

“Francis just wanted to see that the horse was on good terms with himself, which he showed us this morning, but the question mark with him is he has been learning on the job, he’s still a bit immature,” said Routh.

“It’s going to be a lot for him to travel for the first time, see everything new and then come up against such a top-class field as well. That’s the caveat with him.

“We were very impressed last time though, in a race which wasn’t run to suit him. He pulled too hard as they were crawling but then he really picked up. That was a Group Two so you feel it makes sense to run in a Group One and this came up at the right time.”

A total of nine horses have been confirmed, with Aidan O’Brien responsible for Delacroix, dual Derby hero Lambourn, who also has the Great Voltiguer as an option, and the top-class filly Whirl.

John and Thady Gosden’s Prince of Wales’s scorer Ombudsman will have the benefit of a pacemaker in the supplemented Birr Castle, with See The Fire and Anmaat also left in.

Racing Bulletin for 14/08/2025

/in /by

Latest News and Features

Your first 30 days for just £1

Today's Racing

Click on course names to view our course guides. Click on race times to access that racecard. Times highlighted in yellow are free races of the day.

Beverley

Good to Firm

 14:10 14:40 15:12 15:47 16:20 16:55
Salisbury

Good to Firm

 14:20 14:50 15:25 16:00 16:35 17:10
Chepstow

Good

 14:30 15:00 15:35 16:10 16:45 17:15
Windsor

Good to Firm

 17:00 17:30 18:00 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00
Tramore

Good

 17:05 17:35 18:05 18:35 19:05 19:35 20:05
Cork

Good

 17:22 17:52 18:22 18:52 19:22 19:52 20:25
Chelmsford

Standard / Slow

 18:15 18:45 19:15 19:45 20:15 20:45

Today's Feature of the Day is...

Instant Expert for ALL races

Good luck!


Helvic Dream team lose Galway Hurdle appeal

/in /by

Connections of Helvic Dream have lost their appeal against the decision of the stewards to demote their horse to second in the Galway Hurdle.

Helvic Dream and Donagh Meyler won by a head but the stewards deemed there was enough interference caused to Jack Kennedy and Ndaawi to change the finishing order.

Meade’s appeal was considered at a Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board hearing on Wednesday, with Mrs Justice Siobhan Keegan outlining the decision on behalf of the Appeals Body.

She said: “The ultimate decision that we have to reach is whether the stewards erred in their decision on the day and whether we should uphold the decision or reach a different view on this.

“Having viewed all the recordings of the race and considered all of the evidence we have to come to our decision, mindful that these determinations are on the balance of probabilities. We also want to say that we can well see why an appeal has been brought in this case.

“In coming to our conclusion… we cannot be satisfied that the stewards erred in their decision to reverse the placings.

“In summary that is because interference has occurred, and it was caused by Mr Meyler. Whilst Mr Kennedy’s horse may not have obviously lost its own momentum, he was clearly significantly pressed for space so near the rail and he was not able to ride his strongest race. We must therefore dismiss the appeal.”

Meade’s deposit was returned.

Your first 30 days for just £1