Fiji and Castres star Josaia Raisuqe killed in road accident, aged 30
Fiji Sevens star Josaia Raisuqe has been killed after his car was struck by a train at a level crossing on Thursday morning, according to reports in France.
The Castres player was on his way to training when the accident occurred. Raisuque's teammates -- some of whom were reportedly at the scene of the incident -- were released from duties and their Top 14 clash with Clermont is expected to be postponed.
Though the club are yet to make a statement, Toulouse stated: 'The entire club wishes to express its support and sincere condolences to his family, loved ones and his club, Castres Olympique.'
Raisuqe represented Fiji at the Olympic Games in Paris last year, winning a silver medal. The 30-year-old spent the majority of his career in French rugby, representing Stade Francais, Nevers and Castres. He had agreed to join Brive ahead of next season.
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The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
With questions over many I have every confidence in my massive 14-1 Epsom Derby NAP
THE Aga wins the Aga Derby. That's fairytale stuff, isn't it? I'm not so sure. I'm talking, of course, about Midak , one of the French raiders supplemented into Saturday's Group 1 Betfred Derby, the world's most famous Classic beamed to you live on ITV. Advertisement 2 The Kings of Epsom - Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien - have an obvious chance with Delacroix... but I don't think they'll win the Derby Credit: PA Derby Day should always be something special for anyone who loves the thoroughbred. For many it's the ultimate test of the Flat racehorse, and it has tested the best. Winners like Nijinsky, Mill Reef, Nashwan and Sea The Stars... as well as those in defeat like Dancing Brave and El Gran Senor. The twists and turns are one thing, the stamina test over a mile and a half of the Epsom Downs another. Advertisement Will he stay? That will be the question many ask about the majority of today's runners. It's certainly a doubt for 2,000 Guineas hero Ruling Court , who was hardly mentioned after being chased home by fast-finishing Field of Gold at HQ. Could it just be Ruling Court was the best horse for William Buick and Charlie Appleby? Time will tell. Delacroix really should stay for the Derby King of Trainers, Aidan O'Brien. Advertisement Most read in Horse Racing But Ballysax and Leopardstown Derby Trial victor Delacroix is by Dubawi. In itself that is no bad thing. But the super stallion has had nine runners to date in seven different editions of the Derby and none of them has finished in the first four. Dubawi himself ran in the 2005 Derby, eventually going down eight lengths to Motivator. Advertisement That was six years after his sire, Dubai Millennium, met the only defeat of his career when sent off the favourite for the Derby. Pride of Arras has only raced twice but looked very useful when romping home from Damysus in a slowly run Dante at York which saw The Lion In Winter pull his chance away in the first two furlongs. Ralph Beckett's challenger, ridden by Hector Crouch, is bred to stay and could be the real deal for owner-breeder Mrs David Aykroyd. Her colours are also carried by Amiloc, who hacked up at Goodwood the other day but can't run here as he's been gelded. Advertisement Lambourn is a similar type to Los Angeles who ran well behind stable companion City of Troy last year. Another O'Brien raider, Lambourn is proven over further having landed the Chester Vase but he was beaten by Delacroix in the Ballysax. The other I want to mention, before I get on to Midak, is Stanhope Gardens , who is another for Beckett and has always appeared to be a Derby type. Last season Stanhope Gardens was only beaten a neck by Delacroix in the Autumn Stakes at Newmarket. That puts him bang in the mix. Advertisement The son of Ghaiyyath is bred to stay well and had effectively a racecourse gallop at Salisbury the other day when winning an event put on especially for him. But let's get back to my French fancy Midak . 2 Mickael Barzalona celebrates riding Pour Moi to victory in Derby - and I think he'll be doing the same on Midak... though maybe not quite so early! Credit: PA:Empics Sport He runs in the colours of Aga Khan Studs SCEA in a Derby run in memory of His Highness Aga Khan IV. Advertisement That means he carries the green and red silks that have been worn at Epsom by legends like Shergar, Shahrastani, Kahyasi, Sinndar and Harzand. So, naturally, a Francis-Henri Graffard-trained Midak victory would be fairytale stuff under Mickaël Barzalona, who won this on Pour Moi in 2011. Midak is out of a mare by Sinndar and is already very useful. My hope is unbeaten in three races and his form suggests he's a solid, improving Group 2 horse, having scored well over an extended 1m2f at Saint-Cloud last time. Advertisement He kept on well that day suggesting this trip would suit and of course he's bred for it. 'He's definitely a horse improving with his races and will definitely get the trip,' explained Nemone Routh, racing manager for the Aga Khan Studs. 'We're not sure on his form lines and how it stacks up, but all he can do is win and he's won every start. 'He's going to have to handle the track and he's a big horse with a big, long stride. Mickael Barzalona thinks he will handle the track because he's well balanced. Advertisement 'We would be very happy to see him finish in the first three or even first five, but he is a bit of an unknown quantity and he does everything easily at home. It's a little bit of a shot in the dark, but we thought it was worth it.' It's the type of Derby to simply 'have a go'. And there would be no more poignant victory than one for Midak. 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. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Advertisement Read more on the Irish Sun 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.
Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
Epsom Derby 2025: the pin-stickers' guide
It may not attract the attention it once did but the Epsom Derby remains one of the biggest days on the racing calendar and this year's renewal of the iconic race shapes as an intriguing one. Will Aidan O'Brien win a record-extending 11th premier Classic? Will 2000 Guineas hero Ruling Court stay for Godolphin? Can Galway jockey Rossa Ryan add a Derby to a CV that already includes an Arc? How will supplemented French pair Midak and New Ground fare? Questions aplenty and while we'll only know the answers shortly after 3.30pm on Saturday, here's our horse-by-horse guide to the 246th Derby. 1: Al Wasl Stom Trainer: Owen Burrows Jockey: David Probert Rating: 3/10 Odds: 100-1 Made all when getting off the mark at the third time of asking at Chester last month but likely to be out of his depth in this company. 2: Damysus Trainer: John and Thady Gosden Jockey: James Doyle Rating: 6/10 Odds: 12-1 Shaped well when second in the Dante and going a furlong and a half further could bring about further improvement. Each-way claims. 3: Delacroix Trainer: Aidan O'Brien Jockey: Ryan Moore Rating: 8/10 Odds: 11-4 Victorious in two Derby trials at Leopardstown and looks sure to stay the trip but the record of Dubawi colts in this Classic (0 from nine) is a niggling worry. 4: Green Storm Trainer: Charlie Johnston Jockey: Billy Loughnane Rating: 3/10 Odds: 40-1 Second in a weak French Group 1 as a juvenile but a record of one win from seven starts doesn't inspire confidence. 5: Lambourn Trainer: Aidan O'Brien Jockey: Wayne Lordan Rating: 6/10 Odds: 15-2 Second to stablemate Delacroix in the Ballysax before winning the Dee Stakes at Chester. Could be the pacesetter. 6: Lazy Griff Trainer: Charlie Johnston Jockey: Christophe Soumillon Rating: 3/10 Odds: 66-1 Like Green Storm, he was kept busy as a two-year-old and like his stablemate he struggles to get his head in front. 7: Midak Trainer: Francois-Henri Graffard Jockey: Mickael Barzalona Rating: 7/10 Odds: 12-1 Unraced at two, this supplemented French raider is unbeaten in three starts this season and looks an intriguing contender. 8: New Ground Trainer: Henri-Francois Devin Jockey: Alexis Pouchin Rating: 3/10 Odds: 25-1 Another supplemented French challenger but could only manage third in two starts this season. Unlikely to land a meaningful blow. 9: Nightime Dancer Trainer: Richard Hannon Jockey: Jamie Spencer Rating: 3/10 Odds: 100-1 Third in Lingfield Derby Trial behind two Ballydoyle colts not deemed good enough to make the trip to Epsom. Likely to struggle. 10: Nightwalker Trainer: John and Thady Gosden Jockey: Tom Marquand Rating: 5/10 Odds: 20-1 Fifth in the Dante, the Frankel colt should appreciate the step up in trip but may struggle to keep tabs on the leaders in the early part of the race. 11: Pride Of Arras Pride Of Arras and Rossa Ryan (light blue) winning The Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes Trainer: Ralph Beckett Jockey: Rossa Ryan Rating: 9/10 Odds: 5-1 An impressive winner of the Dante on only his second career start, this talented son of New Bay should have no issue with the trip. Massive player. 12: Rogue Impact Trainer: James Owen Jockey: Luke Morris Rating: 2/10 Odds: 70-1 Last of six at Lingfield last month and there's no logical reason why he should fare any better in this company. 13: Ruling Court Trainer: Charlie Appleby Jockey: William Buick Rating: 8/10 Odds: 10-3 If the 2000 Guineas hero stays, he'll win as his Newmarket triumph is undoubtedly the strongest form on offer. That's a significant if though. 14: Sea Scout Trainer: Simon and Ed Crisford Jockey: Harry Davies Rating: 4/10 Odds: 50-1 Ticks the track box having won at Epsom in April but saw his limitations exposed when eighth in the Dante last time out. 15: Stanhope Gardens Trainer: Ralph Beckett Jockey: Hector Crouch Rating: 6/10 Odds: 12-1 Got within a neck of Delacroix as a two-year-old and while his win at Salisbury last month proved little, he has better prospects than many here. 16: Tennessee Stud Trainer: Joseph O'Brien Jockey: Dylan Browne McMonagle Rating: 5/10 Odds: 28-1 A Group 1 winner in France last season but was firmly put in his place by Delacroix at Leopardstown last month. Hard to fancy. 17: The Lion In Winter The Lion In Winter and Stephen Gray pictured at Ballydoyle Stables. Pic: Healy Racing Trainer: Aidan O'Brien Jockey: Colin Keane Rating: 5/10 Odds: 6-1 Winter favourite for this Classic but surrendered his unbeaten record when sixth in the Dante. Being drawn in stall 19 is a further negative. 18: Tornado Alert Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor Jockey: Oisin Murphy Rating: 5/10 Odds: 20-1 Ran a big race at a big price when fourth in the 2000 Guineas but it's hard to see his stamina lasting over four furlongs further. 19: Tuscan Hills Trainer: Raphael Freire Jockey: David Egan Rating: 4/10 Odds: 66-1 Unbeaten in two starts as a two-year-old but could only manage seventh in the Dante last month. Little chance. Darren Norris' verdict History suggests opposing Team Ballydoyle in the Derby is an act of folly and it's easy to make a coherent case for Delacroix giving Aidan O'Brien a record-extending 11th win in the premier Classic. However, the Dubawi colt has looked more solid than spectacular in his Leopardstown wins so a chance is taken on PRIDE OF ARRAS landing the spoils for Arc-winning pair Ralph Beckett and Rossa Ryan. His lack of experience could be viewed as a negative but 2013 victor Ruler of The Word and 2022 hero Desert Crown had also only run twice before rocking up at Epsom and Pride Of Arras showed enough at York to suggest he has all the attributes required to become the 10th Dante winner since 1980 to go on to Derby glory. Should stamina prove Ruling Court's undoing, unbeaten French raider Midak can hit the frame at a decent price.
The Irish Sun
6 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Tragedy as footballer, 14, dies after horrifying collision with opponent and slipping into a coma
A FOOTBALLER has died after slipping into a coma following a horrifying collision with an opponent. 14-year-old Ilann, whose surname was withheld by his club, passed away after playing for French team Jeunesse Villenavaise. 1 A 14-year-old footballer has died after a collision during a match Credit: Getty The teenager was reportedly struck in the chest during an aerial duel while starring at a tournament in Merignac on Sunday. Ilann was rushed to Bordeaux University Hospital after losing consciousness and slipping into a coma. He underwent several emergency surgeries to stop internal bleeding in his liver. But medics were unable to save Illan and he tragically died on Tuesday. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL Jeunesse Villenavaise cancelled training the following day while providing counselling for players. And they confirmed Ilan's sad passing in a heartbreaking statement on social media. It read: 'It is with a broken heart and a silent soul that we announce the passing of Ilann, a young Panther of the club. 'There are no words right enough, no sentence strong enough. Only silence, tears, and love. Most read in Football 'Today, Jeunesse Villenavaise is in mourning. A family, teammates, educators, parents stand together, united in grief. 'To Ilann's family, to his loved ones, we send all our absolute, sincere, and unconditional love. 'Ilann, forever one of us, we make a promise: we will never forget you. 'Rest in peace, young Panther. The field belongs to you forever.' Fans were quick to pay tribute to Ilann. One said: 'Peace for his soul and courage for the family.' Another declared: 'Rest in peace, sincere condolences.' One noted: 'Huge support to his family and club.' Another added: 'So sad, football is in mourning.'
