
Time For Sandals springs 25-1 shock at Royal Ascot
Time For Sandals was a surprise 25-1 winner of the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot as favourite Shadow Of Light could only finish fifth.Richard Kingscote rode the victor, who is nicknamed 'Flip Flop' at her stables, from stall one for in-form trainer Harry Eustace.Eustace was celebrating a top-level Group One double, having won Tuesday's opening Queen Anne Stakes with Docklands."It's the hardest place on earth, but the horses have turned up in great shape," said Eustace.Shadow Of Light was last year's champion juvenile and had finished third in the 2,000 Guineas behind his victorious stablemate Ruling Court, but trainer Charlie Appleby said he was unsuited by the good to firm going.The Commonwealth Cup is one of two top-level Group One races on Friday, alongside the Coronation Stakes (16:20 BST).Jockey Warren Fentiman, 17, rides for King Charles on Purple Rainbow in the following Sandringham Stakes.Royal Ascot day four results
Venetian Sun, trained by Karl Burke, won the Albany Stakes to end Aidan O'Brien's stranglehold on this week's juvenile races.Horses drawn high had fared well on Thursday but the 7-1 victor also broke from stall one on Friday under Clifford Lee and comfortably saw off his rivals, with O'Brien's favourite Signora back in ninth place."I think she's very special, the best two-year-old filly I've trained," said Burke.Venetian Sun is part-owned by Brighton and Hove Albion supremo Tony Bloom, who hopes she will be a contender in next year's 1,000 Guineas.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mail
38 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
King Charles and actress Sophie Winkleman are seen enjoying royal box experience at Ascot racing festival
King Charles appeared in great spirits at day four of the Ascot racing festival as he was joined by actress Sophie Winkleman in the royal box. The Monarch looked deep conversation with Ms Winkleman, the wife of Lord Frederick Windsor and half-sister of TV presenter Claudia, as they watched the excitement unfold on Thursday. His Majesty sported a dapper grey morning suit, the same one he has worn for the three previous days, this time paired with a stylish pink waistcoat. Lord Windsor, who is the son of Prince Michael of Kent and second cousin of King Charles, was also present alongside his wife, who donned a navy buttoned up blouse and matching hat, and Queen Camilla. Despite the joyous atmosphere, the King and Queen's racing pot of gold failed to materialise once again as their horse Purple Rainbow was well beaten in the aptly named Sandringham Stakes race. Charles and Camilla watched the fast-paced race from the royal box and were glued to monitors, with the King animated in the closing stages of the mile-long sprint. He bobbed on the spot as if willing on his jockey Warren Fentiman, who was unfortunately unable to challenge the front runners. The couple looked up in the closing stages to watch the race as it came past the stands but were left opened mouthed as Never Let Go crossed the line first. Charles, 76, and Camilla, 77, will have to wait another day to try to double their tally of Royal Ascot winners. The King and Queen Camilla kicked off events earlier in the day after they were seen waving to racegoers as they arrived in a horse-drawn-landaus. They were joined by Camilla's old school friend Lady Cavendish and her husband Lord Cavendish in their coach during the traditional carriage procession along the course in Berkshire. Charles' nieces Princess Eugenie and Zara Tindall were also seen beaming as they chatted with His Majesty. Zara donned a chic baby blue pantsuit with a matching hat, while Princess Eugenie wore beige top coupled with a white hat and skirt. The pair were in high spirits as they shared a warm embrace upon their arrival to the festival earlier today. Princess Eugenie's mother, Sarah Ferguson, was also present at the prestigious event, wearing a polka dot black and white dress paired with a matching black hat. Not to be outdone, Camilla oozed glamour in a white chiffon dress with embroidered flowers from Anna Valentine, paired with a feathered Philip Treacy hat. Eugenie's husband Jack Brooksbank was also spotted in the parade ring alongside former defence secretary Ben Wallace when the royal procession arrived in the exclusive area. The late Queen was a passionate owner and breeder of thoroughbreds and had more than 20 Royal Ascot winners during her 70-year reign. Charles and Camilla have taken on her stable of horses and enjoyed their first Royal Ascot winner in 2023 when their horse Desert Hero triumphed in the King George V Stakes. His Majesty's appearance today comes after Princess of Wales sparked concern as she pulled out of attending the festival on Wednesday, apparently at the last minute. But royal sources insisted there was nothing to worry about and that it was simply a case of crossed wires. Aides also stressed that Catherine was continuing to 'balance her return to public life' following her cancer diagnosis last year, after which she made clear that she would resume her duties with a slow and measured approach. The mini-drama came as her husband, Prince William, handed out the prize for the Prince of Wales stakes at the racecourse in Berkshire. Executives at Ascot had expected the princess to join him, travelling down in the carriage procession from Windsor Castle with King Charles and Queen Camilla. Zara appeared in good spirits as she attended the occasion alongside her royal relatives At 12pm they issued the procession list for the day, featuring the Prince and Princess of Wales in the second carriage after the King and Queen. But 22 minutes later, guidance was issued which said Catherine would not be attending. It is understood an 'inaccurate version' of the list was 'issued in error'. An updated list was circulated and Lord Soames – a good friend of the King – lost his seat to make way for William in the first carriage with Charles and Camilla. They were also joined by Saudi's Prince Saud bin Khalid Al-Saud. Sources stressed there was 'no cause for alarm' and Catherine was following guidance palace aides have always given: that she would 'balance her return to public duties', following appearances at Trooping the Colour on Saturday and Monday's Order of the Garter service. They added that she was 'disappointed' not to attend but 'has to find the right balance'. Catherine, 43, had abdominal surgery last January, after which she was told cancer had been present, forcing her to undergo preventive chemotherapy.


North Wales Chronicle
38 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Charles and Camilla's hopes of Royal Ascot winner dashed
Charles and Camilla watched the fast-paced race from the royal box and were glued to monitors, with the King animated in the closing stages of the mile-long sprint. He bobbed on the spot as if willing on his jockey Warren Fentiman in the aptly named Sandringham Stakes but Purple Rainbow, who was not fancied by the bookies, did not challenge the front runners. The couple looked up in the closing stages to watch the race as it came past the stands but Never Let Go crossed the line first and the King and his wife were left opened mouthed. Charles and Camilla will have to wait another day to try to double their tally of Royal Ascot winners. The late Queen was a passionate owner and breeder of thoroughbreds and had more than 20 Royal Ascot winners during her 70-year reign. Charles and Camilla have taken on her stable of horses and enjoyed their first Royal Ascot winner in 2023 when their horse Desert Hero triumphed in the King George V Stakes.


The Sun
44 minutes ago
- The Sun
Jack Draper becomes highest Wimbledon seed since Andy Murray but two-time champ ‘refuses to answer questions about him'
JACK DRAPER can shower with the big boys now as he secured a top-four seeding spot at Wimbledon. England's top hope fought off American Brandon Nakashima 6-4 5-7 6-4 to reach the Queen's semi-finals for the first time. 2 2 The Sutton star is on collision course with Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday's final as the Spanish hero eliminated French lucky loser Arthur Rinderknech 7-5 6-4 – his record 16th win in a row. Yet Draper – who ends this week as world No 4 after moving up two spots – will avoid Alcaraz and world No 1 Jannik Sinner until at least the semi-finals on SW19 Centre Court. And he can enjoy the comforts of washing in the exclusive Gentlemen's Members' Dressing Room, one of the perks of being an elite player. Draper – Britain's highest Wimbledon seed since defending champion Andy Murray was top guy in 2017 – said: 'This means the world to me. 'This is a definite huge step for me. I remember last year going into the grass ranked around 40. 'To be inside the top-four come Wimbledon one year around, that's massive progress. 'A testament to my team, the dedication I have had for tennis, the work I have put in on a daily basis. 'You know, I live and breathe the sport and I'm obsessed with progressing. 'I'm obsessed with becoming the player that I want to become all the time and achieve the things I want to. 'The top-16 seeds get, you know, a better changing room. There's some tournaments where it's top-eight seeds, in the Masters 1000s I've had this year. 'Nothing is different apart from the fact that maybe, potentially I won't see Alcaraz or Sinner in the quarters – if I make it there.' Meanwhile, Murray won't be stepping into TV punditry work just yet – as he does not want to annoy Jack Draper with his words. Muzza, 38, hated it when he was playing and former British tennis stars, who had nowhere near his same level of ability or talent, gave him advice. Now retired and at a loose end following the dissolution of his coaching gig with 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, the Scotsman could earn decent money working for the BBC. But the two-time Wimbledon singles champion is conscious of appearing in front of millions and saying something that current British No 1 Draper, 23, disagrees with. Asked by GQ magazine if he feels the need to stay in the public eye, Murray replied: 'I'm not thinking daily that I need to tweet something or somehow remain relevant. 'That's why I'm much more interested in the idea of coaching because I feel like I'd actually really be helping someone. 'Whereas with punditry, it can be harmful. If I go and work at, let's say Wimbledon, you start getting asked questions about British players like Jack Draper. 'I know when the British ex–tennis players would talk about my tennis and what I should be doing. 'Because you respect them, you listen to what they're saying – but it's not always the same as what your coach is telling you. 'What the pundits are saying could be wrong. They're not right all the time, and when you're young, it's quite conflicting. 'So I'd be more inclined to do coaching, because I think punditry is quite an easy gig. You can just throw stuff out there. "People love it if it's a bit controversial, but you don't actually have any skin in the game.' On an extremely hot day, Draper, 23, will try to out-ace Czech speedster Jiri Lehecka, who crushed the spirit of British star Jacob Fearnley 7-5 6-2 in the opening quarter-final. Dressed in all-black clothes, the black-haired Scotsman injured his arm returning one 138mph ace. And overall he served TEN double faults as his service game malfunctioned due to nerves and anxiety. Fearnley, 23, moaned: 'He was serving great. I was serving terrible. At this level you can't give away that many free points.' BBC's Wimbledon TV comms team will be revealed on Monday.