logo
Henderson and Aston Martini are the toast of Compiegne

Henderson and Aston Martini are the toast of Compiegne

Leader Live14-05-2025

It is the second time Henderson has won the Listed event after Fixe Le Kap's triumph in 2017 and the Seven Barrows handler was delighted to visit a track he once rode at some 50 years ago to celebrate a horse bred and then leased to the syndicate named in honour of the late Henry Ponsonby by the late Richard Aston of Goldford Stud.
Henderson said: 'That was fantastic, a great performance, and we only came here to achieve one thing and that was to get some black type, as there were no more Listed races in Britain and we've had it in mind for some time.
Emphatic victory!
Aston Martini is far too good for Il Est Francais at Compiegne, cruising home to score in the Prix du Cher under Felix De Giles | @sevenbarrows pic.twitter.com/Yiz3QbUHU0
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 14, 2025
'It nearly scuppered our plan to see Il Est Francais in the race, but she was amazing – it's a beautiful track and it was beautiful ground with so much grass on it, it's a great place.
'I was talking to Noel George and he said it wasn't just Il Est Francais in there and there was also some other very good horses in there.
'It's actually the second time we've won that race and we won it with Fixe Le Kap in 2017 and I rode here 50 years ago in a cross-country, which is a bit scary.'
Aston Martini jumped excellently throughout in the hands of Felix de Giles, moving stylishly into contention in the home straight and soon alongside Il Est Francais, who folded tamely before the last, allowing the six-year-old mare to stride clear for a thoroughly impressive 10-length success.
Henderson revelled in having old ally De Giles back riding for him again on a big occasion, while also praising the huge team effort that was required to overcome some obstacles en route to cross-channel glory.
'It was great to have Felix on board again and he's a good old friend – he actually started with us the same year as Nico (de Boinville),' continued Henderson.
'There was a group of them – Nico, David Bass, Andrew Tinkler, Jerry McGrath, Richard Killoran – they were all here the same years and it was lovely to have Felix ride for me again – he's even learnt to speak French properly now, which is the whole point of having him as then I don't have to try.
'We schooled her over fences to get her ready for these hurdles as they really are considerably more substantial than ours and she's jumped beautifully the whole way.
'We've had to be here rather a long time as there was a strike on Monday and all sorts of complications and it was a lot of hard work. I have to praise my girls in the office as well as it has been a nightmare and we almost ditched it, but thankfully we didn't.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Man Utd missed out on £70m pair as Man City dive in with double transfer swoop
Man Utd missed out on £70m pair as Man City dive in with double transfer swoop

Daily Mirror

timean hour ago

  • Daily Mirror

Man Utd missed out on £70m pair as Man City dive in with double transfer swoop

Pep Guardiola's squad is set to be bolstered by the signing of two former Manchester United transfer targets, misteps which could further frustrate Ruben Amorim next season Manchester City are set to complete the signing of a second former Manchester United target for a combined £70million. Pep Guardiola has already welcomed Wolves defender Rayan Ait-Nouri into the fray, and Lyon's Rayan Cherki now looks likely to follow suit. Both stars have been on United's radar in the past. After a bitterly disappointing campaign that ended with a 15th-placed Premier League finish and Europa League final heartbreak, this summer transfer window is a pivotal one for Ruben Amorim. ‌ Matheus Cunha has already been poached from top-flight Wolves for £62.5million, having mustered 15 league goals this season. Yet another of Vitor Pereira's stars, Algerian full-back Ait-Nouri, has chosen the sky blue side of Manchester. ‌ He was a United target in the past, and he may not be the only star who once caught the Red Devils' eye to head to the Etihad this window. Reports suggest French technician Cherki could be on his way to Guardiola's side, and personal terms have already been agreed upon. Before he made his move from Angers to Wolves in 2020, the prodigious Ait-Nouri was reportedly of interest to then-Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Contact was supposedly made between the Manchester club and Ait-Nouri's super-agent Jorge Mendes, with whom he parted ways last month, and the teenager even flew to England to tour various training grounds, including those of United and their rivals City. In the end, neither of the two could secure the services of a young Ait-Nouri, who joined Wolves on an initial loan deal and signed permanently in 2021 for roughly £15m. At Molineux, the 24-year-old developed into a marauding wing-back and has now been snapped up by the Cityzens in a five-year deal worth £36m, with United missing out on their former target. One year before interest in Ait-Nouri was reported, Solskjaer also had his attention on another phenom, Lyon's Cherki, who was only 15 at the time. The Telegraph alleged that the Norwegian head coach had set his sights on the teenager. The Frenchman was regarded as one of Europe's premier attacking talents at his age group. That's why the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich were all battling to sign him. But Cherki ended up staying put. Having built up a reputation for having a rather problematic attitude, as highlighted by former coaches Fabio Grosso and Rudi Garcia, he has remained at the Groupama Stadium ever since. That's despite consistently being linked to top European clubs. However, that's set to change, with Sky Sports reporting Lyon have accepted a £34m offer for Cherki from City. Having the attacking midfielder registered before the Club World Cup has become a priority for City, while United look primed to see yet another player slip through their fingers and potentially come back to haunt them next season.

Donnarumma speaks out after private Man Utd talks and take it or leave it offer
Donnarumma speaks out after private Man Utd talks and take it or leave it offer

Daily Mirror

timean hour ago

  • Daily Mirror

Donnarumma speaks out after private Man Utd talks and take it or leave it offer

Gianluigi Donnarumma has been linked with a move to Manchester United as his contract with Paris Saint-Germain enters its final year, with the Italian now speaking out on his future Gianluigi Donnarumma has insisted he wants to stay at Paris Saint-Germain, despite reports he was discussing a move to Manchester United. The commanding goalkeeper played a starring role as PSG won the Champions League this season to claim the treble. But his contract in the French capital will expire in the summer of 2026. That has led to a rising uncertainty over his future at the Parc des Princes, attracting the attention of a number of top clubs. ‌ One of those potential suitors is United, who are keen to replace current keeper Andre Onana. The Cameroon international endured another miserable season, keeping just nine clean sheets in the Premier League. ‌ United boss Ruben Amorim is keen to bring in a new No.1, with the chance to sign Donnarumma too good to turn down. As well as winning the treble this season, the 26-year-old was also player of the tournament as Italy won Euro 2020. With a year to go on his contract, clubs around Europe had hoped to capitalise on that indecision with an audacious approach. Manchester rivals United and City were among those linked, with L'Equipe suggesting he had talked about moving to the Premier League with his international colleagues. But he has now confirmed that his desire is to remain in Paris, with the keeper predicting few obstacles in negotiations over a new contract. "My priority is to stay at PSG, I don't think there will be any problems in the negotiations," Donnarumma told Sky Sports Italia after Italy beat Moldova on Monday night. "We're a great team." Negotiations between Donnarumma's representatives and PSG began several months ago. He arrived in France four years ago from AC Milan, though earlier this week it was reported that there were doubts over whether an agreement would be reached/ According to L'Equipe, PSG had made a final 'take it or leave it' contract offer that includes a reduction in his salary. However, that now looks premature, with the player himself suggesting there should be few issues. ‌ Donnarumma's agent had already ruled out a return to Serie A, with Napoli having also been linked with the keeper. Instead, Enzo Raiola is focused on securing a new contract with PSG for his client. "It's pure fantasy. I've an excellent relationship with Director Giovanni Manna at [Napoli], but we've never discussed Gigio," Raiola told Radio CRC via Calciomercato. "It's an obvious question; many would like him, but only a few can afford him. ‌ "He feels good in Paris, we're at the European champion club, so we have no complaints. We are working on a renewal. I have never ruled out interest from the top Italian clubs, but there has never been a negotiation, let's see. "He is still young, I have to squeeze him for at least another 10 years. At the moment, however, it is very difficult to see Donnarumma in the Italian championship, I'm not just talking about numbers but also about the sporting project. "In Italy, beyond Inter who reached the Champions League final, there are Milan and Juve who are struggling, they are in the process of reorganizing: these factors are fundamental." Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Kerkez to Liverpool transfer takes huge step with fee agreed and medical booked
Kerkez to Liverpool transfer takes huge step with fee agreed and medical booked

Daily Mirror

time2 hours ago

  • Daily Mirror

Kerkez to Liverpool transfer takes huge step with fee agreed and medical booked

Liverpool are chasing Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez and the potential £45million transfer has taken a step forward with the news that the Cherries have identified a replacement Bournemouth have agreed a deal to sign Stade Rennes left-back Adrien Truffert. The Cherries have been hot in pursuit of the 23-year-old, who they view as a replacement for Liverpool-bound Milos Kerkez, over the past 10 days. Andoni Iraola's side have now struck an agreement with their French counterparts worth in the region of £14.4million, inclusive of add-ons. Truffert had just one year left to run on his contract in Ligue 1 and had told Rennes that he was keen to pursue a new challenge. ‌ He has already verbally agreed a long-term contract with Bournemouth and has now received the green light to undergo medical checks. Nottingham Forest and Marseille had also shown an interest in Truffert. ‌ Truffert's move to Bournemouth will only go ahead if Kerkez is sold to Liverpool, as expected. The Cherries are holding out for around £45m for the Hungary international, who enjoyed an outstanding 2024/25 season. The 21-year-old, who is under contract with Bournemouth until June 2028, started all 38 Premier League matches for the club, chipping in with two goals and six assists. He is keen to join Liverpool, who have identified him as a long-term replacement for Andy Robertson, and left the Hungary squad last week citing 'personal reasons'. Negotiations between the two clubs were slightly complicated by Cherries technical director Simon Francis spending time in the United States last week representing Bournemouth in The Soccer Tournament. He has been leading talks with former Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes, who used to work at Bournemouth. Mirror Football understands that second-choice left-back Kostas Tsimikas is likely to leave the Reds this summer, with interest from the Premier League and abroad. Robertson, meanwhile, has previously suggested he is keen to sign a new contract with Liverpool and has insisted he is ready to fight for his place in the side. HAVE YOUR SAY! Is Milos Kerkez a good signing for Liverpool? Comment below. ‌ "We're not daft, it looks as if a deal could potentially be done," Robertson told BBC Scotland. "But, until that is done, I've not even given that a second thought. I back myself, I've got confidence in my own ability and that drives me forward. "I've had eight fantastic years at Liverpool in terms of winning trophies, being a mainstay in the team, which I'm incredibly proud of. I'm not getting any younger, I can't change my age, but I still believe I've got a lot to give and that's what I focus on. "I focus on myself - you can't focus on other people or who you're competing with. I still believe I have a hell of a lot to give for however many years I can keep going. My body feels good at the minute.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store