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Straits Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Horse racing-Small-scale breeder aims for success in 19-strong Derby field
EPSOM, England - A small-time breeder with just four mares to her name will take on industry titans with her homebred Pride Of Arras in Saturday's 19-strong Epsom Derby line-up. Run over a mile and a half, the race is the most important test of stamina and speed for a generation of three-year-old thoroughbreds. Now in its 246th edition, the unique horseshoe-shaped track can make or break the fortune of the sport's future breeding stars. Pride Of Arras comes into the race off the back of a spectacular win in the Dante Stakes at York for owner-breeders Lavinia and David Aykroyd, who are hoping for their first winner in the British Classic, seen as the pinnacle of the British Flat Racing season. A win would also mark a first success in the race for Ralph Beckett, who also trains 16-1 shot Stanhope Gardens, and sought-after jockey Rossa Ryan who rode Pride Of Arras to victory in both of his previous starts. "When he won as a two-year-old we knew he had a lot of potential but we didn't know how much until he won the Dante," Lavinia Akyroyd told Reuters. "I'm obviously very thrilled and looking forward to the Derby. "A lot of good horses finished behind him in the Dante. I hope we can beat them again but we're up against Ballydoyle and Godolphin (stables). I'm a little Yorkshire lady trying to beat the big boys." The Derby has been dominated in recent years by trainer Aidan O'Brien who, after completing a near sweep of trial races, sends out three including Delacroix, Lambourn and the previous ante-post favourite The Lion In Winter, who finished sixth to Pride Of Arras at York. O'Brien told punters not to rule out The Lion In Winter after the disappointing run. "He was a bit behind fitness-wise at York and was very fresh but everything has gone well since," he said. Delacroix, the pick of four-time Derby winning jockey Ryan Moore, goes into the race favourite having displaced The Lion In Winter as Ballydoyle's first string after two wins this year, most recently in the Cashel Derby trial at Leopardstown. O'Brien and Moore are vying for a third straight win after Auguste Rodin in 2023 and City of Troy in 2024. A win would extend O'Brien's record as the race's most successful trainer to 11. "The Derby and Oaks are vital to us," O'Brien said. "They are the most important races for colts and fillies of the year and for the thoroughbred three-year-old generation." Ruling Court, the 2,000 Guineas winner trained by Charlie Appleby and owned by Godolphin, is attempting to become the first horse since 2012 to compete a rare Guineas-Derby double. A win would put him on track for the elusive Triple Crown, which this year comes with a 2 million pound ($2.71 million) bonus if he is victorious in September's St Leger. This year's race is run in memory of the late Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the world's 15 million Ismaili Muslims whose name became synonymous with success as a racehorse owner and breeder. A late entry from his stable was supplemented on Monday at a cost of 75,000 pounds. Connections will be hoping the French-trained Midak can emulate the great Shergar, who won in the Aga Khan's green and red silks in 1981, and land a second Derby success for jockey Mickael Barzalona who triumphed as a teenager in 2011. Also fancied is Damysus, the mount of James Doyle, who is expected to benefit from running over a longer distance than before. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
6 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Horse racing-Small-scale breeder aims for success in 19-strong Derby field
EPSOM, England (Reuters) - A small-time breeder with just four mares to her name will take on industry titans with her homebred Pride Of Arras in Saturday's 19-strong Epsom Derby line-up. Run over a mile and a half, the race is the most important test of stamina and speed for a generation of three-year-old thoroughbreds. Now in its 246th edition, the unique horseshoe-shaped track can make or break the fortune of the sport's future breeding stars. Pride Of Arras comes into the race off the back of a spectacular win in the Dante Stakes at York for owner-breeders Lavinia and David Aykroyd, who are hoping for their first winner in the British Classic, seen as the pinnacle of the British Flat Racing season. A win would also mark a first success in the race for Ralph Beckett, who also trains 16-1 shot Stanhope Gardens, and sought-after jockey Rossa Ryan who rode Pride Of Arras to victory in both of his previous starts. "When he won as a two-year-old we knew he had a lot of potential but we didn't know how much until he won the Dante," Lavinia Akyroyd told Reuters. "I'm obviously very thrilled and looking forward to the Derby. "A lot of good horses finished behind him in the Dante. I hope we can beat them again but we're up against Ballydoyle and Godolphin (stables). I'm a little Yorkshire lady trying to beat the big boys." The Derby has been dominated in recent years by trainer Aidan O'Brien who, after completing a near sweep of trial races, sends out threeincluding Delacroix, Lambourn and the previous ante-post favourite The Lion In Winter, who finished sixth to Pride Of Arras at York. O'Brien told punters not to rule out The Lion In Winter after the disappointing run. "He was a bit behind fitness-wise at York and was very fresh but everything has gone well since," he said. Delacroix, the pick of four-time Derby winning jockey Ryan Moore, goes into the race favourite having displaced The Lion In Winter as Ballydoyle's first string after two wins this year, most recently in the Cashel Derby trial at Leopardstown. O'Brien and Moore are vying for a third straight win after Auguste Rodin in 2023 and City of Troy in 2024. A win would extend O'Brien's record as the race's most successful trainer to 11. "The Derby and Oaks are vital to us," O'Brien said. "They are the most important races for colts and fillies of the year and for the thoroughbred three-year-old generation." Ruling Court, the 2,000 Guineas winner trained by Charlie Appleby and owned by Godolphin, is attempting to become the first horse since 2012 to compete a rare Guineas-Derby double. A win would put him on track for the elusive Triple Crown, which this year comes with a 2 million pound ($2.71 million) bonus if he is victorious in September's St Leger. This year's race is run in memory of the late Aga Khan,spiritual leader of the world's 15 million Ismaili Muslims whose name became synonymous with success as a racehorse owner and breeder. Alate entry from his stable was supplemented on Monday at a cost of 75,000 pounds. Connections will be hoping the French-trained Midak can emulate the great Shergar, who won in the Aga Khan's green and red silks in 1981, and land a second Derby success for jockey Mickael Barzalona who triumphed as a teenager in 2011. Also fancied is Damysus, the mount of James Doyle, who is expected to benefit from running over a longer distance than before. ($1 = 0.7383 pounds) (Reporting by Virginia Furness; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
Reuters
6 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Horse racing-Small-scale breeder aims for success in 19-strong Derby field
EPSOM, England, June 4 (Reuters) - A small-time breeder with just four mares to her name will take on industry titans with her homebred Pride Of Arras in Saturday's 19-strong Epsom Derby line-up. Run over a mile and a half, the race is the most important test of stamina and speed for a generation of three-year-old thoroughbreds. Now in its 246th edition, the unique horseshoe-shaped track can make or break the fortune of the sport's future breeding stars. Pride Of Arras comes into the race off the back of a spectacular win in the Dante Stakes at York for owner-breeders Lavinia and David Aykroyd, who are hoping for their first winner in the British Classic, seen as the pinnacle of the British Flat Racing season. A win would also mark a first success in the race for Ralph Beckett, who also trains 16-1 shot Stanhope Gardens, and sought-after jockey Rossa Ryan who rode Pride Of Arras to victory in both of his previous starts. "When he won as a two-year-old we knew he had a lot of potential but we didn't know how much until he won the Dante," Lavinia Akyroyd told Reuters. "I'm obviously very thrilled and looking forward to the Derby. "A lot of good horses finished behind him in the Dante. I hope we can beat them again but we're up against Ballydoyle and Godolphin (stables). I'm a little Yorkshire lady trying to beat the big boys." The Derby has been dominated in recent years by trainer Aidan O'Brien who, after completing a near sweep of trial races, sends out three including Delacroix, Lambourn and the previous ante-post favourite The Lion In Winter, who finished sixth to Pride Of Arras at York. O'Brien told punters not to rule out The Lion In Winter after the disappointing run. "He was a bit behind fitness-wise at York and was very fresh but everything has gone well since," he said. Delacroix, the pick of four-time Derby winning jockey Ryan Moore, goes into the race favourite having displaced The Lion In Winter as Ballydoyle's first string after two wins this year, most recently in the Cashel Derby trial at Leopardstown. O'Brien and Moore are vying for a third straight win after Auguste Rodin in 2023 and City of Troy in 2024. A win would extend O'Brien's record as the race's most successful trainer to 11. "The Derby and Oaks are vital to us," O'Brien said. "They are the most important races for colts and fillies of the year and for the thoroughbred three-year-old generation." Ruling Court, the 2,000 Guineas winner trained by Charlie Appleby and owned by Godolphin, is attempting to become the first horse since 2012 to compete a rare Guineas-Derby double. A win would put him on track for the elusive Triple Crown, which this year comes with a 2 million pound ($2.71 million) bonus if he is victorious in September's St Leger. This year's race is run in memory of the late Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the world's 15 million Ismaili Muslims whose name became synonymous with success as a racehorse owner and breeder. A late entry from his stable was supplemented on Monday at a cost of 75,000 pounds. Connections will be hoping the French-trained Midak can emulate the great Shergar, who won in the Aga Khan's green and red silks in 1981, and land a second Derby success for jockey Mickael Barzalona who triumphed as a teenager in 2011. Also fancied is Damysus, the mount of James Doyle, who is expected to benefit from running over a longer distance than before. ($1 = 0.7383 pounds)
Daily Record
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
2000 Guineas racing results in full as Ruling Court wins the first Classic of the season for Godolphin at Newmarket
It was the first of the five British Classics and the crowd were treated to a great day of Group 1 racing It's Betfred Guineas weekend at Newmarket and Ruling Court won the first British Classic on Saturday. Crowds flocked to the Suffolk course on a sun-kissed day and were treated to an afternoon of spectacular Group 1 racing. The day started with a shock as odds-on favourite Unequal Love finished fifth with 11/1 shot Tiger Bay first past the post. But favourite backers were rewarded in the second race with More Thunder winning in the build up to the big one, with William Buick riding home first ahead of favourite Field of Gold. 13.10 Oddschecker British EBF Ellen Chaloner Stakes 1. Tiger Bay (11/1) 2. Frost At Dawn (4/1) 3. Vadream (9/1) 13.45 Betfred Handicap 1. More Thunder (11/4 fav) 2. Aramram (11/2) 3. Two Tribes (9/1) 14.20 Betfred Handicap 1. Fox Legacy (15/2) 2. Bopedro (33/1) 3. Arabian Light (7/2) 14.55 Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Palace House Stakes 1. Rumstar (7/1) 2. She's Quality (20/1) 3. Clarendon House (12/1) 15.35 Betfred 2000 Guineas Stakes 1. Ruling Court (9/2) 2. Field Of Gold (15/8) 3. Shadow Of Light (6/1) 16.05 Lay And Wheeler Handicap 1. 2. 3. 16.40 TrustATrader Handicap 1. 2. 3. 17.15 Aston Martin 'Confined' Handicap 1. 2. 3. 17.50 Nyetimber Handicap 1. 2. 3.
Daily Record
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
2000 Guineas tips as Scorthy Champ napped for Newmarket glory in first classic of the season
A field of 11 will line up in the first British Classic of the season and our man has you covered SCORTHY CHAMP (3:35) can rule the roost for Joseph O'Brien in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. The three-year-old wasn't overly fancied ahead of his debut in a maiden at Leopardstown last May. However, he oozed class when routing Dahlia Noir in a typically strong event at the Foxrock venue. That win led the Owning Hill handler to aim the colt at the Group 2 Futurity Stakes as the Curragh. He didn't start well but finished strongly to claim third behind Henri Matisse in a red-hot renewal. The son of Mehmas was then pitched into the Group 1 National Stakes back at the Kildare track. He completely justified that decision with a power-packed length defeat of old rival Henri Matisse. The star is a sure-fire improver over a mile this year so he can bag the first Class for his shrewd yard. UNEQUAL LOVE (1:10) can land the opening Ellen Chaloner Stakes for the second year running. William Haggas' filly went on to finish second to Mitbaahy in a Group 2 at the Curragh next time. She put in an even better shift when outbattling Dark Trooper in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot. The five-year-old ended last season with some creditable performances back in Group company. The sprinter goes well fresh so she can take advantage of a drop in class for her thriving trainer. Haggas can immediately double-up with MORE THUNDER (1:45) in the trappy Betfred Handicap. The colt looked useful over 1m 2f when narrowly claiming a Redcar novice for Sir Michale Stoute. He ran well again over that distance when third behind Burrito in a warmer contest at this venue. The bay wasn't disgraced again when placed in competitive handicaps both here and at Chester. The four-year-old was surprisingly dropped to six furlongs on debut for his new handler here. That proved a very wise decision as he showed potent speed to hammer the useful Aramram. The son of Night Of Thunder is nicely unexposed as a sprinter so he can deny that rival again. HAND OF GOD (2:20) can hit the target for Harry Charlton in the tricky Suffolk Handicap. The colt built on some solid efforts when caning Classic Encounter in a maiden here in 2023. He showed class and guts to pip Blue Lemons on his handicap bow after a break at Sandown. The bay improved for a step-up to 1m 2f when thrashing Cambridge in the Golden Gates at Ascot. TROPICAL STORM (2:55) can blow his rivals away for Robert Cowell in the Palace House Stakes. The speedster hit new heights when edging-out Vadream in this Group 3 last year for George Scott. The gelding wasn't disgraced again when third to Kerdos in the Group 2 Temple Stakes at Haydock. He then had his limitation exposed when well-beaten at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood. He showed signs of a revival when a fifth to No Half Measures down on trip and class at Newbury. The four-year-old goes well fresh so he can retain his crown for a yard who excel with speedsters. DARK CLOUD RISING (4:40) can make it a dark day for his foes in the TrustATrader Handicap. David O'Meara's horse looked promising when comfortably denying Bonnie's Boy at Thirsk. He shaped well again when a good third to Defence Minister in novice company at Haydock. The gelding then found Listed level too much when seventh in the Rockingham Stakes at York. He bounced back when decisively defeating Cayman Tai switched to handicaps at Pontefract. The three-year-old scored with plenty in hand so he can shrug-off a 7lb penalty upped in class. ROGUE DIPLOMAT (5:15) can turn on the charm for James Owen in the Aston Martin Handicap. The colt showed genuine potential when third to The Trickster on debut over a mile at Beverley. He then failed to stay 1m 2f when filling the same spot behind Devil's Advocate at Chelmsford. The bay proved that seven furlongs was his trip when blowing away Dark Tornado at Leicester. The three-year-old won with real authority so he can defy a stiff opening mark for his skilled yard. George Boughey also knows the score so I'm backing CLASSIC ENCOUNTER (5:50) in the last. The gelding handled this track well when second to Hand Of God in a maiden in October 2023. He kept up the good work with a string of respectable efforts in handicaps on the all-weather. The bay benefitted from the return to Turf when cosily dismissing Austrian Theory at Redcar. That race is working out pretty well so the four-year-old can follow-up in this weaker contest. NEWMARKET 1:10 UNEQUAL LOVE 1:45 MORE THUNDER 2:20 HAND OF GOD 2:55 TROPICAL STORM 3:35 SCORTHY CHAMP (NAP) 4:05 FRENCH MASTER 4:40 DARK CLOUD RISING 5:15 ROGUE DIPLOMAT 5:50 CLASSIC ENCOUNTER
