‘Relentless, unstoppable' Aidan O'Brien horse retired after flopping completely
A 'RELENTLESS, unstoppable' Aidan O'Brien horse has been retired after just TWO runs under the Ballydoyle boss.
Storm Boy was dubbed a 'freak' by his handler in the build-up to his Irish debut.
1
Storm Boy never lived up to his hype in two runs for Aidan O'Brien and has now been retired to stud
Credit: PA
But the mega-money arrival from Australia flopped completely in the Group 2 Greenland Stakes, finishing dead last.
Storm Boy was then backed in for last Saturday's Platinum Jubilee Stakes but finished a dismal tenth of 15 under Ryan Moore - meaning he beat just four horses in two runs.
Loads had been expected of the five-time winner who was sent to Ballydoyle on the back of Group 3 and Group 2 wins in Australia.
But he has now been retired to stud Down Under.
Coolmore Australia's principal Tom Magnier said: "We are delighted to welcome Storm Boy back to Coolmore Australia for the 2025 season.
"His early performances on the track really had to be seen to be believed.
"He was jaw-dropping, much like his sire Justify, he broke his opponents' hearts!
"He won five of his first seven starts in a really dominating fashion and was unlucky not to include a Golden Slipper in that tally."
Most read in Horse Racing
More to follow.
FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org
.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
Never chases their losses
Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed
Gamcare –
Gamble Aware –
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
19 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
Caroline Currid joins Paul O'Connell's Irish rugby management set-up
Renowned sports psychologist Caroline Currid has been drafted into the Irish men's national team's management setup by interim head coach Paul O'Connell for their two-game mini-summer tour of Georgia and Portugal. Currid has built up a remarkable body of work, not least in GAA circles, having been involved with All-Ireland football winning sides in Tyrone and Dublin, and with Tipperary when the Munster county captured a Liam MacCarthy title. A key part of the enormously successful Limerick hurling project under John Kiely, it has been noted since the county's quarter-final loss to Dublin last Sunday that Currid has now been absent the last three times Limerick failed to go all the way, in 2019, '24 and '25. Former Limerick hurler Niall Moran and ex-Dublin star Ryan O'Dwyer are just a couple to have mentioned that correlation this week while numerous players from various counties have praised her contribution down the years. Limerick's Declan Hannon has labelled her work as 'pheonomenal'. Currid, who has been working in the performance/psychology sector for two decades now, has also worked with Kenyan Olympic 800m champion David Rudisha, Celtic Football Club and across the business world. Irish rugby has landed a major coup in co-opting her onto their summer staff, though this isn't her first foray into the sport: there was a year spent in a consultancy role with Johan van Graan's Munster during the 2021/22 season. Currid will be working with an inexperienced Ireland group in the absence of so many regulars who are on tour with the British and Irish Lions. Jacob Stockdale has 38 caps but he is only one of six players with more than ten appearances to his name. A dozen have yet to play a single minute of Test rugby at the highest standard. A former Gaelic footballer who won a Junior All-Ireland title with Sligo, Currid goes back a long way with O'Connell whom she interviewed 17 years ago for a study she was compiling on mental preparation among high-performance athletes. Currid has since admitted that she was shocked by his preparation at the time with O'Connell subsequently writing about the meeting in his autobiography and how he felt a nomination for World Player of the year in 2006 was undeserved. The pair were soon working together and would do for years, O'Connell's renowned attention to detail and obsessiveness evident in how he ate through whatever books Currid would send his way. The IRFU has had high-profile experts in similar roles in the past. Former Armagh footballer Enda McNulty worked as a mental skills coach with the national team from 2013 for seven years and Gary Keegan is currently part of the operation. Keegan, who revolutionised Irish elite amateur boxing, spent over four years with Jim Gavin's all-conquering side. Now a performance coach with the IRFU, he is currently in Australia with Andy Farrell's Lions tourists.
The Irish Sun
25 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Heartbroken' family of teenager killed in Meath swim tragedy confirm funeral details for boy taken ‘far too early'
THE funeral details of a teenage boy who drowned while swimming in Meath have been confirmed. Talented footballer 2 Kofi Owusu tragically drowned while swimming in Co Meath 2 Kofi had been living in the Blackrock area of Dundalk in Co Louth Credit: Coláiste Chú Chulainn His body was Kofi, who also went by the surname of Jackson, became the second teenager to lose his life in the water this week. He was from the Blackrock area of And now, the heartbroken family have confirmed his funeral details. Read more in News In a listing on the teen's family confirmed that his funeral will take place on Friday at 1pm. His death notice reads: "Kofi will be so missed by his heartbroken parents Tony and Maria, sisters Faith and Esther, the extended family, his friends including the students of Coláiste Chú Chulainn and his teammates in Redeemer Celtic, and the congregation at The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Miracle Land, Castletown Road, Dundalk." Kofi will repose in the Eternity Room of Quinn's Funeral Homes, Dundalk from 3pm-7pm on Thursday, June 26. Requiem mass will take place on Friday, June 27 at 1pm at The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Miracle Land, Castletown Road, Dundalk. Most read in Irish News This will be followed by burial at St. Patrick's Cemetery. Kofi's requiem mass can be viewed live on RCCG Miracleland Dundalk Youtube page and funerals live link Urgent warning for Irish parents as RNLI issues major water safety advice ahead of school holidays Kofi's terrible passing prompted a deluge of tributes to his memory. Kofi's The club launched a Paying tribute to their player, Redeemer Celtic said: "A child of fantastic talent. Hugely popular with a wide circle of friends. "A child whose characteristics show he was raised as a highly respectful youngster. He was a credit to his loving family. 'HORRENDOUS TIME' "A family that have been devastated by a tragedy, and sadly we have no words to ease their suffering at this horrendous time. "This [appeal] can only help with support of the financial burden that also comes sadly at a heartbreaking times to so many. "May God Rest your gentle soul Kofi, and gift strength to your family & loved ones at this time. Rest in peace Kofi." Kofi Owusu had just finished completing his Junior Certificate in Colaiste Chu Chulainn earlier this month. 'VERY CARING YOUNG MAN' In a statement, the school described his loss as a "terrible tragedy" for his family, friends, the school community and the local and surrounding areas. A spokesperson said: "Kofi was a very caring young man with a wide circle of friends. "He was a diligent student and a regular awardee for excellent attendance. "Kofi was also an accomplished sportsman. He was a member of the school's under 15 soccer team and represented the school in the recent Leinster Shield final on the 19 of May 2025. "Kofi was also a member of the school's under 16 basketball team and represented the school in the All-Ireland final on the 23 of January 2025. "Our sympathy and thoughts are with Kofi's family and friends at this time." 'A CREDIT TO YOU' Tributes have poured in from across the country for the young teenager. One person said: "We were neighbours in Limerick and remember fondly the children playing with their pals and the sheer youthful joy they brought. "Kofi was a credit to you. May your many memories be a blessing." Another said: "Kofi was a beautiful young soul taken far too early. "He had manners of a saint and a smile that would brighten any room. May his love get you through this unimaginable pain."
Irish Daily Mirror
30 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Keith Andrews: All you need to know about the expected new Brentford boss
Keith Andrews is in line to become the next manager of Brentford with reports in England suggesting that a deal has already been signed. The former Republic of Ireland midfielder has only been at the club since 2024 having joined Thomas Frank's backroom staff, but just as Frank was appointed from within when Dean Smith left the Bees in 2018, Andrews looks poised to be handed the top job. The 44-year-old has long been a prominent figure in Irish football circles having played for the National side and been a part of Stephen Kenny's coaching ticket for a number of years. Here, we take a look at Andrews' career to date as he embarks upon his latest journey. Andrews played football for Stella Maris in his youth before moving to England and joining Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1999. He spent six years at Wolves, during which time he struggled to nail down a starting spot on the team and subsequently spent long periods on loan at the likes of Stoke City and Walsall. He moved to Hull in 2005 before dropping down to League Two to join MK Dons just a year later. After two seasons with the Dons, the first of which seeing them get promoted to League One, Andrews secured the biggest move of his career when he was signed by Premier League side Blackburn. Andrews was a mainstay at Ewood Park for the next two seasons, playing 65 times in the Premier League for Blackburn. Around this time, Andrews was called into the Ireland squad by Giovanni Trapattoni and became one of the Italians most trusted players, forming a midfield duo with Glenn Whelan. He scored three goals in 35 appearances for Ireland and featured at Euro 2012. He was sent off against Italy in Ireland's third and final group game of a wretched tournament. Andrews made his last Ireland appearance later that year. He continued to play club football for another three seasons before retiring and moving into punditry and coaching. After retiring in 2012, Andrews tried his hand at punditry, working for numerous television stations but spending most of his time with Sky Sports and Virgin Media. He was outspoken at times and definitely wasn't afraid to speak his mind as evidenced by his criticism of Martin O'Neill towards the end of his time in charge of Ireland. Speaking after a 1-0 defeat to Wales in 2018, Andrews told Sky Sports: 'They need options on the ball, everything is off the cuff…he (O'Neill) keeps going on about Robbie Keane…leave it…Robbie Keane was a one off, you have to stop moaning about what you have, you have to try and create a team spirit because the more they keep hearing that, what's it going to do for their confidence… 'The players are on the floor, it's been one of the worst years in living memory…a lot of it is down to Martin.' Andrews' first role in coaching was as assistant manager to Mark Robinson at MK Dons. The former midfielder joined up with Stephen Kenny when the future Ireland manager took over as U21's boss and was an assistant to Kenny throughout the former Dundalk gaffer's time in charge of Ireland. While practically every other Irish assistant - from Damien Duff to Anthony Barry - departed Kenny's coaching ticket, Andrews stuck it out to the bitter end. He was well regarded within the squad, and when he faced criticism from the likes of Martin O'Neill in the media, Ireland mainstay Josh Cullen came to the defence of his coach. "I can only speak on the dealings I've had with Keith personally and he's been fantastic around the place. "I think he's a top coach and still probably at the early stages of his career. The detail he gives us in training and meetings is brilliant and I think he's been a massive part of the progress the team's made over the last couple of years and I'm sure he'll have a big future as a coach as well." After leaving Ireland with Stephen Kenny in 2023, Andrews took a coaching job at Sheffield United. He wasn't with the Blades for long as he swiftly moved to Brentford ahead of the 2024/2025 season, becoming their set-piece coach. Brentford's innovation at set-pieces was often remarked upon last season, with the club often creating chances and scoring within the opening moments of games thanks to pre-planned moves that had Andrews' fingerprints all over them. Andrews even received the Monday Night Football treatment from Jamie Carragher, who broke down the Irishman's set-moves alongside soon to be West Ham manager Graham Potter. After Thomas Frank left to join Spurs earlier this month, Andrews quickly became front-runner for the absent post. Brentford have a history of promoting from within, with Frank himself stepping up from assistant to number one, leading Brentford to the most successful period in the club's history. On Tuesday, it was reported by The Guardian that a deal with Andrews had been agreed and that he would shortly be unveiled as the new boss. Andrews often worked as a pundit while Martin O'Neill was in charge of the Republic of Ireland national side. He was critical at times, and O'Neill certainly hasn't forgotten it. Speaking on TalkSport today, O'Neill said: "He has been their set-piece coach. The irony is when I was manager of the Republic of Ireland he was a particularly vitriolic critic of mine at the time. He was really dead against me trying to use setpieces to try to win games," O'Neill told TalkSport. "The irony is he becomes the set-piece coach. Really I say good luck to him. Brentford have decided, if it is the case, that he should get it. "I hope he does get it because then he will realise what management is all about. It's not as easy to be sitting in a pundit's chair sitting to criticise someone who in all honesty had a much better career than he had. "He was dealing at the bottom end of it when I was winning the European Cup. That doesn't mean you shouldn't be criticising. Everyone to their own. But it'll be a different ball game now." The row with O'Neill has rumbled on for many years. Back in 2022, when O'Neill was promoting his book, the then 70-year-old took aim at Andrews' playing career. "If Roy Keane was doing punditry work and said I'd made a mess of something, I might disagree but I would accept it from someone who has played at that level, has managed himself and knows the pressures you are under. "I have a level of earned respect for that opinion but not a lower-leaguer who wouldn't know what it is like to win a medal. And who is now finding how difficult it is to win football matches." Keane served as O'Neill's assistant during that five-year spell in charge of Ireland, so, unsurprisingly, Andrews also drew the ire of the Corkman. Speaking to the Sunday Independent in 2020, Keane said: "If I can make one point about the new Irish staff. I've heard a lot of bullshitters over the last 10 years and Keith Andrews us up there with the best of them."
