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

Licensing conditions for Oisin Murphy to include enhanced testing on and off the racecourse

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Oisin Murphy will be subject to enhanced testing both on and off the racecourse as part of “stringent” conditions placed on his licence by the British Horseracing Authority following his drink-driving conviction.

The four-times champion jockey was fined £70,000 and banned from driving for 20 months having pleaded guilty to one count of driving a motor vehicle while over the prescribed limit of alcohol at Reading Magistrates’ Court last week.

Following the conclusion of those court proceedings, the BHA says it has been “liaising extensively with Mr Murphy and his team” which has resulted in the immediate imposition of “an extremely strict set of conditions and monitoring requirements” on his riding licence which “must be adhered to at all times”.

A BHA statement said: “The revised conditions have been designed to balance the need to maintain the safety, integrity and good reputation of British racing, with ensuring that Mr Murphy has access to the appropriate support and advice so that he meets the sport’s expectations.

“BHA licensing matters and the precise details of any conditions that may be placed on an individual’s licence are a private and confidential matter between that person and the regulator.

“However, we can confirm that Mr Murphy will be subject to stringent conditions, including detailed and strict procedures relating to further enhanced testing, both on and off the racecourse.

“Mr Murphy must also engage regularly and proactively with the BHA. In addition he must alert us, within a clearly stipulated timeframe, to any change in his personal circumstances that could reasonably be said to be relevant to his position as a licensed jockey.”

The BHA added both the conditions and Murphy’s compliance will be subject to “careful monitoring and regular review”, also warning it reserves “the right to seek the immediate suspension or withdrawal of Mr Murphy’s licence” if those conditions are not met.

The statement added: “As emphasised in our statement of last week, Mr Murphy’s conduct has fallen well below the standards expected of licensed individuals. His actions – for which he has since apologised – jeopardised not only his safety, but that of his passenger and other members of the public.

“Mr Murphy, like all licensed personnel, is expected to uphold the good reputation of our sport on and off the racecourse. He has been reminded of his responsibility. The conditions now in place are designed to help ensure that he meets the high standards that British racing demands.”

Racing Bulletin for 11/07/2025

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Newmarket

Good to Firm

 13:50 14:25 15:00 15:35 16:10 16:45 17:20
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Good

 14:00 14:35 15:10 15:45 16:20 16:55
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Good

 14:10 14:45 15:20 15:55 16:32 17:07 17:40
Kilbeggan

Good

 16:25 17:00 17:30 18:00 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00
Cork

Good

 17:12 17:45 18:15 18:45 19:15 19:45 20:15
Chepstow

Good to Firm

 17:35 18:10 18:40 19:10 19:40 20:10 20:40
Chester

Good

 17:55 18:25 18:55 19:25 19:55 20:25 20:55

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Opera Ballo ‘very exciting’ – but Appleby determined to take it slowly

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Charlie Appleby will continue to take “baby steps” with Opera Ballo after the exciting colt claimed his fourth victory from five starts in the Edmondson Hall Solicitors Sir Henry Cecil Stakes at Newmarket.

The son of Ghaiyyath made a huge impression winning his first two starts on the all-weather at Kempton and while he disappointed behind the brilliant Field Of Gold when well fancied for the Craven Stakes in April, he bounced back with a comprehensive Listed success at Sandown the following month.

Having since sidestepped Royal Ascot, Opera Ballo was the 11-8 favourite to continue his progression on the July course – and while he was giving 3lb to some smart rivals under William Buick, the result never really looked in doubt as he cruised two and three-quarter lengths clear of Seagulls Eleven.

Appleby said: “It’s easy to say after the event, but I’d have been disappointed if he’d got beat to be honest. He’s a very exciting horse we thought a lot of in the spring and even in the winter to be fair.

“He shows signs of his father as he’s a strong-minded horse, but he’s a great galloper and has got a big engine.

“People asked why we didn’t run him over seven furlongs in the Jersey (at Royal Ascot), but if you come back in trip and try to put speed in these sort of horses you can lose them and that’s the last thing I want to do, because I think he’s actually going to end up being a 10-furlong horse.”

Considering future plans, the trainer added: “He’s a horse we’ll keep taking baby steps with.

“At home you can put him in front or put him in behind and he just does as he’s asked, but when he turns up here (on a racecourse) he’s a different beast.

“He’s got to learn to do it the right way, I think he’ll have learnt a lot today and we might take him to Deauville for a Group Three.

“I know it sounds boring and people have asked why we haven’t been a bit punchier, but I’m very much working back from next year with him and I want to nurse him along so next year we have a horse that we can go to war with.

“This horse can gallop, there’s no doubt about that, but he’s got to learn to do it the right way on the racetrack.”

Opera Ballo rounded off an excellent day’s work for Appleby and Buick, with the pair enjoying a treble on the card and Buick riding his 2,000th winner in Britain aboard El Cordobes in the feature Princess of Wales’s Stakes.

The middle leg of the hat-trick was provided by Crimson Rose (7-2), who confirmed debut promise with a four-length verdict in the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.

“The highlight of the day has been William riding his 2,000th winner in Britain and from our point of view it’s been a great day for the team,” said Appleby.

“Crimson Rose is a filly who has obviously stepped up from Chelmsford with experience. We came here hopeful more than confident, she’s a neat little filly who shows a bit of natural pace at home and the experience under her belt from Chelmsford has probably stood her in good stead,” said Appleby.

“I wouldn’t be bold enough to say she’s a stakes filly, so we’ll see how we go.”

Marco Botti’s Prince Of India (7-1) was a decisive winner of the Bet Boost At bet365 Handicap and the Newmarket-based Italian feels there could be more to come from his charge in the autumn.

Botti said: “For a while I thought this would be the race for him, but beforehand I had my doubts with the ground. We had a little bit of rain on Monday, but since then it’s been so hot and I hoped it wouldn’t be too quick for him.

“I think with the stiff finish up the hill he got away with it, but when he gets a little bit more give in the ground I think he has a little bit more to offer and there’ll be a bit more to come from him.

“Six furlongs is probably about right – he’s definitely got plenty of toe.”

The concluding Federation Of Bloodstock Agents Handicap went to Charlie Johnston’s 14-1 shot Dutch Decoy, with Jack Mitchell the winning rider.

Ghostwriter taken for observation after ‘freak’ pre-race accident

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Ghostwriter was taken to Newmarket Equine Hospital for further observation after rearing up in the pre-parade ring prior to his planned appearance in the Princess of Wales’s Stakes.

Bought by Kia Joorabchian’s Amo Racing operation for £2million on the eve of Royal Ascot, Clive Cox’s stable star made a promising start for his new connections when third in the Hardwicke Stakes.

The four-year-old was set to go off the hot favourite for the Group Two feature on day one of the July meeting, but had to be withdrawn after a ‘freak’ pre-race spill.

Cox said: “It was a freak accident, we hadn’t even done the girths up, we’d just put the pads on him and I’m not even sure what startled him really.

“He reared up and lost his footing and sat right on his rump behind. He was definitely lame as a consequence, so he was taken back to the stable yard and immediately shipped to the NEH (Newmarket Equine Hospital) for further observation.

“Hopefully it’s nothing more than bruising, that would be the first opinion of the vets, but we’re going to keep him at the vets overnight just to be absolutely sure. He’s got the right people around him just in case.

“You couldn’t make it up and it was nobody’s fault – it was just freaky. I think he just lost his balance.”

Buick swoops for 2,000th British winner aboard El Cordobes

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El Cordobes came to the fore to give William Buick his 2,000th British winner in the Princess of Wales’s Stakes at Newmarket.

The four-year-old was one of two Charlie Appleby-trained, Godolphin-owned horses in the race alongside Arabian Crown, and started at 7-2 with John and Thady Gosden’s Palladium the 13-8 favourite after the late withdrawal of Ghostwriter.

Buick took his time in the Group Two before knuckling down in the final three furlongs, when he switched out to find some room and kicked clear for a two-length win over Wimbledon Hawkeye for a famous success.

El Cordobes comes home under William Buick
El Cordobes comes home under William Buick (Joe Giddens/PA)

Buick said: “It means a lot and I suppose it tells me and everyone else that I’ve been doing this for quite a long time!

“It’s something I wasn’t really aware of until pretty recently and you never quite know when it’s going to happen.

“There are some places to do it that aren’t as glamorous as Newmarket’s July meeting, no offence, so to do it here at my home track, for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin, makes it all the more special.

“It wasn’t by design, you can’t design these things, but I’m very happy it happened the way it did.

William Buick after his 2000th British winner
William Buick after his 2000th British winner (Joe Giddens/PA)

“I’m lucky to have been champion jockey and I’ve ridden some fantastic horses for some fantastic people. I had a great time with John Gosden and now with Charlie and Godolphin, I’ve always been in a very privileged position and I’m grateful for all the support I’ve had over the years.

“It goes without saying that my family are my biggest supporters, so thank you to them and all the owners and trainers and stable staff and the great horses along the way.

“Hopefully it can continue.”

On future ambitions, he added: “You’re always looking forward and always looking for the next one.

“There’s still loads I haven’t done and races I haven’t won, the Oaks being one.”

Buick, 36, has been Appleby’s principal rider since 2015 and has claimed four of the five British Classics, with the Oaks the only one missing.

William Buick at Newmarket's July course
William Buick at Newmarket’s July course (Steven Paston/PA)

He has won the last two renewals of the 2000 Guineas with Notable Speech and Ruling Court, doubling up in the 1000 this year on Desert Flower. He has claimed the St Leger three times and the 2018 Derby on Masar.

The only other jockeys still active to have ridden over 2,000 British winners are Joe Fanning, Jamie Spencer, Ryan Moore, Luke Morris and Jim Crowley, as well as Frankie Dettori, who is currently riding in America.

Buick said: “The one race that stands out is the Derby as we all know the Derby is special and it’s the one race everyone wants to win.”

Asked to pick out one ride from Buick that he had given to one of his horses that was the most memorable, Appleby not surprisingly said: “Masar in the Derby. Just because of the whole occasion and what it meant.

“If you’re asking when I felt he’s made the difference between winning and losing I’d have to say some of the Breeders’ Cup meetings, he’s been deadly round there.

“We’re very lucky to have him as part of our team and congratulations to him and all his family, it’s a huge achievement, long may it continue.”

Buick wasted little time in making it winner number 2,001 when steering Crimson Rose to victory in the following British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.

The Appleby-trained chestnut, who is by Invincible Spirit and out of the Group-winning mare Ideal Beauty, was a 7-2 chance and prevailed by a comfortable four lengths on the line.

And it was three on the day for the Buick-Appleby combination with the impressive Opera Ballo (11-8 favourite) taking the Edmondson Hall Solicitors Sir Henry Cecil Stakes.

BHA: Oisin Murphy required to meet ‘incredibly strict conditions’ after drink-driving conviction

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The British Horseracing Authority says it is working to produce a set of “incredibly strict conditions” with Oisin Murphy following his conviction for drink-driving.

Murphy, 29, was fined £70,000 and banned from driving for 20 months having pleaded guilty to one count of driving a motor vehicle while over the prescribed limit of alcohol.

Murphy was able to ride while awaiting his hearing and then subsequently, and Brant Dunshea, acting chief executive of the BHA, addressed the issue on ITV Racing.

He said: “Matters around licensing are personal in nature and every individual has different challenges. When it comes to licensing we maintain a private relationship with individuals.

“There will be times when we have to deal with certain issues in a different way and not only to address issues that have emerged like in Oisin’s situation, but also to support individuals who might be dealing with a whole range of challenges.

“What has occurred, which has been reported and Oisin has spoken about that, is below the standard we would expect in terms of British racing.

“But, importantly, we make every effort to protect and enhance the safety of our jockeys and our horses. As a consequence between heavy engagement between Oisin and our team, we’re going through a process at the moment of agreeing a set of incredibly strict conditions and this will include enhanced testing both on the racecourse and away from the racecourse.

“To be very clear, the BHA weren’t given access to the information in relation to the criminal proceedings up until the full details were given in court. These matters are not in our jurisdiction so the information we were dealing with was limited.

“We’ve had face-to-face sessions with Oisin and we are working to come up with a set of conditions that not only ensures we’re protecting the integrity of British racing and the safety of our people, but also in a way that ensures Oisin gets the support and help he might need to deal with his issues.”

Zavateri strikes the right note in July Stakes success

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Eve Johnson Houghton was brimming with delight after Zavateri maintained his unbeaten record in the Kingdom of Bahrain July Stakes at Newmarket.

Sent off the 18-1 outsider of six, Charlie Bishop was content to sit off the red-hot early gallop set by Comical Point before Ryan Moore joined in on Brussels.

Maximized (6-4 favourite) threatened to get involved only to drop back tamely, and as Zavateri began to pull away it was Coventry Stakes runner-up Do Or Do Not who stayed on strongly to claim second, a length away as he awaits his first win.

Johnson Houghton said: “I knew he was a good horse, I wasn’t sure if he was good enough to win after only one run because he’s obviously very inexperienced.

“In the paddock he was like, ‘oh, it’s party time!’. But in the race he’s so professional. I thought, ‘Oh god he’s going to win this’, and I never had a moment’s doubt really.”

Zavateri faced a significant rise in class after winning on his Salisbury debut, but his trainer was more than hopeful he would hold his own in the Group Two affair.

“The form of his first race hasn’t worked out at all, but he could only beat what he beat and he’s done it again,” she added.

“I wondered whether I was being a bit ballsy, but quite frankly you either come here and take on Group horses or you go to a novice where you might have to give weight to a Group horse and I thought we might as well come here and see what we’ve got.

“I love this horse – he’s got a great attitude and just wants to please. He’s a dream to train and I think he’s pretty nice to ride as well.”

Zavateri is a 33-1 shot for next year’s 2000 Guineas with Paddy Power. When asked whether he could stay the mile of next season’s first Classic, Johnson Houghton said: “He’s bred to, but as I always tell all my owners, you’ve never heard of Usain Bolt’s brother! What they’re bred to do and what they do aren’t always the same thing, but I think he definitely wants seven furlongs.

“We’ll probably run him once or twice more this year, maybe he’ll go to Goodwood at the Vintage and then we can look at the Dewhurst.”

Zavateri was a second major two-year-old winner of the year for Johnson Houghton after Havana Hurricane’s success in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Comparing the two, she added: “Havana Hurricane is a sprinter and this horse wants further, so they don’t work together – and I haven’t got enough horses to be breaking them against each other!”

Scandinavia in a different league to Bahrain Trophy rivals

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Scandinavia was an emphatic winner when coming home unchallenged in the the Bahrain Trophy Stakes at Newmarket.

Aidan O’Brien’s Justify colt was the 11-8 favourite under Ryan Moore in a small field of five, and horse and rider were happy to travel along in the slipstream of early leader Furthur.

As the race progressed he loomed up beside the front runner to take the lead three furlongs from home and from there on it was plain sailing as he prevailed by an easy eight and a half lengths.

Paddy Power were very impressed and cut the winner to 6-1 from 20s for the Betfred St Leger.

Paul Smith, son of co-owner Derrick Smith, said: “He seems to have progressed nicely from Ascot and Ryan was very happy with him – he said he’s uncomplicated, he got into a lovely rhythm and we could have some fun with him over those longer distances now.

“He was out wide for a long way at Ascot but he bounced out of the race very well and really enjoyed the ground today.

“The Irish Leger and the English Leger, all those sort of races are open to him and he could be a Cup horse next year, perhaps. We can plot our way towards all those nice staying races at the end of the year now.”

The current ante-post favourite for the St Leger is stablemate and dual Derby winner Lambourn and Smith added: “There’s lots of options open and I think we’ll see how these horses get on over the festivals as after here we’ve got Goodwood and York coming up.

“He’s in the mix for all those top races.”

Doyle looking forward to Crimson tide rolling into Newmarket

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James Doyle will get his first ride on Crimson Advocate in a race in Friday’s Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes having overlooked the filly at Royal Ascot.

John and Thady Gosden’s four-year-old showed a blistering turn of foot to win for the second time at the showpiece meeting, but this time over a mile having landed the Queen Mary when trained in America.

Doyle, though, preferred the claims of fellow Wathnan Racing-owned Fallen Angel who could only finish third.

“I rode Crimson Advocate just before I got injured. It’s a shame I have not had the chance to ride her on the track but I have sat on her at home and she is a beautiful filly who amazingly won the Queen Mary and is now up to a mile, which seems to be her trip,” said Doyle.

“I know she was getting a bit of weight off of Cinderella’s Dream at Royal Ascot, as the whole field was, but I thought she showed a really good turn of foot off the turn to put the race to bed with some style.

“She really seems to have taken a step forward this year. Interestingly, I was speaking to Richard Brown (racing manager to Wathnan Racing) earlier this year and he said he’d been speaking to John and Thady and they think we should try this filly over a mile. Everyone was scratching their heads a bit, but that shows why John and Thady are the top firm that they are.

“At Ascot, it definitely proved the right call and it would be lovely for her to get a Group One to her name as obviously the guys will be looking to breed from her at some stage further down the line.

“You would like to think she can step up and win a Group One.

“The slight possible question mark would be a mile in a straight line, as James (McDonald) did seem to think she enjoyed going round a turn at Ascot, which she was obviously used to from her time in the States. But she did win a Queen Mary, albeit only over five furlongs, in a straight line.”

Cinderella’s Dream was a good winner on the Rowley Mile earlier in the season
Cinderella’s Dream was a good winner on the Rowley Mile earlier in the season (Joe Giddens/PA)

The aforementioned Cinderella’s Dream, trained by Charlie Appleby, went off favourite at Ascot but does meet Crimson Advocate on 3lb better terms this time.

Her jockey William Buick said: “She had the penalty at Ascot and ran a very good race. She knuckled down and battled on well for second, I thought the winner won well and she’s probably an improving filly, but we gave her 3lb, which is never easy.

“I do think she might be suited coming back to a straight track – she was so impressive in the Dahlia over nine furlongs. I do think the Falmouth is going to suit her and she has more in her favour here than she did at Ascot.

“She’s been such a good filly, she never runs a bad race and she always runs in the good races, whether that’s here or in America. It would be lovely for her to win a Group One here, it’s not easy but we’ll do our best.”

Oisin Murphy rides the Gosdens’ other runner Running Lion, who finished fourth at Ascot.

He said: “Running Lion ran a brave race at Ascot. We’re really looking forward to running her in Friday’s race. It is obviously quite open, but we’re hopeful for a big run.”

Saeed bin Surror’s Elwateen finished fourth in the 1000 Guineas on what was just her second ever run before failing to stay the mile and a half of the Oaks.

“She’s doing very well. She worked a few days ago, her last piece of work, and she’s definitely in good form,” said Bin Suroor.

“She came back very well from her last run and we’re looking forward to running her on Friday.

“She has plenty of speed, she didn’t stay the trip over a mile and a half.

“A trip between a mile and a mile and a quarter suits her, we gave her a chance at a mile and a half but it didn’t work out.

“On the quick ground she will be happier, good ground will be perfect for her.”

Aidan O’Brien runs Coronation Stakes third January, while his son, Donnacha, is represented by Atsila.

Elmalka, winner of the 1000 Guineas last year, aims to get back to winning ways for Roger Varian and German trainer Andreas Wohler is represented by Lady Ilze from Germany.

Venetian Sun setting the standard in Duchess of Cambridge

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Karl Burke’s Venetian Sun seeks to add a third win to her flawless record in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket.

The Starman filly has always been held in the highest regard since her purchase for 240,000 guineas as a yearling and has not disappointed so far, winning her debut at Carlisle in May and then claiming the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot in good style.

She remains at the same six-furlong trip on the July course, but is raised marginally in grade as she takes on a Group Two task under regular rider Clifford Lee.

Burke said: “It wasn’t originally in the planning to run here, but it’s a Group Two and a step forward and to get that Group Two on the CV for her as a broodmare later on is very important.

“It looks a race that she can win and she worked very nicely last week. We obviously haven’t done a lot with her since Ascot, but she had her first little piece of work since last week and did it well.

“We don’t need to be pushing any buttons with her now, we know exactly where we are with her.”

Michael Bell’s Spicy Marg steps up to six furlongs, having last been seen finishing unplaced in the five-furlong Queen Mary at the Royal meeting.

Prior to that she was an impressive winner on debut, however, and the race will determine at which level she is campaigned in the future.

“This race decides if she’s geared towards something like the Cheveley Park or we lower our sights, but she looks classy at home and it’s up to her to show us,” said Bell.

“We’ve seen glimpses of it on debut in a very good time and she ran a perfectly respectable race at Ascot.

“Given we think there’s a couple of reasons for underperforming we’d be hopeful for an improved performance.”

Ed Walker’s Royal Fixation will be ridden by William Buick on her second start, with her debut a pleasing one-length victory at Thirsk last month.

“She’s got stacks of speed and we think she’s very nice,” the trainer said.

“It’s a very strong race, but she’s in good form and this has been the plan since she won.

“I’m sure she’ll improve for that run and I guess the only thing is she barely came off the bridle.

“She will have to come off it this time and she might be like lots of mine and still be very green off the bridle, but I expect whatever we see on Friday we will then see better again in the future.”

Elsewhere in the race is Tim Easterby’s Argentine Tango, winner of both the Hilary Needler and the Empress Stakes, and Archie Watson’s Shine On Me, who was sixth in the Queen Mary.

Richard Hughes’ Mood Queen (Ryan Moore) completes the field of six.

Celandine thriving ahead of Summer Stakes tilt

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After being considered for an audacious July Cup bid, Celandine will return to the scene of past glory as she makes her reappearance in York’s William Hill Summer Stakes on Friday.

Although not seen since fifth in the Cheveley Park Stakes as a two-year-old, trainer Ed Walker gave serious thought to supplementing the daughter of Kingman for Saturday’s Newmarket feature such is quality of her work at home.

However, she will instead be in Group Three action a day earlier on the Knavesmire, a place that proved a happy hunting ground when she claimed the Lowther Stakes last summer when getting the better of subsequent Commonwealth Cup scorer Time For Sandals.

Walker said: “It’s really exciting to have her back and she’s been working really well, so much so that I toyed with supplementing her for the July Cup what with the fast ground.

“We saw sense and have gone the sensible route and she seems in great nick.

“Hopefully she can prove she’s trained on, which is what she’s been showing us at home, she’s certainly grown and is a very exciting filly.”

The Richard Hughes-trained Sayidah Dariyan finished a close up fourth in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot and drops back in against her own sex.

“I was very confident going into Ascot, although her price was huge, and she didn’t let us down. She ran a blinder,” said Hughes.

“The flat six furlongs at York will really play into her strengths, I think. She’s quite a fast filly, so we’re hoping for a big run.

“She’s an angel to train. She only lost three kilos at Ascot, so that convinced me I’d be able to back her up at York. She’s easy, just ticking over and she’s fit.”

David O’Meara’s Nighteyes, fourth in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at 100-1, James Tate’s Electric Storm and the William Haggas-trained First Instinct are among a field of 12.

Cinderella’s time for the spotlight

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Cinderella’s Dream can reverse Royal Ascot form and claim Group One glory in the Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket.

The Godolphin runner found the reopposing Crimson Advocate just under two lengths too good in last month’s Duke of Cambridge Stakes but there are valid reasons to think she can turn that verdict around.

Firstly, Charlie Appleby’s charge was conceding 3lb to the winner that day and they are off level weights this time, while jockey William Buick also felt a straight track is a better fit for this daughter of Shamardal.

Cinderella’s Dream had previously impressed over nine furlongs in the Dahlia Stakes on the Rowley Mile course and while she is at a weights disadvantage with the likes of January, it has been honours even between the older fillies and the three-year-olds over the last 20 years so perhaps that is not too much of an obstacle to overcome.

Appleby and Buick also have an eyecatching newcomer later on the card as €1.9million breeze-up buy Distant Storm makes his racecourse bow in the Weatherbys British EBF Maiden Stakes.

Venetian Sun was very impressive in victory at Ascot and trainer Karl Burke follows a familiar route by now tackling the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes.

Burke successfully took this route with Dandalla in 2020 and while Venetian Sun did not match that filly’s six-length verdict in the Albany Stakes at the Royal meeting, her one-and-a-half-length win was more than good enough.

Having won on debut at Carlisle – beating Argentine Tango who tries her luck again – Burke headed to Ascot with plenty of confidence and Venetian Sun justified that faith with a comfortable verdict that hinted at much more to come.

Story Horse can gain compensation for the narrowest of defeats last time by landing the bet365 Trophy.

A short-head winner on the Rowley Mile at the Guineas meeting, he then clashed with French Master at Goodwood at the end of May, beaten just a neck.

The winner gave a huge boost to the form when landing the Copper Horse Stakes at Ascot and Story Horse should have every chance of adding his own flourish.

Nighteyes can emerge best in a really classy renewal of the William Hill Summer Stakes at York.

She outran her 100-1 odds to finish fourth in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes last month, beaten just over four lengths by impressive winner Lazzat.

David O’Meara’s charge had plenty to find on the ratings that day and a similar effort should see her involved in the finish here.

Ghaiyya can bring up her hat-trick in the Investec Out Of The Ordinary EBF Fillies’ Handicap at Ascot.

Stepping up to a mile and a half has been the making of this Ghaiyyath filly, with victories at Thirsk and Chester in recent weeks, and a 4lb rise may not be enough to stop her.

SELECTIONS

ASCOT: 2.00 Lady Of Arabia, 2.35 Better And Better, 3.10 Sea Force, 3.45 Ghaiyya, 4.20 Ride The Thunder, 4.55 Fast Track Harry.

CHEPSTOW: 5.35 Happy Chandler, 6.10 Blooming Legend, 6.40 Miakoda, 7.10 Abundance, 7.40 Ajrad, 8.10 Darkened Edge, 8.40 Douglas Dc.

CHESTER: 5.55 Steel Drum, 6.25 Wicksey, 6.55 Annsar, 7.25 Brielle, 7.55 Love Beach, 8.25 Never Dark, 8.55 Petra Celera.

CORK: 5.12 Speakasyoufind, 5.45 Harry’s Legacy, 6.15 Prince Of Air, 6.45 Killinure Lass, 7.15 Empire Succes, 7.45 Tag Man, 8.15 Beir Bua.

KILBEGGAN: 4.25 Eye Of A Tiger, 5.00 Saint Peregrine, 5.30 Boston Rajj, 6.00 Freddie Robdal, 6.30 To The Wire, 7.00 County Champs, 7.30 Flash De Touzaine, 8.00 Luckinthecity.

NEWMARKET: 1.50 Marharba Ghaiyyath, 2.25 VENETIAN SUN (NAP), 3.00 Story Horse, 3.35 Cinderella’s Dream, 4.10 Distant Storm, 4.45 Leadman, 5.20 Nogo’s Dream.

YORK: 2.10 Sword, 2.45 Nighteyes, 3.20 Secret Echo, 3.55 Yokohama, 4.32 Perfidia, 5.07 Brazen Bolt, 5.40 Sir Edward Lear.

DOUBLE: Venetian Sun and Nighteyes.

Racing Bulletin for 10/07/2025

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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.

Doncaster

Good

 13:30 14:00 14:35 15:10 15:45 16:20 16:55 17:30
Newmarket

Good to Firm

 13:50 14:25 15:00 15:35 16:10 16:45 17:20
Carlisle

Soft

 14:10 14:45 15:20 15:55 16:32 17:07
Leopardstown

Good

 17:00 17:35 18:10 18:45 19:20 19:55 20:30
Newbury

Good to Firm

 17:25 18:00 18:35 19:10 19:45 20:20 20:55
Epsom Downs

Good

 17:50 18:25 19:00 19:35 20:10 20:45

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Meld Stakes next for Purview, says Weld

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Purview, who caught the eye when second to subsequent Eclipse winner Delacroix in the Leopardstown Derby Trial, will be seen next in the BoyleSports Meld Stakes on July 17.

Dermot Weld has pinpointed a return to Leopardstown for the Juddmonte-owned colt, having resisted the urge to run in any of the Classics to date.

Winner of a Dundalk maiden on his debut, he briefly looked like giving Delacroix a race before the displayed his turn of foot, but Epsom third and Curragh fourth Tennessee Stud finished behind him to give further credence to the form.

“He’s a big, immature colt and we are delighted with the way he’s coming forward. I’ve always said that next year will be his year,” Weld told Racing TV.

“The plan is to look at the Meld, definitely.

“I was always confident about my fella, even though Delacroix went to the Derby and was very disappointing, he then came back and ran a brilliant race.

“My fella is what he is himself, if you know what I mean, he’s a likeable colt and I expect him to run a very nice race.”

Do Or Do Not aiming to build on Ascot effort at Newmarket

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Although he is the only maiden in the Kingdom of Bahrain July Stakes, Do Or Do Not is out to prove his Royal Ascot second was no fluke at Newmarket on Thursday.

Ed Walker’s son of Space Blues was sent off at odds of 80-1 when leading home the runners on his side of the track in the Coventry Stakes, but is sure to be much shorter in the betting this time, with his handler hoping the youngster can confirm the promise of that huge performance and break his duck.

“It’s a very different track to Ascot and he was doing some very good work late on there, but he’s not short of speed and showed plenty of speed at York before that and he’s a horse who has undoubtedly surprised us,” said Walker.

“He’s a very laid-back horse who is quite hard to assess at home, but he’s fit and well and he looks great, so I hope he can go and back up that Ascot performance.

“He’s got a wonderful temperament which is often half the battle and Ascot was only his third start so he could be able to improve on it and he came out of the Coventry really well, so we’ll see how we go.”

The top of the market for the Group Two is dominated by Charlie Appleby’s Maximized and Aidan O’Brien’s Brussels, who both sidestepped the Royal meeting but have hinted at being potential top notchers in their respective careers to date.

Both head to the July course unbeaten, with the Godolphin candidate seeing the form of his Woodcote win franked by Eve Johnson Houghton’s Epsom runner-up Havana Hurricane in the Windsor Castle at Ascot, while the Ballydoyle raider sprouted wings on his debut to down stablemate and subsequent winner Kansas.

Appleby said on the Godolphin website: “Maximized is two from two, stepping up from his novice to win nicely at Epsom. We gave him a break afterwards, as the plan was always to miss Royal Ascot, and he goes into this in great shape. He is on an upward curve and hopefully the one they all have to beat.”

Maximized in full flow at Epsom
Maximized in full flow at Epsom (Adam Davy/PA)

Johnson Houghton is represented on this occasion by Salisbury scorer Zavateri, who like Paul and Oliver Cole’s taking Goodwood victor Jel Pepper is one from one and now stepping up significantly in grade.

The select field is rounded off by Andrew Balding’s Comical Point, who steps up in trip having not been disgraced when fifth in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot.

“He ran in the Norfolk and I think the step up to six furlongs will suit and he will improve a bit for that as he was definitely doing his best work late on,” said Philip Robinson, racing manager to owner Saeed Suhail.

“Whether that will be good enough to win a race like this I don’t know, but I do think the six furlongs will help.”

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