Latest news with #JosephO'Brien
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
100-1 Royal Ascot horse ‘could be one of the biggest gambles ever' after odds DESTROYED for top trainer
Those on at big prices will be crossing their fingers LIFF ME UP 100-1 Royal Ascot horse 'could be one of the biggest gambles ever' after odds DESTROYED for top trainer Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A little-known horse who has seen his odds OBLITERATED from 100-1 into 8-1 could be 'one of the biggest Royal Ascot gambles ever', petrified bookies have confirmed. Trainer Joseph O'Brien, son of iconic handler Aidan, has watched the odds on The Liffey tumble down repeatedly in the build-up to the world's biggest Flat racing festival. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Joseph O'Brien is a trainer who knows how to land a punt - and he could seal one of the biggest ever at Royal Ascot if The Liffey wins the Royal Hunt Cup Credit: PA The four-year-old gelding has raced just four times in his life and used to be trained by the Ballydoyle king. But The Liffey was moved to Joseph's Kilkenny yard in April this year, a month before he made his comeback after 350 days off the track. Interestingly, John Magnier and Derrick Smith, two-thirds of the all-conquering Coolmore syndicate, kept their share in the horse while Michael Tabor opted out. Two more owners came in ahead of his encouraging fourth-placed finish at odds of 16-1 in a Listed contest over seven furlongs at Naas. While he might not have looked a world-beater on the occasion, his subsequent mark of 98 has led many to believe the handicapper has seriously underestimated him. And a gamble from odds of 100-1 last month into just 8-1 now suggests the son of No Nay Never is capable of much more. While it doesn't take stacks of cash to move a market in the Royal Hunt Cup handicap this far out, bookies have certainly taken notice of the monster plunge. Paddy Power's Paul Binfield said: "We first put The Liffey into the race at 100-1 and we took plenty of bets at fancy prices. "Those wagers meant he was already a decent loser for a handicap so far from post-time, but then when we were around the 20-1 mark momentum really took off and he's now incredulously into just 8-1. "He's already a bad ante-post result for us. "It's a little too early to say it's turning into one of the biggest ever Royal extravaganza gambles we've ever encountered. "Mainly because the money we've seen is unlikely to be of the scale of liabilities we'll be holding on the actual day. "But should the momentum continue in the way that it has, and punters get stuck into the No Nay Never gelding on that Wednesday, it's certainly not inconceivable that it might be up there." 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.
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
100-1 Royal Ascot horse ‘could be one of the biggest gambles ever' after odds DESTROYED for top trainer
A little-known horse who has seen his odds OBLITERATED from 100-1 into 8-1 could be 'one of the biggest Royal Ascot gambles ever', petrified bookies have confirmed. Trainer Joseph O'Brien, son of iconic handler Aidan, has watched the odds on The Liffey tumble down repeatedly in the build-up to the world's biggest Flat racing festival. 1 Joseph O'Brien is a trainer who knows how to land a punt - and he could seal one of the biggest ever at Royal Ascot if The Liffey wins the Royal Hunt Cup Credit: PA The four-year-old gelding has raced just four times in his life and used to be trained by the Ballydoyle king. But The Liffey was moved to Joseph's Kilkenny yard in April this year, a month before he made his comeback after 350 days off the track. Interestingly, John Magnier and Derrick Smith, two-thirds of the all-conquering Coolmore syndicate, kept their share in the horse while Michael Tabor opted out. Two more owners came in ahead of his encouraging fourth-placed finish at odds of 16-1 in a Listed contest over seven furlongs at Naas. While he might not have looked a world-beater on the occasion, his subsequent mark of 98 has led many to believe the handicapper has seriously underestimated him. And a gamble from odds of 100-1 last month into just 8-1 now suggests the son of No Nay Never is capable of much more. While it doesn't take stacks of cash to move a market in the Royal Hunt Cup handicap this far out, bookies have certainly taken notice of the monster plunge. Paddy Power's Paul Binfield said: "We first put The Liffey into the race at 100-1 and we took plenty of bets at fancy prices. Most read in Horse Racing "Those wagers meant he was already a decent loser for a handicap so far from post-time, but then when we were around the 20-1 mark momentum really took off and he's now incredulously into just 8-1. "He's already a bad ante-post result for us. "It's a little too early to say it's turning into one of the biggest ever Royal extravaganza gambles we've ever encountered. "Mainly because the money we've seen is unlikely to be of the scale of liabilities we'll be holding on the actual day. "But should the momentum continue in the way that it has, and punters get stuck into the No Nay Never gelding on that Wednesday, it's certainly not inconceivable that it might be up there." 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.
Irish Examiner
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Hostility can make if fifth time time lucky at Gowran Park
Hostility can keep the scoreboard ticking over nicely for Joseph O'Brien by taking Wednesday's opener at Gowran Park, the Societies Welcome At Gowran Park Maiden. Thrice raced at two, he contested some decent maidens and while he was in the first four on all three occasions, he never got close enough to land a meaningful blow. On return, however, he was quite well backed to win a Limerick maiden and was just touched off by Admiral Churchill, the pair a long way clear of the remainder. With that run under his belt and having the best of the draw, he can pop out and dictate matters, and keep Storm Piece, Iceford, and Hopes Are High, all of which are promising sorts, at bay. First Wave can make a belated and much deserved breakthrough when he contests the second race, the Thonastown Maiden. Trained by Aidan O'Brien, the Wootton Bassett colt was runner-up to stablemate Expanded on debut and filled the same spot behind another stable-companion Serengeti, in an all-weather maiden on his only other start at two. He returned in a Curragh maiden and for the third consecutive time, he found one too good, this time in the shape of the promising Dupont Law. He was then sent off an odds-on favourite to win a maiden back at Dundalk but was a shade disappointing in third place behind Pedro Nunes. O'Brien's horses are striking form now and this fellow has a favourable draw from which to make the most of his fitness and experience advantage over the likes of Pierre Royal, Rizal, and Ben Lawers, all of which would become increasingly interesting if attracting significant market support. One of the twin features on the card is the listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Vintage Tipple Stakes and Ameerat Jumaira, who posted a huge effort on defeat on debut for Jack Davison, can get back to winning ways. The five-year-old was a smart sort for the now retired Michael Halford and started off for Davison in the listed Noblesse Stakes at Cork. She took a while to find top stride on that occasion but flew home to take second place behind useful French sort and Irish debutant Bubble Gum. The winner looked like a top sort in the making, and it could be argued that this was Ameerat Jumaira's best effort to date. That being the case, and with the potential for improvement, she can come out on top.
