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

Los Angeles and Anmaat to cross swords again in Prince of Wales’s Stakes

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Los Angeles and Anmaat will meet again in an eagerly anticipated renewal of the Prince of Wales’s Stakes on Wednesday – but White Birch is an absentee.

The three classy older horses all met in the Tattersalls Gold Cup last month and there was not much between them.

It was hoped another clash would light up day two at Royal Ascot, but the quick conditions have ruled out John Joseph Murphy’s White Birch.

George Murphy, assistant to his father, said: “It looks like it’s going to be a dry week, so we’ve decided to give it a swerve.

“We were looking forward to it, but it looks like it’s going to be a proper quick ground and we’ve got put him first.”

On the next plan of attack with the top-class grey, he added: “The Eclipse at Sandown will probably be more than likely.

“He’s in super form, we’re really happy with him.”

See The Fire dominated her rivals in the Middleton Stakes at York
See The Fire dominated her rivals in the Middleton Stakes at York (Mike Egerton/PA)

Andrew Balding’s filly See The Fire adds a new layer of interest to the Prince of Wales’s Stakes after being supplemented on the back of a runaway success in York’s Middleton Stakes.

John and Thady Gosden’s Ombudsman has only lost once in his career and steps into Group One company for the first time while Francis-Henri Graffard’s Map Of Stars was only beaten a neck by the high-class Sosie in the Prix Ganay.

Certain Lad, Continuous, Facteur Cheval and Royal Champion complete a field of nine.

A field of 25 have been declared for the opening Queen Mary, headed by Karl Burke’s Zelaina after her impressive Nottingham debut.

Burke is looking for a third win in four years in the Group Two having won with Dramatised in 2022 and Leovanni last year for the same Wathnan ownership as Zelaina.

Karl Burke has a fine record in the Queen Mary
Karl Burke has a fine record in the Queen Mary (Mike Egerton/PA)

Lennilu adds American interest for trainer Patrick Biancone while Spicy Marg will have her followers based on her impressive debut success at Newmarket.

Burke also holds leading claims in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes with Fallen Angel, winner of the Irish 1000 Guineas last season.

She is among eight fillies that also includes Roger Varian’s Elmalka, successful in the Newmarket equivalent last year.

Cinderella’s Dream, Crimson Advocate and Paddy Twomey’s One Look also run.

A total of 11 go to post for the Queen’s Vase, won by this year’s Gold Cup favourite Illinois last year.

Shackleton heads for the Queen's Vase
Shackleton heads for the Queen’s Vase (Niall Carson/PA)

Aidan O’Brien runs two, Scandinavia and Shackleton, while Twomey’s unbeaten Carmers has also been declared.

One of the leading ante-post fancies, Ralph Beckett’s Amiloc, does not run but he also has the option of the King Edward VII later in the week.

Graffard’s Asmarani will attempt to become the first French-trained winner of the race since Andre Fabre’s Infrasonic in 1993.

A maximum field has been declared for the Royal Hunt Cup with the list headed by Charlie Appleby’s Arabian Light.

Rainbows Edge, trained by the Gosdens and owned by the King and Queen, tops the weights in the Kensington Palace Stakes while 24 will line up in the Windsor Castle.

Loughnane raring to get going at Royal Ascot again

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Billy Loughnane has reflected on his phenomenal Royal Ascot breakthrough 12 months ago – and is banking on an old friend to replicate last year’s success this time around.

There were emotional scenes in the winner’s enclosure when the 19-year-old, adorned in the famous Sangster silks that have been a staple of Ascot, opened his account at the summer showpiece in the second race of the meeting by steering Brian Meehan’s Rashabar to Coventry Stakes glory at 80-1.

Loughnane’s week would get better when his Newmarket training ally George Boughey legged him up aboard Soprano in the Sandringham Stakes, completing a double on the biggest stage and a week he will always remember fondly.

Billy Loughnane after riding Rashabar to victory in the Coventry Stakes
Billy Loughnane after riding Rashabar to victory in the Coventry Stakes (John Walton/PA)

“It was a good Ascot last year and I’m excited to get back there, said Loughnane.

“It was a brilliant feeling winning the Coventry and ticking it off so early in the week was great. It was a special day and it was great to be there on the big stage. To also win on Soprano later in the week really was the icing on the cake.”

The young jockey has big ambitions of another dream week in Berkshire and is already busy amassing a stacked book of rides for five of the biggest days of the Flat season.

And it is last year’s Ascot heroine Soprano who Loughnane is pinning his hopes on once again as she returns to the Royal meeting for the Duke of Cambridgeshire Stakes, along with stablemate Bountiful who could provide a Sandringham double for not only Loughnane and Boughey but also owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing.

Loughnane continued: “I’ve hopefully got a good book of rides and some good teams behind me. I’ve got some nice ones for George and Jane Chapple-Hyam and some other connections as well.

“Royal Ascot is the peak of our whole season so it’s important to go there with chances of winning. I’m hoping for a big week and will be disappointed to shoot a blank.

“Soprano will probably be my standout of the week and was a winner there for me last year. She’s going to run again and is in great nick. I’ve been riding her at home, she likes Ascot and loves quick ground and providing we get that I think she seems really well and will be going there with a good squeak.

“Bountiful can also run well for Highclere and George. She’s going to run in the Sandringham and her work has been good and I think stepping up to a mile will help her. I think she could be a bit of a sleeper.”

Racing Bulletin for 16/06/2025

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Gezora takes Prix de Diane honours at Chantilly from Bedtime Story

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Gezora edged out Bedtime Story to win the Prix de Diane Longines at Chantilly, with Shes Perfect unable to gain Classic compensation after controversially losing the French 1000 Guineas in the stewards’ room.

Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard and ridden by Christophe Soumillon, Gezora raced in the pack through the 10-furlong contest before switched out to launch her challenge with around a furlong and a half to run.

She kept finding for pressure all the way to the line, having enough in reserve to hold off the Aidan O’Brien-trained Bedtime Story, who only narrowly failed to come from last to first under Ryan Moore.

The Charlie Fellowes-trained Shes Perfect turned for home and momentarily looked she would again be involved at the business end, but while she was in front with two furlongs to run, she had raced keenly in second and was ultimately eased by Kieran Shoemark when her chance had gone.

Gezora was beaten by stablemate Mandanaba on her initial start in April, but the Almanzor filly landed the Prix Saint-Alary last time – a performance which gave Graffard plenty of confidence.

He said: “She ran a nice race at Longchamp, she showed something new to me. She’s improving all time and I saw after the race she really improved again, she was so happy, so confident in herself.”

Bookmaker reaction was positive to a Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe bid, with Coral introducing Gezora at 14-1, and Graffard added: “It’s great to have the Arc ‘win and you’re in races’ and we know she loves the soft ground and we close no doors.”

Soumillon praised the winner’s heart for a battle, saying: “When they started to quicken in the straight I was following them really easily, I knew she’d be able to change gear and that’s exactly what she did. The pace was on and she was ready to react at the right time.

“I saw Ryan coming on my outside and thought ‘here comes Aidan again!’, but she had a great heart and we won it.”

Asked about the Arc, the rider said: “She can do a mile and a half, I think, we’ll see what she can do in the Vermeille. We know she likes soft ground and the form from the Prix de Conde (last year) was great, the winner (Lazy Griff) was second in the Derby at Epsom and here (she is) the winner of the Prix de Diane, so sometimes you never know.”

For owner Peter Brant, the victory in his White Birch Farm colours was the realisation of a long-held ambition to win the French fillies’ Classic.

Brant purchased Gezora after she won two of her four juvenile starts and was thrilled to see her better Sistercharlie, who was beaten just a length in the 2017 renewal before going on to a stellar American career.

He said: “I think it’s probably one of the three or four races I’ve dreamt of winning. I think it’s the greatest three-year-old filly race – it’s always stiff competition.

“We were second with Sistercharlie, a great filly who won seven Grade Ones and she couldn’t even win this race because she got into trouble. It’s a very difficult race to predict.”

O’Brien said of the runner-up: “We’re delighted with Bedtime Story’s performance. She ran a magnificent race. Her improvement is clear. I’ve consistently run her in good races, and she’s now showing her true form.

“This result, over this distance, opens a lot of doors. I’m not sure yet what we’ll do next. We need to see how she comes out of it.”

Meanwhile, Fellowes will now drop back in distance with Shes Perfect, who finished ninth, and could also dip in class in search of what would a deserved Group-race win.

He said: “I think it’s clear she just didn’t really stay. I always thought 10 furlongs would be in her range, but then she did a really sparkling piece of work earlier in the week and I thought maybe she had more speed than I gave her credit for.

“She won a Pouliches so we have a very, very good filly, it was the right thing to roll the dice here over 10 furlongs and we have learned a lot.

“The Falmouth would be the obvious race for her, but we might even think about dropping back in grade to try to get her head in front, give her a bit of a confidence boost and get that stakes win.

“I have a slight niggle in the back of my head that she might prefer a bit of ease underfoot, even though she ran so well in the Pouliches, maybe she was just saving herself a bit today as I walked the course and it was fast enough.

“If it turned up quick for her next run, I wouldn’t shy away, but I think we’ll let the dust settle a bit before making a firm plan.”

James Doyle ‘pretty pleased’ with imposing Royal Ascot hand

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Twelve months on from his excellent four-timer at Royal Ascot, the excitement is mounting for James Doyle ahead of the latest instalment of the summer highlight.

Having ridden for some of the biggest names in the sport throughout his glittering career in the saddle, the Wathnan Racing number one is no stranger to the pressure the Flat season’s premier meeting brings.

And after excelling in his first season donning the old gold and peacock blue silks of the Wathnan operation who cherish Royal Ascot success above all else, Doyle is relishing this year’s action at the Berkshire track with some talented youngsters and high-class acquisitions to look forward to.

Leovanni (right) landed the Queen Mary Stakes 12 months ago
Leovanni (right) landed the Queen Mary Stakes 12 months ago (David Davies/PA)

“We look like we’ve got a nice team and there has been a few welcome additions,” said Doyle.

“Last year was great and I wouldn’t say there is more pressure this year, as there is always great pressure to perform and get winners at Royal Ascot and every year it is huge pressure.

“We’ve had a couple of two-year-olds step up to the plate and obviously Zelaina won nicely at Nottingham and there’s Postmodern for Hamad (Al Jehani) and Underwriter for Archie (Watson), so we’ve a decent group of youngsters.

“We’re all well aware how difficult it is to win at Royal Ascot, everyone knows how tough it can be, but we’re looking forward to it, quietly hopeful and would be pretty pleased with the team we have going there.”

Shareholder won last year's Norfolk Stakes
Shareholder won last year’s Norfolk Stakes (John Walton/PA)

Last year’s Ascot quadruple for the 37-year-old took his Royal meeting tally to 22, with Karl Burke proving the right man to have on side in the juvenile contests in 2024.

The Spigot Lodge handler gave Doyle the leg-up on both Shareholder (Norfolk Stakes) and Leovanni (Queen Mary Stakes) and the duo could be poised to repeat the dose with the aforementioned Zelaina, who is the shortest-priced of all the owner’s candidates in Berkshire.

The daughter of Mehmas has already followed in the footsteps of Leovanni by winning the same Nottingham maiden in impressive fashion and if Doyle’s smile upon returning to the Colwick Park paddock was not a big enough clue, Zelaina’s Queen Mary odds of 7-4 suggest the filly – whose name has Greek origins and means the moon or brightness – could shine for Doyle on the grandest stage.

Doyle said: “Leovanni won the exact same race before going on to win the Queen Mary and I think this filly clocked a marginally quicker time on what I felt was slower ground than what Leovanni won on at Nottingham, so that has to give you a bit of confidence.

“She’s quite hot so we have a bit of work to do with her in the prelims just to keep the lid on her but if she can turn up there nice and relaxed, you would be hopeful she could run a big race. It’s always difficult to compare yours to what you might be up against but I don’t think I would be swapping this filly, that’s for sure.”

Fallen Angel, seen here in her previous colours, is a big Ascot hope for Doyle
Fallen Angel, seen here in her previous colours, is a big Ascot hope for Doyle (John Walton/PA)

Away from the juveniles, Doyle has plenty of big names to enjoy, with the likes of last year’s Jersey Stakes winner Haatem back for more in the Wolferton Stakes and Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Fallen Angel a short price for Duke of Cambridge glory.

However, it could be the French contingent which provides Doyle with a couple of aces in his pack, as the rider is eagerly anticipating the chance to partner Map Of Stars (Francis-Henri Graffard, Prince of Wales’s Stakes) and new Wathnan recruit Lazzat (Jerome Reynier, Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes) in their respective Ascot assignments.

“Lazzat is a hell of an addition to the squad and we’re lucky to get our hands on him,” said Doyle.

“He looks pretty good doesn’t he? He hasn’t done much wrong in his career and was just touched off in Australia and then bolted up in his prep run for Ascot.

“Then Map Of Stars, he is a horse I really like and I know his wins in the first two runs of the season weren’t particularly strong races, but his last run in the Ganay he was unfortunate not to beat Sosie and he is obviously a very good horse who has since come out and won the Prix d’Ispahan.

“That was a nice form boost for him and I think Map Of Stars is a really exciting horse, who I think will keep progressing and whose best days are still to come.”

Dwyer not feeling the pressure as Asfoora defends Ascot title

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A 40-hour journey, nerves, excitement, jubilation and an audience with the King. That is how Australia’s Henry Dwyer remembers the “biggest day of my racing life” ahead of his return to Royal Ascot with his sprint ace Asfoora, ready to create more memories to treasure.

Some in Dwyer’s homeland had scoffed at his ambition to join compatriots like Paul Perry, Chris Waller and Peter Moody on the Royal Ascot roll of honour.

However, Dwyer had spotted a vacancy at the top of the European sprinting scene and he was not let down by his horse of a lifetime, who provided the Ballarat handler with the ultimate thrill when storming to King Charles III Stakes glory.

Asfoora stormed to victory in 2024
Asfoora stormed to victory in 2024 (David Davies/PA)

“It was completely bonkers, just madness and I was very nervous before the race as it was the biggest day of my racing life,” said Dwyer.

“I train horses in Australia, I’ve got 40-odd horses and won a couple of Group Ones, but that whole thing about travelling a horse and the risk and reward factor brought a lot of pressure.

“A lot of people in Australia thought we were ill-founded coming over here and it was more relief when she won. I didn’t care if she won, lost or drew as long as she didn’t embarrass herself and it was just important she ran well.

“As they walked into the gates I was, for want of a better phrase, s******* myself. Thankfully she ran well and at the 200-metre mark when she ran past us in the grandstand, she was clearly going to win and that’s the last I saw of the race.

“I had 30 people jumping on top of me cheering and I didn’t get chance to even see the last part of the race until half an hour after when I watched the replay and it was just an extraordinary moment.”

After embarking on a mammoth 40-hour return journey to the UK encompassing Hong Kong, Doha and the glamorous end destination of Stansted, Asfoora and her charismatic handler are embracing being back in their second home at Southgate Stables on Newmarket’s Hamilton Road.

And if Asfoora were to become the first horse trained outside Europe to win the same race at consecutive Royal meetings, then it would give Dwyer the opportunity to meet the King again after his crash course in royal protocol last year.

Dwyer explained: “I had a chat with the King before the race which was completely unscripted and I had no etiquette lessons beforehand, so it was very unannounced and I was very unaware. I would have loved an etiquette lesson as I had no idea what to call him and the rest, but we had a good chat.

“He asked me about the horse and I said ‘this is an amazing experience meeting you Sir, but I would love to be speaking to you again after the race picking up the trophy’. He said ‘let’s see if we can make that happen’ and then afterwards he had a big smile as he said ‘I told you I could make this happen’ and it was an amazing life experience.

“Racing takes you all round the world and introduces you to so many new people and that’s one of the amazing things about the sport. It’s not all about winning, it’s about the memories and meeting new people along the way and I guess the King is not someone I expected to meet, but there we are!”

Asfoora is on course for an Ascot repeat
Asfoora is on course for an Ascot repeat (Adam Morgan/PA)

It is 22 years since Paul Perry and Choisir opened the floodgates for raiders from the southern hemisphere and although Dwyer joined some of Australia’s most decorated names when striking at Europe’s showpiece meeting, it is his stock in the northern hemisphere that has risen rather than at home.

“I’ve met a lot of great people over here and I’ve got a number of owners from Europe now,” explained Dwyer.

“I think people over here have seen me have one runner and one winner at Royal Ascot and have me down as a John Gosden, but at home it’s a one swallow doesn’t make a summer scenario.

“I train 45 horses and it is what it is. We don’t really want many more than that and we enjoy having a nice, boutique stable without driving ourselves mad and Asfoora is obviously the flagbearer.”

With preparations complete, Dwyer can now embrace his star performer’s bid for Ascot immortality safe in the knowledge no one can erase the memories of 12 months ago.

“I feel like there is less pressure this year as she has been there and done it,” said Dwyer.

“It’s an expensive trip and there’s huge costs involved, but she was able to repay us last year and the money is in the bank now. This year is a bonus, she owes us nothing and we’re just here for the experience and the fun of it.

“The novelty may have worn off a little bit, but there’s still a job to be done and she seems well. We’re happy with with her and hopefully she runs well.”

Keane seeking perfect Ascot start for Juddmonte

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Colin Keane is looking to start Royal Ascot with a headline double when the big meeting gets under way on Tuesday.

Newly-appointed to the role of retained rider for the Juddmonte operation, the six-time Irish champion jockey can expect to be busy all week, not only in the famous colours of the late Khalid Abdullah but also in demand with many other owners and trainers.

And the opening afternoon could prove a huge one, with John and Thady Gosden’s Lockinge winner Lead Artist in action in the curtain-raising Queen Anne Stakes and stablemate Field Of Gold odds-on for what promises to be an epic renewal of the St James’s Palace Stakes.

Keane will be riding Lead Artist in a race for the first time, after Oisin Murphy did the steering at Newbury.

He said: “He was very good in the Lockinge. He feels like a very straightforward horse, a good mover who feels fit and well.

“It was the first time I had seen Lead Artist when I rode him last Wednesday and he looks a very straightforward type. He seems in great nick and I’ll be looking forward to getting on him in the Queen Anne.”

Field Of Gold had to settle for the runner-up spot behind Ruling Court in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, but made no mistake in the Irish equivalent. He meets the Charlie Appleby-trained Ruling Court once more, with Aidan O’Brien’s Irish Guineas winner Henri Matisse adding further spice.

Keane said: “Field Of Gold was very good at the Curragh. A stiff mile will suit him well and he’s growing up in his races and feels very relaxed and straightforward. I couldn’t have been more happy with what he did.”

Colin Keane celebrates with Field Of Gold
Colin Keane celebrates with Field Of Gold (Niall Carson/PA)

Like Keane, Juddmonte’s European racing manager Barry Mahon is hoping to see Lead Artist open the batting for the team in style.

“Our week gets off to a big start and he’s in good form and has come out of the Lockinge well,” he said.

“He’s reopposing a lot of the same horses and albeit some of them were having their first run at Newbury and could improve, we’re hoping the track and ground will suit Lead Artist.

“He’s a beautiful colt and a magnificent specimen and we’re hopeful he will give a good account of himself.”

Burke backing Night Raider to make his mark in King Charles speed test

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Karl Burke believes King Charles III Stakes contender Night Raider has the speed needed to make his mark at Royal Ascot start on Tuesday.

The four-year-old will tackle five furlongs for the first time in his eight-race career on the opening day, having warmed up for the task with a third-placed finish in the 1895 Duke of York Stakes last month.

Burke said of the talented Dark Angel colt, who took his chance in the 2000 Guineas last year after two runaway wins at Southwell: “I’m really looking forward to it. He’s got to prove he’s quick enough, but I think he is, we’ll see.”

The North Yorkshire handler also has high expectations for Venetian Sun, who will contest Friday’s Albany Stakes after beating subsequent Beverley victor Argentine Tango on her only start to date.

Burke said: “She’s definitely headed for the Albany. I’ve probably been talking a bit too much about her, but I think a lot of her. I think she’s a very good filly.”

Queen Mary favourite Zelaina is another who is set to represent Burke in the coming days and he added: “We are so lucky this year and I said the same at this time last year. We’ve some lovely horses with very nice chances and they’re all going there in good order.”

Parliamentary group ‘demand action’ over online tax threat to racing

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MP Nick Timothy has demanded action from the government to safeguard the future of British horse racing.

Timothy, whose constituency of West Suffolk includes Newmarket, is co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Racing and Bloodstock, which will release a report on Monday that warns the industry could be deeply affected by proposals to raise online betting taxes, added to existing concerns around affordability checks and a failure to deliver a more sustainable central funding model.

Ahead of the budget, the Treasury is also seeking views on replacing the current three-tax structure of online gambling duties with a single remote betting and gaming duty, which would tax bets on racing at the same rate as more profitable online casino and slot games and possibly lead to a reduction in bets on racing, which would affect the sport’s funding.

Timothy said: “Horse racing is one of the crown jewels of British sport and culture. Newmarket, in my constituency, is the centre of racing and breeding in Britain. Some of the most important racing operations in the world are based in Suffolk, and these businesses invest huge sums of money into the local economy.

“This is a story we could tell across the country, from rural villages to towns like Cheltenham and Doncaster, where horse racing is part of the social fabric and has been for centuries.

“The public recognise this. Nobody will forgive ministers if their decisions lead to the decline of the nation’s second-biggest spectator sport. The time for warm words has ended – we now demand action. The government must listen to the public and take immediate measures to secure the future of horse racing in Britain.”

Fellow co-chair Dan Carden counts Aintree in his Liverpool Walton constituency and he added: “The message from this report is clear: British racing needs this Labour Government to be on its side.

“Racing is part of our national story, and its enjoyment and support extends all the way from rural to urban working class communities.

“I’m calling on the government to listen and to act in order to secure a fair funding model, protect jobs and allow horse racing to thrive for future generations.”

Brant Dunshea, chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority, believes racing is a “cherished national institution, loved by people across every part of society, across every type of community, across every political party” and it should be “allowed it to survive and thrive instead of risking its future”.

He said: “The cultural, social and economic value of racing is huge for towns and rural areas across Britain. It is those communities that will suffer the job losses, the decline in community pride and the loss of identity that will come if racing is allowed to fail.

“British racing cannot – and must not – be allowed to fail. All of us who love and depend on this iconic sport call on the government to recognise the depth of the feeling and act now to back British racing.”

Lead Artist and Dancing Gemini face Queen Anne rematch

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Lead Artist, Dancing Gemini, Rosallion and Notable Speech are all set to renew rivalry in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot on Tuesday.

John and Thady Gosden’s Lead Artist just edged Roger Teal’s Dancing Gemini in the Lockinge at Newbury, although the rematch sees different jockeys in the saddle, with Colin Keane aboard Lead Artist and Kieran Shoemark taking over from Ryan Moore on Dancing Gemini.

Notable Speech (Charlie Appleby) and Rosallion (Richard Hannon) were first and second respectively in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket last year, before Rosallion landed the Irish version at the Curragh and then the St James’s Palace Stakes. He had his first run since then when third in the Lockinge, one place in front of Notable Speech.

Teal, who had a valuable winner at York on Saturday, is looking forward to what will be a big day.

He said: “There are only a couple more days to go now, so it’s squeaky bum time, but it’s very exciting. He’s had his last little blow, nothing serious, but just a little healthy exercise. He’s all good.”

Adding further spice to the line-up of 11 are Sardinian Warrior, a stablemate of Lead Artist who found only Sosie too good in the Prix d’Ispahan, American ace Carl Spackler, who is now in new ownership and with Australian trainer Ciaron Maher, Simon and Ed Crisford’s smart performer Quddwah and Aidan O’Brien’s Diego Velazquez.

In the King Charles III Stakes, Australian speedster Asfoora bids to retain her crown in a bumper field of 23, while the Coventry Stakes invariably throws up smart juveniles and this year promises to be no exception, with Postmodern (Hamad Al Jehani) and O’Brien’s unbeaten pair Gstaad and Warsaw notable among the 21 declarations.

Classic clash of the 2000 Guineas winners all set for Royal Ascot

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A mouthwatering clash of 2000 Guineas winners will light up the opening day of Royal Ascot, with Ruling Court, Field Of Gold and Henri Matisse all declared for the St James’s Palace Stakes.

The Charlie Appleby-trained Ruling Court got the better of John and Thady Gosden’s Field Of Gold at Newmarket, with the runner-up making no mistake subsequently at the Curragh. Henri Matisse, meanwhile, shone for Aidan O’Brien at ParisLongchamp.

O’Brien also runs First Wave and Officer, while Windlord – like Field Of Gold owned by Juddmonte – represents Andrew Balding.

Completing the seven-strong field is the Brian Meehan-trained Rashabar, who was fourth in the Irish Guineas.

Racing Bulletin for 15/06/2025

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Doncaster

Good to Firm

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Gowran Park

Yielding

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York Eyecatcher Rikki Tiki Tavi promises plenty

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Kevin Ryan’s Rikki Tiki Tavi suggested he had a bright future when picking up a silver medal on debut at York.

The son of Bungle Inthejungle was contesting the same maiden the Ryan team won with the smart The Strikin Viking 12 months ago and showed plenty of speed to be up with the pace throughout.

His inexperience perhaps cost him when it mattered in the closing stages, as Ralph Beckett’s Egoli kept on well to scoop first prize, but it was a performance that points towards a visit to the winner’s enclosure at some point during his two-year-old season.

Willie Mullins eyeing famous Ascot success with Reaching High

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Willie Mullins could be set for another landmark occasion in his glittering training career when he saddles Reaching High for the King and Queen at Royal Ascot on Tuesday.

The master of Closutton has long been at the top of the training tree and it should perhaps be no surprise that the first man to pass a century of winners at the Cheltenham Festival and who also holds his own on the Flat is the first Irishman to train for the reigning monarch.

If Mullins was feeling any nerves after being bestowed such an honour, he can take comfort from heading to the familiar territory of the Ascot Stakes with Closutton’s royal inmate, a race he has won four times and which came immediately on Reaching High’s radar after a pleasing stable bow at Leopardstown.

The King and Queen watching their horse Desert Hero at the St Leger
The King and Queen watching their horse Desert Hero at the St Leger (Danny Lawson/PA)

“I’ve been very happy since his first run, he did everything nicely at Leopardstown and if he could run a similar type of race at Ascot I would be very pleased,” said Mullins reflecting on Reaching High’s short head defeat in the hands of Jody Townend.

“It would be great to have a winner for Their Majesties. It’s great of them to send me a pedigree like this to train and we’re hoping for the best and that it all goes well on the day.”

Mullins of course has previous with the royal family at their own meeting having been the man who saddled Simenon to narrowly finish second to the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Estimate when she achieved a famous Gold Cup success in 2013.

Estimate (left) edged out Simenon to win the Gold Cup in 2013
Estimate (left) edged out Simenon to win the Gold Cup in 2013 (Steve Parsons/PA)

Estimate was trained by Sir Michael Stoute and ridden by Ryan Moore and it is perhaps fitting that Mullins’ first horse since being added to the royal roster is a former Stoute-trained offspring of Estimate set to be partnered on Tuesday by Moore.

Mullins though, is determined to enjoy his week attending Flat racing’s annual jamboree, even if the magnitude of victory for the King and Queen will see him bookmarked in racing history yet again.

“Why wouldn’t you look forward to Royal Ascot,” said Mullins. “Yes we’ll have a few runners and hopefully a winner, but it’s sort of a busman’s holiday that gives you a good chance to get round and meet people who I don’t get to meet at Cheltenham.

“While the Flat trainers are working away, I can catch up with all our owners just like the Flat trainers do while we’re busy during Cheltenham and it works well. If we can then get a winner it’s a bonus, even one in the first four is great.”

Cheltenham hero Poniros will be in action at Royal Ascot
Cheltenham hero Poniros will be in action at Royal Ascot (Mike Egerton/PA)

Mullins currently has 10 Royal Ascot winners to his name and will also bid for a Copper Horse Stakes hat-trick with Charlus on the opening day card, while the biggest threat to Reaching High could in fact come from within his own Closutton camp in the form of Triumph Hurdle hero Poniros.

Owned by Brighton and Hove Albion supremo Tony Bloom, for who Mullins saddled Stratum to win back-to-back Queen Alexandra Stakes in 2021 and 2022, the Ascot Stakes marks what could be a busy summer on the level for the shock 100-1 Cheltenham Festival scorer who was bought with dual-purpose designs.

“Poniros is well entitled to go there and he ran well there at the meeting last year,” continued Mullins.

“I think we could have some fun with him this summer and he would be one we can look forward to in all of those staying handicaps.”

Hucklesbrook survives horsebox drama to win York feature

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Hucklesbrook proved that all is well that ends well when taking the valuable Churchill Tyres Supporting Macmillan Sprint Handicap at York.

Roger Teal’s bay was ground to a halt en route to the track as the horsebox he was travelling in broke down, with Teal then required to rescue him in the yard’s second lorry to ensure he did not miss his date on the Knavesmire.

The six-hour trip clearly took no toll on the gelding, who joined forces with York local Joanna Mason as a 16-1 shot among a field of 18 vying for the winning prize pot of nearly £65,000.

His one-length victory proved the jockey booking to be a shrewd one as Mason pinged him out of the stalls and the pair never looked to be in trouble at any point thereafter.

“He was great, he won very nicely at Leicester the last day and he’d come forward in his work,” said Teal.

“We were quite bullish he’d run a big race here. He got a nice draw in the middle and that was Joanna’s first ride for me.

“When the weights first came out he had 8st 8lb and it was hard to find a rider, but Joanna is a good Yorkshire girl and she knows this track like the back of her hand.

“She’s a very good rider and it’s all worked perfectly.”

Reflecting on his mechanical drama Teal said: “This morning I had to get from the gallops back to the yard to pick up the second horsebox, and then race down and pick him up when the box he was on broke down.

“Luckily he didn’t fret, but he’s had six hours on the horsebox and he’s done that very well considering.”

Owners Rae and Carol Borras were in attendance to witness the victory, and the former quipped: “Have you ever heard of the phrase ‘all’s well that ends well?'”

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