Latest news with #Starman
Glasgow Times
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
‘Very, very useful' Venetian Sun could be Albany bound
That Royal Ascot contest over six furlongs is now her target after winning the British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes, which had £40,000 on offer. Owned by Brighton supremo Tony Bloom and Ian McAleavy, Venetian Sun (1-2) is a Starman filly who cost 240,000 guineas at the sales and won by one and a half lengths from a previous winner. The winner was introduced at 12-1 for the Albany by Betfair and Paddy Power. 'The bookmakers aren't doing me any favours, any two-year-old we run is odds-on!' Burke told Racing TV. 'She probably deserved to be odds-on, she's a beautiful filly, has worked very well and that's the first time she's been off the bridle, so there's loads of improvement in her. 'If she goes to Royal Ascot, it will be the Albany I would think, she's a real six-furlong filly. 'To be fair to Cliff (Lee), he gave her a lovely ride, he said he ended up hitting the front too soon because he didn't think she was going to do anything too quickly as it was just greenness, she'll learn loads from that. 'She lengthened but then Cliff thought she was just dossing a bit in front and then pulling up, she had a big gasp, so there's plenty of improvement. 'I would say it was a very good race for the grade – and for £40,000, so it should be. 'I would say she's very, very useful.'
South Wales Guardian
19-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
‘Very, very useful' Venetian Sun could be Albany bound
That Royal Ascot contest over six furlongs is now her target after winning the British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes, which had £40,000 on offer. Owned by Brighton supremo Tony Bloom and Ian McAleavy, Venetian Sun (1-2) is a Starman filly who cost 240,000 guineas at the sales and won by one and a half lengths from a previous winner. The winner was introduced at 12-1 for the Albany by Betfair and Paddy Power. 'The bookmakers aren't doing me any favours, any two-year-old we run is odds-on!' Burke told Racing TV. 'She probably deserved to be odds-on, she's a beautiful filly, has worked very well and that's the first time she's been off the bridle, so there's loads of improvement in her. 'If she goes to Royal Ascot, it will be the Albany I would think, she's a real six-furlong filly. 'To be fair to Cliff (Lee), he gave her a lovely ride, he said he ended up hitting the front too soon because he didn't think she was going to do anything too quickly as it was just greenness, she'll learn loads from that. 'She lengthened but then Cliff thought she was just dossing a bit in front and then pulling up, she had a big gasp, so there's plenty of improvement. 'I would say it was a very good race for the grade – and for £40,000, so it should be. 'I would say she's very, very useful.'
Edinburgh Reporter
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Hibs Trigger Martin Boyle Contract Extension
Hibs have triggered the one-year extension clause in Martin Boyle's contract – keeping him at the club until the end of the 2025/26 campaign. The Socceroo has scored 98 goals for the Club across the best part of 11 seasons – totalling 361 appearances to date. The 32-year-old first joined the Club on loan in 2015 before his move was made permanent later that year. Since then, the 'Starman' has had many iconic moments in Hibs green and white – playing his part in the Scottish Cup 2016 triumph, before helping Hibs gain promotion back to the Premiership the following season. Boyle has gone from strength-to-strength ever since, with memorable moments in the Edinburgh Derby and against both of the Old Firm. This season, the forward has had another standout campaign – registering 29 goal contributions (19 goals and 10 assists) – his best return in front of goal for Hibs. On triggering Boyle's contract extension, Hibs head coach David Gray said: 'We're delighted to extend Martin's contract, and this decision makes complete sense for the Football Club. 'Boyler has been an outstanding servant to Hibernian FC and his contribution on the field has been demonstrated yet again this season with his invaluable goals and assists. Not only that, he has also stepped into the role of Captain in Joe's absence and has demonstrated his leadership qualities with extra responsibility. 'Having played with him and coached him, he is the type of player that knows exactly what it means to play for Hibernian FC, and he will be a real asset for us next year.' Hibs Sporting Director, Malky Mackay added: 'Martin has had an excellent campaign in front of goal, and he has played a key role in helping the Club achieve European football for next season. 'He's an influential member of the dressing room and has grown as a leader this season with the added responsibility of being vice-captain. Martin's got a long affiliation with the Club – his wife is the Captain of the Women's Team – and he has a young family here too, so the extension made perfect sense for all parties involved. 'We're looking to the future, having Martin as part of next year's squad, as we enter an exciting time for the Football Club.' Like this: Like Related
Scotsman
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Hibs favourite secures Easter Road extension
Top scorer Boyle had options in Australia and beyond - but is staying put Sign up to our Hibs football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Martin Boyle will be back as a Hibs player next season - after the Easter Road club triggered a one-year extension clause in the fan favourite's contract. And gaffer David Gray says getting the deal done to keep Boyle on board 'makes complete sense' for all parties involved. Boyle has put together his best ever goal-scoring campaign despite injury problems this season, leaving him just two short of a century for the club he's served so well. He'll now enter the new campaign with his status as an iconic Hibee intact, with his performances as stand-in skipper in place of crocked club captain Joe Newell a major factor in Gray's men securing third place in the Scottish Premiership with a game to spare. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In a statement released just moments ago, Hibs fans were told: 'We are excited to announce that the club have triggered the one-year extension clause in Martin Boyle's contract – keeping him at Hibernian FC until the end of the 2025/26 campaign! A modern-day Hibs legend, Boyle has scored 98 goals for the club across the best part of 11 seasons – totalling 361 appearances to date. 'The 32-year-old first joined the club on loan in 2015 before his move was made permanent later that year. Since then, the 'Starman' has had many iconic moments in Hibs green and white – playing his part in the Scottish Cup 2016 triumph, before helping Hibs gain promotion back to the Premiership the following season. Boyle has gone from strength-to-strength ever since, with memorable moments in the Edinburgh Derby and against both of the Old Firm. This season, the forward has had another standout campaign – registering 29 goal contributions (19 goals and 10 assists) – his best return in front of goal for Hibs.' Hibernian boss David Gray and sporting director Malky Mackay on done deal Gray, who had been desperate to see his former team-mate tied down to a new deal, said: 'We're delighted to extend Martin's contract, and this decision makes complete sense for the football club. Boyler has been an outstanding servant to Hibernian FC and his contribution on the field has been demonstrated yet again this season with his invaluable goals and assists. 'Not only that, he has also stepped into the role of captain in Joe's absence and has demonstrated his leadership qualities with extra responsibility. Having played with him and coached him, he is the type of player that knows exactly what it means to play for Hibernian FC, and he will be a real asset for us next year.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Sporting director Malky Mackay added: 'Martin has had an excellent campaign in front of goal, and he has played a key role in helping the club achieve European football for next season. He's an influential member of the dressing room and has grown as a leader this season with the added responsibility of being vice-captain. 'Martin's got a long affiliation with the club – his wife is the captain of the Women's Team – and he has a young family here too, so the extension made perfect sense for all parties involved. We're looking to the future, having Martin as part of next year's squad, as we enter an exciting time for the Football Club.'
Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Memories of tragic George Baldock are pushing Sheffield United towards promotion
Former Sheffield United right-back George Baldock died in Greece in October at the age of 31, but he is being remembered by the Blades as they push for promotion Chris Wilder says the memory of tragic George Baldock is driving Sheffield United towards an instant Premier League return. The Blades have the worst play-offs record in the country - nine attempts to negotiate the end-of-season ropewalk, nine failures - and manager Wilder is just about the only person at Bramall Lane who knows what it's like to win promotion at Wembley. But the club's heartwarming tributes to their former full-back, who died in Greece last October aged 31, has become a powerful motivation to rewrite history. Fans sang Baldock's name in their adapted David Bowie 'Starman' tribute throughout Monday night's 3-0 win against Bristol City, which completed the record aggregate score in a Championship play-off semi-final (6-0). And on the players' lap of honour, holding a Greece flag adorned with their former team-mate's nickname and squad number, the connection was more vivid than ever. Wilder, who led Oxford United back into the Football League with a play-off final triumph against York City at Wembley 15 years ago, said: "He's with us all the way. 'His shirt's up in every changing room, home and away. We reference him all the time - and we should do because of his career, his journey before us and his journey with us, which was amazing. 'Obviously the tragic situation that we had to deal with, let alone what his family's had to deal with, is incredible, so he's with us, and he would have enjoyed that performance. "He was a winner, and he wanted to prove himself. Wanted to be part of the team. He's a great example to all our players.' Baldock made 219 appearance in seven years for the Blades before he was released at the end of last season. A Greece international through his grandmother's ancestry, he joined Greek Super League club Panathinaikos last summer but was found drowned in a swimming pool seven months ago. Wilder hopes the Blades can harness the tragedy and turn into an irresistible force to secure his second promotion at Wembley in a play-off final. He has happy memories of 2010, when he ended Oxford's four-year exile from the EFL, saying: 'It was a great day for club under huge pressure, so there was no other option but winning. 'I had the late, great Jim Smith, who was on the board, barking in my ear - and the Bald Eagle was a Sheffield Wednesday fan - saying, 'You had better win it because the club could go under.' 'We went 2-0 up before our keeper chucked one in and we could only relax when Alfie Potter wrapped it up in the last minute. Everyone talks about winning at Wembley being the best way to go up, but I've got to say my preference is automatic promotion.' Wilder admitted he was envious of Leeds and Burnley, whose players have been sunning themselves in Las Vegas after reaching 100 points to rejoin the elite, while the Blades were left to negotiate the play-offs despite collecting 90 points. But he added: 'The lads have handled it immensely well and to round it off at Wembley would be magical. I don't feel there's a negativity because of our previous play-off campaigns. There's a freshness about it, a real belief that we can make history and put to bed all that. 'It isn't easy to go straight back up. It's not straightforward. And we pushed and pushed all season. We got 90 points, and for two teams to get to 100 points in the same season is insane. 'With the narrative of Sheffield United's play-off history and stuff like that, we've had to to make sure that we were right on it.'
