Latest news with #MichaelFreedman
Daily Mirror
21-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Weekly food shop price warning to UK households as food price inflation to spike
Food prices have overtaken energy as the number one concern for UK households, a survey found as industry experts are forecasting food price inflation will top 5% later in the summer Millions of households have been warned to brace themselves for a further big rise in the cost of the weekly shop. Industry experts the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD) is now forecasting that food price inflation will top 5% later in the summer, in a further blow to families who are already feeling the pinch. It added that prices will 'significantly' outstrip the wider cost of living. The IGD's predictions follows official data from the Office for National Statistics last week that food price inflation rose for a third month to hit 4.5% - the highest since February 2024. Among the items that are rising fastest in price are bread and cakes, meat, and milk, cheese and eggs. For example, meat prices rose by 5.7% in June, from 4.8% in May, while cooking oil prices surged from 3.8% to 5.1%, according to the ONS. And if you thought the price of sweet treats had shot up, that is confirmed by data showing inflation in a wide category that includes sugar, jam and chocolate stood at 9% in June, although it has been higher in the past. There are multiple reasons given for why grocery prices are on the way back up, from business rates to the extreme weather. Higher global commodity prices are also a factor. The IGD predicts food price inflation will peak at 5.1% in the late summer, and then remain high for a while. The good news is the IGD then estimates they will decline to between 1.6% and 2.6% in 2026. Rising food prices are causing a big headache for households and now top their concerns, overtaking worries about energy costs. According to IGD's latest data, 83% of shoppers now expect food prices in shops to keep rising. This mounting unease is reflected in the IGD Shopper Confidence Index, which dipped to plus 1 in June, down two points from May. One in four expect their financial situation to worsen in the year ahead, rising sharply to 41% among lower-income households. This nervousness is not what retailers want to hear as they begin to look beyond the summer and the busy period up to Christmas, when many make a big chunk of their money. Michael Freedman, head of economic and consumer insight at IGD, said: 'Businesses must adapt to shifting customer behaviours, as we see more people prioritise value, convenience, and memorable experiences.' Balwinder Dhoot, director of sustainability and growth at the Food and Drink Federation, said: 'The pressure on food and drink manufacturers continues to build. With many key ingredients like chocolate, butter, coffee, beef, and lamb climbing in price – alongside high energy and labour expenses – these rising costs are gradually making their way into the prices shoppers pay at the tills.' Higher grocery bills will compound an ongoing cost of living crisis for millions of households in the UK, given a jump in water bills and other outlays in "Awful April", while energy costs are still a major headache for many people. While food inflation has picked-up, it is nothing compared to a couple of years ago, when prices were rocketing. According to the ONS, prices peaked at more than 19% in April 2023.
News.com.au
08-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
1937 2YOs entered for the 2026 Golden Slipper
Almost 2000 yearlings have been entered for next year's 70th running of Australia's most significant breed-shaping race, the Group 1 $5m Golden Slipper at Rosehill Gardens on March 21. The 2026 Golden Slipper nominations are made up by 953 colts and geldings and 984 fillies, totalling 1937 juvenile entries. Australian breeding and racing's newest superpower Yulong Investments has a 5.93 per cent chance of claiming their first Golden Slipper win, having the most horses entered with 115 juveniles nominated. Eight-time Golden Slipper winner Gai Waterhouse and her two-time winning training partner Adrian Bott sit behind Yulong with 107 entries. Other operations with big entry numbers are Godolphin (95), Chris Waller Racing (94) and Ciaron Maher Racing (91). Last year's winning trainer Michael Freedman has 60 entries, 32 colts and 28 fillies, four of those yearlings are by the ill-fated Snitzel, the sire of the 2025 Golden Slipper winner Marhoona. 'The Golden Slipper is iconic in world racing and plays such a pivotal role for the Australian racing and breeding industry,' Australian Turf Club Head of Racing and Wagering Nevesh Ramdhani said. 'We are delighted to see such an emerging organisation such as Yulong nominating so many horses along with the biggest stables across Australia.' Leading the sires list for the 2026 Golden Slipper is former champion stallion I Am Invincible with 90 entries, while another former champion stallion Snitzel has 72 entries in his second last crop while this season's soon to be crowned champion Australian stallion Zoustar has 61 of his yearlings nominated for the world's richest two-year-old race. Highly regarded first season stallions in 2025/26 are also represented. Home Affairs has 75 entries while the 2021 Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside has 66 of his crop nominated. Entries for other stallions of note include Wooton Bassett (57), Too Darn Hot (56), Written Tycoon (51), 2020 Golden Slipper winner Farnan (45) and this season's leading first season sire Ole Kirk (40).
The Australian
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Australian
Jace McMurray's magic moment with first Saturday success in Sydney
Boom young apprentice Jace McMurray enjoyed a moment to savour at Rosehill Gardens, booting home his first Sydney metropolitan Saturday winner aboard Edited By. Queenslander McMurray, 18, has been up and running in Sydney for about a month now and is quickly turning heads among the training ranks, exhibiting balance and poise well beyond his years. And those attributes were on full display when guiding Edited By to an all-the-way victory in the Ranvet Handicap Benchmark 78 (1500m) for his master Michael Freedman which doubled as his first career Rosehill Gardens triumph. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'I was swinging on him at the 600m mark and was just thinking when I let you go please don't stop,' an elated McMurray said post race. 'He was really tough to the line and gave me his all. One to remember.' Fighting off any number of challengers late, McMurray dropped the whip in the drive to the line but didn't panic, switching to hands and heels to get the job done in style. 'Little mistake there … Thankfully the post came up there in time and he kept responding for me,' McMurray added. Edited By's victory came after McMurray finished second aboard the Freedman-trained Codetta a race earlier. Stable representative Sophie Johnson was full of praise for McMurray's steady hand in returning Edited By to the winner's stall at a track he excels at. • Little brother follows in Private Eye's footsteps with impressive win 'He's very consistent and always gives his all, he loves being out in front and dictating and Jace allowed him to do just that today,' Johnson said. 'With Jace being part of the team now being able to use his 3kg claim is a big plus for us, especially on a difficult horse to place like him (Edited By) because he's crept up in the ratings very quickly. 'It makes trying to find the right race pretty hard but with Jace's claim we can put it to good use. It was the difference today there late.' Edited By ($12) scored by a long head at the finish ahead of a fast finishing Pure Alpha ($5) while Little Cointreau ($4.40) was a further neck away in third. Edited By's Saturday success followed a midweek double for McMurray after guiding the Freedman-trained Just Feelin' Lucky and Inside Man to victory at Canterbury on Wednesday. The latter of the two wins notched up a career milestone for McMurray as his 100th win in the saddle. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Godolphin to pick out winter options for Kerguelen Team Godolphin will temper their expectations with Kerguelen despite the four-year-old's impressive return to racing at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. The lightly raced son of Lonhro hadn't been seen at the races since last November but with two eye-catching trials under his belt, returned victorious under the urgings of Kerrin McEvoy. The gritty win, getting the better of Brave One over the concluding stages, extended Kerguelen's career record to three wins and three second from the six appearances. Godolphin stable representative Paul Reid said the stable would map out a winter schedule for the well-bred type. • Eagle Farm to host Super Saturday after Derby Day washout 'He looked like he was the first horse under pressure at the corner but he kept coming and battled away really well,' Reid said. 'The other horse (Brave One) had the inside run on us so it was a really good effort. 'I think for where he's at he's well suited in the winter with the wet tracks and James will just place him accordingly for now. 'To win first up with a bit of weight was a good effort.' Kerrin McEvoy, who claimed a Godolphin double after Zebra Finch landed the two-year-old event, said the gelding raced right up to his looks in the yard. 'Today was my first time on his back and he really took my eye in the parade,' McEvoy said. 'He's a nice horse and gave me a really good feel. He travelled like the winner during the race and to dig in first up at the 1200m like that was a good effort.'
News.com.au
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Talented apprentice Jace McMurray shows balance and poise to score an all-the-way win on Edited By at Rosehill
Boom young apprentice Jace McMurray enjoyed a moment to savour at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, booting home his first Sydney metropolitan Saturday winner aboard Edited By. Queenslander McMurray, 17, has been up and running in Sydney for about a month now and is quickly turning heads among the training ranks, exhibiting balance and poise well beyond his years. And those attributes were on full display when guiding Edited By to an all-the-way victory in the Ranvet Handicap Benchmark 78 (1500m) for his master Michael Freedman which doubled as his first career Rosehill Gardens triumph. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'I was swinging on him at the 600 metre mark and was just thinking when I let you go please don't stop,' an elated McMurray said post race. 'He was really tough to the line and gave me his all. One to remember.' Fighting off any number of challengers late, McMurray dropped the whip in the drive to the line but didn't panic, switching to hands and heels to get the job done in style. 'Little mistake there … Thankfully the post came up there in time and he kept responding for me,' McMurray added. Edited By's victory came after McMurray finished second aboard the Freedman-trained Codetta a race earlier. Stable representative Sophie Johnson was full of praise for McMurray's steady hand in returning Edited By to the winner's stall at a track he excels at. That's a super tough win to Edited By at Rosehill! 😮 @MFreedmanRacing | @aus_turf_club â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 31, 2025 • 'He's very consistent and always gives his all, he loves being out in front and dictating and Jace allowed him to do just that today,' Johnson said. 'With Jace being part of the team now being able to use his 3 kilo claim is a big plus for us, especially on a difficult horse to place like him (Edited By) because he's crept up in the ratings very quickly. 'It makes trying to find the right race pretty hard but with Jace's claim we can put it to good use. It was the difference today there late.' Edited By ($12) scored by a long head at the finish ahead of a fast finishing Pure Alpha ($5) while Little Cointreau ($4.40) was a further neck away in third. Edited By's Saturday success followed a midweek double for McMurray after guiding the Freedman-trained Just Feelin' Lucky and In side Man to victory at Canterbury on Wednesday. The latter of the two wins noticed up a career milestone for McMurray as his 100th win in the saddle. â– â– â– â– â– Team Godolphin will temper their expectations with Kerguelen despite the four-year-old's impressive return to racing at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. The lightly raced son of Lonhro hadn't been seen at the races since last November but with two eye-catching trials under his belt, returned victorious under the urgings of Kerrin McEvoy. The gritty win, getting the better of Brave One over the concluding stages, extended Kerguelen 's career record to three wins and three second from the six appearances. Godolphin stable representative Paul Reid said the stable would map out a winter schedule for the well-bred type who is making ever post a winner. Kerguelen gives @JamesCummings88 and @KPMcEvoy a Rosehill double! ðŸ'° @godolphin | @aus_turf_club â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 31, 2025 • Jockey concerns end Eagle Farm meeting, Group 1s postponed 'He looked like he was the first horse under pressure at the corner but he kept coming and battled away really well,' Reid said. 'The other horse (Brave One) had the inside run on us so it was a really good effort. 'I think for where he's at he's well suited in the winter with the wet tracks and James will just place him accordingly for now. 'To win first up with a bit of weight was a good effort.' Kerrin McEvoy, who claimed a Godolphin double after Zebra Finch landed the two-year-old event, said the gelding raced right up to his looks in the yard. 'Today was my first time on his back and he really took my eye in the parade,' McEvoy said. 'He's a nice horse and gave me a really good feel. He travelled like the winner during the race and to dig in first up at the 1200m like that was a good effort.'
News.com.au
30-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Apprentice jockey Jace McMurray grabbing the attention of trainers in NSW
Trainer Michael Freedman concedes it was only a matter of time before the secret started to get out. Freedman's new stable apprentice, Jace McMurray, is quickly establishing himself as one of the most talented young riders in Sydney racing and goes to Rosehill after a confidence-boost midweek double at Canterbury. 'Jace is a good, young rider, he's working hard, he wants to learn and is doing all the right things,'' Freedman said. 'I think he is starting to catch the attention of quite a few people now as he is a very good 3kg claiming option. 'Actually, my brother Lee (Hall of Fame trainer) rang me about a year ago and said I should keep an eye on this kid as he has a good future.'' Sky Thoroughbred Central presenter and former champion jockey Corey Brown has also been an admirer of McMurray's talents for some months and was instrumental in convincing the Queensland-based apprentice to move to Sydney and join the Freedman stable last month. McMurray is finding his feet in the cauldron of Sydney racing and his brace of midweek wins were for Freedman on Just Feelin Lucky and Inside Man. Therefore, it is no surprise Freedman has entrusted the emerging apprentice with his three stable rides at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. They include the underrated Spanish Fox who is aiming for his sixth win of the season and his fourth in the metropolitan area in the Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1200m). Spanish Fox struck a rich vein of form late last year winning five races in succession and his two comeback efforts this campaign indicate he is close to regaining top form. Freedman said Spanish Fox will strip fitter for Rosehill after his recent runs including a last-start third to Zealously over 1100m at the Scone stand-alone meeting two weeks ago. 'I was really happy with Spanish Fox at Scone,'' Freedman said. 'He had a bit of ring rust first-up as he had been off the scene a while but he came on nicely between his first and second runs. 'I think he has trained on again since then and this does look a nice race for him on Saturday.'' McMurray, who has a busy afternoon at Rosehill with eight rides, also partners the Freedman-trained Codetta who resumes in the Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1100m). Codetta was bred and is owned by Debbie Kepitis of Winx fame. The filly is a half-sister to the ill-fated three-time Group 1 winner Riff Rocket. Although Riff Rocket won the ATC Australian Derby and Victoria Derby double, Codetta is showing more brilliance and is very effective over sprint distances with two wins and two second placings from five starts this season. She is resuming off a four month spell and has had one barrier trial hitout when third at Randwick earlier this month. 'I have only given her the one barrier trial but she did have a jump out on the Polytrack over 800m last week,'' Freedman said. 'She's good to go. She's a nice, genuine filly and if the track is on the soft side, it won't worry her.'' Freedman and McMurray also combine with the tough Edited By in the Ranvet Handicap (1500m). This is where the apprentice's 3kg claim is crucial as he reduces Edited By's impost from 61kg to 58kg. 'Edited By has become an awkward horse to place because he has crept up in the ratings,'' Freedman said. 'I don't think he is quite up to (benchmark) 88 races so has had to carry big weights in these 78 races. 'But I thought we would go back to where he has won over 1500m at Rosehill before and see how he goes. Certainly, Jace's claim helps, too.'' Freedman, who prepared brilliant filly Marhoona to win the Golden Slipper earlier this autumn is chasing more big-race two-year-old success with unbeaten Aerodrome in the Group 2 $1m BRC Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm. Aerodrome defeated subsequent winner Hidden Motive on debut at Warwick Farm then wore down Hereward to win at Hawkesbury on a heavy track last start but Freedman is hoping Eagle Farm has a drier surface for the Sires. 'I think probably in the Clarendon Stakes at Hawkesbury while Aerodrome got the job done I don't think he was at home on heavy 8 as he has such a big, long stride on him,'' Freedman said. 'If he can get back onto a slightly firmer deck that would be more to his liking as well.''
