Latest news with #RyanMoore
The Guardian
14 hours ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Glorious Goodwood: Whirl dances through rain after messy flag start
There was nothing too glorious about a ragged flag start for the Group One Nassau Stakes on Thursday, but much to appreciate about the difference that a top-class jockey can make as Ryan Moore seized the initiative aboard Whirl, the 6-5 favourite, and ensured that Aidan O'Brien's filly was never seriously threatened on her way to a five-length success. Goodwood's officials were forced to use a flag start, a first for a Group One race in Britain, as there was lightning in the air, in the midst of a sustained downpour that also changed the going from good, good-to-firm in places to heavy in less than an hour, with none of the usual stopping-off points in between. It was an unfamiliar situation for the five riders in the day's feature event, and Moore was first to react as the starter dropped the flag, while See The Fire, the second-favourite, was slightly back on her heels for Oisin Murphy. Within a few strides, Whirl had grabbed a useful lead – three or four lengths over See The Fire, and at least half a dozen over her stable companion, Bedtime Story – and as Moore went through the gears from the two-furlong pole, his opponents were always struggling to land a blow. Whirl has now won two all-aged Group One events in a row after her narrow defeat by Minnie Hauk in the Oaks at Epsom in early June, and an increasingly live contender for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in early October. Kalpana, the current 13-2 favourite for the Arc with Paddy Power, was a length and a quarter behind Whirl in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh in June, and Whirl is now 8-1 (from 10-1) for Europe's showpiece event. 'Whirl just keeps doing what she says she is going to do,' Moore said. 'She has loads of ability, stays well, handles quick ground, handles slow ground. Aidan called her 'a racing machine' the last day. He keeps getting these horses to do different things and this filly keeps progressing. 'It is a shame it was the spectacle it was, but she won it very well. She has won two Group One races now against the girls. She will have to step up again against the boys, but she is progressing and Aidan's horses just keep turning up every time.' See The Fire, meanwhile, is now likely to head to the International Stakes at York next month, a race that was won by her sire, Sea The Stars, in 2009 and her dam, Arabian Queen, six years later. Whether Field Of Gold, the beaten 1-3 favourite in Wednesday's Sussex Stakes, also lines up for that race remains to be seen, however, as the three-year-old was reportedly lame on Thursday morning. 'We don't have the full picture yet, but he is lame on his left hind,' Barry Mahon, European racing manager for the Juddmonte operation, said on Thursday. 'Until we have the full picture we can't fully diagnose it, but the fact he is lame suggests that could potentially be why we didn't see the true horse that we know yesterday.' Earlier on Thursday's card, Merchant followed up his handicap success at the Royal meeting in June with a narrow victory in the Group Three Gordon Stakes, a contest that is often a trial for the St Leger. Merchant is quoted at around 10-1 for the final Classic after edging out Wimbledon Hawkeye by a nose, but William Haggas, his trainer, has yet to commit the three-year-old to the race. 'My gut feeling is no because I don't think it did [the 2023 Gordon Stakes winner] Desert Hero much good long-term,' Haggas said. 'We had planned to go to the Voltigeur [at York in August] with Merchant, but he has had a race today and will need at least 10 days going very quietly before we decide what to do.' The King George Stakes, Glorious Goodwood's traditional test of pure speed, will be more of a slog after the downpour here on Thursday, but the Australian-trained favourite, Asfoora (3.05), has several soft-ground wins on her record and looks fairly priced at around 2-1 to improve on her close second in this race last year. Asfoora was touched off by Mick Appleby's Big Evs last year and another three-year-old from the same yard, Big Mojo, is the likely second-favourite on Friday after a strong run into second behind the shock winner No Half Measures in the July Cup last time out. A potentially vital difference, however, is that Asfoora shouldered 6lb penalty last year following her win in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot. Henry Dwyer's mare went to the same race this year without the benefit of a prep run, finishing a creditable fifth in the circumstances. She goes to post on Friday without a penalty and looks sure to improve for the run. Goodwood 1.20 Christophe Soumillon is an eye-catching booking for Charlie Johnston's Align The Stars, a winner at this meeting 12 months ago. He looked a little one-paced over 14 furlongs at Newmarket last time but had previously run well to finish seventh in the Ascot Stakes so this return to a marathon trip at a track he clearly enjoys could be just what he needs. Goodwood 1.55 A disappointing sixth behind Field Of Gold in the Craven Stakes in April remains the only blot on Opera Ballo's record and he posted another career-best when beating Seagulls Eleven – who reopposes today – at Newmarket's July Festival last time. This step back up to Group Three company looks an obvious next step on the way to even better things. Goodwood 2.30 While the last two renewals of this handicap have gone to horses from high-numbered stalls, a low draw is always a significant advantage over this track and trip and Oisin Murphy has an ideal pitch in stall two on Greek Order. Michael Bell's gelding was in front half a furlong out in the Royal Hunt Cup and this switch to a sharper mile should suit. Goodwood 1.20 Align The Stars 1.55 Opera Ballo 2.30 Greek Order (nap) 3.05 Asfoora (nb) 3.45 Haunted Dream 4.20 Golden Brown 4.55 Push The Limit Newcastle 2.05 Balqaa 2.40 Weddell Sea 3.15 Territorial Star 3.53 Willingly 4.30 Tanjen 5.07 Highfield Viking Southwell 2.15 Sir Benedict 2.50 Byblos 3.25 Ocean Odyssey 4.05 Mark's Choice 4.40 Mercurius Power 5.15 Houdini Miss 5.50 Haazeez Musselburgh 5.37 Wadacre Giorgio 6.10 Blooming Legend 6.45 Koffee And Kale 7.18 Curious Rover 7.48 Due Respect 8.20 8.50 Newmarket 5.45 Beckford's Folly 6.20 Holbache 6.55 Walson's Law 7.27 Hot Flame 7.57 Inlet 8.30 Dashing Roger Bath 5.55 I Can Imagine 6.30 Moe's Legacy 7.05 Simplify 7.35 Neptune Legend 8.05 Launceston 8.35 Orchestral Wave Goodwood 3.45 A tricky conditions event where the consistent Haunted Dream, last year's winner, makes most appeal. Hamad al Jehani's globe-trotting gelding has a definite liking for this track, having also finished a close second in a handicap at this meeting two years ago, and a repeat of his form behind the useful Shin Emperor in a Group Two in Saudi Arabia in February would probably suffice.
Scottish Sun
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘We've never seen this before' – ITV Racing presenters stunned by 'embarrassing' flag start at Goodwood races
You may never see the likes again JUST FLAGGING 'We've never seen this before' – ITV Racing presenters stunned by 'embarrassing' flag start at Goodwood races Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ITV Racing hosts were left stunned and admitted 'we've never seen this before' after a flag start was used for the feature Group 1 at Glorious Goodwood. Punters branded the start to the mega-money Nassau Stakes 'absolutely embarrassing'. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 The starting stalls were not used for the Group 1 Flat race - something the ITV team and jockey Ryan Moore had never seen before 3 The starting stalls just sat unused in the background for the feature Group 1 on day three of Glorious Goodwood 3 Biblical rain hit the track but it was thunder and lightning that forced the flag start Credit: Getty The Sussex track was helpless amid a torrential 25mm downpour on the third day of their Glorious festival. But it was the thunder and lightning overhead that sparked a very unusual start to the 1m2f contest for fillies. In Flat races, horses always break from the starting stalls. But the dangerous weather meant they couldn't use them here, with a flag start - like the ones seen in jumps racing - having to be employed. The ITV hosts including Ed Chamberlin and Sun Racing's Matt Chapman said they had never seen a flag start used for a Group 1 - the top-tier level of races. It didn't stop winner Whirl, though, who thrived in the mud for winning trainer Aidan O'Brien and drenched jockey Ryan Moore. But even the globetrotting rider said he had never raced in a Group 1 from a flag start before. There was nothing in the stewards' report about the rarely seen move but Chamberlin declared on the main channel: "We've never seen this before." Officials were given no choice but to resort to the flag given the weather. But punters thought the race - which saw Whirl win over £340,000 for her owners Coolmore - should have been delayed to ensure a proper start. One viewer wrote on X: "A flag start in a Group 1 is absolutely embarrassing. Unacceptable. "Delay or abandon. You can't start Group 1 races that affect the breed like it's a 3-mile chase at Haydock." 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
15 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘We've never seen this before' – ITV Racing presenters stunned by 'embarrassing' flag start at Goodwood races
ITV Racing hosts were left stunned and admitted 'we've never seen this before' after a flag start was used for the feature Group 1 at Glorious Goodwood. Punters branded the start to the mega-money Nassau Stakes 'absolutely embarrassing'. Advertisement 2 The starting stalls were not used for the Group 1 Flat race - something the ITV team and jockey Ryan Moore had never seen before 2 Biblical rain hit the track but it was thunder and lightning that forced the flag start Credit: Getty The Sussex track was helpless amid a torrential 25mm downpour on the third day of their Glorious festival. But it was the thunder and lightning overhead that sparked a very unusual start to the 1m2f contest for fillies. In Flat races, horses always break from the starting stalls. But the dangerous weather meant they couldn't use them here, with a flag start - like the ones seen in jumps racing - having to be employed. Advertisement The ITV hosts including Ed Chamberlin and Sun Racing's Matt Chapman said they had never seen a flag start used for a Group 1 - the top-tier level of races. It didn't stop winner Whirl, though, who thrived in the mud for winning trainer Aidan O'Brien and drenched jockey Ryan Moore. But even the globetrotting rider said he had never raced in a Group 1 from a flag start before. There was nothing in the stewards' report about the rarely seen move but Chamberlin declared on the main channel: "We've never seen this before." Advertisement Most read in Horse Racing Officials were given no choice but to resort to the flag given the weather. But punters thought the race - which saw Whirl win over £340,000 for her owners Coolmore - should have been delayed to ensure a proper start. One viewer wrote on X: "A flag start in a Group 1 is absolutely embarrassing. Unacceptable. "Delay or abandon. You can't start Group 1 races that affect the breed like it's a 3-mile chase at Haydock." Advertisement 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
William Haggas has smuggled a Group horse into a handicap and I suspect he will take all the beating at Goodwood
TACTICS can be everything in sport. But when you rely on tactics they can, of course, always go wrong. That was very much the case for Ballydoyle in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot last weekend. 1 Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien made a rare mistake and got it wrong in the King George - but they can rebound in style in the Nassau with Whirl Credit: Sportsfile Jan Brueghel and Continuous had a nightmare. But on Thursday at Glorious Goodwood surely it's simple what Ryan Moore should do in the feature Group 1 Qatar Nassau Stakes, live on ITV. Runner-up in the Oaks, and a horse that might have won that race on another day, WHIRL then made all to defeat King George runner-up Kalpana in the Group 1 Pretty Polly at the Curragh. This afternoon on paper the only pace pressure is Running Lion, and even if she decides to go on Whirl can sit second and is a much better horse getting 9lb! It all looks simple to me, even though the opposition includes the useful See the Fire (third in the Prince of Wales's to Ombudsman) and Coronation Stakes-winning roughie Cercene. Hopefully Whirl makes all the running, or nearly all! Day three of Glorious Goodwood on telly starts with a handicap for three-year-olds over 1m2f. William Haggas looks to have a live one here in HIGH DEGREE and I suspect he will take all the beating. Most read in Horse Racing Of course the big negative is the draw - there is not a single rider who would want stall 18. But Tom Marquand is class and I just hope he conjures up a passage for the son of Too Darn Hot who lost his maiden tag at Ffos Las last time in a tight finish. I suspect this could be a Group horse in a handicap. Up in class for the Group 2 Richmond Stakes over 6f next. AZIZAM was drawn miles away from winner and reposing Havana Hurricane in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot and he looked like the animal gagging for this extra furlong when finishing strongly in third. My hope has been off the track since then and lacks a bit of match practise but the odds are decent and he really should have strong eachway claims for Karl Burke and Sam James. The Group 3 Gordon Stakes is for three-year-olds over 1m4f. MERCHANT will be a banker for many after his Royal Ascot romp in the King George V Stakes. Haggas will be thinking he's got a right St Leger hope on his hands and I so no reason why he can't be another for Marquand. Remember he was drawn in stall 20 at Ascot and still won. The trainer won this with Desert Hero before he finished third in the Leger. Finally, a handicap for more three-year-olds over 5f. RUBY'S PROFIT has been dropped 1lb for a couple of defeats even though she ran crackers at both Epsom and Royal Ascot. Prior to those two efforts the Jamie Insole runner had scored well at this course and the draw is great in stall eight. Hopefully out, away and gone and very hard to kick out the frame at the very least. Come on Kieran Shoemark. Good luck! 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
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
William Haggas has smuggled a Group horse into a handicap and I suspect he will take all the beating at Goodwood
Ryan Moore can land the big one for Aidan O'Brien MATT CHAPMAN William Haggas has smuggled a Group horse into a handicap and I suspect he will take all the beating at Goodwood Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TACTICS can be everything in sport. But when you rely on tactics they can, of course, always go wrong. That was very much the case for Ballydoyle in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot last weekend. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien made a rare mistake and got it wrong in the King George - but they can rebound in style in the Nassau with Whirl Credit: Sportsfile Jan Brueghel and Continuous had a nightmare. But on Thursday at Glorious Goodwood surely it's simple what Ryan Moore should do in the feature Group 1 Qatar Nassau Stakes, live on ITV. Runner-up in the Oaks, and a horse that might have won that race on another day, WHIRL then made all to defeat King George runner-up Kalpana in the Group 1 Pretty Polly at the Curragh. This afternoon on paper the only pace pressure is Running Lion, and even if she decides to go on Whirl can sit second and is a much better horse getting 9lb! It all looks simple to me, even though the opposition includes the useful See the Fire (third in the Prince of Wales's to Ombudsman) and Coronation Stakes-winning roughie Cercene. Hopefully Whirl makes all the running, or nearly all! Day three of Glorious Goodwood on telly starts with a handicap for three-year-olds over 1m2f. William Haggas looks to have a live one here in HIGH DEGREE and I suspect he will take all the beating. Of course the big negative is the draw - there is not a single rider who would want stall 18. But Tom Marquand is class and I just hope he conjures up a passage for the son of Too Darn Hot who lost his maiden tag at Ffos Las last time in a tight finish. I suspect this could be a Group horse in a handicap. Up in class for the Group 2 Richmond Stakes over 6f next. AZIZAM was drawn miles away from winner and reposing Havana Hurricane in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot and he looked like the animal gagging for this extra furlong when finishing strongly in third. My hope has been off the track since then and lacks a bit of match practise but the odds are decent and he really should have strong eachway claims for Karl Burke and Sam James. The Group 3 Gordon Stakes is for three-year-olds over 1m4f. MERCHANT will be a banker for many after his Royal Ascot romp in the King George V Stakes. Haggas will be thinking he's got a right St Leger hope on his hands and I so no reason why he can't be another for Marquand. Remember he was drawn in stall 20 at Ascot and still won. The trainer won this with Desert Hero before he finished third in the Leger. Finally, a handicap for more three-year-olds over 5f. RUBY'S PROFIT has been dropped 1lb for a couple of defeats even though she ran crackers at both Epsom and Royal Ascot. Prior to those two efforts the Jamie Insole runner had scored well at this course and the draw is great in stall eight. Hopefully out, away and gone and very hard to kick out the frame at the very least. Come on Kieran Shoemark. Good luck! 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.
