Latest news with #TheIrish
The Australian
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Australian
Rutledge's win on The Irish written in the stars
It's not the luck, it's the skill and timing of the Irish that enabled rising jockey Siobhan Rutledge to salute on gelding The Irish at Doomben on Saturday. If there was ever an omen bet for punters on a wet and cold day at the Brisbane track, this was the one, alongside $20 roughie Super Duck's win on a bog surface in the following race. Sunshine Coast trainer James Healy laughed at the irony of the situation, while praising Rutledge for her professionalism and willingness to follow instructions on the $16 chance in the Benchmark 78 race over 2200m on a heavy track. 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! 'That was Siobhan's first ride for me, first win,' a beaming Healy said. 'I just wanted someone who I knew would give 110 per cent to the horse and listen to what I said and she rode him to an absolute tee. 'I said to her it's an omen – the Irish on The Irish – so you can ride him. 'She's on another horse of mine called Monastery on Wednesday (at Doomben) at 52.5 kg so hopefully she can get the same result.' Rutledge, who turns 27 next month, said she was 'having a ball' since arriving in Brisbane from Ireland in January. 'It's a very different style of racing over here but I'm enjoying it and I'm finding everyone's been helpful,' she said. Siobhan Rutledge scores her first Saturday metropolitan win on Poster Girl at Eagle Farm in March. Picture: Grant Peters, Trackside Photography 'It's nice to be able to ride with the lighter weights as well.' And she's drawn plenty of inspiration from fellow Brisbane-based Irish jockeys Robbie Dolan, the reigning Melbourne Cup champion, and Martin Harley, who rode crack colt Cool Archie to victory in the $1m Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm last month. 'They're the kind of guys you want to learn from when you come over, even if it's relating things from back home to here,' Rutledge said. 'Luke Dempsey has been very helpful to me as well, as have Robbie and Martin, just explaining how things work here as opposed to back home. 'I plan to stay here indefinitely, I want to give it a really good go. 'I'm getting my heels dug in and just trying to get rides on horses with chances. 'It's very competitive here, especially on Saturdays, but I've been lucky and I've had great support from (trainers) Gillian Heinrich and Chris and Corey Munce.' READ: Beriman's appeal for concussion protocols to be strengthened Rutledge said learning how to time her runs in races had been critical to her success in southeast Queensland, with the Irishwoman now having a 'clock' in her head. Irish jockey Siobhan Rutledge wins on The Irish at Doomben on Saturday Picture: Grant Peters, Trackside Photography 'If there's anything that will stand me in good stead in the long run, I think it's learning how to judge pace, how fast you should be going, and nearly to the second,' she said. 'Because all the gallops are timed here and they're tracked, you can go back and revise them. 'You can remember 'oh I was going a little too quick' and you see that reflected on the computer. 'That's the biggest thing I'll take away from my experience here. It makes you have a clock in your head after several months of racing here.'
The Irish Sun
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘I was afraid to tell them' – Virgin Media star Brian Dowling lifts lid on coming out as gay during Big Brother
VIRGIN Media star Brian Dowling has opened up about the moment he came out as gay while on Big Brother - and embracing him mum for the first time afterwards. The and the back in 2001 when he entered the second-ever series of the hit reality show. 4 Brian has opened up about his Big Brother journey Credit: Instagram 4 The TV host spoke candidly about coming out as gay while on the show Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 4 He revealed the special moment he shared with his mum after Big Brother Credit: Instagram After 64 days in the house, The dad-of-two joined the The Irish star recalled how he came out as gay while on the show - but revealed it was actually his sister who told his parents. Panellist READ MORE ON BRIAN DOWLING Brian replied: "I did the show in 2001 and my sister told my parents I was gay. I was afraid to tell them in case they had a bad reaction." He also admitted that before he went on the show, his mum had assumed he was "fashionable". The popular presenter said: "I got off a flight from Italy when I was working with Ryanair and my mum asked me was I being fashionable. "I was like, 'No, no mum, I'm not being fashionable'." Most read in News TV He added: "And then I was on the show and then when I won the show I just couldn't wait to get to the end, it's a really long walkway, and just to hug my mum. "I embraced her then, kind of the first time as my authentic self, as her gay son." Arthur Gourounlian joins hubby Brian Dowling for race day fun Loose Women shared the clip to their Fans and friends flocked to the comment section to share their love for Brian. Brian's co-host His husband Missy gushed: "Love Brian since his 1st day on Big Brother. A very funny, kind, likeable guy." Peter commented: "Such an inspiration - back then and now." 'SO GENUINE' Another added: "He's so genuine, a lovely guy." They eventually rekindled their romance in 2011 before Arthur popped the question in 2014. The happy couple tied the knot the following July in a stunning ceremony at Powerscourt Co In a recent interview with the Although he doesn't "remember exactly" what he wrote, Arthur explained: "But I said that I don't want to carry on any more and that it's not working. It was a very straightforward message." The dad-of-two then opened up further and revealed some of the reasons for their breakup. 4 Fans all praised Brian Credit: BPRdowling/Instagram
The Irish Sun
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘It's not for everyone', says Ireland AM host Muireann O'Connell as she leaves fans divided with ‘unique' TV look
IRELAND AM star Muireann O'Connell has left fans divided after she stepped out on air in a quirky look. The Advertisement 2 Muireann O'Connell wore a colourful TV look 2 Muireann's fans were divided over the quirky outfit The 41-year-old gives a behind-the-scenes look inside her stylish TV wardrobe as she chooses an outfit for the day. However, in a recent fashion video posted to her The Irish host sported a a bright blue chunky knit jumper with a pair of bold red trousers. Advertisement READ MORE IN MUIREANN The Fine Knit jumper currently retails for a whopping €650 on the Tara Garvey website. Muireann styled the radiant outfit with a matching set of red stiletto heels and a pair of gold hoop earrings. The popular presenter tucked the sweater up and styled it into a cropped silhouette. She then rounded off the look with a bronze make-up look and styled her hair in beach waves. Advertisement Most read in News TV The breakfast show host penned in her caption: "Good morning! Ok. This look is not gonna be for everyone! " Talented Irish designer @taragarveytg sent me a beautiful jumper- the feel - so I hooshed it up and stuck it in my bra. Thanks Tara !" 'This won't be for everyone', says Muireann O'Connell as she steps out on air in unusual look But, Muireann's fans were split down the middle when it came to their opinion of the outfit. Yvonne wrote: "You wear it well, but not for me." Advertisement 'A BIT MUCH' While Kellie gushed: "Wow, I love this!" Alexandra remarked: "Too much colour for me." Michelle said: "Your colour combos are always spot on." Eva commented: "I adore these colours together." Advertisement And Simon added: "The pants are a bit much, but love the jumper!"
The Irish Sun
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘At this rate I'm going to have a buzzcut', says Muireann O'Connell as she shares ‘singed' hair nightmare
IRELAND AM star Muireann O'Connell has shared her "singed" hair fiasco and claimed that her next move will be a "buzz cut". The hair journey over the past year after chopping off her locks due to heat damage. Advertisement 2 Muireann O'Connell chopped off her hair due to heat damage 2 Muireann has revealed the same issue has repeated itself again The 41-year-old told followers that she decided to cut off her hair in January after the top layer was "completely and utterly singed" from using a straightener every day. The popular presenter revealed that the same issue had repeated itself as she joked: "At this rate, I'm going to have a buzz cut and I don't have the ears for it." The star added: "Before you say it, I may as well as have a condom on my head with all the heat protector I use." Advertisement READ MORE IN MUIREANN Muireann then confessed that she found inspiration from Irish influencer Sabrina Hill, who uses a The Irish host decided to give the hair tool a go this morning as she emphasised: "I will try anything to stop the damage." After trying out the Airwrap, Muireann joked: "Okay I know Sabrina Hill's hair looks like a God damn goddess, mine is more of a mushroom head." However, she gushed: "My hair actually felt like hair today and not a Brillo pad so, result!" Advertisement MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN She finally joked: "We move forward in trying to stop the singe… wigs, right?" And fans all thanked Muireann for the hair tip as they flocked to the comment section. Muireann O'Connell shares glimpse of home Lily wrote: "Thanks for the hair tip, I want to stop using heat on my own hair." Tanya said: " You look great @muireann.o not like a mushroom head at all ." Advertisement Carolyn added: "You did a great job on your hair, it's beautiful." While Rosanne remarked: "Okay maybe I do need a Dyson Airwrap." This comes after Muireann revealed the STAR'S STRUGGLE The Virgin Media star and her fiancé, who she got engaged to in 2021, were on the hunt to for four years before getting the keys to their new home. Advertisement The After blood, sweat and tears, the popular presenter POSITIVE MESSAGE The former radio star posted a Muireann opened up about the stressful journey saying: "For anyone going through it, I know how s**t this is. Advertisement "It was years. The personal stress. The relationship stress. I can only imagine the stress if you're looking when you have children . "I hate the 'what's for you won't pass you by' thing/ It used to get to me so much, even though people were just being lovely. "Everyday, I expected a call saying the house had fallen through. I didn't believe it until I had the keys in my hand but all I could do was be positive. "Even if I was absolutely lying to myself and downing a bottle of wine of a Friday to keep the sanity. Much love to all the hunters." Advertisement
The Irish Sun
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Ireland AM stars Muireann O'Connell & Alan Hughes don extravagant outfits as they're nominated for style award
IRELAND AM stars Muireann O'Connell and Alan Hughes have shown off their exotic fashion sense after being nominated for a style award. The popular presenters have both been nominated at this year's VIP Style Awards - and we're not surprised. Advertisement 3 Muireann O'Connell and Alan Hughes showed off their fashion sense 3 Muireann and Alan strutted their stuff in the Virgin Media studios 3 Muireann and Alan joked they were just 'going for coffee' In their respective categories, Muireann and Alan are nominated for Most Stylish - but who will come out on top? In a hilarious clip posted to The Irish hosts strolled down the corridor in the Virgin Media studio after wrapping filming on Ireland AM. work clothes." Advertisement READ MORE IN IRELAND AM Alan replied: "Ah yeah, another day done, let's get into something more casual." The presenters then disappeared from view, before Muireann could be heard exclaiming: "Oh my God, I feel so much better now." The Alan gave a cheeky smile to the camera as he sarcastically added: "I can really relax now and chill out now, will we go for coffee ?" Advertisement MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN Muireann humorously agreed before placing a gigantic diamond tiara on her head and remarking: "Oh wait I'll have to put on my hat in case it rains." The funny pair waltzed out of their dressing room linking in their hilarious "post-work" outfits. Muireann O'Connell has painful cosmetic procedure The 41-year-old jokingly penned in her caption: "Life outfit: oh, this old thing?" She added: " Thanks so much to @ for the nominations in the style categories for the awards on Friday ." Advertisement Fans were all left in stitches at the video as they took to the comments section. Kellie wrote: "Love this!" Tina said: "Absolutely fantastic guys looking great." Angela remarked: "The two of you are hilarious." Advertisement Ruth laughed: "The perfect coffee date look in my opinion." And Lorna exclaimed: "Brilliant! Made me laugh."
