Latest news with #BetfredStLeger
ITV News
3 days ago
- Sport
- ITV News
Furthur returns to winning ways with Geoffrey Freer triumph
Furthur put himself in the Betfred St Leger picture when making an impressive return to Newbury in the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing Geoffrey Freer Stakes. A winner at the Berkshire track at the beginning of the season, Andrew Balding's colt would go on to run with credit behind dual Derby hero Lambourn when fifth in the Chester Vase and then took the runner-up spot in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot. He left a disappointing display at Newmarket's July Festival behind here, with Oisin Murphy taking full advantage of the gap presented up the inside rail to send the 13-2 chance on to an impressive three-length win over David O'Meara's 3-1 joint-favourite Epic Poet. Coral cut the winner to 14-1 for the final Classic of the season at Doncaster on September 13, with Balding confirming that would be his intended next target. He said: 'That was much more like it and for whatever reason he was really disappointing in the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket last time. 'I think it's because I probably ran him back too soon after Ascot, but that was pleasing to see him settle nicely and then quicken like he did. 'We're hoping we'll be heading towards the Leger now, that seems the logical next step and he's proved he's worthy of his place there. The nice thing is he seems to handle any ground and we'll hopefully be in good shape at Doncaster.'
Powys County Times
05-08-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Scandinavia and Lambourn lead 26 St Leger hopefuls
Goodwood Cup winner Scandinavia heads 26 entries for the Betfred St Leger, the final Classic of the season to be run at Doncaster on September 13. Aidan O'Brien dominates the potential field numerically with 11 possible runners hailing from his Ballydoyle yard. Justify colt Scandinavia has been a relatively late bloomer, finishing fifth to Carmers in the Queen's Vase at Ascot before winning the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket. He stepped into open company at Goodwood last week and despite being overlooked by Ryan Moore in favour of Illinois, ran out the winner. His dual Derby-winning stablemate Lambourn would be another huge player if he turns up, as would Whirl, winner of last week's Nassau Stakes over 10 furlongs at Goodwood. Galveston, Oaks victor Minnie Hauk, Mount Kilimanjaro, Puppet Master, Saratoga, Shackleton, Stay True and Thrice are other Ballydoyle possibles. Carmers could have a trip to Yorkshire before his big day, with Paddy Twomey considering the Great Voltigeur Stakes for his prep – or he could stay closer to home. 'if he runs (beforehand) it will be either in the Great Voltigeur or the Vinnie Roe (at Leopardstown) and then the Leger,' said Twomey. 'Those two races are within a day of each other so we'll see which race looks more suitable.' Other notable entries include Charlie Johnston's Lazy Griff, placed in the Derby at Epsom and the Irish equivalent, Tennessee Stud and Arabian Force.
Powys County Times
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Doncaster Classic firmly on the agenda for unbeaten Carmers
Paddy Twomey and connections of Carmers are working back from the Betfred St Leger with their Queen's Vase hero, as they plot the best route to Doncaster in September. Unraced at two, the Wootton Bassett colt is a perfect three from three this season, most latterly in the Group Three at Royal Ascot, where he showed his stamina for a mile and six furlongs. 'Carmers is in good form. The plan is to go for the Leger and how we get there remains to be seen,' said Twomey. 'The owners are keen on going for the Voltigeur (at York) and there is also the Vinnie Roe in Leopardstown. We could stay at home and just go straight there, so we'll see.' Twomey – who said his beaten Ribblesdale Stakes favourite Catalina Delcarpio would be coming back to 10 furlongs – added: 'He's a grand horse and doesn't show you much at home. 'He went to Ballinrobe and won, eight days later went to Navan and won, a month later went to Ascot and won. It's hard to find a horse like him.'
North Wales Chronicle
10-07-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Scandinavia in a different league to Bahrain Trophy rivals
Aidan O'Brien's Justify colt was the 11-8 favourite under Ryan Moore in a small field of five, and horse and rider were happy to travel along in the slipstream of early leader Furthur. As the race progressed he loomed up beside the front runner to take the lead three furlongs from home and from there on it was plain sailing as he prevailed by an easy eight and a half lengths. Paddy Power were very impressed and cut the winner to 6-1 from 20s for the Betfred St Leger. Paul Smith, son of co-owner Derrick Smith, said: 'He seems to have progressed nicely from Ascot and Ryan was very happy with him – he said he's uncomplicated, he got into a lovely rhythm and we could have some fun with him over those longer distances now. 'He was out wide for a long way at Ascot but he bounced out of the race very well and really enjoyed the ground today. 'The Irish Leger and the English Leger, all those sort of races are open to him and he could be a Cup horse next year, perhaps. We can plot our way towards all those nice staying races at the end of the year now.' The current ante-post favourite for the St Leger is stablemate and dual Derby winner Lambourn and Smith added: 'There's lots of options open and I think we'll see how these horses get on over the festivals as after here we've got Goodwood and York coming up. 'He's in the mix for all those top races.'
Rhyl Journal
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Scandinavia in a different league to Bahrain Trophy rivals
Aidan O'Brien's Justify colt was the 11-8 favourite under Ryan Moore in a small field of five, and horse and rider were happy to travel along in the slipstream of early leader Furthur. As the race progressed he loomed up beside the front runner to take the lead three furlongs from home and from there on it was plain sailing as he prevailed by an easy eight and a half lengths. Paddy Power were very impressed and cut the winner to 6-1 from 20s for the Betfred St Leger. Paul Smith, son of co-owner Derrick Smith, said: 'He seems to have progressed nicely from Ascot and Ryan was very happy with him – he said he's uncomplicated, he got into a lovely rhythm and we could have some fun with him over those longer distances now. 'He was out wide for a long way at Ascot but he bounced out of the race very well and really enjoyed the ground today. 'The Irish Leger and the English Leger, all those sort of races are open to him and he could be a Cup horse next year, perhaps. We can plot our way towards all those nice staying races at the end of the year now.' The current ante-post favourite for the St Leger is stablemate and dual Derby winner Lambourn and Smith added: 'There's lots of options open and I think we'll see how these horses get on over the festivals as after here we've got Goodwood and York coming up. 'He's in the mix for all those top races.'
