Juddmonte has announced the appointment of six-time Irish champion jockey Colin Keane as its retained rider with immediate effect.
Keane has ridden several big-race winners for the leading owner-breeders, most recently steering John and Thady Gosden’s Field Of Gold to Classic success in the Irish 2,000 Guineas after taking over in the saddle from Kieran Shoemark.
With Keane’s contract starting immediately, he is set to partner Juddmonte horses trained in Britain, Ireland and France, meaning he will be in line for a number of high-profile rides at Royal Ascot next week including Lead Artist in the Queen Anne, Field Of Gold in the St James’s Palace Stakes and Babouche in the Commonwealth Cup.
Field of Gold and Colin Keane after winning the Irish 2,000 Guineas (Niall Carson/PA)
Juddmonte’s chief executive, Douglas Erskine Crum, said in a statement: “In the past we have had retained jockey relationships (including with Pat Eddery, Richard Hughes and James Doyle) but in recent years we have preferred to work with the many talented jockeys retained by our various trainers around the world.
“We have decided that the time has now come to revert to the security and consistency which comes from having a single jockey retainer relationship. We are delighted that Colin Keane has committed himself to Juddmonte.
“He is one of the most exciting and talented riders of his generation, he shares Juddmonte’s values, we know him well and we warmly welcome him to the Juddmonte team.”
Keane said: “I have grown up watching these famous colours carried to many victories in all the top races around the globe so it’s very special for me to be asked to ride as first jockey for Juddmonte.
“I’m excited to get started and look forward to working with some of the best trainers in Ireland, England, and France. Tony Hind will look after my UK rides as he has worked closely with Juddmonte for many years now through Richard Hughes and Ryan Moore.”
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Popular veteran Hamish proved the fire still burns bright by coming out on top in a thrilling three-way tussle for the BetGoodwin Tapster Stakes at Goodwood.
The William Haggas-trained gelding had won 12 of his 24 previous starts, with eight of those victories coming at Group Three level.
Making his first appearance as a nine-year-old, having been off the track since landing a Listed prize at the Curragh in November, Hamish was an even-money favourite in the hands of Tom Marquand and while he proved difficult to handle before the off, he was as his usual professional self during the race itself.
German Derby winner Palladium, making his first appearance for John and Thady Gosden after winning his only start over hurdles for Nicky Henderson, put up a bold show from the front, while his stablemate Military Academy was also right in there pitching in the closing stages of the mile-and-a-half Listed contest.
— Goodwood Racecourse (@Goodwood_Races) June 8, 2025
There was little to choose between the Gosden pair and Hamish racing inside the last half-furlong, but it was the latter who found most for pressure in the rain-softened ground to prevail by a neck from Military Academy, with Palladium just a head further behind in third.
On his pre-race antics, Maureen Haggas, assistant to her husband, told Racing TV: “He sat on a car the other day, apparently! I was away for a day, ‘Tinks’ (Andrew Tinkler) rode him and he was very apologetic the next day that he’d wrapped him around a car and a gate post!
“We introduced a pony after he ran at Goodwood two years ago and he’s been pretty good everywhere until today, where he was absolutely appalling again! The tack fell off about four times, eventually we managed to get it on and keep it on and once he was moving he was fine.
“He was pretty naughty at the start, but he has been crying out for a race for a long time and he needs soft ground. He’s been ready to go since the John Porter which was the middle of April, so he’s just pretty bored now and needed a day out.”
Maureen Haggas rides Hamish almost every day at home (Mike Egerton/PA)
She added: “He’s not the easiest at home in that he can only go certain places, so you can’t even vary his exercise because there’s only two canters that he will ever go on. He likes routine, but he has got a little bit bored and he’s not the sort you can take for a day out either as that blows his brains.
“He still feels great. I ride him every day and he doesn’t feel like a nine-year-old, just the last two weeks you can see him looking at me saying ‘what on earth are we doing this for’. It’s good he’s had a day out to remind him what it’s all about.”
The Owen Burrows-trained Waardah (7-1) powered clear to claim top honours in the other Listed race on the card – the Weatherbys/British EBF Agnes Keyser Fillies’ Stakes.
The three-year-old won on her Sandown debut in September and while she had since finished out of the places at Newmarket and Southwell, she looked to relish this step up to a mile and a quarter, finishing strongly under Callum Rodriguez to seal a two-and-three-quarter-length verdict.
Owen Burrows was delighted with the victory of Waardah (Mike Egerton/PA)
Burrows said: “She’s always been a filly we liked and hoped she could do something like that.
“I’ll be honest, I half pencilled her in for Sandown next week in a handicap, but I saw the forecast and thought it would be worth giving her an entry in this and luckily the rain came.
“I think soft ground is probably important to her. She won first time up last year on soft ground and didn’t run bad over a mile next time when she didn’t really handle Newmarket’s undulations.
“Coming to somewhere like here, that is always in the back of your mind, but she relaxed well and got into a nice rhythm and I thought the further she was going the better and if anything Callum said he struggled to pull her up, so I wouldn’t be surprised if we go a bit further again at some stage.
“We’ll just have to see what our summer weather does, but she’s certainly one that going into the autumn we should have a bit of fun with.”
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Last season’s King George hero Goliath made the most of having his sights lowered with a comprehensive victory in the La Coupe at ParisLongchamp.
Francis-Henri Graffard’s charge was a brilliant winner of Ascot’s midsummer highlight in 2024, but returned to home soil with a point to prove having since failed to make his presence felt in either the Japan Cup in November or Hong Kong’s QEII Cup in April.
Dropping down to Group Three level, the five-year-old was sent straight to the lead by Christophe Soumillon and while Grand Stars briefly loomed up as a threat early in the home straight, Goliath picked up again once challenged and was well on top at the line.
On the front-running tactics, Graffard told Sky Sports Racing: “We decided with Christophe that his two best races were when he jumped and not to fight with him. We decided to let him roll along on his own and let him be very comfortable and when he’s like that he’s a very good horse.
“Off any pace he can quicken, he has this ability, he just needs to be relaxed. He’s a horse that can be very tense, that’s why he ran so poorly in Hong Kong. I’m very happy because I was unsure how he was going to behave mentally and this race will do him good, so we can restart the season with him.”
On whether a defence of his King George crown could be on the agenda, the trainer added: “I have to discuss it with the entourage. We’ll see how he comes back and what Christophe says, but obviously he will target the big races again.”
Maranoa Charlie stamped his class on the Group Three Prix Paul de Moussac.
An impressive winner of the Prix Djebel on his seasonal reappearance, Christopher Head’s charge was subsequently beaten into fourth place when dropped back to six furlongs in the Prix Texanita.
The free-going three-year-old was unable to get to adopt his customary pacesetting tactics that day, but was soon out in front in this seven-furlong contest and confirmed his superiority over Djebel runner-up Silius with a clear-cut victory.
Head said: “He’s really a beast! I can’t wait to see him in the Group One Prix Jean Prat as his next race. That is why we were here today and I’m happy he has shown he has the capacity to win over 1400 metres (seven furlongs).
“It was important (to run in the Prix Texanita) because if he could have been a sprinter he could have been to Royal Ascot and everything, but he’s showing that’s he’s not a sprinter and he’s not a miler, he’s in between and he’s doing it very well.
“This horse keeps on surprising us and we just can’t wait to see his next race.”
Ed Walker’s British raider Troia claimed Listed honours in the Prix Volterra.
Winner of two of her previous four starts and third in Listed company at York last month, the daughter of Kingman knuckled down to go a couple of places better under Kieran Shoemark.
“She broke cleanly from the gates and we were able to get a beautiful position and we weren’t going overly quick on the front end,” said Shoemark.
“We were able to save and save and she stays this trip really well. It actually surprised me as it just took her a few strides to hit top gear, but when she found it I felt she was comfortable at the line.
“She’s a pretty straightforward filly and she wants to do it, which is the main thing.”
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Jim Goldie remains keen on a tilt at the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot with his star sprinter American Affair.
The five-year-old saw his rapid improvement briefly come to a halt in Haydock’s Temple Stakes when he finished fifth behind Ed Walker’s mare Mgheera.
However, Goldie believes a lack of early cover which forced him to run too keen, and then meeting trouble in running when he eventually did get in behind horses are enough of an excuse to believe he could have made up the two and three-quarter lengths that he was beaten.
“He’s still on target for Ascot,” said Goldie. “I think we needed a bit of cover and we didn’t get it straight away, and then when he did get it he (Paul Mulrennan) couldn’t get out when he needed to.
“He’s one of these horses, we discovered when he won the Portland, that he is probably 10lb better if you can switch him off so you need to get cover.
“He likes getting towed along but mentally he then switches off. If you don’t get proper cover, mentally he doesn’t switch off and he ends up running with the choke open and that is exactly what happened.
“We were disappointed, obviously, but it wasn’t that bad a run and we’ve still got a horse with a big engine and we’ll try again another day.
“Look at last year’s Derby winner (City Of Troy), when he ran in the Guineas Aidan O’Brien said he lost his race in the stalls because he got a bit upset and it turned out he was right – then he went to America and it went wrong again.
“They are highly-tuned animals and if they don’t get into an absolute rhythm they rarely win. You can’t get it right all the time.
“He’s good enough for that level, I’ve never doubted that, and there’s usually one or two at Ascot who go blasting off and if you are drawn next to them that helps.”
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Saeed bin Suroor is retaining plenty of belief in Elwateen, as he eyes dropping back in trip with his Betfred Oaks seventh.
The Shadwell-owned daughter of Dubawi was supplemented into the fillies’ Classic after finishing an eyecatching fourth in the 1000 Guineas, but in her first try at a mile and a half, she failed to stay as Aidan O’Brien’s Minnie Hauk held off stablemate Whirl.
Her trainer now believes a return to a mile will suit with the lightly-raced three-year-old who still has plenty of potential.
“I don’t think the filly stayed and maybe we will drop her back to a mile,” said Bin Suroor.
“I think the ground was a little bit soft for her and it’s the first time she had run on good to soft.
“We will take her home and she how she is and I think a mile and good ground will be good for her.
“There are plenty of races throughout the season. I think she is a very good filly, but maybe we get a confidence-booster into her in a Group Two or Group Three.”
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Aidan O’Brien considers the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby the most likely next port of call for Lambourn following his Epsom heroics on Saturday.
A son of dual Derby winner Australia, the three-year-old made virtually every yard of the running in the premier Classic under Wayne Lordan, providing O’Brien with his 11th Betfred Derby success.
Speaking on Racing TV’s Luck on Sunday programme, the Ballydoyle handler reported his three Derby runners to have returned home none the worse, with Lambourn’s stablemates Delacroix and The Lion In Winter set to drop back in trip after finishing ninth and 14th respectively.
“The horses have been out for a walk and a pick of grass (this morning) and everybody seems very happy with them,” said O’Brien.
"Lambourn's ran them RAGGED in the #EpsomDerby" 😮💨
“We were expecting Wayne was probably going to go forward to make the running on Lambourn – unless there was someone going very fast he was going to end up in front and that’s what happened. Wayne gave him a great ride, he had to be aggressive from the gates and he is a horse that stays very well.”
O’Brien felt there were excuses for Delacroix, the chosen mount of Ryan Moore, and the Colin Keane-ridden The Lion In Winter.
He added: “It got a little bit rough up the hill, I think Ryan got chopped up at the top of the hill and Colin ended up a little bit more forward than he thought he was going to be and out a little bit.
“To have one horse in any race and it go right is very difficult, so if you have three in a race it’s usually not going to go right for them all.
“We learnt that Wayne’s horse stays very well and is a very straightforward, uncomplicated horse, we learnt Colin’s horse could be a miler, so he was probably a mile out of his ground, and it’s very possible that Ryan’s horse is a mile-and-a-quarter horse, even though their races didn’t go as well as they would have wanted.
“In the Derby every year you get fairly straightened out and sort out what you are or you aren’t. The Derby and the Oaks are the races that expose the whole three-year-old generation, their flaws and their weaknesses and their strengths. You usually know where you’re going after it.”
Aidan O’Brien is interviewed by the media following Lambourn’s Derby success (David Davies/The Jockey Club)
On future plans for the winner, he said: “The lads (owners) will make that decision and we’ll see how he is when he gets back cantering in 10 days, but it looks like he’s an Irish Derby horse and it looks like the Curragh would really suit him.”
The trainer also praised the winning rider, who was winning his first Derby.
“Wayne is an unbelievable horseman and the most genuine, uncomplicated person you’ll ever meet in your life,” O’Brien added.
“He’s grateful for everything and expects nothing – that’s Wayne totally. He’ an unbelievable person to work with and an unbelievable rider, horseman and jockey all rolled into one.”
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Andrew Balding has raised the possibility of Poule d’Essai des Poulains runner-up Jonquil dropping back in distance for a shot at the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.
The Juddmonte-owned son of Lope De Vega has excelled in the early stages of the season winning the Greenham before finding just Henri Matisse too good in France.
However, rather than a St James’s Palace Stakes rematch with his ParisLongchamp conqueror, the Kingsclere handler is contemplating reverting to sprinting at the Royal meeting.
“Jonquil is really good since France and obviously we’re hoping for Royal Ascot and he has a number of engagements there,” said Balding.
“I think the most likely at this stage is dropping him back to six for the Commonwealth Cup but it’s all in the mix. I’d hope he has enough speed for that.”
Balding is one of the main beneficiaries of the retirement of Sir Michael Stoute having inherited both Jonquil and the high-class Epsom-winning filly Formal and he added: “I think if Sir Michael had the horses we’ve acquired, they would have done exactly the same as what they’ve done with us this year.
“They were well looked after and well prepared and we’re very fortunate to have them.”
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Kentucky Derby hero Sovereignty got the better of his old rival Journalism when running out a brilliant winner of the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga.
The Bill Mott-trained Sovereignty provided the Godolphin operation with a first taste of Kentucky Derby glory at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May, beating Michael McCarthy’s hot favourite Journalism into second place.
With connections of Sovereignty resisting the temptation to shoot for Triple Crown immortality and running in Preakness Stakes a fortnight later, Journalism took full advantage with a narrow success at Pimlico, setting up a tantalising rematch at Saratoga.
Journalism was the first of the big two to commit for home, quickening to the lead off the final bend under Umberto Rispoli, but Sovereignty and Junior Alvarado joined him entering the final furlong before pulling three lengths clear to confirm his status as America’s star three-year-old colt.
Speaking on the Godolphin website, Mott said: “We had a repeat of the Derby – the first three finishers in the Derby finished one-two-three here – and the form is holding up. They are three really good horses and I’m glad that Sovereignty was able to come back and put in a race like he did in the Derby.
“If we hadn’t won today, we would have taken a lot of criticism for missing the Preakness, but it turned out good. Sometimes, you make the right decision and a lot of times you make the wrong ones. Today, it really worked out well.”
Michael Banahan, director of bloodstock for Godolphin USA, said: “It’s the most fantastic feeling in the world. Sovereignty was trained to the minute by Bill and his team to come here off a five-week rest.
“We knew that he was a good horse going into the Kentucky Derby and he showed it that day. To come back here and show it again, and beat a really, really good horse in Journalism, it was a fantastic result for us.
“It’s fantastic to win two legs of the Triple Crown. We are very, very happy with doing it – coming here after the Derby was the plan and it teed up a really good race, with the Derby winner and the Preakness winner having a showdown in the Belmont.”
Considering plans for the rest of the year, Banahan added: “There are races down the road that we would really like to win – the Travers is very special. We’ve won it before, but I don’t think Bill has, so it would be great for him to do that.
“It would be great, if the horse is healthy and well, to try to get to Del Mar for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. It’s a race that we have run in several times without having the opportunity to win yet.”
The Jamie Osborne-trained Heart Of Honor represented British hopes but he could finish only sixth under Saffie Osborne.
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A lot can happen in 24 hours – just ask Wayne Lordan. On Friday afternoon Oaks victory aboard Whirl was in sight, only to be denied late by Ryan Moore and Minnie Hauk. A day later Betfred Derby glory was his when an inspired front-running ride aboard willing partner Lambourn turned the ultimate test into a formality.
However, the Lordan story does not begin and end within two days in June and when the 43-year-old was unshipped by San Antonio half a mile from home in the 2023 Irish Derby, some may have been forgiven for thinking that would be the end of his Classic dreams.
Lordan suffered fractures to his legs and elbow, as well as a nasty laceration to his arm in an incident which left him not only knocked out but spending eight months on the sidelines.
Lambourn blitzes the opposition for a brilliant Derby triumph. Yet another for that genius Aidan O’Brien pic.twitter.com/G16mEShLR8
It is often said that loyalty is a two-way street and during his darkest days he knew he could count on Aidan O’Brien.
The master of Ballydoyle was ready and waiting to repay one of his most trusted lieutenants for years of service and when the moment came, Lordan delivered a sublime ride to provide O’Brien with a record-extending 11th winner of the premier Classic.
“Racing is a tough game and lots of jockeys get injured and thankfully I had the support of Aidan and everybody at Coolmore to help you get back,” said Lordan.
“I suppose when you are coming back to ride horses like this it gives you an even stronger focus and I was lucky I had such a good job to come back to.
“I never wanted to be negative so always told myself I would be fine even when it was tough. I tried to stay focused and got in the gym and just told myself I would soon be back.”
Aidan O’Brien tells press conference host Martin Kelly what it means to win another Derby (Adam Morgan/PA)
When riding for O’Brien it is far from picking up scraps once Moore has had his say from the swelling team of Ballydoyle Classic prospects.
But for a man who had finished third for O’Brien aboard Japan (2019) and subsequent Irish Derby hero Los Angeles 12 months ago, there was only one colt for him this time around, as O’Brien explained.
“I knew there were two horses Wayne wanted to ride this weekend and once Ryan knew what he was going to ride, Lambourn and Whirl were the ones Wayne wanted,” said O’Brien.
“When I had been going round the yard in the evening the lads were telling me what was going on and I knew who he wanted which made it very easy for me to put him on.
“Wayne said to me coming out of the parade ring this horse is on fire today and that was before the race. He’s given him an unbelievable ride and he’s a special fellow.”
Wayne Lordan with Lambourn after winning the Betfred Derby (John Walton/PA)
With Moore and big-race favourite Delacroix only ninth and Irish champion Colin Keane and The Lion In Winter even further adrift, the stage was set for Lordan to steal the show and he had the perfect co-star for what was a spellbinding display in what is arguably still the biggest race of them all.
“He was the first string for me anyway, so I was happy,” explained Lordan.
“When you’re getting into racing, this is the race you always want to ride in. I’m lucky that I work for Aidan and get to ride good horses and get opportunities.
“I’ve run well in the Derby before and lost nothing in defeat, but I’m just glad today it worked out.
“I was happy once I passed the line, but there is always horses flying home here and yesterday I was thought I was going well then Ryan passed me in the last 50 yards.
“I knew the ones coming to get me would have to stay well and there was always chance they would, but thankfully my horse is a tough, genuine horse.”
Wayne Lordan and Aidan O’Brien with the Betfred Derby trophy (John Walton/PA)
After eight years of working for an operation created to thrive at Epsom in early June, Lordan’s winning ride was one perhaps honed to perfection at the Ballydoyle training centre of excellence.
Now he has his name etched forever on the long and distinguished roll of honour of the blue riband.
O’Brien explained: “Everything at Ballydoyle is about Epsom and this is how the thoroughbred breed is assessed every year.
“Everything at Ballydoyle is left-handed and every piece of work they do they practice going round our Tattenham Corner, even the sprinters.
“It’s the ultimate test really and it has to be that. It’s great for Wayne to win the Derby, he’s a massive part of our team and he rides so many of our big horses in work.
“He’s in every day and it’s a privilege to have him. He’s so straightforward and such a team player, but he can be ruthless when he has to be and he’s strong and determined.”
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Charlie Johnston is dreaming of the rest of the season with Lazy Griff, after the 50-1 shot chased home Lambourn in the Betfred Derby.
It was the second time this year the Middleham Park Racing-owned colt has found Aidan O’Brien’s new mile-and-a-half star too strong, as the same two horses filled the same positions in the Chester Vase last month.
Ridden by Christophe Soumillon, Lazy Griff – who got off the mark at the third time of asking as a two-year-old at Beverley – cruised around Tatttenham Corner and while his large army of owners will no doubt have been briefly thinking they were about to hit the jackpot, the winner was going away again at the line.
Should he head to the Irish Derby next it would likely mean round three with Lambourn, but Johnston also raised the possibility of a return to France for the Grand Prix de Paris. Lazy Griff won a Group Three at Chantilly last year.
“We told as many people as would listen we couldn’t understand why he was such a huge price. Lambourn was 13-2 yet this morning we were 100-1! It’s safe to say the Chester form held up well,” said Johnston.
Lazy Griff (light blue) beat all bar Lambourn (Aaron Chown/PA)
“I’m delighted, I’m surprised how well he handled the track because that was always my biggest concern because he’s quite a heavy-topped horse and we felt if the ground wasn’t as soft as it was he wouldn’t be here.
“I said after Chester that Doncaster (St Leger) would be his place, but to run so well leaves us dreaming about the rest of the year.
“I would say it will be the Irish Derby or the Grand Prix de Paris. The Irish Derby would mean going into the lion’s den I suppose, but it will be one or the other I would say.”
Soumillon partnered Lazy Griff at Chantilly and did not need to be asked twice to ride him in the Derby.
“What a race and I was travelling so well, the whole race I was travelling so well and I was just cruising down the hill,” said Soumillon, who has still to win the premier Classic.
“This kind of track suits him and when I came downhill I was talking Mickael (Barzalona, on Midak) that there was nobody able to follow us, we were cruising. I thought at that point I would be able to win the race two furlongs out, then I took my time to come out, which I don’t think was the best option.
“I maybe should have stayed on the rail, but the horse in front was so lazy in the turn I thought he would stop at a point, but he never gave up and went to the end. Rounding the bend I thought ‘now I go and we will see’ and for two furlongs I thought we will get the winner, but in the end he was too strong.
“I’m so proud of my horse. It’s a great run and it’s the same form as the Chester Vase. I was very surprised when I saw the odds in the paper this morning at the airport. I thought how can I be so high? For me it was a nice horse with a decent chance and finally he proved it today on the track.
“He would be able to make the German Derby, but I just spoke to the trainer who was asking me if he could go in the St Leger. I think that can also be an option, he stays really well. We’ll just see how he comes back from this race.”
He added: “When my agent called me to say I could ride this horse I said ‘let’s go’ straight away. I loved him last year and he did everything I asked. Mr Johnston’s horses are really tough and that’s what you need and this really feels like a winner to me. I’m so proud of the horse. It’s a great result.”
Joseph O’Brien was watching his father win the race for an 11th time, but the man who rode two of them, Camelot and Australia (the sire of Lambourn), was close to his own piece of history by saddling Tennessee Stud to finish third.
He said: “I’m very proud of him, it was a serious run and he came home strongly. I’m so pleased for the owners, it’s very good to be placed in the Derby and he’s an unexposed type from whom there should be plenty more to come.”
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This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
