Latest news with #Cusack
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Legendary trainer Henry de Bromhead snaps up 17-year-old jockey in bid to fill void left by Rachael Blackmore
LEGENDARY trainer Henry de Bromhead has snapped up a 17-year-old jockey - as he looks to fill the void at his yard left by Rachael Blackmore. The trailblazing Grand National winner 2 Rachael Blackmore has left a huge void at Henry de Bromhead's yard - but he is attempting to fill it with hugely promising 17-year-old jockey Conor Cusack Credit: Sportsfile 2 Cusack, left, was big mates with De Bromhead's late son Jack It ended an amazing and emotional partnership with De Bromhead that saw them win the world's most famous race plus the Gold Cup. The timing of Blackmore's retirement meant Irish handler De Bromhead had some time to bolster his jockey ranks. And while it seems the brilliant Darragh O'Keeffe will be his No1 for the new jumps season, De Bromhead has moved quickly to sign another rider who could flourish on the Flat. Step forward Conor Cusack - who already has a close bond with the Waterford handler. Cusack has banged in a quickfire double for De Bromhead this month - winning twice from two rides. He showed superior skill in the saddle to time 9-4 Stepdance's win just right at Limerick last Saturday. While at Killarney on Monday he was never for catching on six-length stunner Catena Zapata in a mile contest. De Bromhead has shown himself a top notch dual purpose trainer in recent years. Most read in Horse Racing He won the Ascot Stakes at last month's Royal Ascot with Ascending and last year bagged a £300,000 cheque with Magical Zoe's win in the Ebor. Cusack's rapid rise through the ranks suggests he could be the man for the future. And how fitting that would be, given he was friends with De Bromhead's late son Jack. Racing was plunged into mourning when Jack Cusack dedicated his recent wins to Jack and thanked Henry for the chance to show what he can do. The jockey, who was lifted off his feet by several women in celebration at Killarney, said: "Hopefully things keep going and a massive thanks to Henry who has trusted me with two nice horses. "I'm light enough so hope to stay at this game - I'm not too fond of the table! "It's a great feeling. "I was supposed to be out in Spain on holidays but the availability came up to ride this one so I said I'd book a flight home early. "Thank God it's worked out!" FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS 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: Read more on the Irish Sun Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
07-07-2025
- Sport
Wimbledon's expansion plan heads to court while facing opposition from locals
LONDON -- Novak Djokovic calls it a 'win-win.' Carlos Alcaraz says it's a 'great idea.' Wimbledon's major expansion plan includes adding an 8,000-seat stadium with a retractable roof and 38 other grass courts at a former golf course across the street that would allow the All England Club to move its qualifying event and hold it on-site — as the other Grand Slam tournaments do — to boost attendance and revenue. Some local residents did a deep dive on the details, though, and they're not as convinced as the major champions are. That is why the proposal goes to the U.K.'s High Court for a judicial review Tuesday and Wednesday as the quarterfinals are held at the tournament that concludes next weekend. Opponents say they love tennis as much as the 500,000 or so fans who flock to SW19 — Wimbledon's well-known post code — over the course of the two-week event. 'But we're also lovers of the environment and of trees and greenery and open spaces,' said Susan Cusack, a member of Save Wimbledon Park. That's the group challenging the Greater London Authority's approval last September of Wimbledon's project, and they say they have raised more than $270,000 to pay for lawyers to fight against what Cusack and others call an 'industrial tennis complex.' 'They're a massive developer. On their current site, all they do is build, build, build,' Cusack said. Aside from concerns about the environment and overall scale, opponents argue the adjacent property that was a golf course when the All England Club bought it in 2018 is subject to restrictions that favor preservation of open space for the public. The oldest Grand Slam tournament is the only one of the four that holds its qualifying rounds at a completely separate location. There are also too few practice courts in the current setup, requiring some of the world's best players to share courts. 'Wimbledon needs to stay at the pinnacle of world sport, and to do that, you have to evolve both on the court but also off the court with the infrastructure,' Debbie Jevans, chair of the All England Club, told The Associated Press. Wimbledon's attendance numbers trail the other three majors. The Australian Open sold 1.1 million tickets for this year's main draw — more than double Wimbledon's 2024 tally — after bringing in more than 115,000 the week of qualifying. Wimbledon's qualifying, three miles away at Roehampton, has 8,000 tickets total. The French Open pulled in 80,000 fans for its qualifying. Fans could watch star players practice, in addition to the mini-tournament in which competitors play for coveted spots in the singles brackets. Wimbledon's project would allow 8,000 spectators at qualifying — per day. 'If you look at the other Grand Slams, they will have community events during that first week ... and, of course, the serious tennis,' Jevans said. 'So we always start with the tennis but, yes, I want the opportunity to embrace more people. The demand for our tickets is off the charts.' An 8,000-seat arena would become Wimbledon's third-largest stadium after Centre Court and No. 1 Court; it would be located just across the street from No. 1 Court. Wimbledon's plan, which incorporates space now used for the famous Queue, would more than double its total number of grass courts — there are currently 18 for the tournament, plus 20 for practice. Jevans said 'at least seven' of the proposed new courts would be made available for community use. The plan also includes two public parks, one that would be 23 acres. The club declined comment on the project's price tag, which British media has reported will be about $270 million. If the plan survives legal challenges, there's still an eight-year construction window. That should rule out the 38-year-old Djokovic's chances of competing on the new courts. But the seven-time Wimbledon champion still wants the plan to succeed. 'It's great for the community, for London, for our sport. It's a win-win, to be honest. If it doesn't go through, it will be a shame,' he said Thursday. Belinda Bencic, who was 17 when she made her Wimbledon debut in 2014, said Saturday she likes that the club 'is investing and trying to do the best for the players." Two-time defending champion Alcaraz said putting 'qualifying really close (to) where we are now — I think it's a great idea.' Whatever happens, Djokovic noted, Wimbledon's future is secure. 'Wimbledon, as it is already, is a sacred tournament, a tournament that everybody wants to win or play in,' he said. 'This is only a bonus. It's something that will get it to even a higher level of recognition.'
San Francisco Chronicle
07-07-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Wimbledon's expansion plan heads to court while facing opposition from local residents
LONDON (AP) — Novak Djokovic calls it a 'win-win.' Carlos Alcaraz says it's a 'great idea.' Wimbledon's major expansion plan includes adding an 8,000-seat stadium with a retractable roof and 38 other grass courts at a former golf course across the street that would allow the All England Club to move its qualifying event and hold it on-site — as the other Grand Slam tournaments do — to boost attendance and revenue. Some local residents did a deep dive on the details, though, and they're not as convinced as the major champions are. That is why the proposal goes to the U.K.'s High Court for a judicial review Tuesday and Wednesday as the quarterfinals are held at the tournament that concludes next weekend. Opponents say they love tennis as much as the 500,000 or so fans who flock to SW19 — Wimbledon's well-known post code — over the course of the two-week event. 'But we're also lovers of the environment and of trees and greenery and open spaces,' said Susan Cusack, a member of Save Wimbledon Park. That's the group challenging the Greater London Authority's approval last September of Wimbledon's project, and they say they have raised more than $270,000 to pay for lawyers to fight against what Cusack and others call an 'industrial tennis complex.' 'They're a massive developer. On their current site, all they do is build, build, build,' Cusack said. Aside from concerns about the environment and overall scale, opponents argue the adjacent property that was a golf course when the All England Club bought it in 2018 is subject to restrictions that favor preservation of open space for the public. Wimbledon's case for expansion The oldest Grand Slam tournament is the only one of the four that holds its qualifying rounds at a completely separate location. There are also too few practice courts in the current setup, requiring some of the world's best players to share courts. 'Wimbledon needs to stay at the pinnacle of world sport, and to do that, you have to evolve both on the court but also off the court with the infrastructure,' Debbie Jevans, chair of the All England Club, told The Associated Press. Wimbledon's attendance numbers trail the other three majors. The Australian Open sold 1.1 million tickets for this year's main draw — more than double Wimbledon's 2024 tally — after bringing in more than 115,000 the week of qualifying. Wimbledon's qualifying, three miles away at Roehampton, has 8,000 tickets total. The French Open pulled in 80,000 fans for its qualifying. Fans could watch star players practice, in addition to the mini-tournament in which competitors play for coveted spots in the singles brackets. Wimbledon's project would allow 8,000 spectators at qualifying — per day. 'If you look at the other Grand Slams, they will have community events during that first week ... and, of course, the serious tennis,' Jevans said. 'So we always start with the tennis but, yes, I want the opportunity to embrace more people. The demand for our tickets is off the charts.' An 8,000-seat arena would become Wimbledon's third-largest stadium after Centre Court and No. 1 Court; it would be located just across the street from No. 1 Court. Wimbledon's plan, which incorporates space now used for the famous Queue, would more than double its total number of grass courts — there are currently 18 for the tournament, plus 20 for practice. Jevans said 'at least seven' of the proposed new courts would be made available for community use. The plan also includes two public parks, one that would be 23 acres. Djokovic and Alcaraz support Wimbledon's plans If the plan survives legal challenges, there's still an eight-year construction window. That should rule out the 38-year-old Djokovic's chances of competing on the new courts. But the seven-time Wimbledon champion still wants the plan to succeed. 'It's great for the community, for London, for our sport. It's a win-win, to be honest. If it doesn't go through, it will be a shame,' he said Thursday. Belinda Bencic, who was 17 when she made her Wimbledon debut in 2014, said Saturday she likes that the club 'is investing and trying to do the best for the players." Two-time defending champion Alcaraz said putting 'qualifying really close (to) where we are now — I think it's a great idea.' Whatever happens, Djokovic noted, Wimbledon's future is secure. 'Wimbledon, as it is already, is a sacred tournament, a tournament that everybody wants to win or play in,' he said. 'This is only a bonus. It's something that will get it to even a higher level of recognition.' ___
Hamilton Spectator
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Wimbledon's expansion plan heads to court while facing opposition from local residents
LONDON (AP) — Novak Djokovic calls it a 'win-win.' Carlos Alcaraz says it's a 'great idea.' Wimbledon's major expansion plan includes adding an 8,000-seat stadium with a retractable roof and 38 other grass courts at a former golf course across the street that would allow the All England Club to move its qualifying event and hold it on-site — as the other Grand Slam tournaments do — to boost attendance and revenue. Some local residents did a deep dive on the details, though, and they're not as convinced as the major champions are. That is why the proposal goes to the U.K.'s High Court for a judicial review Tuesday and Wednesday as the quarterfinals are held at the tournament that concludes next weekend. Opponents say they love tennis as much as the 500,000 or so fans who flock to SW19 — Wimbledon's well-known post code — over the course of the two-week event. 'But we're also lovers of the environment and of trees and greenery and open spaces,' said Susan Cusack, a member of Save Wimbledon Park. That's the group challenging the Greater London Authority's approval last September of Wimbledon's project, and they say they have raised more than $270,000 to pay for lawyers to fight against what Cusack and others call an 'industrial tennis complex.' 'They're a massive developer. On their current site, all they do is build, build, build,' Cusack said. Aside from concerns about the environment and overall scale, opponents argue the adjacent property that was a golf course when the All England Club bought it in 2018 is subject to restrictions that favor preservation of open space for the public. Wimbledon's case for expansion The oldest Grand Slam tournament is the only one of the four that holds its qualifying rounds at a completely separate location . There are also too few practice courts in the current setup, requiring some of the world's best players to share courts. 'Wimbledon needs to stay at the pinnacle of world sport, and to do that, you have to evolve both on the court but also off the court with the infrastructure,' Debbie Jevans, chair of the All England Club, told The Associated Press. Wimbledon's attendance numbers trail the other three majors. The Australian Open sold 1.1 million tickets for this year's main draw — more than double Wimbledon's 2024 tally — after bringing in more than 115,000 the week of qualifying. Wimbledon's qualifying, three miles away at Roehampton, has 8,000 tickets total. The French Open pulled in 80,000 fans for its qualifying. Fans could watch star players practice, in addition to the mini-tournament in which competitors play for coveted spots in the singles brackets. Wimbledon's project would allow 8,000 spectators at qualifying — per day. 'If you look at the other Grand Slams, they will have community events during that first week ... and, of course, the serious tennis,' Jevans said. 'So we always start with the tennis but, yes, I want the opportunity to embrace more people. The demand for our tickets is off the charts.' An 8,000-seat arena would become Wimbledon's third-largest stadium after Centre Court and No. 1 Court; it would be located just across the street from No. 1 Court. Wimbledon's plan, which incorporates space now used for the famous Queue , would more than double its total number of grass courts — there are currently 18 for the tournament, plus 20 for practice. Jevans said 'at least seven' of the proposed new courts would be made available for community use. The plan also includes two public parks, one that would be 23 acres. The club declined comment on the project's price tag, which British media has reported will be about $270 million. Djokovic and Alcaraz support Wimbledon's plans If the plan survives legal challenges, there's still an eight-year construction window. That should rule out the 38-year-old Djokovic's chances of competing on the new courts. But the seven-time Wimbledon champion still wants the plan to succeed. 'It's great for the community, for London, for our sport. It's a win-win, to be honest. If it doesn't go through, it will be a shame,' he said Thursday. Belinda Bencic, who was 17 when she made her Wimbledon debut in 2014, said Saturday she likes that the club 'is investing and trying to do the best for the players.' Two-time defending champion Alcaraz said putting 'qualifying really close (to) where we are now — I think it's a great idea.' Whatever happens, Djokovic noted, Wimbledon's future is secure. 'Wimbledon, as it is already, is a sacred tournament, a tournament that everybody wants to win or play in,' he said. 'This is only a bonus. It's something that will get it to even a higher level of recognition.' ___ AP tennis:
Fox Sports
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Wimbledon's expansion plan heads to court while facing opposition from local residents
Associated Press LONDON (AP) — Novak Djokovic calls it a 'win-win.' Carlos Alcaraz says it's a 'great idea.' Wimbledon's major expansion plan includes adding an 8,000-seat stadium with a retractable roof and 38 other grass courts at a former golf course across the street that would allow the All England Club to move its qualifying event and hold it on-site — as the other Grand Slam tournaments do — to boost attendance and revenue. Some local residents did a deep dive on the details, though, and they're not as convinced as the major champions are. That is why the proposal goes to the U.K.'s High Court for a judicial review Tuesday and Wednesday as the quarterfinals are held at the tournament that concludes next weekend. Opponents say they love tennis as much as the 500,000 or so fans who flock to SW19 — Wimbledon's well-known post code — over the course of the two-week event. 'But we're also lovers of the environment and of trees and greenery and open spaces,' said Susan Cusack, a member of Save Wimbledon Park. That's the group challenging the Greater London Authority's approval last September of Wimbledon's project, and they say they have raised more than $270,000 to pay for lawyers to fight against what Cusack and others call an 'industrial tennis complex.' 'They're a massive developer. On their current site, all they do is build, build, build,' Cusack said. Aside from concerns about the environment and overall scale, opponents argue the adjacent property that was a golf course when the All England Club bought it in 2018 is subject to restrictions that favor preservation of open space for the public. Wimbledon's case for expansion The oldest Grand Slam tournament is the only one of the four that holds its qualifying rounds at a completely separate location. There are also too few practice courts in the current setup, requiring some of the world's best players to share courts. 'Wimbledon needs to stay at the pinnacle of world sport, and to do that, you have to evolve both on the court but also off the court with the infrastructure,' Debbie Jevans, chair of the All England Club, told The Associated Press. Wimbledon's attendance numbers trail the other three majors. The Australian Open sold 1.1 million tickets for this year's main draw — more than double Wimbledon's 2024 tally — after bringing in more than 115,000 the week of qualifying. Wimbledon's qualifying, three miles away at Roehampton, has 8,000 tickets total. The French Open pulled in 80,000 fans for its qualifying. Fans could watch star players practice, in addition to the mini-tournament in which competitors play for coveted spots in the singles brackets. Wimbledon's project would allow 8,000 spectators at qualifying — per day. 'If you look at the other Grand Slams, they will have community events during that first week ... and, of course, the serious tennis,' Jevans said. 'So we always start with the tennis but, yes, I want the opportunity to embrace more people. The demand for our tickets is off the charts.' An 8,000-seat arena would become Wimbledon's third-largest stadium after Centre Court and No. 1 Court; it would be located just across the street from No. 1 Court. Wimbledon's plan, which incorporates space now used for the famous Queue, would more than double its total number of grass courts — there are currently 18 for the tournament, plus 20 for practice. Jevans said 'at least seven' of the proposed new courts would be made available for community use. The plan also includes two public parks, one that would be 23 acres. The club declined comment on the project's price tag, which British media has reported will be about $270 million. Djokovic and Alcaraz support Wimbledon's plans If the plan survives legal challenges, there's still an eight-year construction window. That should rule out the 38-year-old Djokovic's chances of competing on the new courts. But the seven-time Wimbledon champion still wants the plan to succeed. 'It's great for the community, for London, for our sport. It's a win-win, to be honest. If it doesn't go through, it will be a shame,' he said Thursday. Belinda Bencic, who was 17 when she made her Wimbledon debut in 2014, said Saturday she likes that the club 'is investing and trying to do the best for the players." Two-time defending champion Alcaraz said putting 'qualifying really close (to) where we are now — I think it's a great idea.' Whatever happens, Djokovic noted, Wimbledon's future is secure. 'Wimbledon, as it is already, is a sacred tournament, a tournament that everybody wants to win or play in,' he said. 'This is only a bonus. It's something that will get it to even a higher level of recognition.' ___ AP tennis: in this topic
