Tribalist can win Pools race
While the €400,000 (S$600,000) Group 1 Prix Jean Prat (1,400m) is the 3YO highlight, the €73,200 Group 3 Singapore Pools Prix de Ris-Orangis (at 8.33pm Singapore time), honouring the local gaming company for the first time, is no less competitive.
The naming of an overseas race after Pools is now well entrenched with various racing jurisdictions around the world. After South Korea, South Africa, Hong Kong, Australia, Malaysia, the latest country to follow suit is France, even though French racing has been broadcast in Singapore since 2008.
The annexing of Singapore Pools to the Prix de Ris-Orangis was made possible by Pools' French counterpart Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU) and France Galop to cement the longstanding partnership.
Aptly, the owner with the most wins in the 1,200m contest, Godolphin, with five, is well placed to extend its tally this year.
In a renewal featuring some of the turf's most popular and enduring sprinters, the Blue Army's battle-hardened Tribalist figures among the leading hopes.
The three-time Group 2 Prix du Muguet (1,600m) winner and Group 1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (1,600m) hero will, however, meet Group 3 winner Beauvatier, the evergreen Batwan and consistent National Service.
The Singapore Pools Prix de Ris-Orangis race analysis by The Hong Kong Jockey Club is as follows:
1 Tribalist
More familiar over further but this 10-time winner showed speed in a Group 2 over 1,600m at Saint-Cloud in May.
2 Beauvatier
Well below his best on his 2025 return but fourth in an Ascot Group 1 sprint last October was laudable.
3 National Service
A veteran who gained his eighth career win in a 1,200m Chantilly handicap in June. Difficult here.
4 Lanzelot Gold
Keeps running well but up in grade and down in trip.
5 Ten Horns
Has a commendable win and place strike rate but so far has proved vulnerable at Stakes level.
6 Batwan
A feature of top French sprint races and not beaten far in fourth in this last year. But a win would shock.
7 Spycatcher
Easily won this in 2023 and though few performances since have echoed that terrific display, he does like this course and distance.
8 Toyotomi
Rarely far from the money, and only beaten by a subsequent Group 1 winner at Chantilly in May.
manyan@sph.com.sg
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
15 hours ago
- Straits Times
Cristiano Ronaldo and girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez are engaged, but all eyes are on the ring
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox NEW YORK - In an Instagram post on Aug 11, Georgina Rodríguez, the longtime girlfriend of Portuguese soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, shared a photo of a gigantic rock on her ring finger. Beneath her hand, adorned with long, freshly manicured, glazed French nails, was another person's hand – presumably Ronaldo's, since he was tagged in the photo. 'Yes, I do. In this and in all my lives,' the model captioned the photo in her native Spanish. Immediately, the oval-cut ring had people talking. Some people compared the diamond ring to a Ring Pop, the lollipop candy, and others joked that it was probably so expensive that it could save world hunger. 'To wear this stone regularly, you're going to need a finger reconstruction surgery,' Julia Chafe, a jewellery-focused social media influencer, said in a video on Instagram. 'Just imagine wearing a hundred-pound kettlebell on your finger all day, every day. Painful, but worth it.' Ronaldo, 40, and Rodríguez, 31, met in 2016 at a Gucci store in Madrid, where she was working at the time, back when he played for Real Madrid. He now plays in Saudi Arabia for Al Nassr. The couple share two daughters aged seven and three. Ronaldo has three more children, a 15-year-old son and eight-year-old twins. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business Singapore banks face headwinds in rest of 2025, but DBS is pulling ahead: Analysts Asia Southern Taiwan shuts down ahead of Typhoon Podul's arrival, hundreds of flights cancelled Business Singtel Q1 profit soars 317.4% to $2.9 billion on exceptional gains of $2.2 billion Asia Diamonds, watches and shoes: Luxury items at heart of probe into South Korea's former first lady World AI eroded doctors' ability to spot cancer within months in Lancet study Singapore Yishun man admits to making etomidate-laced pods for vaporisers; first Kpod case conviction Sport New Hui Fen becomes first Singaporean bowler to win PWBA Tour Player of the Year Singapore SG60: Many hands behind Singapore's success story Anya Walsh, a jewellery specialist at 77 Diamonds, a retailer based in London, said she was surprised to see a diamond ring that large. 'Usually when you see even celebrity proposals, it's around 2 to 3 carats or maybe 5 carats,' Walsh said. 'This ring is in a league of its own. It's taking a good third of her finger, size-wise.' But it did remind her of a few other rings worn by celebrities and socialites. Walsh estimated the cost of Rodríguez's ring to be at least US$5 million (S$6.4 million), and the total weight to be around 35 carats. She said it looked similar to American singer Mariah Carey's 35-carat emerald-cut engagement ring in 2016 from her Australian billionaire ex-fiance, James Packer. Rodriguez's ring also reminded Walsh of late Hollywood icon Elizabeth Taylor's 33-carat stone, gifted by her ex, Welsh actor Richard Burton, in 1968. It sold for US$8.8 million at a Christie's auction in 2011. There was also late American basketball star Kobe Bryant's 'apology ring' that he gave to wife Vanessa Bryant in 2003 after he admitted to cheating on her and that was rumoured to cost him US$4 million. Ronaldo, the most followed person on Instagram with more than 660 million followers, and a man with a level of international fame that cannot really be overstated, is bound to inspire trends with his engagement ring. 'Knowing who he is and knowing his impact on the world and his popularity, I don't think he could have done it any other way,' Walsh said. 'This is one of the biggest celebrity engagements we've seen in a while. So many people are really huge fans of him. A lot of men as well. I can guess there's going to be an uptick in oval diamonds for sure, but will people want larger diamonds now?' Oval diamonds are popular for their romantic, soft look. 'Even though this is a huge diamond, it has that sort of contour where it's quite delicate,' Walsh said. After the round brilliant ring, the oval diamond is the second most popular choice at 77 Diamonds, generating about 20 per cent of total sales. 'Because it's an elongated diamond, it helps also make your hand seem a bit more slender, a bit finer than a more geometric or rectangular-looking stone,' Walsh added. Rodríguez's engagement ring also appears to be flanked by two smaller oval diamond side stones, which is called a trilogy design. The three diamonds typically signify the past, present and future. Olivia Landau, founder of the Clear Cut, a jeweller in New York, said the side stones appeared to be around 3 carats each. She predicted that the three-stone ring, with three ovals, would be more popular now, though on a smaller scale. Landau also said that, given Rodríguez's track record with fine and high jewellery, she believed it was a natural diamond. 'She's known for being a maximalist with her jewellery.' NYTIMES
Straits Times
a day ago
- Straits Times
Donnarumma confirms imminent departure from PSG after being axed by Luis Enrique
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox UDINE, Italy - Gianluigi Donnarumma confirmed his imminent departure from Paris St Germain after he was effectively axed from the squad by manager Luis Enrique, who left the Italian keeper out of the Super Cup line-up. Donnarumma played an instrumental role in PSG's treble-winning campaign last season, helping them to finally win the Champions League for the first time. However, the 26-year-old, who joined the club in 2021, has now been left out in the cold. PSG signed French keeper Lucas Chevalier on Saturday, fuelling speculation about Donnarumma's future, and with one year left on his contract, the Italian is now set to move on. "Unfortunately, someone has decided that I can no longer be part of the group and contribute to the team's success," Donnarumma posted on social media on Tuesday. "I am disappointed and disheartened." The keeper's omission from the PSG squad to face Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday was the main focus of the manager's press conference. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Luxury items seized in $3b money laundering case handed over to Deloitte for liquidation Singapore MyRepublic customers air concerns over broadband speed after sale to StarHub Singapore Power switchboard failure led to disruption in NEL, Sengkang-Punggol LRT services: SBS Transit Singapore NEL and Sengkang-Punggol LRT resume service after hours-long power fault Business Ninja Van cuts 12% of Singapore workforce after 2 rounds of layoffs in 2024 Singapore Hyflux investigator 'took advantage' of Olivia Lum's inability to recall events: Davinder Singh Singapore Man who stabbed son-in-law to death in Boon Tat Street in 2017 dies of heart attack, says daughter Singapore Man who stalked woman blasted by judge on appeal for asking scandalous questions in court "These are always hard decisions to make. I can only say good things about Gianluigi Donnarumma," Luis Enrique told reporters. "He is one of the best players in his position, without any doubt. He is even better as a person, but we were looking for a different profile of keeper. "Bearing in mind the level of Gianluigi Donnarumma and everything he has given to the club, of course we understand the situation but my aim is to improve the team and I have tried to do that in the best way possible." Italian reporters were understandably more concerned with the Donnarumma situation than with the match against Spurs, but the PSG manager soon grew tired of the subject. "No more questions on this. It is my decision, it is the club's decision and the club backs me," Luis Enrique said. "We now need to find the best solution for all parties." Donnarumma's next club has yet to be decided, and the keeper would like the chance to bid farewell to the PSG supporters. "I hope to have the opportunity to look the fans at the Parc des Princes in the eyes one more time and say goodbye as it should be done," Donnarumma wrote. "If that doesn't happen, I want you to know that your support and affection mean the world to me and I will never forget it. "Playing for this club and living in this city has been an immense honour. Thank you Paris." PSG captain Marquinhos also spoke about the Donnarumma situation during his press conference. "It is always difficult. I have been here for 12 or 13 years and I have seen other players go through the same thing," the Brazilian defender said. "Life is like that and football is like that. One day I will leave as well, I hope it will be in the best possible conditions but players come and go and the club remains, the fans remain, and history remains. "We don't know if he is going to leave or stay. If he stays of course we will welcome him back with open arms. "Because what he did last season was incredible and it is thanks to him that we reached the final and we won the trophy. But if he has to leave we will thank him." REUTERS
Straits Times
a day ago
- Straits Times
PSG leave Donnarumma out of UEFA Super Cup squad amid exit rumours
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Jul 13, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma (1) reacts during the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images/File Photo Paris St Germain have left goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma out of their squad for Wednesday's UEFA Super Cup clash with Tottenham Hotspur, amid media reports linking the Italy international with a move away from the French side. Donnarumma was PSG's first-choice keeper and played a key role as they won the Ligue 1 and the Champions League last season. The 26-year-old has won the French top-flight three times since joining from AC Milan in 2021. However, French media reports said Donnarumma, whose contract with PSG ends next year, may be on his way out this summer. PSG also signed Lucas Chevalier from Lille, who was named Ligue 1's goalkeeper of the year last season. Chevalier, Matvey Safonov and Renato Marin were the three keepers named in the squad on Tuesday for the match against Europa League champions Spurs. PSG squad: Achraf Hakimi, Lucas Beraldo, Marquinhos, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Fabian Ruiz, Goncalo Ramos, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Vitinha, Lee Kang-In, Lucas Hernandez, Nuno Mendes, Bradley Barcola, Lucas Chevalier, Warren Zaire-Emery, Matvey Safonov, Noham Kamara, Ibrahim Mbaye, Willian Pacho, Renato Marin. REUTERS
