Almeraq powers to hugely impressive victory at Ayr
He made headway at the halfway stage and moved in front at the two-furlong marker before kicking into top gear to breeze clear of his 17 rivals. Almeraq, who has an entry for the Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock in September, powered to the line to complete a five-length success in the hands of Clifford Lee and enhance his growing reputation.
The four-year-old was slashed in price to 3-1 favourite with the sponsors for the Coral Stewards' Cup at Glorious Goodwood, although Shadwell racing manager Angus Gold sounded a warning note over Almeraq lining in the big handicap on Saturday week.
'I was impressed with his performance and it's good to see him come back to what we'd thought he might show,' Gold said.
'We always hoped last year that he would be a nice horse and he just had a few little niggles in the spring, which held William up when they wanted to get going with him.
'The only thing I would caution – I haven't spoken to William, all options are open – but we've taken a long time and been very patient with him.
'Hopefully his future is all in front of him and hopefully in the autumn we will get some decent ground, so I'm not saying he won't run at Goodwood, but I'd be surprised if he bounced straight back in after being so patient with him.
'It's only 12 days away so let's see. We'll see what the weather does and see how he comes out of this.'
There was a shock in the opening racingtv.com/freetrial EBF Maiden Stakes as Chesham Stakes runner-up Thesecretadversary was beaten by debutant Rochfortbridge (28-1). Fozzy Stack's colt went off as the 2-13 favourite, but he came out of the stalls slowly and was in the rear for much of the seven-furlong contest.
While Thesecretadversary came to the outside with two furlongs to go, Adrian Keatley's charge proved too much as the 100,000 guineas buy claimed victory by three-quarters of a length, to leave his trainer eyeing up a tilt at the Acomb Stakes at York.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
25 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Prince William's firm five-word statement to Chloe Kelly about Euros goal uncovered by lip reader
Prince William's comments to striker Chloe Kelly after the Euros 2025 have been revealed Prince William's firm message to Chloe Kelly as they shared a hug after England won the Euro's 2025 has been revealed. Both William and his daughter Princess Charlotte were in Basel over the weekend as they watched the Lionesses win a nail-biting penalty shoot-out against Spain, in order to win the whole tournament. William, who is the patron of the Football Association, was on the pitch after the match to congratulate Sarina Wiegman and the whole England squad before they were presented with their medals and Euro trophy. William has got to know the Lionesses over the years, and instead of giving the usual handshakes he instead gave some players a well-deserved hug, including Chloe, who scored England's winning penalty in the shoot-out, the Mirror reports. And it seems her incredible penalty was still on the Prince of Wales's mind as a lip reader has revealed the words he believes was exchanged between the heir to the throne and the striker. Professional lip reader Jeremy Freeman believes that after they hugged and shook hands, William told Chloe: "That kick was no nonsense, well done you, honestly, fantastic." Additionally, Jeremy believes William delivered a special message from Charlotte to Michelle Agyemang, England's new star and young player of the tournament. He says that William told her: "Michelle, well done, honestly, you played a good tournament, you are so inspirational to Charlotte, well done." The royal was also full of praise for manager Sarina, congratulating her on her second Euros win with England, he said: "We get to do it again, well done, hey, amazing. Penalties to take it, eh?" After the Lionesses won the tournament, William and Charlotte issued a message to the England team on the Kensington Royal social media accounts. The father-daughter duo wrote: "What a game! Lionesses, you are the champions of Europe, and we couldn't be prouder of the whole team. Enjoy this moment, England. W & Charlotte." Also congratulating the Lionesses on their win was King Charles, who took to social media and wrote: "This brings you, your manager and all your support team my most heartfelt congratulations on winning the Euros 2025. For more years than I care to remember, England fans have sung that famous chant 'football's coming home'." 'As you return home with the trophy you won at Wembley three years ago, it is a source of great pride that, through sporting skill and awesome teamwork, the Lionesses have made those words ring true. For this, you have my whole family's warmest appreciation and admiration," he continued. 'More than that, though, you have shown through your example over the past weeks that there are no setbacks so tough that defeat cannot be transformed into victory, even as the final whistle looms. Well done, Lionesses. The next task is to bring home the World Cup in 2027 if you possibly can!"
Glasgow Times
15 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Humidity coming to the boil for hot-looking Vintage Stakes
Andrew Balding's son of Ulysses excelled from the front when winning the Chesham Stakes and although the form of that race has taken the odd knock since, connections are hopeful they have identified the perfect Group Two spot for the exciting youngster to cement his position near the top of the juvenile ranks. 'I loved the way he did it at Ascot and he was just lolloping along and James (Doyle) felt if someone had come to him he would have picked up and gone again,' said Richard Brown, racing adviser for owners Wathnan Racing. A GUTSY PERFORMANCE 💪 Humidity wins the #RoyalAscot Chesham Stakes 🏆 — ITV Racing (@itvracing) June 21, 2025 'The form has taken a few whacks which would make you nervous, but he did it in great style at Ascot and it makes you excited to seeing him go again. 'He's drawn 10 which might be a bit wider than ideal, but hopefully he can get out and get striding. 'I'm sure we'll try to go forward with him, but it's not like he has to make the running and he's a really relaxed horse who has a very big stride and I think he will be fine.' Also arriving with a 100 per cent record from two starts is Eve Johnson Houghton's Zavateri, who renews July Stakes rivalry with Ed Walker's Do Or Do Not having fought out the finish at Newmarket last month. Both colts are stepping up in trip here, something Johnson Houghton believes will bring improvement from Zavateri. Zavateri in the parade ring after winning the July Stakes (Steven Paston for The Jockey Club) 'He's been in very good form since Newmarket and won the July Stakes impressively,' said Johnson Houghton. 'I know he's got a 3lb penalty now, but we think that won't be a problem to him and we've always thought he wanted further so this was the obvious next step for him.' Aidan O'Brien has won this three times in the past, with Highland Reel his most notable graduate, and this time he relies on Dorset, who has caught the eye both in defeat on debut and when returned to the Curragh to open his account next time. O'Brien said: 'We think he's come forward from the last day and it will be interesting to see.' Dorset is joined from Ireland in the line-up by Joseph O'Brien's Coventry Stakes fourth Andab, who has not only had the misfortune of bumping into an on-song Gstaad but also Albert Einstein since a clear-cut winner on debut. Dorset in winning action at the Curragh (Brian Lawless/PA) David Menuisier's Goodwood Galaxy, Richard Hannon's Gharma Sutra and Hugo Palmer's Laureate Crown have all raced once, won once and step up in grade, with the latter given the chance to emulate subsequent Classic hero Galileo Gold who won this for Palmer 10 year's ago. Charlie Johnston's Vincenzo Peruggia showed marked improvement when off the mark at the second time of asking, while John and Thady Gosden's Haydock winner Morris Dancer.
South Wales Guardian
18 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Humidity coming to the boil for hot-looking Vintage Stakes
Andrew Balding's son of Ulysses excelled from the front when winning the Chesham Stakes and although the form of that race has taken the odd knock since, connections are hopeful they have identified the perfect Group Two spot for the exciting youngster to cement his position near the top of the juvenile ranks. 'I loved the way he did it at Ascot and he was just lolloping along and James (Doyle) felt if someone had come to him he would have picked up and gone again,' said Richard Brown, racing adviser for owners Wathnan Racing. A GUTSY PERFORMANCE 💪 Humidity wins the #RoyalAscot Chesham Stakes 🏆 — ITV Racing (@itvracing) June 21, 2025 'The form has taken a few whacks which would make you nervous, but he did it in great style at Ascot and it makes you excited to seeing him go again. 'He's drawn 10 which might be a bit wider than ideal, but hopefully he can get out and get striding. 'I'm sure we'll try to go forward with him, but it's not like he has to make the running and he's a really relaxed horse who has a very big stride and I think he will be fine.' Also arriving with a 100 per cent record from two starts is Eve Johnson Houghton's Zavateri, who renews July Stakes rivalry with Ed Walker's Do Or Do Not having fought out the finish at Newmarket last month. Both colts are stepping up in trip here, something Johnson Houghton believes will bring improvement from Zavateri. 'He's been in very good form since Newmarket and won the July Stakes impressively,' said Johnson Houghton. 'I know he's got a 3lb penalty now, but we think that won't be a problem to him and we've always thought he wanted further so this was the obvious next step for him.' Aidan O'Brien has won this three times in the past, with Highland Reel his most notable graduate, and this time he relies on Dorset, who has caught the eye both in defeat on debut and when returned to the Curragh to open his account next time. O'Brien said: 'We think he's come forward from the last day and it will be interesting to see.' Dorset is joined from Ireland in the line-up by Joseph O'Brien's Coventry Stakes fourth Andab, who has not only had the misfortune of bumping into an on-song Gstaad but also Albert Einstein since a clear-cut winner on debut. David Menuisier's Goodwood Galaxy, Richard Hannon's Gharma Sutra and Hugo Palmer's Laureate Crown have all raced once, won once and step up in grade, with the latter given the chance to emulate subsequent Classic hero Galileo Gold who won this for Palmer 10 year's ago. Charlie Johnston's Vincenzo Peruggia showed marked improvement when off the mark at the second time of asking, while John and Thady Gosden's Haydock winner Morris Dancer.
