Latest news with #BillyLee
Irish Times
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Four-way battle for jockeys' championship is a major opportunity to sell the sport
Sometimes good fortune falls in your lap, and Horse Racing Ireland has been gifted a promotional boon it can hang a fascinating story around much of the rest of this flat season. Racing is fundamentally about horses, but little grabs the public imagination more than a head-to-head battle for a jockey's title and circumstances have conspired to supply such a scenario in spades. Right now, there are four riders entitled to fancy their chances of being crowned Ireland's champion flat jockey when the season ends in November. Much of that is due to Colin Keane's own good fortune in being appointed to one of the most coveted positions in European racing. Being number one rider to Juddmonte means Ireland's reigning six-time champion is going to be on his travels. The upside is a chance to compete for the greatest prizes in Europe. The downside is he can't take care of business at home so much. Another snag is the risk of picking up suspensions such as the 14 days he will have to serve out later this month for breaking British whip rules. READ MORE That briefly made Billy Lee favourite to be crowned champion for the first time this season. Runner up to Keane for the last three years, including beaten by just three winners (92-89) in 2022, Lee looked to be in pole position to take advantage of his rival's absences. Billy Lee is facing at least four weeks out after breaking his collarbone. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho Except last Saturday at Limerick, he broke his collarbone in a fall. He's facing at least four weeks out. So, suddenly, both Chris Hayes and Dylan Browne McMonagle find themselves licking their lips at the thought of a title challenge too. It used to be that nobody talked of the jockeys' championship until Listowel in September. Often it was because the outcome was a foregone conclusion, or those in the hunt didn't want any fuss. But for those charged with 'morkoting' the sport this is a godsend. Nothing weaves a narrative through a lengthy time frame quite like a title race. The most famous of all remains the epic duel between Ireland's Pat Eddery and American Steve Cauthen to be crowned Britain's champion jockey in 1987. When the cross-channel season went from March to Doncaster in November, it was a thread of continuity through much of the campaign. 'I remember that at the beginning of the season we both decided we wanted to win it,' Cauthen recalled. 'From mid-season there was never more than half a dozen in it, and it went right to Doncaster on the last day.' Both men went everywhere, to Scottish outposts like Hamilton and Musselburgh, in pursuit of a winner. The struggle was a media dream, supplying drama to even the most mundane midweek fixture in the middle of nowhere. Pat Eddery had an epic battle for the jockey's championship with Steve Cauthen in 1987. Photograph:It did no harm that the laconic Irishman and the smooth 'Kentucky Kid' were two of the finest jockeys ever to ride a horse. By the end it was 197-195 for Cauthen. It was so taxing he vowed never to try again. Eddery won for the following four years. In 2007 a British title race again went down to the last day, where Jamie Spencer and Seb Sanders eventually shared the title on 190 winners each. Just three years after that Paul Hanagan edged out Richard Hughes by two on the final day. Teeing up this kind of clash for publicity wasn't such a priority in Ireland. In 2002, Mick Kinane and Johnny Murtagh went into the final day tied for the title on 76 winners each. Kinane eventually won a titanic battle that in broader sporting terms almost slipped under the radar. Things got better for when just two winners separated Jack Kennedy and Paul Townend at the end of a tussle for the 2024 jump jockey's championship. The victorious Kerry man admitted afterwards the whole thing had been nerve-racking. Such tussles can be as tense as they are all-consuming for those involved. But they are fascinating for viewers, even casual fans who can engage with the elementary day-to-day fluctuations of such a competition. It makes the prospect of four riders with distinct personalities and profiles trying might and main to win an even better opportunity to sell the sport. Keane is the star turn. No one could begrudge Lee a title having got so close before. Browne McMonagle is the young buck, just 22 and full of potential. Then there's Hayes, a notably fluent individual which is always helpful to those charged with selling the sport. There are more than enough storylines within such a scenario to have HRI's promotional platforms whirring for weeks to come, pushing a straightforward narrative through a quartet of elite sportspeople striving to come out on top. As for who wins, bookmakers reckon Hayes is the outsider of four. But considering he's able to do light weights – getting as low as 8.6 in the last year – that could look generous come November 2nd. Whatever the outcome it will be a test for all concerned, including those tasked with getting the message out. Something for the Weekend Rashabar (1.50) has been mixing it at the top level over a mile without success and is upped to 10 furlongs for tomorrow's Listed opener at Newbury. A convincing argument can be made on pedigree for him relishing it. If conditions don't get too soft the sole three-year-old in the line up could simply be too good for this opposition. Minnie Hauk is the Curragh's star Irish Oaks attraction but her juvenile stable companion Extravagant (4.50) looks more of a betting proposition in a Nursery. He is dropped back to six furlongs from his last start and connections look to fancy the 83-mark assigned to him.
BBC News
18-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Ombudsman wins at Royal Ascot but Harry's Girl dies
Ombudsman won the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot where Wednesday's racing was overshadowed by a fatal injury for filly Harry's Girl in the opening Buick sent the 7-1 winner Ombudsman clear of of runner-up Anmaat in the final furlong, with See The Fire two-length victory was the second of the day for trainers John and Thady Los Angeles was back in fifth and appeared to pay the price of a pace-topping 40mph in the second furlong set by stablemate Continuous."It was a case of waiting for the gap and this horse has an extraordinary turn of foot," said John Gosden of Harry's Girl was injured while racing in the day's first race, the Queen Mary Gosdens also won the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes with Crimson Advocate after jockey James McDonald swooped down the Australia-based Kiwi rider timed his run to perfection for the Gosdens on the 13-2 chance, who won the King Charles III Stakes at the meeting last trainer Paddy Twomey celebrated his first Royal Ascot winner as unbeaten Carmers won the Queen's Vase for a third success on the completed a rare treble for jockey Billy Lee, who had also secured victories at Cheltenham and Aintree within the last seven Ascot day two results Harry's Girl fatally injured in first race The first race of the 2025 meeting's second day was overshadowed by the death of Harry's Girl, trained by Richard Hannon, was pulled up with a serious leg injury by jockey Sean Levey during the Queen Mary filly broke down midway through the five-furlong sprint for two-year-old horses."Unfortunately, Harry's Girl suffered a fatal injury during the Queen Mary Stakes," a statement said."Our thoughts go out to all connections at this time."Harry's Girl, ridden by Sean Levey, was running in her third race, having previously finished first and race was won by 9-4 favourite True Love, under Ryan Moore for trainer Aidan O'Brien, from 100-1 shot Flowerhead. Rainbows Edge runs for the King The Princess of Wales pulled out of a planned appearance at the course on who is making a gradual return to public life after her cancer diagnosis last year, is trying to find the right balance as she fully returns to public engagements, according to royal Charles and Queen Camilla will be hoping for a winner with their horse Rainbows Edge, the mount of William Buick for trainers John and Thady Gosden, in the Kensington Palace Stakes (17:35 BST).The royal couple were out of luck with their runner on Tuesday with Reaching High finishing ninth in the Ascot Stakes.
North Wales Chronicle
18-06-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Carmers collects in Queen's Vase for Paddy Twomey
A first runner at the Royal fixture for trainer Paddy Twomey, the Wootton Bassett colt had been successful on his two previous starts at Ballinrobe and Navan and was a 9-2 shot to complete his hat-trick in this one-mile-six-furlong Group Two. Always to the fore in the hands of Billy Lee, Carmers took over from Shackleton rounding the home turn and answered his rider's every call to repel the staying-on pair of Furthur and Rahiebb, with three-quarters of a length the winning margin.
The Sun
17-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Royal Ascot tips: ‘He looks an absolute machine' – Templegate's confident 6-1 NAP on day two of Royal Ascot
TEMPLEGATE takes on a sizzling day two at Royal Ascot confident of smashing the bookies. Back a horse by clicking their odds below - and bag yourself some of our best free bet offers. CARMERS (3.05, nap) Twomey or not Twomey — that is the question on Day Two of Royal Ascot. Top Irish trainer Paddy Twomey has a huge chance in the Queen's Vase. This son of Wootton Bassett has looked like a machine on his two runs so far. After a bloodless maiden win at Ballinrobe, he stepped up to 1m5f for a smooth Listed success at Navan. He travelled sweetly off the pace before picking up strongly to win going away. This greater test of stamina again will be ideal and there's a lot more to come under experienced jockey Billy Lee. Can turn the tables on Los Angeles in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes. They had a right ding-dong at The Curragh last time but this track suits Jim Crowley's mount better and he can strike. Will enjoy stepping up to a mile for the Royal Hunt Cup. He needed his comeback when beaten on the nod in the Victoria Cup here. 2.30 TRUE LOVE can have a fairytale ending in the Queen Mary. The Aidan O'Brien runner has copped what should be a nice high draw and she's been second in a couple of hot maidens in Ireland. She can take the extra step needed here. All the money has come for Zelaina, Karl Burke's £650,000 Mehmas flyer, who looked something out of the ordinary when destroying her rivals at Nottingham on debut. She made all with ease and clocked a good speed figure. Burke used the same stepping stone for Leovanni last year and she's the danger at skinny odds. American raider Lennilu has blitzed her rivals on both starts so far and should love the fast ground. She'll blast off and take plenty of catching. Queen Mary Stakes trends The draw has played a big part in this sprint with only one winner coming from a single-figure stall in the past 12 runnings. You need at least one win on your CV too. So Shine On Me, Paris Carver, Cardiff By The Sea, Justice Twice and True Love are the next to go. More than one defeat is also a negative for Guernsey Lady. Harry's Girl, Eternal Solace and Social Exclusion didn't win last time out while Viamarie has been off too long. Miss Yechance and America are too big a price to be winning on the stats. Seven of the past eight favourites have lost so Zelania fans have a worry. So the final three are Lennilu, Secret Hideaway and Society Kiss. Spicy Marg could be the pick of the home team after she zoomed away from her rivals at Newmarket last time. Secret Hideaway had a few of these behind when taking a York Listed prize in good style and can prove that was no fluke. Society Kiss showed her liking for the track when winning on debut and Ralph Beckett's fillies often take a big step forward from their first outing. Revival Power is the sister of Nunthorpe winner Winter Power and is another with plenty of scope after an impressive debut win at Thirsk. Staya is another with place claims after her Yarmouth win. CARMERS looked a class act when following up a maiden win at Ballinrobe with a commanding three-length Listed success at Navan last time. That performance was visually striking and backed up by the clock too. He's already proven his stamina for this sort of test and has a lot more to come for in-form trainer Paddy Twomey. Aidan O'Brien has a strong hand as usual. Queen's Vase trends We can cut the Queen's Vase field down very quickly as the first three in the betting have a fantastic recent record. Only shock 2016 winner Sword Fighter at 33-1 has broken the dominance of the market principals in almost two decades. So wait for the opening show but this looks to be between Shackleton, Carmers and Scandinavia barring any significant market moves. Of those Scandinavia is a bit too low in the official ratings and Shackleton was only fourth last time out which has been a no-no in 22 of the past 23 years. So that leaves way for CARMERS to strike. Shackleton is the apparent first string under Ryan Moore. He shaped better than the result in the Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh when denied a clear run and should relish this longer trip. Stablemate Scandinavia was a wide-margin Navan maiden winner on reappearance and brings untapped potential under Derby hero Wayne Lordan. Devil's Advocate steps up from a solid Dante fourth but that York effort came in ideal conditions and he now faces a stamina test. Rahiebb is on the upgrade and ran a cracker when second in a hot York handicap. He could be the value option at a decent price ahead of Chester Vase fourth Pinhole. 3.40 CINDERELLA'S DREAM blossomed with a dazzling return in the Dahlia at Newmarket last time. She was a class apart at Newmarket, surging clear of 1,000 Guineas winner Elmalka and clocking a big speed figure in the process. Already a Grade 1 winner in America, she is right at home on fast ground and will take plenty of stopping. Fallen Angel is the danger as she below Group 1 company for the first time since 2023. The Irish 1,000 Guineas winner was a touch flat in the Lockinge but needed the run after seven months off. Ryan Moore on his Tuesday rides The world's top jockey gives us the lowdown in association with World Pool... THE sun is out and Love is in the air on Day Two. My afternoon kicks off with TRUE LOVE (2.30) in the five-furlong Queen Mary. She has finished second on both starts so far but she is by No Nay Never and is a big, strong filly who will be suited by a strong pace over this trip. SHACKLETON (3.05) needed the run over a mile and a quarter at the Curragh last time and it was a messy race. He will take a step forward for that. You must stay the trip round here and my horse will. Some people out there still doubt LOS ANGELES (4.20) but that doesn't bother me. He's rock solid and I wouldn't swap him for stiff mile and a quarter at Ascot will suit him well. Anmaat won the Champions Stakes in October and ran well when we fended him off at the Curragh last month. He's an obvious threat. See The Fire has been supplemented at a fair cost and was impressive at York. She is a lovely filly but maybe she is better suited to the Knavesmire rather than here. Map Of Stars was a little unlucky when second in the Prix Ganay and Ombudsman is a talented horse who I've ridden a couple of times. He might not want the ground as quick as it will be today. I'm on THE LIFFEY (5.00) in the Royal Hunt Cup, who has been very well backed. He finished fourth on his first start for Joseph O'Brien in a Listed race at Navan. That form has been franked, as the winner has gone on to win a decent race in France. There's plenty to like about The Liffey, but it's very competitive and lots of yards will think they have a well-handicapped horse. I close with KANSAS (6.10) arrives here off the back of an okay run at Navan. He's consistent but will need to find a bit more improvement to be in the mix. She made all when landing the Curragh classic last year and has the pace to get handy again. There's no obvious reason why Emalka will turn the HQ form around with the tip and a bigger threat could be last year's winner Running Lion. She has cheekpieces on for the first time and looked much more like her old self when second at Haydock last time. We know she likes this trip and track on fast ground and she could hit the frame. One Look ran a decent race in this grade at The Curragh last time but needs more in this company. 4.20 ANMAAT can turn around last month's Tattersalls Gold Cup form with Los Angeles who got the run of the race at The Curragh. I don't often consider wind direction as part of the form but there was a very strong tailwind in Kildare that day and it was a huge help to prominent runners like Los Angeles who were literally blown to victory while hold-up horses struggled to land a blow. I would say Anmaat ran a massive race to come from a fair way back to actually head his rival at one stage before just getting chinned half a length. Last year's Champion Stakes hero has more than proven himself at this level and he boasts a fine overall Ascot record. Jim Crowley will hopefully sit just off the pace and come through with a late rattle as he did here in October. Los Angeles is likely to run another mighty race too. Prince Of Wales's Stakes trends Since this race was brought back to the meeting in 1968, no horse older than six has ever wonn and six-year-olds struggle too. So Anmaat, Certain Lad, Facteur Cheval and Royal Champion are gone. You also really need to be north of 119 in the official ratings. That can't be said of Map Of Stars, Ombudsman or Continuous. So very quickly the killee trends have reduced the Group 1 field down to just a pair of contenders in Los Angeles and See The Fire. Connections of the latter forked out a whopping £70,000 to run here so think they'll get their money back. But Aidan O'Brien has won this three times since 2017 which surely tips the scales in favour of his LOS ANGELES who also has a Group 1 win on his CV which has been a pointer to success in this contest. He stays this trip strongly, acts on any ground and Ryan Moore should have near the front and ready to kick on around the home bend. Ombudsman lost his unbeaten record when second in the Brigadier Gerard at Sandown but he was entitled to need that comeback and should be a lot fitter for it. He impressed when winning four straight last season, including at Longchamp. A strongly-run race over this trip should bring out his best and he'll be hard to keep out of the frame. Map Of Stars looked unlucky in the Prix Ganay when denied a clear run before flying late to go down by a neck. He's got a couple of Group contest on his CV with quick ground being the only worry as he's a winner on heavy. Connections paid a fortune to supplement See The Fire after her sensational Middleton Stakes win at York last time. She put that Group 2 to bed by 12 lengths and gets valuable weight from the fellas. There's more improvement to come on this sharp hike in class. Facteur Cheval wasn't disgraced when trying to retain his Grade 1 Dubai Turf title last time and he was a good second in the QEII Stakes here in October. He's another who probably doesn't want the ground rattling fast. QIRAT has a fantastic record up this straight track in a big field. He ran a cracker in last year's Britannia Stakes before going close at the October meeting. He made his seasonal comeback in the red-hot Victoria Cup here in May and went down in a head-bobber. His family normally improve as four-year-olds and this longer trip will be ideal. Royal Hunt Cup trends Despite all the draw talk in the Hunt Cup, we've had winners right across the track in recent seasons. It's stall 11-4-15-7-20 for the past five winners. Stick between 9st and 9st5lb for your fancy and you need to have won at least three times on the level. You have to be 96 or higher on official ratings. Look for horses that have a recent win and have run no more than three times this season. Horses older than five tend to struggle. That leaves us with 30 runners cut down to just Bullet Point, Silawi, Urban Lion and Fox Legacy who range from 10-1 to 28-1 so you could back all four. Well-backed My Cloud looks a danger along with The Liffey under Ryan Moore. Arabian Light and Bullet Point look big each-way prices. Royal Hunt Cup runner-by-runner guide I run through every runner in the handicap cracker, rating them out of five stars. One is the worst - five the best. ARABIAN LIGHT 4 LIGHT fantastic. Strong Newmarket third after good runs in Dubai. Improver who stays. Well drawn and solid each-way. HI ROYAL 2 HI low. Gr1-placed last year and second in good race latest. Stays but high in weights. WAHDAN 1 DESPERATE Dan. Fancy French form as a youngster but been poor for a while. Big weight. JEFF KOONS 2 UNBELIEVABLE Jeff. Well held in Goodwood Listed last time. Best over further, needs more to figure in this company. QIRAT 5 RAT fan. Likes it here and just pipped in the Victoria Cup over 7f last time. Will stay, handles any ground and on fair mark. Huge player under Colin Keane. ANCIENT ROME 2 ROME alone. Group placed at best but not firing this season. Needs a revival. SOLDIER'S EMPIRE 1 EMPIRE falling. Bits of form in Dubai but best over further. Up against it. EPICTETUS 2 NEEDS an Epic. 2023 Group winner, fair comeback after a year off at Newbury. Place hope but still high in weights. GALERON 3 RON the money. Lincoln fifth on return but modest latest. Trip suits and while he's unreliable but could nick a place if bringing his best form. SEAN 2 SEAN bean. Three poor UK runs after fair efforts in Dubai. Weight looks too big. BLUE BROTHER 1 TOO Blue. French raider ran OK in Saudi latest over further but 13lb above last win. TONY MONTANA 3 TONY Tiger. Narrow seconds at York and Goodwood this season over 1m2f. Drop in trip could help along with blinkers. Solid each-way. LA TRINIDAD 3 LA law. Ran well last two over this trip and handicap mark looks fair and enjoys a strong pace. Could place at long odds. THE LIFFEY 4 DEEP Liffey. Unexposed and solid Listed run last time at Naas. Should relish the step up to a mile and has more to come with Moore up. Player. POPMASTER 3 POP has bottle. Good fourth in Victoria Cup here over 7f from a poor position and track suits. On a long losing run but not out of place battle. EBT'S GUARD 2 ON Guard. Solid Epsom run last time and likes this trip. 5lb above last win so needs more. MAGNUM OPUS 2 BAG Mag. Good fourth in Lincoln latest so trip and big field suit. Needs another step forward. TALIS EVOLVERE 2 TALL Tal. Only 2lb above last win but best on the sand and Windsor run was modest. Needs a lot more to figure. BULLET POINT 4 ON Point. Won very nicely on comeback at HQ. Unexposed at 1m and ground suits. Leading chance from rails draw. SILAWI 2 HERE Wi go. Made all at Windsor in a small field last time but faces a far tougher task here. URBAN LION 3 LION roars. Has 5lb penalty for last week's stylish Sandown win. Trip suits and could nick a place upped in class with more improvement to come. BOPEDRO 2 NO Bo. Veteran on long losing run. Trip fine and weight's fair but asking a lot to win. FOX LEGACY 4 FANTASTIC Fox. Bolted up at Newmarket on stable debut and shorter trip should be fine. 6lb rise gives him a chance under Oisin Murphy. WHITCOMBE ROCKSTAR 2 ROCK off. Six-time 2024 winner over this trip but at lower level. Best on sand and up weights. GREEK ORDER 3 GREEK to me. Interesting on UK return after fair spell in US. Nice draw and well backed. TOIMY SON 3 SON up. Has run well in big fields but not this year. Trip and track suit and could nick a place. MY CLOUD 4 CLOUD may reign. Unbeaten this season and impressed here in April when winning easily. Trip ideal on firm and has more to come. Short odds but big chance from good draw. SISYPHEAN 3 HE's no Sisy. Close second in hot York handicap over this trip on return. Unexposed. Player if repeating that from fair 2lb higher in the weights. TOKENOMICS 3 LOVE Token. Won well over 7f at Cork last time and likes to come off a strong pace. Each-way say with longer trip no issue. WHIP CRACKER 2 WHIP out. Patchy form at lower levels. Went well at Sandown but this is much tougher. 5.35 AROLLA can rock his rivals to give trainer Harry Charlton a first Royal Ascot win in his own name. This improving daughter of Kingman made a cracking return when second to the smart Jabaara in a Musselburgh Listed race earlier this month and now drops into handicap company off a perfectly fair mark of 100. My fancy stayed on eye-catchingly from off the pace. With the strong gallop expected to suit her hold-up style, she can pounce late under top Irish jockey Colin Keane. There's every chance of a Royal winner thanks to Rainbows Edge who could well be the proverbial Group horse lurking in a handicap. He has earned top weight after an impressive victory over course and distance last time. That was just his fourth run so there should be a lot more to come from William Buick's mount. He got the better of Arisaig but there was less than a length between them so Charlie Johnston's hope isn't out of this and is slightly better off at the weights. Kayhana is a strong traveller for Gavin Cromwell and she returned to form with a close second at Gowran last time. She'll need luck from stall seven but should come home strongly. Rockymountainway is on the upgrade and shaped as though the step back up to a mile will suit when a strong second at Kempton. At huge odds, Thelma's Angel caught the eye when sixth in a Musselburgh listed contest and could outrun her price now dropping back into a handicap. 6.10 OLD IS GOLD can shine under James Doyle. He was a good third on debut here before winning nicely at Beverley last time. Wathnan shelled out £200,000 to buy him after that and he can repay a big chunk of that here. Rogue Legend looks dangerous after back-to-back wins in Ireland and he's another to have changed hands for big money since. There was plenty of juice in the ground at Tipperary last time which he won't get here though. Kansas went down fighting at Navan last time but has had three goes to get off the mark. Rogue Supremacy lagged in on debut at Wetherby and is proven on quick ground. He could be anything for David O'Meara. Tough Critic flew home to win in America last time and is another for the shortlist on ideal ground. Templegate's tips 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:
Rhyl Journal
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Navan victor Carmers heading for Queen's Vase
The Wootton Bassett colt won on debut just over a week ago, taking a Ballinrobe maiden by a length and a quarter with the rest of the field well strung out behind him and the runner-up. He started as the 6-4 favourite under Billy Lee when stepping up to Listed level on his second start, tackling the same one-mile-five-furlong trip in a field of seven. Again the bay showed his class, racing prominently throughout and easily shaking off all challengers to secure a three-length victory from Adrian Murray's What's Your Game. Twomey said: 'I was very happy with the way he did it in Ballinrobe. He's a horse that just does what he has to do, hence the headgear (blinkers). 'I thought he would run a good race (in Ballinrobe) and I thought he would finish the race well. I thought he would be in the (first) three. He surprised me maybe just how well he won at the line, he won comfortably and Donagh (O'Connor) said he had to go down the back straight to pull him up. 'He came home, licked the pot, rode out this week, didn't care and I said to Billy 'I'm going to put him in the Yeats and see what happens'. As the week went on, it became clear that he was ready to go. 'We were keen today to get a lead, we knew we'd stay and ordinarily we might have jumped and made it, but he's a horse that I don't think would like to be in front too long. 'When he went to the front I was a little bit concerned but, to be fair to him, he picked up and rallied. He's keeping plenty for himself, I'd say there's plenty in him. 'He has ability but he is just like the trainer – he does what he has to do! 'I said it to the owner there, that race (Queen's Vase) in Royal Ascot is probably the right race for him. He's a stayer and he has enough experience to go to a race like that. 'I was thrilled when Fiona (Carmichael, owner) asked us to train the first for her a couple of years ago and she kindly sent me on this horse. She has been very patient with me. He trained very well all last year without being asked any question. He has trained well this spring and is two for two in eight days.' Earlier on the card there were two notable winners for Aidan O'Brien, firstly in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden over six furlongs. Gstaad, a half-brother to Vandeek, was the horse who came home in front, striking by three-quarters of a length on debut to find himself entered into the Coventry Stakes market at 10-1 with Paddy Power. O'Brien's other winner, and another horse throwing his hat in the ring for Royal Ascot, was the €2.2million purchase Seattle. Winner of the five-furlong Navan Racecourse Maiden by a length and a quarter, the colt is now a 25-1 chance for the Commonwealth Cup with both Paddy Power and Betfair.
