Juddmonte juggling pack with leading milers
'I think they just went far too slow, they crawled for four furlongs and then sprinted and Lead Artist is a horse we know stays beyond a mile,' said Juddmonte's European racing manager, Barry Mahon.
'It just didn't pan out for us on the day, but he's a better horse than that, we know that, and we'll get him back on track and see the best of him again.'
LEAD ARTIST storms home to win the @BoyleSports Lockinge Stakes! 🏆@oismurphy | @NewburyRacing pic.twitter.com/dpiJ0hbjmN
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 17, 2025
Where and when Lead Artist will bid to redeem himself is uncertain, with Juddmonte possessing an enviable hand in the mile division, with the Irish Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes hero Field Of Gold the undoubted top dog.
Lead Artist holds an entry in Goodwood's Sussex Stakes, but is unlikely to head that way if that is the chosen target for his illustrious stablemate, while Harry Charlton's Irish Guineas runner-up Cosmic Year must also be thrown into the mix.
Mahon added: 'I don't know where we'll go with Lead Artist yet. There's going to be a bit of juggling there with him and Field Of Gold and Cosmic Year and Jonquil as well.
'We haven't quite worked it out yet, but we will as we go.'
Andrew Balding's Jonquil is another looking to bounce back from an underwhelming performance at Royal Ascot, having seemingly found the six furlongs of the Commonwealth Cup too sharp.
He was one of two Juddmonte-owned runners who failed to run up to expectations in that Group One contest, with the Ger Lyons-trained Babouche also well held.
'Babouche was disappointing, she was just too keen and you don't get away with being that keen in a Group One in Ascot,' said Mahon.
'It was her second time in England and her second time doing that, so we'll have to go back to the drawing board. We'll probably keep her in Ireland for the rest of the year and see if we can get her back on track.
'Jonquil was just a bit of a square peg in a round hole – six furlongs was too short for him. Christophe (Soumillon) felt he came home great in the last half-furlong, but he said he needs a mile and we'll try and find an opportunity.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
38 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd dream XI for first game of Premier League season with two more key signings made
Manchester United have already bolstered their frontline ahead of the new season but continue to be linked with some major names, PSG's Gianluigi Donnarumma among them Manchester United have not been shy in spending big to enhance their frontline with goals a major problem for Ruben Amorim throughout last season. On Saturday the club announced the £70million capture of Benjamin Sesko, who will lead their line. The former RB Leipzig striker is regarded among the finest young forwards in Europe and could form part of a new look front three. Matheus Cunha was Amorim's first summer signing, joining from Wolves, and then after weeks of negotiations Bryan Mbeumo signed from Brentford. Both of them have been embedding themselves into Amorim's system over their pre-season games. Cunha and Mbeumo are also proven Premier League performers and scored more than 30 goals between them last term with Sesko poised to spearhead an attack alongside them. That is the attack, which massively misfired last term, all but sorted and attention will turn to further down the pitch. There's no getting round the fact that United have a huge gap to bridge to the European spots, let alone the Champions League places. The name most heavily linked with a move to Manchester over the past week has been Carlos Baleba at Brighton. Contact was made through intermediaries to see whether a deal could be struck, albeit that is massively impacted on the budget that remains at Old Trafford. Baleba is the latest in a long time of quality players to have seen their stock skyrocket at Brighton and the Seagulls could command a huge profit on their Cameroon midfielder. United's next target is to land a No 6 type midfielder, leading to their interest in Baleba. If any deal is to be struck it may require those in Manchester to get creative with their negotiations, potentially including a swap if they want to tempt Brighton. Baleba would provide huge energy as part of a two-man midfield, likely alongside Bruno Fernandes. Doubts remain - for varying reasons - over the likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro with Amorim yet to totally be convinced by either player. Another man that has not totally sold himself yet to the United boss is goalkeeper Andre Onana. He was dropped for a match last season after some notable errors in a Europa League draw at Lyon. He was later bought back into the fold, but his error count has been a concern throughout. Bringing in a new No 1 was not a priority this summer, but after United were able to iron out their attacking recruitment before the season starts they may see if there's scope and budget to make moves in between the sticks. The two names most heavily linked are Aston Villa's Emi Martinez and Gianluigi Donnarumma at PSG. The latter appears more likely, even though he just played a leading role in the French side becoming European champions. His signing would obviously be a huge coup for United. PSG have just signed a new goalkeeper from Lille and Donnarumma's contract is winding down. There is an openness from both parties to consider going their separate ways, but only for a fair fee. Whatever it is, the Italian would be one of the most heavyweight No 1s to join the Premier League in years. United's improvements this summer and set to receive one of their sternest tests on Sunday when they host Arsenal at Old Trafford, where a number of new faces have the chance to make an immediate impression.
South Wales Guardian
2 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Tuesday's briefing: Grealish set for Everton loan and Palace lose Europe appeal
Meanwhile Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is potentially set to depart Paris St Germain this summer. Everton have agreed a season-long loan deal with Manchester City for out-of-favour England international Jack Grealish. The PA news agency understands the 29-year-old was due to undergo a medical with the Merseyside club on Monday. Grealish, signed by City in a then British record £100million deal four years ago, will hope the move can rejuvenate his career in a World Cup season. He made just seven Premier League starts after falling down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium last season and was left out of the squad for the Club World Cup in the summer. Crystal Palace have lost their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against their demotion from the Europa League to the Conference League. The FA Cup winners were relegated to the continent's third-tier competition by European governing body UEFA after it determined that American businessman John Textor had 'decisive influence' at both Palace and Lyon after March 1. Nottingham Forest – who travel to Selhurst Park on August 24 – are expected to take the Europa League place. A CAS statement read: 'The panel found that John Textor, founder of Eagle Football Holdings, had shares in CPFC and OL (Olympique Lyon) and was a board member with decisive influence over both clubs at the time of UEFA's assessment date.' A Manchester United supporters' group has postponed a demonstration against the club's ownership planned for the day of their opening game of the Premier League season. The 1958 group had organised a protest march to Old Trafford on August 17, ahead of United's clash with Arsenal, with banners referring to minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe . Previous demonstrations have focused on unpopular majority shareholders the Glazers but frustration has now spread to Ratcliffe, who has made series of controversial changes since acquiring a 28.94 per cent stake in United and taking charge of operations last year. However, after conducting a survey, the group has acknowledged opinion is split and the time is not right for a protest. A statement read: 'It's clear there is no unified view on the direction of the club under Ratcliffe. We believe it would be irresponsible to risk creating a situation that could result in any 'red on red' conflict inside or outside the stadium.' Gianluigi Donnarumma is open to a move away from Paris St Germain this summer but will not be pushed out by the French club, the PA news agency understands. The Italy goalkeeper has been left out of PSG's squad for Wednesday's UEFA Super Cup match against Tottenham, and it is understood he will now leave Paris this summer if the right move opens up. Manchester United have been linked with the 26-year-old, who is out of contract next summer, but it is understood there has been no contact. The European champions completed the signing of Lucas Chevalier from Lille over the weekend. Rangers take a 3-0 lead into the second leg of their Champions League third qualifying round tie against Viktoria Plzen in the Czech city. The first round of the Carabao Cup also gets under way, featuring clubs from the EFL.
North Wales Chronicle
2 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Tuesday's briefing: Grealish set for Everton loan and Palace lose Europe appeal
Meanwhile Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is potentially set to depart Paris St Germain this summer. Everton have agreed a season-long loan deal with Manchester City for out-of-favour England international Jack Grealish. The PA news agency understands the 29-year-old was due to undergo a medical with the Merseyside club on Monday. Grealish, signed by City in a then British record £100million deal four years ago, will hope the move can rejuvenate his career in a World Cup season. He made just seven Premier League starts after falling down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium last season and was left out of the squad for the Club World Cup in the summer. Crystal Palace have lost their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against their demotion from the Europa League to the Conference League. The FA Cup winners were relegated to the continent's third-tier competition by European governing body UEFA after it determined that American businessman John Textor had 'decisive influence' at both Palace and Lyon after March 1. Nottingham Forest – who travel to Selhurst Park on August 24 – are expected to take the Europa League place. A CAS statement read: 'The panel found that John Textor, founder of Eagle Football Holdings, had shares in CPFC and OL (Olympique Lyon) and was a board member with decisive influence over both clubs at the time of UEFA's assessment date.' A Manchester United supporters' group has postponed a demonstration against the club's ownership planned for the day of their opening game of the Premier League season. The 1958 group had organised a protest march to Old Trafford on August 17, ahead of United's clash with Arsenal, with banners referring to minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe . Previous demonstrations have focused on unpopular majority shareholders the Glazers but frustration has now spread to Ratcliffe, who has made series of controversial changes since acquiring a 28.94 per cent stake in United and taking charge of operations last year. However, after conducting a survey, the group has acknowledged opinion is split and the time is not right for a protest. A statement read: 'It's clear there is no unified view on the direction of the club under Ratcliffe. We believe it would be irresponsible to risk creating a situation that could result in any 'red on red' conflict inside or outside the stadium.' Gianluigi Donnarumma is open to a move away from Paris St Germain this summer but will not be pushed out by the French club, the PA news agency understands. The Italy goalkeeper has been left out of PSG's squad for Wednesday's UEFA Super Cup match against Tottenham, and it is understood he will now leave Paris this summer if the right move opens up. Manchester United have been linked with the 26-year-old, who is out of contract next summer, but it is understood there has been no contact. The European champions completed the signing of Lucas Chevalier from Lille over the weekend. Rangers take a 3-0 lead into the second leg of their Champions League third qualifying round tie against Viktoria Plzen in the Czech city. The first round of the Carabao Cup also gets under way, featuring clubs from the EFL.
