Chester May Festival 2025: The Foxes wins the Huxley Stakes
The Foxes (13-8 favourite) got back to winning ways with victory in the Group Two IRE-Incentive, It Pays To Buy Irish Huxley Stakes on final day of the Boodles Chester May Festival.
Andrew Balding's five-year-old won the Dante Stakes at York in 2023 before finishing fifth in the Derby at Epsom and runner-up in the Grade One Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes at Belmont Park. He didn't quitet gone on from that promising Classic year, although he did win a Listed event over 1m2f at Newcastle in November last year before finishing fourth in the Group One Hong Kong Cup the following month. Having been second to Rebel's Romance in the Amir Trophy at Al Uqda in February back in Britain The Foxes returned to winning ways and could be aimed at either next month's Royal Ascot and/or the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown.
Under Oisin Murphy, The Foxes was sat in third place on the rail behind the pace set by Bolster. And on the turn for home when Cairo (40-1) challenged the leader, Murphy brought The Foxes to the outside and quickly joined Cairo in the lead. He galloped on well to eventually score by a length-and-three-quarters from Cairo with Liberty Lane (5-1) the same distance back in third.
READ MORE: Chester May Festival 2025 day three: Caballo De Mar can win the Chester Cup
READ MORE: Chester May Festival 2025: Lambourn wins the Chester Vase to book Derby ticket
Paddy Power cut The Foxes to 16-1 from 25-1 for the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at the Royal meeting, while he is 66-1 with the same firm for the Eclipse.
Winning jockey Murphy told Sky Sports Racing: "He was superbly prepared by everyone at home as it wasn't completely smooth sailing from Doha to here and Andrew is going to be delighted with that. He was push button and one of the easiest rides you will have round here. It's all down to the work at home and he wasn't always that easy to ride or have that gate speed, but it has come together over the last few starts and that was a joy to be a part of.
"Andrew was happy for me to do whatever and it is important to have big winners for owners King Power Racing, they invest a lot into the sport and it's great to ride for them and have winners for them. Andrew will have a think about what he could run in at Royal Ascot and we also had a Group Two winner the other day in Bellum Justum and they kind of fit in the same category. They are both 10-or 12 furlong horses and one is four and one is five, so Andrew will have a think."
The trainer's wife Anna Lisa Balding added: "We're absolutely delighted and you need a lot of luck as you always do round Chester. He had a good draw but we needed a good pilot and Oisin did a brilliant job. The horse has been in brilliant form at home and Maddy, one of our assistants, rides him every day, she loves him and has done a super job with him. He picked up half a million pounds for going to Qatar and finishing second and he's a very bonny horse who loves his job and really deserved that today."
Course and distance winner Two Tempting (9-4 favourite) scored again on the Roodee in the opener, the CAA Stellar Earl Grosvenor Handicap. Jonathan Portman's six-year-old won over course and distance and having been fourth at Newbury last month, he returned to winning ways back at Chester. Two Tempting, under Rob Hornby, jumped well from the plum draw in stall one and sat just off the pace set by Partisan Hero (12-1). After the turn for home, Hornby moved Two Tempting up to challenge the leader and he smoothly went to the front and went on to scored by three-quarters-of-a-length from Partisan Hero with Kindest Nation (33-1) a further three lengths back in third with Cracking Gold (20-1) another half-a-length adrift in fourth.
Al Wasl Storm (9-1) led from start to finish to win the Boodles Darley EBF Maiden Stakes and potentially book a trip to next month's Betfred Derby at Epsom. The Owen Burrows-trained three-year-old was landing a first success in three starts, having been second at Lingfield last month. Al Wasl Storm broke out well under David Probert and dictated the extended 1m4f contest. He made all the running and beat Willie Haggas' Orinios, who has been second all the way under Tom Marquand, by a length-and-a-quarter with Ammes a neck back in third. The well-backed 11-10 favourite The Pouncing Lion disappointed and came home last of the six runners.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Boxing's Heroes Honored At The 2025 Hall Of Fame
Boxing's Heroes Honored At The 2025 Hall Of Fame originally appeared on Athlon Sports. By Faith Kigathi The International Boxing Hall of Fame held its annual induction ceremony this past weekend, June 5-8, honoring the sport's most iconic figures with a grand celebration in Canastota, New York. Advertisement Thousands of fans, media members, and boxing luminaries gathered at the Hall's historic grounds and the Turning Stone Resort Casino to welcome the Class of 2025; an emotional and star-studded tribute to the athletes and contributors who shaped boxing's legacy. Among those celebrated were Manny Pacquiao, Vinny Paz, Michael Nunn, Mary Jo Sanders, Yessica Chavez, and Anne Sophie Mathis. Others inducted included Referees, Broadcasters, and Journalists, alongside trailblazers and pioneers who shaped the evolution of boxing. Those inducted were chosen by the membership of the Boxing Writers Association of America and a panel of international boxing historians. Pacquiao was the headline name in the class of 2025 that was enshrined during the ceremony. His speech was nothing but humble and faith-filled. 'Thank you for the awards. I came from nothing, just a small boy; no shoes, no food, no chance, just a dream in my heart. I know pain, but I also know what God can do if you keep the Faith and never give up. Every fight, every victory, was a step further from poverty. It was not just for me but for my family, for the Filipino people," said Pacquiao on YouTube. Vinny Paz, the three-division champion who overcame a broken neck sustained in a car crash to resume his career, and Michael Nunn, a champion at middleweight and super middleweight, were the other top men's fighters in the class. The women's modern category spotlighted Yessica Chavez, Anne Sophie Mathis, and Mary Jo Sanders, each a fearless world champion. Additionally, trailblazer Cathy Davis was honored for breaking barriers, most notably earning a pro boxing license in 1978 and championing gender equality. Advertisement Non-participant inductees included iconic figures like referee Kenny Bayless and cut man Al Gavin, alongside broadcaster Randy Gordon and producer Ross Greenburg in the Observers category, recognizing their instrumental roles in boxing's integrity and storytelling. The Class of 2025 honors boxers whose careers blend athletic excellence with personal courage and global impact. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Forbes
16 hours ago
- Forbes
‘Most Successful Ever' Team Al Ahly Gets Set For FIFA Club World Cup
Egypt's Al Ahly has win 45 domestic league titles. Spanish coach José Riveiro is under no illusions. In most roles, winning back-to-back league titles, two domestic honors, a couple of continental crowns, four consecutive Super Cups, and an African-Asian-Pacific trophy represents more than enough credit in the bank—especially within three years. But it's a little different at the Egyptian superteam Al Ahly. A significant portion of Egypt's soccer fan population supports the Red Devils (not to be muddled with Manchester United), which carries an expectation to win, win, and win. It's hard to dispute that 15-time European Cup champion Real Madrid is the most successful club in global soccer. Yet, by the quantity of silverware, Al-Ahly is out in front; its official website exhibits an unparalleled 155 trophies. Marcel Koller has lived it. Despite winning the first mentioned haul of prizes between September 2022 and April 2025, he was out of a job following Al Ahly's exit from Africa's version of the Champions League at the semifinal stage this season just finished. So, his replacement, Riveiro, has an exacting task on his hands, one of which is turning a few heads at the Club World Cup, where Al-Ahly will, on this occasion, be a small fish in a big pond. The Egyptians kick off the expanded tournament against Lionel Messi-fronted Inter Miami this June 14 (in the United States)—a game crucial to FIFA. Having negotiated a reported €877 million ($1 billion)—also its prize money—deal with broadcaster DAZN, the governing body now wants as much revenue as possible from sponsorships and gate receipts. It's relying on lots of eyeballs—especially because DAZN's basic coverage of the aspirational competition is free to view. However, early indications are the show's pull is weaker than FIFA hoped, with ticket prices tumbling and the prospect of thousands of empty seats for the opening fixture. There's little doubt the president, Gianni Infantino, wanted Cristiano Ronaldo's magnetism to push things along, but the Portuguese isn't eyeing an appearance. FIFA is swimming against the tide, and the Inter Miami-Al Ahly spectacle will hint at what's to come. The complexly designed trophy will be given to the best team on July 13, a month or so before next ... More season begins in earnest. All the same, an impressive performance from Al-Ahly would start the competition in style. For some big hitters touching down in the U.S., the Club World Cup is inconvenient after a long season. For a team like Al Ahly, it's a golden ticket to test its might against the very best. Notwithstanding FIFA's €219 million ($250 million) solidarity payout to clubs worldwide, the typically strong European names will pocket more from participating in the show than sides from other confederations. Still, the bonuses will bolster an already strong Al Ahly in Egypt. Indeed, Al-Ahly has a financial leg-up over competitors back home. With social media support rivaling most Premier League big shots, it also operates as a general sports entity—with basketball, handball, and other teams part of the brand—and can draw healthy income from high-end club membership fees. Incidentally, Manchester City star Omar Marmoush began his career at another Egyptian club, Wadi Degla, which also has the ubiquitous sports and leisure model built in. Naturally, Al-Ahly has the pick of quality players. Ex-Aston Villa forward Mahmoud Trézéguet is among the squad for the matches ahead, while Emam Ashour scores an impressive number of goals from midfield. But to say Al-Ahly's dominance is all you need to know about Egyptian soccer goes wide of the mark. The Cairo giant, established as a counter to British colonial rule in 1907, is a rival to Zamalek, with the pair cooking up one of the most ferocious soccer derbies anywhere. And in recent times, Pyramids FC—bought and rebranded as such by Turki Al-Sheikh seven years ago—has shaken up the natural order a little. All told, how Al Ahly fares at the Club World Cup won't have much bearing in North Africa. It will remain the force in a country whose leagues include state or privately-owned sides with virtually no fanbases. Instead, the national scene is arguably the main talking point from here on in. There's criticism that Egypt's football association isn't doing enough for young talents soon to lead the next generation—this from a land that boasts Liverpool idol Mohamed Salah. As for Al Ahly, even going far in the Club World Cup may be up there with some of the many achievements from its gold-plated 118-year history.
USA Today
16 hours ago
- USA Today
Cowboys should pounce as soon as 2x Pro Bowler owed $36 million hits open market
Cowboys should pounce as soon as 2x Pro Bowler owed $36 million hits open market The Dallas Cowboys were saving money for a situation such as this. As it stands currently, the Cowboys have over $32 million in available cap space for 2025 according to Over the Cap. That's the seventh-highest amount in the league and while a ton of that is earmarked for the several pending long-term deals the team has to negotiate, they should not feel the need to hoard that space. Rather, they should also consider spending some of it on a short-term investment and that appears ready to fall onto their radar. The Green Bay Packers have announced they are going to release cornerback Jaire Alexander, a common move when a club is looking to drum up trade activity before finally waving the white flag on contract negotiations. The Packers have been trying to get Alexander to accept a lower amount after signing him to an extension entering 2022. He's oft-injured, appearing in just 14 games the last two seasons, and was given the four-year $84 million extension after an injury-plagued 2021 season. He has two years and $36 million remaining on the deal; $1.3 million in game-day bonuses, $700 in a 2026 roster bonus and $16.15 million and $18.15 million in base salary each of the next two years. There will likely be some level of interest from multiple teams, and Dallas should be one of them. Yes, the Cowboys are in the middle of paying their own oft-injured All-Pro corner a huge sum of money in Trevon Diggs. Yes the Cowboys need to extend a new contract to All-Pro DaRon Bland as he enters the final season of his rookie contract. Yes the Cowboys drafted Shavon Revel in the third round with eyes on him being a future starter. Yes the Cowboys traded for Kaiir Elam to play out the final year of his first-round rookie deal. It doesn't matter; there's never a such thing as having too many good corners. Make no mistake, Alexander is still a very good NFL corner. He had one truly elite year, 2020, but every other year on his resume his grades have been very good, including when Pro Football Focus gave him 75.9 and 75.2 overall grades each of his last two truncated seasons. Adding Alexander to the mix would allow the Cowboys to start the season from a position of strength at cornerback instead of just working to get by. Alexander and Elam could man the boundary corners with Bland at the slot, while the team awaits the return from injury of Diggs and Revel, who is still recovering from an ACL injury that stole most of his final season at East Carolina. Neither of the two would need to be rushed back, and Revel could spend the season being brought along slowly instead of being thrust into an immediate contributor unless he warranted such. Elam could rotate to backup, which he was with Buffalo, when either Diggs or Revel were ready to shine. As for compensation, Dallas should bite the bullet. If Alexander wants a prove-it deal that would allow him to hit free agency in March when all 32 teams are flush with cash, Dallas is a team that could withstand the hit from a one-year contract, or add void years to spread the cap hit over two seasons. If he demands a multi-year deal, they can creatively build provisions that gives the bulk of money up front while allowing them enough room to make a long-term decision on Diggs' contract after the season while still allocating money for Bland's extension. Many think the Cowboys aren't ready to compete for a championship this year, but if they had a stacked secondary along with the stacked pass rush rotation they've built, along with two certifiable stud WRs in CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, why would they not be seen as among the best teams in the NFL?
