Latest news with #Oaks-Derby
The Star
a day ago
- Sport
- The Star
Horse racing-Lambourn wins Epsom Derby for O'Brien
Horse Racing - The Epsom Derby - Epsom Downs Racecourse, Surrey, Britain - June 7, 2025 Wayne Lordan riding Lambourn on his way to winning the 15:30 Betfred Derby Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs EPSOM, England (Reuters) -Front-running Lambourn roared to victory in the 246th running of the Epsom Derby on Saturday, a record-extending 11th win in the race for trainer Aidan O'Brien. Lambourn, who went into the race at 13-2, set a blistering gallop under jockey Wayne Lordan to beat the Charlie Johnston-trained Lazy Griff into second place. The win marked an Oaks-Derby double for O'Brien after Minnie Hauk battled to victory in the fillies' Classic on Friday, relegating previously unbeaten favourite Desert Flower into third. Chester Vase winner Lambourn was not the most fancied of O'Brien's runners in the race but favourite Delacroix, under jockey Ryan Moore, and The Lion In Winter were unable to make an impression in the running. Tennessee Stud, a 28-1 shot, finished in third. (Reporting by Virginia Furness; editing by Clare Fallon)
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Airdrie Stud: The crossroads of Kentucky politics and horseracing
MIDWAY, Ky. (FOX 56) — It should come as no surprise that Kentucky's political history has overlapped with the horse business. 'It's an amazing thing to get to do for a living,' Bret Jones told FOX 56. Spread over 2,500 acres off Old Frankfort Pike is Airdrie Stud, launched in 1972 by a West Virginia man Kentucky would soon know as Governor Brereton Jones. Jockey-trainer duo reflects on pulling off Oaks-Derby sweep 'So long before politics, it was that love of horses that really got pop excited,' Jones' son Bret, who now oversees the breeding farm, said. 'Every Saturday, Dad would watch almost every race where any of our horses that we raised or even were loosely associated with were running. He was absolutely so passionate about the business, so passionate about Airdrie.' Airdrie is home to about 130 mares and 10 stallions, including Mage, the Derby winner of 2023. That was a transformative year for both the farm and the Jones family. 'The deal was signed the day after Dad's passing. So that was a very, very emotional time. But that really was a wonderful moment within those very tough moments to be able to secure the first Kentucky Derby winner in the history of the farm,' Jones said. Mage, now in his second career, lives the good life as a breeding stallion. 'Very, very charismatic, he honestly acts like a Kentucky Derby winner. Your camera is not bothering him in the slightest,' Jones said of the champion horse. For now, Mage is the only Derby winner on the property; however, there will be two horses running for the roses this year that took their first steps on this farm: Chunk of Gold and Publisher, the latter Jones stayed on as owner. And whose family still resides in one of the farm's pastures. 'So her big brother will be in the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby,' Jones said as he introduced a young mare still kept under the watchful eye of its mother, Indian Pride. Jones hopes to one day run Publisher's little sister in the Kentucky Oaks. Airdrie has already raised 3 Oaks winners. 'He's fast, and let's hope she's even faster,' he said. 1 in critical condition after crash at Man o' War Blvd and Blazer Pkwy Acting police chief, other officials resign amid deadly London shooting investigation Lexington man arrested after being indicted for allegedly promoting human trafficking Jones said Publisher may be a long shot on the board, but should he cross the wire, Jones' eyes won't just be on the celebration below, he'll be thinking of his dad up above. 'It'll hit us all right in the face if one of those gets there first, it will be my very first thought, and it'll cross my mind about a million times thereafter,' he said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
A first-timer's dream: The fashion, fun and flair of the Kentucky Oaks
The sights, the sounds, and—of course—the fashion made for an unforgettable experience at this year's Kentucky Oaks. Especially for first-timers, stepping into what many call 'the pinkest place on Earth' is nothing short of magical. This year marked the 151st running of the Kentucky Oaks, the celebrated prelude to Derby Day. Churchill Downs was bursting with energy as hundreds of thousands of racegoers arrived dressed in every possible shade of pink. Among those soaking in the occasion were Brandi Cordill and Katherine Bruce Cordill, a first-time Oaks attendee, who were quick to embrace the spirit. RELATED l Jockey-trainer duo reflects on pulling off Oaks-Derby sweep 'I'm a high school librarian, so I hit up all my little homecoming girls—we bought these hats from my kids, so good job, kids,' Cordill said. 'Just gotta bring the fun factor, so I figured if I can wear this—this is the only place I could probably wear this dress, so I mean, why not?' added Bruce. For others, the experience was about more than just the fashion—it was personal. Stephanie Laugeni shared that her family has a special connection to this year's event. 'My brother and his best friend invested in a horse this year with the trainer, Kenny,' she explained. 'So we wanted to go and see what it was all about—scope it out in hopes that they will hopefully be here with their horse next year.' Kayla Zamkov, another first-timer, said the crowd's energy was part of what made the day so memorable. 'It's been really fun, definitely. We got here really early, and I feel like since then, the crowd just started to roll in. But I love seeing everyone in their pink—it's very festive.' For seasoned attendees like Natasha Taylor, the magic hasn't worn off. She remembers her first Oaks vividly. 'It was life-changing. It was something I have to do every year—no matter how much it costs—I'm there,' Taylor said. 'I love seeing everybody across the world—seeing how beautiful Kentucky is.' And of course, what's the Kentucky Oaks without a nod to fashion? Many attendees bring their best looks to the Downs, regardless of the weather. Lexington man arrested after being indicted for allegedly promoting human trafficking Search underway in Glasgow for missing teen Chicago man arrested after multi-agency investigation allegedly finds 34 pounds of illegal drugs, $9K in cash at Lexington residence 'My daughter's a local famous artist—Twiggy Originals,' said Les Terwilleger. 'She does custom jackets for her husband, my son-in-law, and me for derby week. And she just keeps rocking us with great art, so I love to wear it—even though it's hotter than heck out—I don't care.' From first-timers to seasoned pros, one thing is clear: the Kentucky Oaks is more than just a race—it's an experience unlike any other. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jockey-trainer duo reflects on pulling off Oaks-Derby sweep
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) — Winning the Kentucky Derby is one of the most difficult feats in all of sports, let alone horse racing. Even more rare is winning both the Derby and the Oaks, but there is one duo that made that happen. 'I mean, going into last year, we went into both of those races really optimistic, thinking we had a really, really big chance,' said jockey Brian Hernandez. A chance that, after an Oaks Day win, turned into a shot at history the very next day. 'That was probably the longest two minutes in sports in my life is what I've always told everyone, you know, because I've ridden quite a few Derbies in the past, and I've always kind of thought that if you get to the eighth pole in front in the Kentucky Derby, horses don't really surge late. And when those two horses surged at us the last few jumps and we weren't certain,' said Hernandez. RELATED l Kenny McPeek eyes another 'McDouble' Oaks, Derby sweep this year One of the most dramatic finishes in Derby history, fitting for a historic achievement with a photo finish in the Derby, and pulling off an Oaks-Derby double. 'Before that year, it had only been done eight times. So, to be able to be the ninth jockey to do it, it was an incredible feat, and we were just so proud of both horses, to step up and be the best horse on the right day,' Hernandez said. Joining Hernandez in rarified air is trainer Kenny McPeek, a man who spends countless hours getting horses ready to race and one who has had several close calls in the past. 'These are races that I had been kind of around the bullseye on. I had run well in the Oaks, had been second three times, which was a little frustrating, but I really went into the Oaks expecting to win. Thorpedo Anna, from the beginning, been such a high-level talent,' said McPeek. 'The Derby was a race that I thought, and I knew that I was going to need to have a bit of racing luck and, fortunately, we got a great ride from Brian, and we were able to pull the double off.' Something that takes true teamwork to pull off. 'We've kind of grown to learn and to trust one another, and that's the fortunate thing: when I ride for Kenny, he goes out there and legs me up and just lets me do my own thing,' Hernandez said. 'We keep it real simple. We work hard to try to figure out whatever talent level horses we get and where they settle into, and Brian's a big part of the team,' McPeek added. A dynamic duo that is ready to repeat. Born to race: The Ortiz brothers reflect on their careers ahead of 151st Kentucky Derby Honoring the forgotten fillies: Derby mint juleps support retired mares at Our Mims Haven Jockey-trainer duo reflects on pulling off Oaks-Derby sweep 'I'm not going to tell you anything complicated. You get a good horse, you keep him in a good routine, you get him eating well, you get him happy, they run well,' McPeek said. FOX 56 reporter Vasi Prokos asked Hernandez, 'Do you think you can win both the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby again this year?' 'We're going in there with big chances. The nice thing about it is, I know I'm going in there with two really nice horses and a lot of confidence, said Hernandez. And when it comes to big races, McPeek stays true to his winning ways. 'I don't take pre-race photos. I believe you save all your photo energy and photo mojo for the winner's circle, and so when somebody asks, 'hey, can we get a picture before the race?' I'm like, 'No, no, no, no.'' McPeek said. FOX 56 reporter Vasi Prokos asked McPeek, 'What do you think about the saying sweep, like McPeek? Have you heard that?' 'I haven't that one, no, but they call it the McDouble,' laughed McPeek. Hernandez simply calls it a moment he and his family will never forget. 'It's history-making. So, it's, you know, you're proud of the accomplishments, but I think I was more proud of the horses. And, you know, it's something that we're going to be able to look forward to the rest of our lives and my kids as well, you know, it's something that they can brag about,' added Hernandez. What horses are running in the Kentucky Oaks? Here's the latest on post positions, odds Honoring the forgotten fillies: Derby mint juleps support retired mares at Our Mims Haven Creating the Garland of Lilies for Kentucky Oaks winner draws crowd at Middletown Kroger As for Derby 151, the excitement continues to build for both Hernandez and McPeek. The duo will partner up again with Take Charge Milady, hoping to win the Oaks again this year. Hernandez will be running in this year's Derby as well, but not with McPeek. He and trainer Ian Wilkes are hoping to ride the momentum of Burnham Square's win at the Blue Grass Stakes into the Derby. Kenny McPeek will train Render Judgment, the horse of the late Toby Keith. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
