logo
Hayes hoping Swelter can burn off Classic rivals at the weekend

Hayes hoping Swelter can burn off Classic rivals at the weekend

Rhyl Journal21-05-2025

The Kingman filly won her only started at two over a mile at Leopardstown and then showed plenty of speed when dropping down to seven furlongs to hold off Exactly in a Group Three on her return, with that rival subsequently beaten just over a length in the French Guineas.
'We're still a few days away and I'll have a sit on her in the week, we'll obviously be conscious of the weather,' said Hayes.
'The form of her trial has worked out well, she's an exciting filly.
'She had one start last year and was impressive in that. It was nice to see her drop back a furlong and quicken up in the manner she did off a fast pace, in a race where the form has really worked out with the third, fourth and fifth all running well since.
'I'm very much looking forward to it.'
There is a strong challenge from the UK to overcome, with Ollie Sangster leaving in both Flight and Simmering, second and third to Desert Flower in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.
Archie Watson could also run Duty First, so impressive in the Fred Darling but a disappointment in the Classic.
Donnacha O'Brien has supplemented his unbeaten filly Atsila while his father Aidan still has four of the 14 in contention including Lake Victoria, sixth on her seasonal return at Newmarket after a stellar juvenile campaign.
Royal Ascot winner Bedtime Story, Exactly and January could also run.
Paddy Twomey's City of Memphis, winner of her only start, is another supplementary entry while Adrian Murray has two possibles in California Dreamer and Jaliyah.
Cercene and Tamam Desert have also been confirmed.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Field Of Gold on course for 'round two' with Ruling Court
Field Of Gold on course for 'round two' with Ruling Court

Glasgow Times

time3 hours ago

  • Glasgow Times

Field Of Gold on course for 'round two' with Ruling Court

The Clarehaven hotshot suffered defeat at Newmarket to Charlie Appleby's Justify colt – who was a late withdrawal from the Derby due to rain-softened ground – but gained Classic redemption in sublime style at the Curragh last month. 'Round two with Ruling Court is exciting and is what Royal Ascot is all about. There will be a fabulous line-up of horses in a lot of races,' said Gosden, who watched some of his team for the Royal meeting work on Newmarket's July course on Wednesday morning. Some performance from Field Of Gold 👏 🥇#ITVRacing — ITV Racing (@itvracing) May 24, 2025 'There was no need for him to come and have a gallop today as he's only just run in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, but he's fine and heading to the St James's Palace.' Having followed in the footsteps of his sire Kingman almost symmetrically to this point, Gosden is now hoping he can replicate his father once again by scoring in a blockbuster opening-day clash also contains Aidan O'Brien's Poule d'Essai des Poulains champion Henri Matisse. However, to do so the long-striding grey could need the draw gods to shine favourably and Gosden continued: 'We will have to see how the race works out and you have to take a good look at the draw haven't you over the mile at Ascot. RULING COURT strikes in the @Betfred 2000 Guineas! — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 3, 2025 'If you're drawn on the inside you might never see daylight and we'll see how that draw goes and take things from there.' Gosden, who has won the St James's Palace Stakes three times among his 66 Royal Ascot winners, also gave his backing to Colin Keane, who was on the July course assisting in preparations after securing the prime position of Juddmonte retained jockey ahead of the summer's showpiece meeting. The six-time Irish champion stepped in aboard Field Of Gold when the colt scorched to Irish 2,000 Guineas glory and although it was Queen Anne Stakes hope Lead Artist instead of the his Classic hero that he partnered in Wednesday morning work, Gosden hailed the 30-year-old's class in the saddle. In a morning of Queen Anne contenders, Lead Artist and Colin Keane stride out on the July Course — Adam Morgan (@Adam_Morgs) June 11, 2025 'He's a very talented jockey and horseman and an extremely nice fellow,' explained Gosden. 'The travelling will be demanding, but I'm sure he will fit in well once he gets to know all the horses. I think if you travel regularly on Ryanair you might be seeing him. He'll be over plenty riding work as well as at the races and he's come over today especially. 'He's a classy jockey and you're not six-time Irish champion without being at the top of your game as racing over there is tough and no one gives a quarter to anyone. So to that extent he is very talented and it's an exciting opportunity for him.' As well as Ruling Court, Appleby has Guineas third Shadow Of Light and Opera Ballo in contention, while Juddmonte can also call on the Andrew Balding-trained pair of Jonquil and Windlord. O'Brien also has a total of three contenders, with First Wave and Officer still in the mix alongside Henri Matisse, as Rashabar (Brian Meehan) and Scorthy Champ (Joseph O'Brien) complete the 11-strong list.

Keane eager for flying Ascot start in new Juddmonte role
Keane eager for flying Ascot start in new Juddmonte role

Glasgow Times

time3 hours ago

  • Glasgow Times

Keane eager for flying Ascot start in new Juddmonte role

The six-time Irish champion jockey was named retained rider to the leading owners earlier in the week and can look forward to a stellar book of mounts as he dives straight in at the deep end for his new employers at one of the year's most important meetings. Keane is embracing the challenge as he pays thanks to the role long-time ally Ger Lyons – one of the men who gave Keane his 'baby Mick' moniker – has played in his rise to becoming the weighing room's most wanted man. Colin Keane will be wearing the Juddmonte colours on a regular basis (Brian Lawless/PA) 'If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be on the stage I've got to. I was with him from when I was an apprentice, I went straight there from my father's and he has backed me 100 per cent,' said Keane. 'Ger has never hidden that and I'm very fortunate. I wouldn't be where I am without him. It was a pretty straightforward decision (to take the Juddmonte job) and once I had a chat with Ger and he was happy enough, we were all happy. 'I think Pat (Healy, racing photographer) and Ger came up with 'baby Mick' and it's not a bad nickname to have. But we try to keep it as relaxed as possible and get the job done. 'Royal Ascot is the pinnacle of our sport. It's the place where everyone wants to go – owners, trainers and jockeys – and so I'm very fortunate to have some nice rides to look forward to next week.' Keane is the first jockey since James Doyle to be committed to Juddmonte, joining the likes of Pat Eddery and Richard Hughes amongst those who have donned the famous pink, white and green silks on a regular basis for the Abdullah family's operation. Colin Keane was in Newmarket to ride Lead Artist on Wednesday (Adam Morgan/PA) It is not just decorated names in the saddle that are inextricably linked with Juddmonte but also some of the finest racehorses of all time, with the 30-year-old well aware of the history of his new role. Keane added: 'It was a 'pinch yourself' moment when the call came and I had to double check that it was actually Barry Mahon (Juddmonte's European racing manager) on the other end of the phone! 'When you get opportunities like this, you have to take them and we could be talking here for a while now about the horses that have come and gone in these colours. Hopefully there will be more to come. 'I'll be coming over whenever I am told and finding things out. I'll be talking to Barry Mahon and he'll be telling me where I need to go. I'll go over and back from Ireland and maybe having the odd day in France. I'll be kept busy, that's for sure.' First up for Keane will be his Ascot baptism of fire where his new associations will be put to the test on the grandest stage of racing. Colin Keane tasted Classic glory on Field Of Gold (Niall Carson/PA) However, the Irishman is content to ride the waves of his brief honeymoon period ahead of a week in the spotlight in Berkshire, where Field Of Gold could prove the ace in his swelling pack as he looks to add to his two previous triumphs at the Royal meeting. 'I won't be able to tell you what the pressure is like until next week and we'll take it as it comes,' Keane added. 'I've a nice book of rides and the hardest problem is often getting on these horses, so it's a nice problem to have. You just have to take your chances. 'You are riding these horses for brilliant trainers and they will guide you the best way possible and you will have done your homework for sure. You're more looking forward to it than anything.'

Field Of Gold on course for 'round two' with Ruling Court
Field Of Gold on course for 'round two' with Ruling Court

South Wales Guardian

time7 hours ago

  • South Wales Guardian

Field Of Gold on course for 'round two' with Ruling Court

The Clarehaven hotshot suffered defeat at Newmarket to Charlie Appleby's Justify colt – who was a late withdrawal from the Derby due to rain-softened ground – but gained Classic redemption in sublime style at the Curragh last month. 'Round two with Ruling Court is exciting and is what Royal Ascot is all about. There will be a fabulous line-up of horses in a lot of races,' said Gosden, who watched some of his team for the Royal meeting work on Newmarket's July course on Wednesday morning. Some performance from Field Of Gold 👏 🥇#ITVRacing — ITV Racing (@itvracing) May 24, 2025 'There was no need for him to come and have a gallop today as he's only just run in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, but he's fine and heading to the St James's Palace.' Having followed in the footsteps of his sire Kingman almost symmetrically to this point, Gosden is now hoping he can replicate his father once again by scoring in a blockbuster opening-day clash also contains Aidan O'Brien's Poule d'Essai des Poulains champion Henri Matisse. However, to do so the long-striding grey could need the draw gods to shine favourably and Gosden continued: 'We will have to see how the race works out and you have to take a good look at the draw haven't you over the mile at Ascot. RULING COURT strikes in the @Betfred 2000 Guineas! — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 3, 2025 'If you're drawn on the inside you might never see daylight and we'll see how that draw goes and take things from there.' Gosden, who has won the St James's Palace Stakes three times among his 66 Royal Ascot winners, also gave his backing to Colin Keane, who was on the July course assisting in preparations after securing the prime position of Juddmonte retained jockey ahead of the summer's showpiece meeting. The six-time Irish champion stepped in aboard Field Of Gold when the colt scorched to Irish 2,000 Guineas glory and although it was Queen Anne Stakes hope Lead Artist instead of the his Classic hero that he partnered in Wednesday morning work, Gosden hailed the 30-year-old's class in the saddle. In a morning of Queen Anne contenders, Lead Artist and Colin Keane stride out on the July Course — Adam Morgan (@Adam_Morgs) June 11, 2025 'He's a very talented jockey and horseman and an extremely nice fellow,' explained Gosden. 'The travelling will be demanding, but I'm sure he will fit in well once he gets to know all the horses. I think if you travel regularly on Ryanair you might be seeing him. He'll be over plenty riding work as well as at the races and he's come over today especially. 'He's a classy jockey and you're not six-time Irish champion without being at the top of your game as racing over there is tough and no one gives a quarter to anyone. So to that extent he is very talented and it's an exciting opportunity for him.' As well as Ruling Court, Appleby has Guineas third Shadow Of Light and Opera Ballo in contention, while Juddmonte can also call on the Andrew Balding-trained pair of Jonquil and Windlord. O'Brien also has a total of three contenders, with First Wave and Officer still in the mix alongside Henri Matisse, as Rashabar (Brian Meehan) and Scorthy Champ (Joseph O'Brien) complete the 11-strong list.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store