Latest news with #AndrewBalding
Telegraph
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Gabby Logan's daughter Lois: ‘I've never had anything handed to me'
There's an imposter on the gallops at Park House Stables, Kingsclere, the Berkshire racing yard of Andrew Balding. Wearing a bright yellow silk on her riding hat, Lois Logan, the 19-year-old daughter of forthcoming Match of the Day presenter Gabby and her husband, Kenny, is thundering around the track on a race-fit thoroughbred. Yet Lois is a showjumper who only sat on a racehorse for the first time this spring. 'She's been amazing,' Balding's wife, Anna Lisa, tells me as we watch the horses exercise against the backdrop of the sun-scorched north Hampshire Downs. 'To be safe to race involves hard work in the gym and on the horse.' Indeed, to my untrained eye, Lois's riding position is no different from the professionals. 'It's such an adrenalin rush,' she says as she untacks her horse and washes it down. 'These horses are totally different athletes to mine – they're F1 cars not Range Rover Sports. It's the quickest I've gone in my life.' This week, Lois, who is studying geography at Loughborough University, will be riding in the Markel Magnolia Cup – an invitation-only charity race – at the Qatar Goodwood Festival. The event has raised more than £2.7m for good causes since the first race in 2011. She is one of 12 amateur female jockeys who have spent the past few months training at top yards. Park House Stables is where Queen Elizabeth II once kept her racehorses, and is run like a military operation, with 90 staff and 250 horses in training. Gabby warned Lois that it would be tough to fit in training with university, but Lois was determined. 'No time is going to be the right time,' she says. In a relatively short period of time, she has passed a gruelling jockey fitness test, and learnt to ride like a jockey, in a forward leaning crouch above the saddle to minimise wind resistance and maximise control of the horse. 'I've hit the deck once – the horse was going beautifully and from nowhere he slammed on the brakes,' she says. 'I somersaulted over his head and landed on my bum. I was so embarrassed. I just wanted to get back on.' Arguably in contrast to your average teenager, Lois radiates enthusiasm, and can count the number of times she has had a hangover on one hand. 'I've had a couple,' she admits. 'In freshers' week I had one so bad I called my mum and she said, 'You're hungover, welcome to university.'' An early riser, today Lois has been up since 5am, riding a pony she's training to sell – her father came out to help her – before driving 90 minutes to Kingsclere to take two horses around the gallops in the heat. Later this afternoon, she will drive back home to Buckinghamshire to ride her showjumpers and train at the gym. She's kept to a strict diet, with advice from the British Racing School's nutritionists, to ensure she eats enough protein and carbohydrates. Tomorrow she will do it all again. 'I hate waking up past 8am, because it feels like my whole day is gone. I think it comes from my mum and dad,' she says. 'My mum has a day off and spends three hours scrubbing the kitchen floor.' Despite this being her first major interview, Lois, who has appeared on her mother's podcast, The Mid Point – which focuses on midlife challenges and expectations – insists her parents haven't coached her about what to say. 'They trust me to say the right thing,' she says. 'I've seen them in their environments their whole life – I'm not fussed by it.' Gabby's new job presenting Match of the Day has been a proud moment for the family, says Lois, and is totally deserved, as her mother never stops working. 'Sometimes I'll be scrolling Instagram and I'll be like, 'Oh, she's doing that'. She's so busy the whole time.' We are chatting in the 'colour room', a converted barn with walls hung with winning jockey silks. Anna Lisa, who takes all Magnolia Cup entrants under her wing, has left us with a basket of croissants and sausage rolls that she baked this morning. Gabby came here to watch her daughter train a few weeks ago and was so impressed by Park House Stables that she featured them on her other podcast, co-hosted by Mark Chapman, The Sports Agents. 'It blew her brains,' Lois says. 'Even though she isn't horsey, her grandfather was a bookie and she dreamt of being a racehorse trainer when she was younger.' Was Gabby's heart in her throat watching her daughter tear the gallops? 'She's more nervous watching me jump,' Lois says. 'She has to stand at least 10m from my dad because she jumps every jump with me.' The Logans must be one of the sportiest families in Britain. Gabby is the daughter of Welsh former football player and manager Terry Yorath, and before becoming a television presenter she was a rhythmic gymnast, representing Wales in the 1990 Commonwealth Games. Meanwhile Lois's father, Kenny, is a former Scotland international rugby union player who now runs his own sports marketing company. There was never a question that their offspring would play sport – Lois has a twin brother, Reuben, a professional rugby union player for Northampton Saints – although Lois insists that they always did so willingly (with one possible exception during lockdown when Gabby made them exercise for six hours straight to raise money for charity). 'There is this assumption that Mum and Dad are pushy, but they're not,' says Lois. 'They just wanted us to enjoy sport. For them, it's about mental health and release and keeping yourself fit and happy.' She reels off all the sports that she played competitively as a child: swimming, tennis, lacrosse, netball. Oh, and she could have become a professional athlete. 'I had to choose between high jump or showjumping and, weirdly, at university, I've picked up pole vault,' says Lois. Her boyfriend is the South African golfer Cam Raubenheimer; they met at school. The family are all extremely competitive with each other; a game of rounders quickly becomes serious, Lois explains, and there's a healthy amount of mother-daughter rivalry. 'Mum and I ran a half marathon together last year. She took it really seriously and trained very hard, and I didn't,' says Lois. 'We got to the 12th mile and I was like, 'Mum, I didn't train hard enough for this', and she said, 'You're staying with me'. 'Then we got 400m from the finish line and I tried to sprint off and beat her and she was like, 'Don't you dare, because I've got nothing left.' We finished holding hands.' It was Kenny's family who introduced Lois to riding. He grew up with horses on his family's farm in Scotland, and Kenny's mother, a former three-day eventer, was the instigator. At the time, the Logans lived in London, where Lois had to make do with a rocking horse. But at the age of seven, when the family moved to Buckinghamshire, she started having riding lessons. 'It was free childcare for Mum and Dad. They'd drop me at the yard and I'd be there from 9am till 3pm doing chores, scrubbing buckets or filling hay nets, in the hope that I might get a ride if I was lucky,' Lois recalls. 'They'd never drop me off with a lunchbox or water. I'd literally have to fend for myself,' she continues. 'At the start, Mum quite liked the idea of me being horsey. I don't think she knew what I was getting myself into.' Inevitably, Lois's equine passion spiralled. First, she had a loan pony at a local showjumping yard, and then her own pony, Aero. Lois describes Aero as being 'an absolute nut job' who became a winning machine once she got the hang of him. 'I was about eight when I got him and I had no brakes,' she says. 'The first time I jumped him, I fell off and cried. I thought I wasn't going to be allowed to jump him again.' She was a gutsy competitor, with Kenny as her chief groom, driving the horsebox to shows. 'He's learnt along the way with me. He's a proper horseman and amazing with animals,' says Lois. At 16, with a new pony, Oreo Patches, she won two classes at the 2021 British Showjumping National Championships and qualified for the Horse of the Year Show. Now, Lois is moving up the ranks on her horse Jet Stream. 'I'd love to ride in the Olympics, but at this point it seems far off,' she says. Jet Stream is not, however, what horsey people would describe as a 'push button pony' (one that knows exactly what is being asked of it). Lois says she has never been bought a highly trained horse with a proven track record, although people often see her surname and assume otherwise. 'I've never had anything handed to me,' says Lois. 'I'm lucky that my parents have always supported me, but with showjumping, unless you come from a showjumping dynasty – like the Whitaker family – or from obscene wealth, it's really tough. I don't come from either of those backgrounds.' Even if Lois's parents could have afforded to buy her an Olympic horse, she doubts they would have done so. They've given their twins 'an unbelievable set of morals to stand on', she says, and have made them work for everything. Gabby was, she says, the last mother in their year to hand out mobile phones, when they were 13. 'Even when we got them, we were only allowed an hour of screen time a day, on the bus home from school,' she says. 'I think we despised her for a couple of years, but both Reuben and I would do the same,' she adds. 'Social media is such a toxic place for young people.' During Lois's final year at school, when she began to discuss a gap year with her parents, they made it clear that they would not finance her dream of competing in the Sunshine Tour, a five-week annual championship series in Spain. 'I started thinking about fundraising strategies and, in the end, I bought a pony on Facebook. Anything could have turned up on the lorry – a goat! – but luckily he was a lovely pony.' She 'produced' him (equestrian speak for training him to a higher level) and the profit from his sale funded her gap year, paying for her travel to Spain and all the shows. She admits, though, that the luck didn't hold: another pony she bought turned out to have sarcoids (warts), which slashed his value. 'You're never guaranteed to make money with horses,' says Lois. If someone offered her big bucks for her Olympic hopeful, a young horse she has been producing for several years, she says she'd have no choice but to take it. 'With horses, you've got to be prepared to sacrifice certain things to keep the rest of it going,' she says. 'Every time you train [a horse], it costs a certain amount of money. It's like having a child: you've got to think about feed, dentist, vet bills, vaccinations.' She says there is a racy, Jilly Cooper side to showjumping, which she confirms is still alive and kicking. 'There's a bit of naughtiness in all equestrian sports,' she admits. 'Showjumping is so glamorous, with its boots and white jodhpurs and show jackets. There's a big fashion side to it. 'When I was younger I was desperate for a Cavalleria Toscana [a premium range of Italian equestrian clothing] jacket, but my mum wouldn't let me have one,' says Lois. Much to her excitement, the jockey silks she'll be wearing at the Magnolia Cup have been designed by her favourite fashion brand, Rixo. On occasion, Anna Lisa admits she feels nervous for her Magnolia Cup protégées, but not Lois. By Goodwood, she will be truly ready to race. 'She's put in the hours and is beginning to look rather good,' says Anna Lisa. Lois's non-horsey university friends, however, think it's all a bit crazy. She'll have ridden two horses before they've even got out of bed. This summer, she's hoping to take her truck licence, enabling her to drive a large horse lorry, so she won't have to rely on her father. For the time being, though, her focus is on the finishing line at Goodwood. 'I'm the fittest I've ever been,' she says. 'I know there's a risk – the speed is insane – but you can't go about life being scared.'
The Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Ambulance called into urgent action at Goodwood after ‘unfortunate incident' in first race – day after Trueshan's death
NOT AGAIN Punters are praying the horse is OK THE horse ambulance has been called into urgent action again at Goodwood - after an 'unfortunate incident' in the first race. Trainer Andrew Balding's three-year-old colt Tuscan Star appeared to pick up an injury. 1 The horse was being driven back to the stables. Goodwood was rocked yesterday by the death of legendary horse Trueshan in the feature race. More to follow. 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:
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Top fillies Whirl and See The Fire set for a Goodwood showdown in the Nassau Stakes
Andrew Balding has a leading chance in the Nassau Stakes with See The Fire. Photo: Whirl and See The Fire are set for a Group One Nassau Stakes (2,000m) showdown at Glorious Goodwood on Thursday. See The Fire arrived a neck too late behind Aidan O'Brien's Opera Singer 12 months ago and will need to overcome another Ballydoyle powerhouse in Whirl if she is to break her top-level duck at the ninth attempt. Andrew Balding's filly has looked better than ever this season and ran riot in the Group Two Middleton Fillies' Stakes (2,000m) at York in May, streaking away by a remarkable 12 lengths. Most recently, she finished third behind Ombudsman in the Group One Prince Of Wales's Stakes (2,000m) at Royal Ascot and comes into the race as the highest-rated in the line-up. She concedes 9lb to a younger Whirl, but Balding is adamant his filly has unfinished business in the Nassau. 'She's a very exciting filly and we have always fancied going back for the Nassau,' said Balding. This will not be an easy task for her, however, with O'Brien's Whirl looking a class act this campaign. She won a Group Three at York in May and took a giant leap forward when beaten by just a neck in the Group One Oaks (2,400m) at Epsom. HK Racing News Get updates direct to your inbox Sign up Best Bets Racing News By registering you agree to our T&Cs & Privacy Policy Error: Please enter a valid email. The email address is already in use. Please login to subscribe. Error, please try again later. THANK YOU You are one the list. The winner, Minnie Hawk, franked the form by winning the Group One Irish Oaks (2,400m) on her next start, and Whirl was last seen winning the Group One Pretty Polly Stakes (2,000m) at the Curragh. Whirl just about manages to hold off the challenge of fav Kalpana and land the spoils in the @pphorseracing Pretty Polly Stakes@Ballydoyle — The Curragh Racecourse (@curraghrace) June 28, 2025 The second from that race, Kalpana, ran a huge race to finish second in the Group One King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2,400m), giving further substance to Whirl's already bulletproof form. 'She [Whirl] was coming back in trip and when you are trying to outstay a rival as good as Kalpana that is very difficult but Ryan (Moore) got it spot on. And as we had seen in the Oaks, Whirl wasn't for surrendering,' said O'Brien. Cercene caused a boilover when she won the Group One Coronation Stakes (1,600m) at Royal Ascot and is now moved up in distance by her trainer Joseph Murphy. She has seven lengths to make up with Whirl on their meeting at the Curragh last year in Group Three company, but Murphy's filly has evidently improved since that encounter. O'Brien also runs Group One Prix de Diane (2,000m) second Bedtime Story, who had a torrid trip on that occasion and remains totally unexposed at the distance. Front runner Running Lion, trained by John and Thady Gosden, is set to go off as the outsider. She has not quite been at her best this campaign and is likely vulnerable to unexposed rivals conceding a huge amount of weight. Also on the card is the Group Two Richmond Stakes (1,200m), a nine-runner contest that is wide open on paper. The form standard is set by the Group Two Coventry Stakes (1,200m) third Coppull for trainer Clive Cox, while the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes (1,000m) winner Havana Hurricane is another with a leading chance for Even Johnson Houghton.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Value Scope: Each way horseracing tips from Steve Jones for Wednesday at Goodwood on ITV
Day two of Glorious Goodwood is given a serious examination by our in-form expert who has four more recommendations from the TV action Make it a FORMAL (1.55) occasion for the HKJC World Pool Oak Tree Stakes. She travelled like a classy filly when beating Saqqara Sands to land a Listed race at Epsom on Oaks day. Although she has come up short in Group races, that has not been down to a lack of ability. She didn't take to York in the Criterion Stakes last month and she had looked in need of the run when making her debut for Andrew Balding in the Fred Darling at Newbury in April. The way she won her first two starts last season, when trained by Sir Michael Stoute, she looked on the way to living up to her superb pedigree. This could be the race when she picks up the thread. Have 1pt each-way at 9-1. Most bookies are paying out on four places. Consistent KAYHANA (3.45) looks overpriced in the British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies' Handicap. She hasn't won since her debut more than three years ago but she hasn't had too much racing since and this will be just her third start for Irish trainer Gavin Cromwell. Her first run for her new stable came when beaten a head in a Gowran Park handicap in early June and she had a poor draw when well beaten at Royal Ascot. She is unexposed over this 1m2f distance and she might well be able to get across into a prominent position from her wide stall with the absence of too many frontrunners. Have 1pt each-way at 14-1. Sky Bet is offering five places. Don't miss a FREE £2 William Hill shop bet inside your Mirror every day of Glorious Goodwood Festival Pick up your Mirror every day of the Goodwood festival to get your hands on 12 page pullouts packed with insight from the punters you trust, plus FREE William Hill shop bets every day of the festival from Tuesday July 29 until Saturday August 2, 2025. Find out more here. LEBRON POWER (4.20) didn't get the clearest of passages when fourth in the Dragon Stakes at Sandown last time. The form of that race looks strong for the Listed grade and she had earlier looked a smart prospect when making a successful debut over 6f at Windsor. The speed she showed that day suggested she was quick enough for the minimum distance and her high draw should help her get an prominent early position. Have 1pt each-way at 14-1. STANAGE (4.55) has copped the rails stall in the final race. It's advantage to be drawn low over 7f he should get the strong pace he enjoys. He hasn't had his ideal scenario too often since winning at Doncaster on the opening weekend of the turf season. More looks in his favour this time. Have 1pt each-way at 16-1. Sky Bet is going six places.
Rhyl Journal
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Fox Legacy too smart in John Smith's Cup
The four-year-old, who is owned by King Power Racing and trained by Andrew Balding, was not far from the action when last seen in the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot and was a 10-1 chance under PJ McDonald. Always prominent when racing from stall 19, the bay progressed nicely through the race and was comfortably able to pull clear when asked in the final furlong to prevail by a length. 'It's a testament to the horse that from that draw I was able to get a position and then take him back and relax where I was,' McDonald told ITV Racing. 'The only thing I had to do was to make sure not to go too soon, he travelled around beautifully for me and he gave me a great spin. 'I was still going nicely into the two (furlong pole). I thought if I let him stretch out and take it (the lead) they'd have to come and get me. Andrew's horses are absolutely flying.' Al Qareem showed there a few more reliable horses in training when seeing off all challengers to claim the John Smith's Silver Cup Stakes. Karl Burke and Nick Bradley Racing's seasoned six-year-old won a Listed contest over the same course and distance last time out and was well backed as the 4-7 favourite under Clifford Lee. He took up the lead at an early stage and was never passed, shrugging off every horse that attempted to challenge him in the home straight to claim victory by a dominant two and a half lengths. 'He always seems to look as though they're going to get him but he just grinds it out, he's so honest and a superstar of a horse to train,' said Burke. 'I'd say the weight will rule him out of the Ebor, presumably he'd get a penalty as well. 'It's always been the target, the Irish St Leger, I think it'd be a nice race for him to roll the dice in.' Washington Heights claimed a well-deserved success in the John Smith's City Walls Stakes at York, justifying his status as the 9-4 favourite. Trained by Kevin Ryan and ridden by Shane Gray, the five-year-old has run with real credit in a range of Group sprints and was most recently seen finishing a close-up seventh in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot. On the Knavesmire he tackled the same five-furlong trip but was dropped down to Listed level, taking on seven rivals and proving the best of them with a smart three-quarter-length victory. 'He's a great horse for a syndicate like this, he takes them to all the right meetings and as you can see today, they support him well,' said Adam Ryan, assistant to his father. 'It's great for him to get his head in front. The thing with him is he's as tough as bell metal, I thought they were going to get to him a furlong down but it was going to take a brave horse to get past him. 'Thankfully he dug deep, which he always does.'
