Australia 'back on the tracks' for Lions series
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Scottish Sun
11 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Legendary horse trainer Edward O'Grady dies aged 75 just days after saddling his final runner
'ONE OF THE BEST' 'ONE OF THE BEST' Legendary horse trainer Edward O'Grady dies aged 75 just days after saddling his final runner Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LEGENDARY horse trainer Edward O'Grady has died aged 75 - just days after saddling his final ever runner. The King of Cheltenham before Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott came on the scene, O'Grady is remembered as one of Ireland's greatest ever handlers. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Famed horse trainer Edward O'Grady, who made Cheltenham Festival his second home with a whole load of winners, has sadly died aged 75 Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd 3 O'Grady, right, stands with a much younger Willie Mullins, who he helped pave the way for Cheltenham Festival domination Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 3 Iconic James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan got one of his big acting breaks playing Edward O'Grady And he is also partly responsible for the rise of James Bond hero Pierce Brosnan - with one of the iconic actor's first big roles being to play O'Grady in the film 'Murphy's Stroke'. O'Grady himself hit the big time when he teamed up with iconic owner JP McManus to land a huge punt at the Festival in 1982. O'Grady trained the first of more than 80 McManus Cheltenham winners in the shape of Mister Donavan. A fearsome punter, McManus said he won more than £250,000 backing his horse over and over for what is now the Turners Novices' Hurdle. In today's money the victory would be worth more than £1.1million. O'Grady masterminded 18 Cheltenham Festival winners from his Tipperary base in all, his victories coming in the days when British trainers still dominated. His most famous horses included the likes of Golden Cygnet, who many said was the greatest hurdler of all time despite his only season over obstacles ending in tragedy. Dubbed 'the horse of the century', he won the 1978 Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham before suffering a fatal fall in the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr. Gay Future, Native Upmanship, Ned Kelly, Back In Front and Tranquil Sea were other big O'Grady horses. O'Grady, who also enjoyed success as a Flat trainer having been forced to switch when farming troubles hit Ireand, was saddling horses right up until his death. His final ever runner was Sovereign Banter who ran at Cork last Friday night - mere weeks after his last winner, Our Soldier, earlier this month. Trainer Fergal O'Brien was among the first to pay tribute to a trailblazer in the sport, writing on X: "One of the very best. Sad news." This is the second death to hit racing in as many weeks, after a Grand National legend and 'amazing woman' passed away at home. Despite his success on the track, tragedy was never too far away from O'Grady's personal life. His first wife Judy passed away in 2010, seven years before second wife Maria was killed in a fall. O'Grady later remarried and leaves behind wife Kay and children Jonathan, Amber, Lucy, Mimi and Rosie Mae. More to follow.
Scottish Sun
11 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Man Utd ‘looking to HIJACK Newcastle's Benjamin Sesko transfer as they hold talks with £70m RB Leipzig striker'
Newcastle are anticipating the potential departure of their star striker, but their plans could be scuppered Devilish Man Utd 'looking to HIJACK Newcastle's Benjamin Sesko transfer as they hold talks with £70m RB Leipzig striker' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly swooping in on Newcastle's attempts to sign Benjamin Sesko. The £70million-rated RB Leipzig star has been in talks with the Magpies, with the parties looking to reach a verbal agreement. 4 Sesko was heavily linked with Arsenal before the Gunners signed Viktor Gyokeres - now Newcastle want him Credit: GETTY 4 But Amorim and co could swoop in Credit: Getty 4 Newcastle are readying potential replacements for Alexander Isak Credit: Getty 4 Sesko has been a stand out player in Germany Credit: Getty Now, according to Sky Sports Germany, Man United are also in discussions with Sesko's representatives. The report states the decision now lies between the Slovenian and his agents. Bundesliga outfit Leipzig want £70million for the 22-year-old who has already made 41 appearances for Slovenia. He signed from RB Salzburg in 2023 and has gone on to play 87 games for them, including in the Champions League. read more man utd HE'S THE GUEYE Man Utd hijack Brentford bid for wonderkid days after snaring £71m Mbeumo Man United have already invested in new attacking players, bringing in Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo for a combined £133.5million. And former Red Devils defender Rio Ferdinand doesn't think Ruben Amorim and co should go for Sesko. Newcastle are looking for potential replacements for striker Alexander Isak, who is understood to have told the Newcastle hierarchy that he wants to leave this summer. He is currently absent from the club's pre-season tour, with the Magpies highlighting a "minor thigh injury". BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Asked about Isak's links to Premier League champions Liverpool, his teammate Bruno Guimaraes said: "He is a top striker, his [record over the] last three seasons speaks by itself, he's a top player. "But as far as I know he just stayed there because of his injury, his treatment with the club." Last week, SunSport exclusively reported Isak had been offered a £32million-a-year deal from Saudi Arabia. However, his heart is set on Liverpool. Earlier this month, Newcastle knocked back the Reds' initial approach over a potential British-record £120million move. SunSport understands he could now submit a transfer request to push for a switch to the Premier League champions.
Daily Mirror
11 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Sprint star, 16, beats Usain Bolt's 100m record at same age and outshines Gout Gout
Sorato Shimizu set a new under-18 100m world record in Japan's Inter-High School Championships while eclipsing the entry standard for the World Athletics Championships in the process Athletics has a new sensation in the form of an unheralded Japanese sprinter who has outpaced the likes of Gout Gout and Usain Bolt, while etching his name into the annals of history. Sorato Shimizu, at just 16 years old, has set a new under-18 100m world record at Japan's Inter-High School Championships. In doing so, he met the entry standard for the World Athletics Championships. The high school junior, who doesn't celebrate his 17th birthday until February 2026, clocked an impressive time of 10.00 seconds. His performance was quicker than the Japanese high school record set by Yoshihide Kiryu in 2013, who later competed in the Olympic Games. It also surpassed the 10.04 time posted by Australian up-and-comer Gout Gout, and the 10.03-second sprint set by Bolt at the age of 20 - albeit, the latter dedicated himself more to the 200m discipline. Competing in Hiroshima on Saturday, Shimizu's time ranks as the fifth fastest in Japanese history, irrespective of age. This remarkable run, deemed legal with a tailwind of +1.7, has potentially paved the way for him to compete in the world championships on home turf, reports the Mirror US. Shimizu, a student at Seiryo High School in Ishikawa Prefecture, could represent Japan in the World Athletics Championships taking place in Tokyo this September. Speaking about his result, he said: "I was determined to run under 10 seconds heading into the final. I'm happy to have set a high school record. I'd like to get a taste of [the World Championships] if I can make it." Gout's personal best in the 100m was not deemed wind legal, meaning Shimizu bettered the previous U18 100m record of 10.06 seconds, which was held jointly by Puripol Boonson of Thailand and American sprinter Christian Miller. Video footage of the race showed just how commanding Shimizu's display was, as he surged ahead within the first 10m and never looked threatened, cruising to victory by an enormous distance. He added to NHK: "The 10.00-second time was shocking even to me, but I'm happy I was able to achieve it. Winning was my goal, so I focused on running my own race without hesitation. "From the start, I was able to connect to my signature 'second acceleration' and execute the movements I couldn't do in the preliminaries, so that was good." Shimizu currently sits at No. 377 in the world rankings, but should he repeat Saturday's breathtaking display, his position is certain to climb dramatically.
