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The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Meet the 80-year-old granny battling billionaires with her Derby ‘superstar' tinged with sadness
SHE is the 80-year-old granny battling the billionaires with her Derby 'superstar'. In what has been billed as the ultimate David vs Goliath showdown, this 'proud Yorkshirewoman' with just six horses is daring to dream in the world's most prestigious race. 3 Vimy Aykroyd, second from right, is the 80-year-old gran taking on the billionaires with her Derby 'superstar' Pride Of Arras Credit: Steven Cargill / 3 Victory in the Derby would be a dream come true, although tinged with sadness as Vimy's husband David is in care with dementia and is unaware the horse is running in the world's most famous Flat race Credit: PA Meet Vimy Aykroyd, racing royalty, rebel and the owner of 5-1 chance Pride Of Arras. At stake is the small matter of £900,000 for victory, a place in history and a lucrative, money-spinning career at stud for their three-year-old colt. But also the realisation of a dream that started 26 years ago when Vimy first sent horses to trainer Ralph Beckett. Their families are intertwined, with Vimy having spent time with the Becketts growing up. When Ralph, son of trainer William, started his own yard in 1999, Vimy - Lavinia for full - was one of the first to send him horses. In the years since Beckett has pretty much done it all. Millions upon millions in prize money, Arc de Triomphe victory with Bluestocking last year, Group 1s galore and Royal Ascot success. But he's never won the Derby. Most read in Horse Racing Over the past decade, the 1m4f race over the undulating, rolling Epsom track has been a happy hunting ground for the billionaire tycoons who dominate the sport. Since 2017 it has been won by either Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed - under his Godolphin operation - or the all-conquering Coolmore group, made up of Irish racing boss John Magnier and British former bookies Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith. Only in 2017, with Desert Crown, did it go to someone else - Dubai businessman Saeed Suhail. In fact, you have to go to diamond dealer Anthony Oppenheimer in 2015 for the last sole British owner to win the Derby, when he did it with Golden Horn. It's a tough gig when you're literally battling those with the financial might of an entire country behind them. But Vimy's more than used to overcoming adversity. 3 Sadly Vimy's husband David - her late husband's brother - seen here with Vimy in 2021, is now in a care home with dementia So can he win? Templegate's verdict By Steve Mullen (Templegate) PRIDE OF ARRAS absolutely can win the Derby. It may not have been a vintage Dante he won at York last time but Ralph Beckett's colt showed real class to get the job done. He really enjoyed stepping up to 1m2f and screams that he'll love the Derby distance too. There is lots of stamina in his pedigree but no shortage of speed either. It was good to see him accelerate once getting a gap on the Knavesmire and the Dante winning time was decent too. That was just his second run - and it came after nine months off - so you would expect a lot more from this talented colt. Beckett knows what it takes to win at the highest level and there is still some 5-1 about which looks an each-way bet to nothing. I would be surprised if he was outside the first three in the big race. Mischievous by nature, she wasn't always the best student and racing was in her blood given her grandad won the Grand National in 1891. When women were allowed to ride in Flat races for the first time in 1972 she naturally took part and won on a horse called Old Cock. Personal life took over when she moved to Spain with husband Richard Aykroyd - but he died from cancer in 1997. Vimy returned to London and then Yorkshire, where she married her late husband's brother David, who has been described as 'the epitome of the English gentleman'. Sadly, the Pride Of Arras was 50-1 for the Derby before he won the Dante at York - the key trial for the Epsom contest - last month. Beckett was bullish of his chances in the big one immediately after and there is no doubt he is the big British hope this year. A fairytale story, victory and overcoming odds? Sounds like Vimy Aykroyd all over. 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.
Scottish Sun
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Charlie Fellowes gives Kieran Shoemark chance to take on John Gosden runners in pair of Group 1s in France
SHOE FITS Charlie Fellowes gives Kieran Shoemark chance to take on John Gosden runners in pair of Group 1s in France KIERAN SHOEMARK will get the chance to prove the ultimate point to John Gosden in Paris on Sunday. He has been snapped up by Charlie Fellowes for the French 2000 and 1000 Guineas - where he will take on two big Gosden runners having been dumped as the stable's No1 jockey. 2 Charlie Fellowes has snapped up Kieran Shoemark to ride against John Gosden Credit: PA 2 Fellowes' Luther will run in Sunday's French 2000 Guineas Credit: PA Shoemark, 29, was expected to ride Gosden's Detain and Zanzoun in the colts' and fillies' Classics respectively, but now he'll be riding against them at Longchamp aboard Luther and Shes Perfect. Gosden gave Shoemark the elbow just a few days after his defeat on Field Of Gold in the Guineas last Saturday, after which he apologised for riding with 'too much confidence' in the wake of criticism from his boss. He has faced plenty of scrutiny since replacing Frankie Dettori at Clarehaven, and his fast-finishing second in the big one at Newmarket was clearly the final straw for Gosden. Newmarket-based Fellowes has been a long-time ally of Shoemark and he has given the jockey his firm backing. Fellowes said: "The Gosden gig is a tough gig, there is a lot of pressure and I've no doubt he is up to a job like that. "For whatever reason it's not worked out, but one man's loss is another man's gain. "I'm gutted for him but from a selfish point of view it's great for me because I want him on as many of my horses as possible. 'Jim Crowley and Rossa Ryan had been riding work for me and they were in line to ride on Sunday because I thought Kieran wouldn't be available. Now he is, it was a no-brainer. "I'm really appreciative of Jim and Rossa, they were very understanding when I spoke to them. I had discussions with my owners when we heard the news and they were keen to get Kieran. 'He is a brilliant jockey and we've got two good chances in Group 1s at Longchamp, so he doesn't need any extra motivation. It would be incredible to win a big one together. 'Both Luther and Shes Perfect are in brilliant form and I will come home very disappointed if they don't run massive races.' Shoemark still rode for Gosden yesterday, finishing last of seven in the Cheshire Oaks on Queen Of Thieves, and he will continue to pick up rides for the yard. But Clarehaven runners will now be ridden by 'the best jockey available' in big races and Shoemark's opportunities will be greatly reduced. Gosden said: 'We are looking to use the best available from now on. We have eight jockeys that are retained to ride for owners connected with the yard and I haven't had a retained jockey since William Buick. "There is no fallout but it is the ramifications of what happened over the weekend at Newmarket. We'll now use the best available rider.' Luther, who is a top-priced 20-1 for the Poule d'Essai des Poulains on Sunday, was second to Detain on his reappearance at Chelmsford and Fellowes reckons he is capable of improving past him. Likewise Shes Perfect, who is 14-1 for the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches having finished second in a Group 3 in France on her return. She is expected to take a big step forward now. Fellowes said: "I still am adamant Luther is one of the best horses we've ever had. We probably would have gone close to to beating Detain last time and I think we can improve more than Detain. "He has a wicked turn of foot, he's well balanced, he'll go round the track beautifully, we just need a good draw. "Shes Perfect is a big girl and she will improve no end for her run. I honestly couldn't be happier with either of them." 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: 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.
