Latest news with #RoyalAscot-winning
Irish Daily Mirror
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Irish jockey slapped with 14-day ban and huge fine after winning at Royal Ascot
A Royal Ascot-winning jockey will be notably absent for his upcoming date with surprise Coronation Stakes champion Cercene. Gary Carroll achieved his first Group 1 triumph when he guided 33-1 outsider Cercene to victory in the prestigious 1m race for three-year-old fillies at the Royal meet, beating the heavily backed favourite Zarigana. The win also realised a lifelong ambition for Co Tipperary-based trainer Joseph G Murphy, who had yet to claim a Group 1 trophy in 50 years of holding a licence. Carroll said on the day: "This is unbelievable. I have been riding a long time now and been placed in plenty of Group One races. This is my first one and, if I was ever to ride a Group One winner, I wanted it to be for Joe Murphy. "I have been riding for him since I was a 7lb claimer and he has been very good to me. I am delighted I can repay him. "Cercene ran a blinder at the Curragh, where the slow pace didn't suit. We went a bit better gallop there today. She got to the front a furlong and a half out and she waited. "Then the French horse came and headed me. To be fair to this one, she is not big, but she is very tough and stuck her head out for me. "This is hugely satisfying. Group One races are so hard to come by, and good horses are very hard to come by. To do this at Royal Ascot is magic." Murphy has big plans for the victorious filly Cercene, including entering her for the lucrative £426,000 Juddmonte Irish Oaks at the Curragh, with an eye on the Breeders' Cup later on in the year. But Carroll could miss out on the Irish Oaks set for July 19 unless he wins his appeal against a suspension for using his whip above the accepted level, reports the Mirror. Carroll's case was escalated to the BHA's Whip Review Committee following his conduct at the Coronation Stakes, where they handed him both a suspension and a financial penalty. The report from the Committee said: "Gary Carroll, the rider of the winner Cercene (IRE), was found to have used his whip twice above the permitted level of six from approximately two furlongs out. "Taking into account that this was a Class 1 race, the penalty in respect of the above permitted level was doubled. Therefore, he will be suspended for 14 days from Tuesday 08 – Monday 21 July 2025, inclusive and fined £5,800."
Daily Mirror
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Royal Ascot winner set to miss Classic date after getting whip ban and fine
Jockey Gary Carroll will not be able to ride surprise Coronation Stakes winner Cercene if connections go ahead with plans to supplement her for the Irish Oaks A Royal Ascot-winning jockey is set to miss a huge next date with surprise Coronation Stakes winner Cercene. Gary Carroll registered his first success at Group 1 level when Cercene pulled off a 33-1 shock in the royal meeting's top level 1m race for three-year-old fillies by defeating hot favourite Zarigana. The victory also fulfilled a lifetime goal for the Co Tipperary trainer Joseph G Murphy who had never saddled a Group 1 winner during 50 years with a licence. Carroll said on the day: 'This is unbelievable. I have been riding a long time now and been placed in plenty of Group One races. This is my first one and, if I was ever to ride a Group One winner, I wanted it to be for Joe Murphy. 'I have been riding for him since I was a 7lb claimer and he has been very good to me. I am delighted I can repay him. 'Cercene ran a blinder at the Curragh, where the slow pace didn't suit. We went a bit better gallop there today. She got to the front a furlong and a half out and she waited. Then the French horse came and headed me. To be fair to this one, she is not big, but she is very tough and stuck her head out for me. 'This is hugely satisfying. Group One races are so hard to come by, and good horses are very hard to come by. To do this at Royal Ascot is magic.' Since Cercene's victory Murphy has outlined an ambitious programme for the filly, including supplementing her for the £426,000 Juddmonte Irish Oaks at the Curragh. The Breeders' Cup could also feature on her programme at the end of the year. However, unless he mounts a successful appeal, Carroll would have to sit out the Irish Oaks on July 19 after picking up a whip ban. He was referred to the BHA's Whip Review Committee after the Coronation Stakes and that panel issued Carroll with a ban and fine. The Committee's report said: 'Gary Carroll, the rider of the winner Cercene (IRE), was found to have used his whip twice above the permitted level of six from approximately two furlongs out. 'Taking into account that this was a Class 1 race, the penalty in respect of the above permitted level was doubled. Therefore, he will be suspended for 14 days from Tuesday 08 – Monday 21 July 2025, inclusive and fined £5,800.'
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Royal Ascot update on horse that failed to finish after fans feared the worst
Betty Clover was pulled up by Will Buick in the Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot. Trainer Eve Johnson Houghton has since issued an update about the stable favourite A Royal Ascot-winning handler has given an update on a horse that failed to finish a race at the prestigious meeting. Many fans of the sport were concerned for Betty Clover when the Eve Johnson Houghton-trained hope dramatically dropped out of the TV picture during coverage of the Sandringham Stakes on Friday. Positioned in the near-side group, the grey had completed over half of the mile journey when she came under pressure. Jockey William Buick noticed Betty Clover was not striding out properly and acted quickly to pull her up on the course. Vets were on hand and the two-time winner was able to leave the track for further assessment. READ MORE:"I was going mental!' says Royal Ascot small stakes punter who turned £10 into £14,000 Trainer Eve Johnson Houghton has since told Mirror Racing that her horse has shown positive signs and is expected to make a full recovery. "Luckily she walked away sound and seems fine this morning," she said. "The vet has checked her over. She will have another thorough check over early next week, but fingers crossed she is OK. Thanks to the great veterinary care and my staff at the racecourse." The handler, who took the Windsor Castle stakes with Charlie Bishop-ridden Havana Hurricane on Wednesday, also posted a picture on X of Betty Clover enjoying a pick of grass. Johnson Houghton has previously said how attached she is to the daughter of Time Test, as she bred her from an unraced mare called Reprieval. After preparing her for a racing career on gallops in Oxfordshire, the trainer cried tears of joy when Betty Clover debuted successfully at Bath in April 2024 and took the Listed Clipper EBF Marygate Fillies' Stakes at York a month later. Watching from Newbury, she said: 'That was amazing! I think everyone here knows I won with her! 'I bred her and I'm so wildly excited, I just can't believe it." The positive update from Ascot comes after Richard Hannon was left "absolutely heartbroken" by the death of Harry's Girl in the Queen Mary Stakes. Sean Levey stopped her just seconds into Wednesday's five furlong juvenile event and the devastated handler posted a tribute on social media. "She was a lovely filly with a fantastic character," he said. "Our sympathies go out to everyone that looked after her and loved her at home, and of course to her owners."
Arab News
29-03-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Ed Bethell targeting international glory with Regional in Al-Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night
LONDON: Royal Ascot-winning trainer Ed Bethell is set to chase his first international Group 1 victory as his star sprinter Regional lines up for the Al-Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night next weekend. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Within just four years of earning his trainer's license, Bethell has already made a name for himself on the British racing scene, securing a Group 1 victory in the Haydock Sprint Cup with Regional and a Royal Ascot win in the Britannia Stakes with Mickley. He was also on the verge of another major triumph when Point Lynas crossed the line first at the York Ebor Festival, only to lose the race following a stewards' inquiry. Now, Bethell is looking to extend his success beyond British shores, with Regional primed for the prestigious six-furlong sprint at Meydan Racecourse next Saturday. Regional has been a revelation under Bethell's training since being bought as a horse-in-training for just 3,500 guineas ($4,750) at Tattersalls. Since then, he has finished in the prize money in 16 of his 17 starts for Bethell and his owners, amassing over £575,000 ($744,000) in earnings. His resume includes a Group 1 win at Haydock and a runner-up finish in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2024. Speaking to Great British Racing International, Bethell expressed his admiration for the sprinter and his confidence heading into Dubai. 'Regional is incredibly special. Any horse to win you a Group 1 is special, but I guess it's a rags-to-riches story, and I probably will never find another like him. He had a big break, and his work has been really good coming into this race. He has been absolutely great,' Bethell said. The 31-year-old trainer is no stranger to the Al-Quoz Sprint, having previously had Moss Gill contest the race in 2021, though COVID-19 restrictions prevented him from attending. This time, he hopes to be trackside for what could be a career-defining moment, adding: 'Hopefully, it will be a great experience.' Bethell, who trains from his base in Yorkshire, has enjoyed a rapid rise through the British training ranks. His 20 percent strike rate on turf in 2024 has caught the attention of leading owners across the globe, with backing from the the US, Asia, and the Middle East. With Regional set to take on some of the world's fastest turf sprinters in Dubai, a strong performance on World Cup night could further cement Bethell's status as one of Britain's rising training stars. Reflecting on his progress since taking out his license, Bethell said: 'We have improved year-on-year. Our facilities and our team are bigger and better than ever. It's exciting, but we want to continue to improve and get better.'
