Anthelia comes out on top in Super Sprint thriller
Anthelia was sent off the 6-1 co second-favourite and looked booked for second when Eve Johnson Houghton's Windsor Castle Stakes victor and 6-4 market leader Havana Hurricane burst onto the scene inside the final furlong.
Regular partner Lewis Edmunds was also conjuring maximum effort from the daughter of Supremacy, though, and after showing the blistering speed that had been a hallmark of her campaign to date, Anthelia stuck her head down to be rewarded with a short-head success.
'I didn't know if she had got there and she had to make a bit of ground inside the final furlong as Eve's horse got first run on us,' explained Millman.
'I don't try to buy cheap horses, I try to buy nice horses cheaply. She's a lovely filly to be involved with and we're so lucky to have a nice filly like this.
'It's a wonderful race for any trainer, but especially the small trainers and it kept me in business many years ago when I was struggling and then won it with Lord Kintyre. After that people sent me horses and we've been fine ever since.
Anthelia denies Royal Ascot winner Havana Hurricane to scoop the Weatherbys Super Sprint for Rod Millman and @MprUpdates pic.twitter.com/WvRDwZGtgY
— Adam Morgan (@Adam_Morgs) July 19, 2025
'We always try to have a nice horse for it and I've spent a lot of money on entry fees as the trouble is you have to enter them before you know how good they are. So you're sort of running for your own prize-money, but if you're lucky enough to have the right horse it's a great race.
'My wife always says, what's mine is half hers and what's hers is hers, so she'll enjoy this.'
Connections had deliberately skipped Royal Ascot after landing Sandown's Listed National Stakes earlier in the season, but suffered disappointment when trying six furlongs for the first time in Newmarket's Empress Stakes last month.
However, having bounced back with a lucrative £134,092 haul, Anthelia could now go in search of further sales race bounty before dipping her toe in at a higher level.
Anthelia in full flow (Jonathan Brady/PA)
'We'll probably go for Harry's Half Million (York, August 21) and then there's some nice Group races later in the season,' said Millman.
'The Empress went wrong last time, but she's a good filly and proved it today. It wasn't that she didn't stay in the Empress, she was just in the bad position but it wasn't the jockey's fault, it was my fault as I gave the instructions and I gave myself a good telling off afterwards.
'I think she's quite nice, but it is always another ball game taking on the big girls. She's effective over five and six furlongs and once you start trying to go further you've got to be a better class again to be effective at that distance, but I have not ruled it out.'
Johnson Houghton, meanwhile, could potentially seek immediate compensation at the Qatar Goodwood Festival with the runner-up having been thwarted in her continuing quest for a first Super Sprint victory.
Trainer Eve Johnson Houghton had to settle for second (Nigel French/PA)
Johnson Houghton said: 'I'm thrilled but gutted is the best way of putting it, it's my unlucky race.
'I'm pleased for Rod but gutted for us and I think if we hadn't had the rain he might have won, but I can't possibly say that as there is no way of knowing and the winner is a very good filly.
'She's a Listed winner, we're a Listed winner and they should have finished like that really as they are two good horses and two cheap horses we have done well with, so clever us – aren't Rod and I clever.
'We might as well have a look at Goodwood now, but I don't think he wants soft ground as it just dents his turn of foot. I don't know if we'll go go five or six furlongs just yet, I need to have a think about it.'
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The Sun
28 minutes ago
- The Sun
Horse racing tips: ‘He's improving rapidly and looks a superstar' – Templegate's 10-3 Goodwood day three NAP
TEMPLEGATE tackles Thursday's action from Glorious Goodwood confident of making it a day to remember. Back a horse by clicking their odds below. COPPULL (1.55 Goodwood, nap) He can hit the target for Clive Cox. His debut win at Leicester has worked out superbly and he ran a stormer in the Coventry at Royal Ascot, finishing third at 66-1 in that Group 2. He's improving fast and the step back into calmer waters could be just what he needs with this sharp 6f looking ideal. WHIRL (3.05 Goodwood, nb) She's a progressive filly who made light work of the Musidora at York in May before finishing second in the Oaks at Epsom, before gaining deserved Group 1 glory in the Pretty Polly last time. That Curragh form looks rock solid with the runner-up boosting it since and this trip looks ideal. He can sell his rivals down the river. The William Haggas colt has looked a Group performer in waiting since being upped to this trip and his Royal Ascot handicap win -where he beat the subsequent Irish Derby runner-up - screamed quality. He's still improving, travels strongly and sees the trip out powerfully. GOODWOOD 1.20 BEST SECRET is fancied to land this hot handicap after a cracking third in the Golden Gates at Royal Ascot, where he finished powerfully from off the pace. He's up 5lb for that effort but was clear of the rest and looks the type to keep improving over this trip. A strongly run race on decent ground should suit perfectly and he sets the standard. Main danger could be High Degree, who made all in a Ffos Las maiden and now tackles 1m2f for the first time. His pedigree screams stamina and trainer William Haggas won this race 12 months ago. He's unexposed, goes forward, and is open to loads of progress. Calla Lagoon is another improver worth noting. He shaped well in a Listed contest at Chester on comeback and looks just the type to take off now handicapping over a longer trip. Parole d'Oro and Seagolazo both finished strongly at Newmarket last time and are bred to stay. They have place potential. 1.55 COPPULL can hit the target for Clive Cox. His debut win at Leicester has worked out superbly and he ran a stormer in the Coventry at Royal Ascot, finishing third at 66-1 in that Group 2. He's improving fast and the step back into calmer waters could be just what he needs with this sharp 6f looking ideal. Havana Hurricane sets the standard after winning the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot and went mighty close in the Super Sprint last time despite not getting the clearest run. He's tough and classy but most of his best work has come at 5f, so the extra furlong on drying ground could ask a question. Azizam also ran a cracker at the Royal meeting, finishing third behind Havana Hurricane despite being drawn away from the action. That was only his second start and the move up to 6f looks ideal. He's a big player again. Maximized beat Havana Hurricane at Epsom and has claims if bouncing back from a poor run in the July Stakes, while Puerto Rico was second in a Curragh Group 2 and isn't written off. 2.30 MERCHANT can sell his rivals down the river. William Haggas' colt has looked a Group performer in waiting since being upped to this trip and his Royal Ascot handicap win — where he beat the subsequent Irish Derby runner-up — screamed quality. He's still improving, travels strongly and sees the trip out powerfully. There's a lot more to come. Rahiebb gave Merchant weight when close behind him at York and again caught the eye in the Queen's Vase when third over 1m6f at Ascot. Now at level weights and back to 1m4f he should be bang there. Ballydoyle hope Galveston has looked sharper since blinkers went on, making all at Naas before a decent front-running show when third in the King Edward VII. He'll likely try similar tactics again and could prove hard to pass if allowed a soft lead. Wimbledon Hawkeye pushed older rivals close last time in the Princess Of Wales's Stakes, while Sir Dinadan ran above expectations in the Irish Derby but may have been flattered by that result. Windlord got his head back in front at Sandown but may find this too warm, and Too Soon has it all to prove on current form after a beating in handicap company last time out. GIVE it a WHIRL in the £600,000 Nassau Stakes. She was a good second in the Oaks and showed her Group 1 class when winning the Pretty Polly at The Curragh. This trip is ideal and there's more to come. This will take some winning though with See The Fire and Cercene live rivals. Here's my guide to the field, where I rate each horse one (worst) to five (best): BEDTIME STORY 3 FAIRY Story. This son of Frankel was a smart juvenile who landed Group 2 and Group 3 wins on fast ground last year and bounced back with a cracking second in the Prix de Diane at Chantilly. Ground no issue here and 1m2f suits well. Needs more again in this deeper Group 1 and Ryan Moore prefers Whirl, which is a notable pointer. But she's clearly talented, in-form and still improving. Not dismissed lightly and could hit the frame with another career best. CERCENE 4 CENE and heard. Irish 1,000 Guineas third who caused a 33-1 shock in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, staying on powerfully to land that Group 1 in style. Faces her toughest test yet here over a new trip but she's bred to stay 1m2f being by Australia, and her finishing effort last time suggests she'll relish it. Progressive, tough and clearly thriving, she may just be underestimated again. Not out of this by any means. RUNNING LION 1 LION tamed. Group 2 winner at Royal Ascot last summer and went close in the Prix de l'Opera on Arc weekend but hasn't quite hit those heights this season. Solid fourth in the Duke of Cambridge last month but lacked the same spark. She's classy and could get an easy lead but may find a few finishing stronger. Capable of a bold show if allowed her own way but others look more convincing at this level now. SEE THE FIRE 4 HOT Fire. Neck second in this race last year and has looked better than ever in 2025, bolting up in the Middleton at York and then finishing a fine third against the boys in the Prince of Wales's Stakes. Proven at 1m2f, handles fast ground and she's rock solid back against her own sex. Holds standout claims on form and will be right there if she repeats that Ascot run. WHIRL 5 WHIRL cool. Progressive filly who made light work of the Musidora at York in May before finishing second in the Oaks at Epsom, before gaining deserved Group 1 glory in the Pretty Polly last time. That Curragh form looks rock solid with the runner-up boosting it since and this trip looks ideal. Fast ground holds no fears and she's thriving. Moore's pick from the yard and rates a major player with everything in her favour. Very hard to knock her serious winning chance. 3.45 GETREADYTORUMBLE looks a knockout bet. He's already scored over this C&D and lost nothing in defeat when third at Sandown last time, a race that's working out well. He's improving fast, handles good to firm, and still looks fairly treated. Main danger could be Nad Alshiba Green, who rarely runs a bad race and has hit the frame in eight of her nine handicaps. She was just behind Getreadytorumble at Sandown and remains a big player despite another 3lb rise in the weights. The Man is interesting too. He made a winning comeback after wind and gelding ops in a strong York handicap and could easily build on that now. 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South Wales Guardian
5 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Gosdens lament Field Of Gold's lacklustre Sussex run
The Juddmonte-owned grey was the 1-3 favourite as he came into the race having won both Irish 2,000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes this season, so was bidding for a Group One hat-trick with a new rider in the saddle as William Buick replaced the suspended Colin Keane. Juddmonte's second-string, the Ralph Beckett-trained Qirat, was the mount of Richard Kingscote and employed as a pacemaker, albeit a useful one, as was Aidan O'Brien's Serengeti, who looked set to lead stablemate Henri Matisse into the race. Those two did indeed settle into the lead, but as the race developed it became apparent that the favourite could not close the gap and he finished an eventual fourth when three and three-quarter lengths behind 150-1 winner Qirat. John Gosden told ITV Racing: 'He's done nothing wrong and actually the other pacemaker (Serengeti) got left (at the start), he comes round and finally they are going a pace. We are sitting a long way behind, that's life and the pacemaker goes and wins it. 'If you let them have those fractions they will do it, he ran on but he didn't seem to be balanced on the track, it's a different type of track to what he has ever run on and he just got a little unbalanced coming out of the dip into the bend. I'm not making any excuses, you ignore the pacemaker and pay the price. 'He ran a huge race in the Guineas (when runner-up at Newmarket) and was flying at the finish, but he was not flying at the finish so there's a very big difference. He wasn't at his best so we will have to see why. He is having a normal blow so we will have a good look. 'William said as soon as he asked him the engine wasn't there, simple as that. He would have run on to be up there with Rosallion, but he didn't fire today.' Thady Gosden added: 'Congratulations to Ralph and Juddmonte of course for winning, but obviously it was a messy race and I think we can put a line through it. 'We saw he quickened up well but it was too late on, Rosallion was in a good position in front of us and he didn't quite get there as they'd got a bit of rope in front. 'Hopefully he comes out of it OK, we know how talented he is and today wasn't a true reflection of his ability. We'll move on. 'We could see what was unfolding for us a mile out, but obviously it is great for Juddmonte to have a home bred winner.' Richard Hannon's 11-2 shot Rosallion was the runner-up under Sean Levey, beaten a neck after giving chase to the runaway Qirat. Hannon said: 'It's pride, not frustration, but what does he have to do to win? 'Sean did the right thing and moved closer to the pacemakers, and he's run a super race but didn't win. It's life, isn't it? 'He's a great horse, his day has already come and there are other days to come. He's certainly not done with. 'He's beaten the best three-year-old we've seen for years and also the French Guineas winner (Henri Matisse). 'It's not a great day when you are second in these races but we are very lucky to be part of it. We have an extremely good horse and he went down fighting.' Henri Matisse, also an 11-2 chance, was third under Ryan Moore when beaten two and a half lengths, with stablemate Serengeti eventually last of the seven runners. O'Brien said: 'Obviously (Serengeti) was there to make sure it was an even gallop and he missed the break, so Wayne (Lordan) had to let him relax and give him a chance. 'He came round the field wide and then when he joined up with the other pacemaker, the winner, he pulled back off and so Wayne was left making the running, but well done to everyone. 'We are very happy with Henri Matisse. We think we haven't got him really right yet, but we think we are getting there. Every time he runs we are learning more, and we were happy with him here other than he didn't win, obviously. 'Sean's (Levey) horse (Rosallion) just came down the outside of him and took a couple of lengths out of him quickly, Ryan just said that coming down the hill at Goodwood it just took him a little time to get organised as he's a baby three-year-old. He felt he wasn't finished with and there's more to come. 'We think he's a miler, but Ryan thinks he'll stay further. We'll see how he is but he could go back to France for the mile races and could end up in America for their mile races, or he could go up in trip, although we've never thought he was short of pace.'
Scottish Sun
5 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Jim Delahunt's expert racing tips for Goodwood Festival, Hamilton, Galway and more
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) JIM Goldie won the 2012 Stewards' Cup with Hawkeyethenoo and the Group One winning trainer can light up Goodwood again with JORDAN ELECTRICS. Scotland's only Group One winning trainer is building towards a Del Mar Breeders Cup challenge with Royal Ascot winner American Affair but the long trip to Sussex comes first for Saturday's 3.05. 3 Richard Kingscote on their way to win the Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes Credit: PA 3 SunSport columnist Jim Delahunt Credit: Keith Campbell - The Sun Glasgow Jordan Electrics' win off 71 at Ayr last May sparked an amazing climb up the handicap for a seemingly fully exposed 8 year-old with 6 more wins in 2024 taking his rating to a heady 101 by Ayr Gold Cup day in September. His future Royal Ascot winning stablemate was backed off the boards down to 11/4 favourite to win a race the trainer has long coveted but it was Jordan Electrics who shone on the day with a 4 lengths 5th of 25 to this year's Curragh Group 2 second Lethal Levi. Injury delayed the now 9 year-old's comeback until last week's Class 2 return at York behind new Stewards' Cup favourite Elmonjed but stable apprentice Lauren Young did the steering on the old boy's return and Paul Mulrennan gets back on board at Goodwood. Despite looking ring-rusty in the closing stages on the Knavesmire, Jordan Electrics was only beaten six and a half lengths by the winner and ignoring the apprentice claim on the Goldie horse's first run back for TEN months, he'll be 5lbs better off with the York winner at Goodwood. NINE of his 16 wins have come at similarly undulating Hamilton and while that's a massive positive heading to Goodwood, his best Racing Post Rating was recorded at York last season with an excellent figure in the book at Ascot as well. Elmonjed was a 9/2 winner for this column at York last Saturday and I'll be saving on the Haggas horse at Goodwood but Jordan Electrics is a general 33/1 shot for a trainer in spectacular winning form at all levels and those who can shop around might find some of the 40 and 50/1 still available last night. Whatever the fate of Elmonjed in the big sprint, Haggas looks to have a great chance of a big-race Saturday winner with recent Hamilton scorer SAM HAWKENS up a lenient looking 4lbs in the £100,000 Summer Handicap over a mile and three quarters at 1.55. The 4 year-old doesn't do anything quickly and looks hard enough work for his rider but Tom Marquand and apprentice Harry Burns have got the better of him at Newcastle and Hamilton the last twice and Marquand gets back in the driving seat on Saturday. Joseph O'Brien took time out from Galway to land the first race at Goodwood with Omni Man and the trainer can strike again on Saturday with GOODIE TWO SHOES in the Lily Langtry Stakes at 2.30. The winning maiden hurdler didn't cut it over fences but she's been a revelation switched back to the Flat and this Group 2 is a natural progression after two Listed wins and her latest success in a Group 3. Tipster Aidan Coleman gives his best bets for the Galway Plate Jamie Spencer gave Charlie Johnson's ARISAIG a fantastic ride to win over a mile at Glorious Goodwood 12 months ago and the pair get back together for the £150,000 Coral Golden Mile at 2.30. The 4 year-old has bagged stall 9 in this 20-runner handicap and my selection's course form added to her recent staying on second at Sandown makes it easy to forgive her Royal Ascot run under Spencer from a poor draw away from the main action. Spencer could have an even better day if Khaadem puts his best foot forward in the King George V Stakes at 3.05 but I've had this race down for BIG MOJO all season and his latest July Cup second was a superb effort. Charlie Johnston can double up on the day with TRY STORM CAT in the nursery at 4.20 with the trainer diverting his other potential runner TIMEFORSHOWCASING to Newmarket's 2.10 on Saturday. SPIRIT OF JURA's been off so long her jockey's retired but Charlie Johnston's filly will be fit and ready for Hamilton's 7.0 in Saturday. Hayley Turner won 3 times on the 3 year-old between January and April and a 4lbs rise shouldn't stop the Masar filly making a winning switch to turf. HAVANA HURRICANE looked an unlucky loser in the big ales race at Newbury last time but compensation awaits in Goodwood's Richmond Stakes at 1.55. MERCHANT looks a short-priced banker in the Gordon Stakes at 2.30 and WHIRL can make it worth doubling up in the Nassau at 3.05. DELAHUNT DAILY Dysart Enos to win 4.30 Galway Johnny Burke won a Galway Plate on Shanahan's Turn 10 years ago and the now English-based rider can head home to add a Galway Hurdle on Fergal O'Brien's mare. Dysart Enos made the frame in the Cheltenham's Greatwood Hurdle and Ayr's Scottish Champion Hurdle last season but connections have always believed she can fly higher and today's turning 2 miles can prove them right. The 7 year-old warmed up with a close-up 4th in a Kempton novice over 11 furlongs and her 9 lengths Aintree bumper trouncing of subsequent Champion Hurdler Golden Ace continues to jump off the page. TALKING HORSES - WITH MR ED JIM GOLDIE could pick all manner of fruity phrases to sum up the most prolific month of his career. 3 SunSport racing columnist Ed Watson Credit: John Kirkby - The Sun Glasgow But there's perhaps none more appropriate than a good old-fashioned 'Wa-hay!'. Seventeen winners so far in July have matched his previous best set in July 2023 But he's achieved it from 41 fewer runners this time around - 69 versus 110 two years ago - for an impressive 25 per cent strike-rate. And the secret of Goldie's success is simple - his tried-and-tested homegrown hay. He said: 'We grow all our haylage here 'We've got around 30 acres of it, which gets us around 200 bales every year. 'It's not enough to feed all the horses on for the whole year, especially as we now have more of them. It does us for about three months. 'As we want to get them right for Ascot, we start them on it at the beginning of June, then carry on through July and August. 'I think it's a big reason why our horses are always in peak form during the summer months. 'It's all about getting them on a higher fibre diet. If you make their stomachs work properly, you get fewer problems. 'It's the same as any machine, you need to keep it well-oiled for it to work efficiently. Our haylage is that oil.' The worry for all of Goldie's rivals is he's already harvested an equally healthy crop for next summer. He added: 'We don't usually bale until into July. 'If you do it too soon, it becomes too rich and then the horses don't eat enough of it. 'Everything's organic, so it's weeds 'n all. We don't put any chemicals into it. Legendary horse trainer Edward O'Grady dies aged 75 just days after saddling his final runner 'We could fertilise it and then we'd maybe get 300 bales, but it wouldn't be as good. 'It's very natural and the horses love it. 'We've got a very good crop again this year. It's just about all baled and wrapped and ready to be stored for next summer.' Goldie bagged a breakthrough Group 1 success and first Royal Ascot strike when American Affair stormed to glory at last month's showpiece fixture. The Renfrewshire ace quickly followed that up by passing the 1,000 winner mark on the Flat. He sends three runners to tonight's Racing League fixture at Wolverhampton as he chases another personal milestone of an 18th winner for the month. But for once he's not overflowing with confidence about the chances of Eternal Sunshine (5.45), Oriental Prince (7.15) or Midnight Lion (8.45) adding to Scotland's flying start under new captain Alex Steedman in last Thursday's League opener at Yamourth. Goldie said: 'I think it will be hard. But the prize money is that good, you have to have a go.' ED'S HEAD TURNER NORTHERN stalwarts David Chapman, David 'Dandy' Nicholls and Paul Midgley were all dubbed the Sprint King for a time. Winning jockey banned after 'extremely unusual' incident during controversial finish at Bath races Jim Goldie could probably argue a fair case why he could be too. But the title may be about to shift south for a stint given the firepower William Haggas has at his disposal in that department right now. Some major prizes are surely heading the Newmarket handler's way during the second half of the season. Elmonjed hoovered up a bumper pot at York last weekend and is chasing another in Saturday's Stewards' Cup. Almeraq and Binhareer blitzed their way up Ayr's straight in recent weeks in the manner of three-year-olds capable of cherry-picking their way through the ranks this autumn. Reinforced shelving for the Haggas trophy cabinet is presumably already on order. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
