Latest news with #BritishClassics
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Frankie Dettori names the horse ‘I'd put my fiver on' at The Derby this weekend
The world famous jockey, who won the Epsom Classic twice when based in Britain, has his say on the likely outcome of the 2025 Betfred Derby Frankie Dettori has named the horse once-a-year punters should 'have a fiver on'. During a 35 year career in Britain, Dettori established himself as the most recognisable figure in the sport, replacing the legendary Lester Piggott as the 'housewives' choice' at Derby time. He was crowned champion jockey three times and rode the winners of 23 British Classics, including two in the Derby on Authorized in 2007 and Golden Horn in 2015. Dettori quit Britain for good after riding at British Champion's Day in October 2023, an occasion sealed by victory on King Of Steel in the Champion Stakes. Now based in the United States, Dettori has mounts at Saratoga on Saturday, but has been keeping an eye on the field for the £1.5 million Derby the same day. He has shared his thoughts on the race in an interview for betting site Stake, for whom he is a brand ambassador. Dettori said Ryan Moore's mount Delacroix is "guaranteed to stay and he seemed very straightforward to handle." He added: "The Lion In Winter came from a long lay-off and was perhaps too fresh on his reappearance after The Dante. He looked a bit hot at the start and he's got to come back from that. 'Of course, Aidan (O'Brien) is a genius at doing things like that, bringing the horses back from bad runs, like with City Of Troy, for example, last year. But don't forget you still have to take the horse all the way around the mile and a half.' But he nailed his colours to the Ralph Beckett-trained winner of York's Dante Stakes, Pride Of Arras, who will be ridden by Rossa Ryan. "Pride Of Arras won in the style of a Derby winner in the Dante. The only thing that might muddle him is the size of the field. I suspect it will be a maximum field and he's only run twice, so it won't be easy. "He'll have to manage his way through the traffic. He does have a good cruising speed, though, and a good turn of foot. He's the one which has impressed me the most in the Derby trials. It's just the lack of experience which disadvantages him. It's very hard to win this race on only your third start, so that's the one thing which puts me off a bit. "Ruling Court is a serious horse. What he showed in the Guineas was very impressive, but it's that massive question mark, will he get a mile and a half? "We know that a mile and quarter is within his reach because he hit the line very strongly at Newmarket, but this is another two furlongs. He's an amazing, talented horse, but he's got a massive question mark to me. "Damysus looks a very solid horse, but to me Pride Of Arras was much better than him in the Dante and we expect him to improve a bit here, so the gap is looking a bit too far to bridge to me. "Pride Of Arras would be the one I'd put my fiver on. It's a very exciting race and it is wide open. We've already made a case for a good number of them, and it's very interesting."
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE 'Racing is irrelevant when you can make a difference for kids': William Buick on the inspiration behind his bid for a clean sweep of the first four classics
History is creeping into view for William Buick but the potential for galloping through the record books will not form part of this discussion. 'Way too soon to think about,' Buick says with a smile that demands fate is not tempted. This week, he will partner Desert Flower and Ruling Court — the Godolphin-owned horses he rode to thunderous wins in the 1000 and 2000 Guineas — in the Betfred Oaks and Derby respectively. No rider has managed to collect the first four British Classics in the same season and you have to go back to 1949 to find the last time the same filly and colt (Musidora and Nimbus) went on from success at Newmarket and followed up on Epsom's helter-skelter Downs. We could easily spend time talking about champions but, today, Buick is at home with his wife, Jane, and their young sons, Thomas and Oscar, and he is busy being Dad. Thomas, who is six, needs his socks and Oscar is nibbling with uncertainty at the lettuce he has just helped his mum, Jane, unearth. 'I've been in this situation before, when you have two live ones for Epsom,' says. 'I'm not really someone who gets too wound up and, if I feel myself getting that way, I'll try to get myself back quickly, though Jane might tell you differently! What distracts me? Thomas and Oscar!' Buick has become accustomed to scaling peaks. He is living a dream, emulating the exploits of his heroes, Frankie Dettori, Mick Kinane and Olivier Peslier, in contesting the biggest events — just as he hoped he would when riding his pony as a boy growing up in Norway. Of course, success at Epsom would be out of this world but, in some respects, he has had his most satisfying win of the season. At Haydock last Saturday, this Liverpool fan and willing partner Symbol Of Honour prevailed in a photo-finish that meant the world. Parenthood enables you to see life in a different way and he fully understands the challenges that are presented. Thomas is autistic, and to raise awareness of the condition, Buick, 36, and his wife became ambassadors for Autism In Racing two years ago; they take their responsibilities seriously. 'Horses are therapeutic,' says Buick, who has twice been Champion Jockey. 'We've seen it with Thomas. He's actually quite a competent rider now. He doesn't always hold his reins but he's got a very good seat and he'll be able to ride by himself one day. We're very fortunate.' The impact a horse can have on a child, though, was really brought home by Symbol Of Honour. Before he was due to contest the Sandy Lane Stakes, Daryl Jacob, the former jump jockey, had ventured into the weighing room to see if he could find anyone to help with a request. Jacob was accompanied by three children from the Owen McVeigh Foundation, a charity which provides life memories for youngsters living with cancer and their families. Buick did not hesitate to step forward and the whole experience was profound. 'It was a beautiful moment to be a part of,' says Buick. 'Daryl asked me if I would go and see these kids, they had leukaemia. I said, 'Of course I will'. I was trying to scramble a few things together to give them, goggles and what have you. 'I looked at them and I nearly broke down. I really had to work hard to compose myself. It was just before the Sandy Lane and the joy on their faces was incredible. 'They saw the horses, they saw the jockeys in their colours and the joy it gave them — and their parents — was amazing. Everything else became irrelevant. It really brings reality to everything. I remember going down to the start and I was thinking to myself, 'Please, just win'. I just wanted them all to be on the podium with me. Bless him, Symbol Of Honour put in a good shift and won.' Buick pauses for a moment. This part of the conversation had materialised organically but it reveals an unseen side. Yes, you might see him on a racecourse flashing past in those famous royal blue silks but this is the true version of him. 'Everyone at Godolphin — Charlie Appleby (trainer), Sheik Mohammed (founder) — they love to be part of it when children are involved,' says Buick. 'I knew it wouldn't be an issue for them to collect the trophy. We were in the one spot and I saw the kids smiling. It was incredible. 'If you think you can make a difference (in life), you have to grasp it with both hands — and you are in a fortunate position if someone asks you to do it. Do it with integrity, do it with a good heart. Racing is full of people like that. When it comes to making a difference, racing really does come to the fore.' Coming to the fore is something he will strive to do at Epsom but, really, he has been doing that since he partnered his first winner, Bank On Benny, at Salisbury on September 27, 2006; his father, Walter, was the Champion Scandinavian Jockey eight times and his mother, Maria, was a dressage rider. Racing was always going to be his vocation but it is how he has progressed. After an apprenticeship with Andrew Balding, he was appointed first rider to John Gosden in 2010, aged 21, before joining Godolphin 2015, the equivalent of moving from Liverpool to Real Madrid. Pressure has been omnipresent all through his career but he has carried it comfortably, switching off by spending hours in his gym or immersing himself in box sets — he's currently enjoying MobLand after raving about Eddie Redmayne in The Day Of The Jackal. 'One of the best I've seen to be honest,' he says. 'He travels the world (as a hitman) but it's a bit more stressful than being a jockey!' There will, inevitably, be stress at Epsom this week as these are the two races that matter more than anything during the summer. Buick won the Derby in 2018 on Masar and the glint in his eye when he muses about Ruling Court's potential indicates the wonderful possibilities. 'These are two very good horses and they sum up what racing is all about,' he says. 'We all want the horse to be the next champion. We are optimists, every single one of us in this industry. We start with the same dream and it comes from one thing: the love of the horse.' William Buick is a Jockey Club Ambassador and represented by H Talent Management. Visit
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.
BBC News
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Gosden eyes 2000 Guineas win with Field Of Gold
John Gosden will saddle leading contender Field Of Gold as the top trainer looks to finally win the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on 74-year-old, who set up as a trainer nearby in 1989, has won all four of the other British Classics and more than 3,000 races in training alongside son Thady, he hopes his impressive Craven Stakes winner can close the missing gap in his illustrious CV."It has never weighed on my mind. It seems to be glaring to everyone else but not to me," said Gosden senior."It's nice to have a horse who at the moment is favourite, but it doesn't mean that you're going to win it."Field Of Gold heads 11 contenders for the big Appleby's Ruling Court is another leading fancy after a six-length victory in Dubai in March, with the Godolphin handler also fielding Shadow Of Light, winner of both the Middle Park and Dewhurst Stakes last Court is the choice of first jockey William Buick, with Mickael Barzalona taking the ride on Shadow Of also has a third runner in the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Tornado O'Brien, seeking an 11th 2000 Guineas victory, has Dewhurst runner-up Expanded as his sole Harrington's Green Impact and the Joseph O'Brien-trained Scorthy Champ complete the Irish second Wimbledon Hawkeye represents James Owen while fourth-placed Benevento also features, along with Yah Mo Be Eleven runs for owners that are all current or former Brighton and Hove Albion footballers, including James Milner and Danny Welbeck. 2000 Guineas runners and riders Benevento David EganExpanded Ryan MooreField Of Gold Kieran ShoemarkGreen Impact Shane FoleyRuling Court William BuickScorthy Champ Dylan Browne McMonagleSeagulls Eleven Tom MarquandShadow Of Light Mickael BarzalonaTornado Alert Silvestre de SousaWimbledon Hawkeye Harry DaviesYa Mo Be There Jamie Spencer
Khaleej Times
04-04-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
How Sheikh Mohammed transformed global horse racing with Dubai World Cup
In the world of horse racing, few figures have left a mark as profound as Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. A lifelong horseman, Sheikh Mohammed's passion for racing has shaped the sport for over five decades, not just through countless victories but by redefining what's possible. His love for horse racing began on the golden beaches of Dubai, where, as a young boy, he raced bareback along the shores of Jumeirah, captivated by the power and spirit of the horse. However, it was while studying at Cambridge that he attended his first race in 1967, where he witnessed Royal Palace winning the 2,000 Guineas, one of the five British Classics, at Newmarket. It was a defining moment — one that set him on a path not just to win the best races in the world but to transform the industry itself. Over the next five decades, Sheikh Mohammed's vision has redefined modern racing. From the grand stages of Epsom, Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood, Longchamp, and Flemington to the creation of the Dubai World Cup at Meydan, his influence spans continents. Through pioneering investments in breeding, ownership, and competition, he has left an indelible mark on the sport, ensuring its evolution for generations to come. A royal bond Horse racing has long been known as 'the sport of kings', but for Sheikh Mohammed, it was also the sport of queens. His deep friendship with the late Queen Elizabeth II was built on their mutual love for thoroughbreds. One of their most memorable moments came when Sheikh Mohammed gifted her a yearling, whom she named Compton House, a horse that came agonisingly close to winning the Epsom Derby — one of the few major races that eluded the Queen during her reign. Their shared passion for breeding and racing transcended political borders and traditions. At Royal Ascot, Sheikh Mohammed was a familiar presence, even once riding in the Queen's carriage during the Royal Procession as a special guest — an honour rarely extended beyond the British Royal Family. Reshaping British racing Sheikh Mohammed's impact on British racing goes far beyond owning winners. His investments have transformed the sport at every level — sponsoring major races, creating jobs, upgrading facilities, and elevating competition. His breeding and racing operations, particularly Godolphin and Darley, have provided livelihoods for thousands across Britain, Ireland, Australia, and beyond. His acquisitions of historic studs like Dalham Hall in Newmarket and Kildangan Stud in Ireland cemented his position as a key figure in global racing. 'When Sheikh Mohammed created Godolphin in 1992, it changed everything,' said Hugh Anderson, managing director of Godolphin in the UK and UAE. 'This wasn't just another racing stable — it was an entirely new approach to ownership and training.' If modern horse racing has a single transformative figure, it is Sheikh Mohammed. His first taste of ownership success came in 1977 when Hatta, a filly running in his colours, won at Brighton. It was the beginning of an empire. Within a few short years, his influence extended beyond the racecourse to breeding and training. In 1981, he acquired Dalham Hall Stud, laying the foundation for Darley, one of the world's premier breeding operations. He further cemented his commitment to the sport with the purchase of Kildangan Stud in Ireland in 1986. A race against the odds The launch of the Dubai World Cup in 1996 was a bold move, but the following year tested Sheikh Mohammed's resilience like never before. The 1997 Dubai World Cup was meant to be a showcase of Dubai's dominance on the global racing stage. But on the night of the race, torrential rain flooded the track at Nad Al Sheba, threatening to cancel the event. As officials debated their options, Sheikh Mohammed walked onto the waterlogged racetrack. In an iconic and symbolic moment, captured by television cameras worldwide, he ran his hand across his throat — a silent acknowledgement that the race had been rained off. For many, that would have been the end of it. But for Sheikh Mohammed, impossible was never an option. Determined to see his vision through, he mobilised his team, including key figures such as the legendary Dr. Michael Osborne, highly-regarded writer Brough Scott, John Lees, who played a key role in the logistics and planning of major races, Nancy Petch, a well-known race organiser and event manager, and Lord John Fitzgerald, an important figure in the establishment and growth of the race. Instead of sending international connections and guests home, Sheikh Mohammed invited them to stay in Dubai as his guests. Meanwhile, UAE Air Force helicopters were deployed to dry the track — a monumental effort that ensured the race could still take place. Just seven days later, against all odds, the Dubai World Cup was run. And in a moment of poetic justice, it was Sheikh Mohammed's horse, Singspiel, who stormed to victory, defeating top American contenders. It was a defining moment — not just for the race but for the UAE itself. That night, Sheikh Mohammed didn't just prove that Dubai could host the world's richest race — he demonstrated the resilience, ambition, and sheer force of will that would define UAE horse racing and the country's place in the sport. Beyond the World Cup Sheikh Mohammed's vision extended far beyond a single race. In 1992, he established Godolphin with his brothers, setting new standards in training, breeding, and international competition. Since then, Godolphin has won more than 260 Group One races across 14 countries. 'Sheikh Mohammed and his brothers were already successful owners in the 1980s,' Anderson said. 'But with Godolphin, the sport itself had to adapt and innovate just to keep up.' His influence hasn't just shaped racing — it has played a role in shaping Dubai itself. Revenues from Godolphin and related businesses have contributed to the city's transformation. He once credited the success of his stables with financing much of the development along Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai's economic artery. One of his most trusted aides in establishing horse racing in Dubai was Colonel Ali Khamis Al Jafleh, a UAE Air Force pilot who became the first chairman of the Dubai Racing Club. Under his guidance, the foundation for Dubai's racing success was laid. When Sheikh Mohammed created Godolphin in 1992, it changed everything. This wasn't just another racing stable — it was an entirely new approach to ownership and training" Hugh Anderson, Managing Director Of Godolphin In The Uk And Uae A legacy above trophies While many great patrons have helped define the world of horse racing — Sir Robert Sangster, Khalid Abdullah, and the Aga Khan, among others — few have left a legacy as profound and far-reaching as Sheikh Mohammed's. His success isn't just measured in trophies or prize money; it's in the thousands of people whose livelihoods have been impacted, the economies transformed, and the unwavering belief that no dream is too big. From the sands of Dubai to the grandstands of Royal Ascot, Sheikh Mohammed's journey in racing is far from over. His passion for the sport remains unwavering, and as long as the thrill of thoroughbred racing continues to inspire him, his influence will endure. Today, as Meydan hosts the 29th Dubai World Cup, the race Sheikh Mohammed founded nearly three decades ago remains a testament to his vision — one that has firmly established Dubai as a global force in horse racing.
