Latest news with #TheQueenMaryStakes


Daily Mirror
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Ascot trainer's ‘heartbroken' message after horse's death seconds into race
Harry's Girl suffered a fatal injury after two furlongs of the Queen Mary Stakes on Wednesday at Royal Ascot and had to be pulled up by her jockey A Royal Ascot trainer has posted an emotional tribute after the death of one of his runners on Wednesday. Richard Hannon had enjoyed mixed success on Tuesday having been left gutted by the nose defeat of stable star Rosallion in the Queen Anne Stakes and then elated by Haatem's victory in Wolferton Stakes. He had hoped for more success in Wednesday's opening race with Harry's Girl who came into the Queen Mary Stakes with a record one one win and a second. But Harry's Girl broke down two furlongs into the five furlong race and was quickly pulled up by jockey Sean Levey. "Unfortunately, Harry's Girl suffered a fatal injury during The Queen Mary Stakes," a statement from Ascot Racecourse said. "Our thoughts go out to all connections at this time." ITV Racing presenter, Ed Chamberlain, confirmed the sad news during the broadcaster's coverage of the meet shortly after the conclusion of the race, saying her sad passing 'cast a shadow' over True Love's triumph. He said: "We've just had this confirmed by Ascot - Harry's Girl did suffer a fatal injury. Our thoughts go out to connections. It's desperately sad for the Hannon team after they celebrated with their winner Haatem yesterday." The tragic incident came ten days after Norman's Cay, another horse trained by Hannon, died during the Derby meet at Epsom. Speaking before the race, the horse's handler said of Harry's Girl: "She's a very precocious filly who won well on debut at the Craven meeting and did everything right bar win at York in the Listed Marygate Fillies' Stakes. "I really thought she'd win that day and she appeared home and hosed but got caught close home by a fast finisher on the other side of the track which she didn't see coming. "Her work has been very good, and she looks magnificent in her coat. It's a typically competitive Queen Mary, but she's a strong traveller with plenty of boot and this race has been the plan all along so I'm hopeful of a bold show." Hannon later posted his own tribute to the filly on the stable's social media account. 'After the highs of yesterday, we are absolutely heartbroken to have lost Harry's Girl this afternoon at Ascot. 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.'


Daily Mirror
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
TV presenter shares grim injury after being kicked by horse at Royal Ascot
The 24-year-old presenter was kicked by the horse when it was startled by a passing truck and lashed out. She has now opened up about what injuries the painful incident left her with TV presenter Andie Biancone was left on crutches after being kicked by a horse in a freak accident at Royal Ascot this week. The rising star of US network FanDuelTV, 28, had travelled to the UK to lead her father's filly Lennilu in the prestigious Queen Mary Stakes. Sadly, those plans were derailed after a painful incident on the gallops. Biancone was walking Lennilu when another horse in their company was spooked by a passing truck. The startled horse lashed out and struck Biancone's foot, causing what doctors suspect is a soft tissue injury. She spoke about the terrifying moment to ITV Racing, sharing: "Lennilu and I were coming back from her canter yesterday (on Tuesday) and her company horse got spooked by a truck, kicked out, and unfortunately kicked my foot. "But Lenni was fine, she packed me twenty minutes home, I was sobbing, and she was just like, 'are you good, mum?'" The injury was serious enough that Biancone was unable to perform her duties as Lennilu's groom during the race. She has since returned to the US for further medical evaluation and will remain on crutches while recovering. Speaking to FanDuelTV, she added: "Lennilu was fine, but the pony was spooked, he bucked straight over his head and hit me in the foot. Team Lennilu is very grateful that I took the hit, took one for the team. It would be a shame to have a filly come all this way, be doing so well, and get kicked in the ribs. "So my ankle did suffer the worst of it, we got it looked at at Newmarket, they said no visible breaks, probably just soft tissue damage. I will probably get a second opinion in the United States but as of right now, we're crutching it." Despite the unfortunate turn of events, there was reason to celebrate as Lennilu put in a strong performance in the Queen Mary Stakes on Wednesday, finishing third behind Aidan O'Brien's True Love. Trainer Patrick Biancone was proud of the horse's performance, saying: "She is only a baby. I liked the fact she fought back at the end. We will go home and give her a break and then we'll see her in Del Mar for the Breeders' Cup." This comes after a horse called Harry's Girl tragically died on the second day of the races. The poor dame broke down just seconds into the Queen Mary Stakes. Ascot Racecourse put out a statement about the death, which read: "Unfortunately, Harry's Girl suffered a fatal injury during The Queen Mary Stakes. Our thoughts go out to all connections at this time." ITV Racing presenter Ed Chamberlain confirmed the sad news during the broadcaster's coverage of the meet shortly after the conclusion of the race, saying her sad passing 'cast a shadow' over True Love's triumph.


Glasgow Times
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
True Love powers to Queen Mary first for O'Brien
Trained by Aidan O'Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, True Love had chased home Tuesday's Coventry Stakes winner and stablemate Gstaad on her latest start and was duly sent off the 9-4 favourite. True Love took some time to work her way into the race as Zelaina set a scorching early pace, but she stayed on to real effect in the final furlong to beat 100-1 shot Flowerhead, with Patrick Biancone's American raider Lennilu third. True Love looked the part (John Walton/PA) It was win number 93 for O'Brien at the big meeting, although rather surprisingly his first in the Queen Mary. He said: 'She's lovely and in her first run Ryan came in and said they won't beat her again and then after her second run Wayne (Lordan) said the same thing, that they won't beat her again, and then you have to consider the two that beat her (Lady Iman and Gstaad) are very good horses. 'Ryan gave her a beautiful ride and Michael (Tabor) has always loved her and always spoken about her. It's great as her mother (Alluringly) is in foal to City Of Troy and her sister is in foal to Wootton Bassett so it's marvellous really. 'She was drawn by herself and there was no pace where she was so she had to go and do her own work and that's what Ryan did, he was excellent on her. She was probably strongest in the last half-furlong and when she got going she really powered away. Another juvenile winner for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore 👏 True Love wins The Queen Mary Stakes ❤️#RoyalAscot — ITV Racing (@itvracing) June 18, 2025 'Ryan said he was a little slow to step and a little on the back foot all the time and I think that's why he was trying to stoke her up a bit, but late on she was really strong. 'She had to work really hard and the only place she was going to get company was out in the middle and Ryan did really well to let her go there. She was under the pump a long way out, but so strong at the line and is obviously high class. 'She's like a four-year-old really and Ryan thought she would be better when she steps up to six furlongs and she's a big, mature filly who walks around the ring like a four-year-old, she's so scopey – she's something to look forward to.' On future plans, O'Brien added: 'I think we look forward to going up in trip now, the lads will decide that. You would imagine she would have no problem going six furlongs, but she is No Nay Never and he's a big speed influence always. 'The Queen Mary winner seems to always head to Deauville (Prix Morny) or the Curragh (Airlie Stud Stakes) and that would be the two races really or there is the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket in July. That may come too soon, but we will see how she is.' Flowerhead on her way to post at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA) Flowerhead's trainer Charlie Clover was thrilled to secure a Royal Ascot placing in his first full season with a licence. He said: 'This is a huge start for us, we were struggling away for the first few months but it's really kicked into gear the past few weeks and it's been a delight to see the whole team find their feet. 'It's only a small team but it's been massively welcome to see these horses run to form and I can't thank (owner) Amo Racing enough, they've done so much for me and my career in helping me get off the ground. 'We liked her at home, we hoped she'd run a nice race but second was a bit of a dream. You can get greedy quite quickly and think you could have won it, who knows? 'I'm delighted to be in the frame and for her to run a big race for owners who are so important to me.' Biancone plans to head back to America with Lennilu following her run, saying: 'She's only a baby. 'I liked the fact she was the first one off the bridle and she was there at the end, which means she will go a bit further and that is great. We're happy, she fought all the way. 'We go home, we give her a break. The first plan was to try to bring her here which we did, she's Grade Two placed now which is good. She'll have a little vacation and we'll see her in Del Mar.' The Richard Hannon-trained Harry's Girl was pulled up during the race and it was later confirmed the filly had sustained a fatal injury.

Leader Live
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
True Love powers to Queen Mary first for O'Brien
Trained by Aidan O'Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, True Love had chased home Tuesday's Coventry Stakes winner and stablemate Gstaad on her latest start and was duly sent off the 9-4 favourite. True Love took some time to work her way into the race as Zelaina set a scorching early pace, but she stayed on to real effect in the final furlong to beat 100-1 shot Flowerhead, with Patrick Biancone's American raider Lennilu third. It was win number 93 for O'Brien at the big meeting, although rather surprisingly his first in the Queen Mary. He said: 'She's lovely and in her first run Ryan came in and said they won't beat her again and then after her second run Wayne (Lordan) said the same thing, that they won't beat her again, and then you have to consider the two that beat her (Lady Iman and Gstaad) are very good horses. 'Ryan gave her a beautiful ride and Michael (Tabor) has always loved her and always spoken about her. It's great as her mother (Alluringly) is in foal to City Of Troy and her sister is in foal to Wootton Bassett so it's marvellous really. 'She was drawn by herself and there was no pace where she was so she had to go and do her own work and that's what Ryan did, he was excellent on her. She was probably strongest in the last half-furlong and when she got going she really powered away. Another juvenile winner for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore 👏 True Love wins The Queen Mary Stakes ❤️#RoyalAscot — ITV Racing (@itvracing) June 18, 2025 'Ryan said he was a little slow to step and a little on the back foot all the time and I think that's why he was trying to stoke her up a bit, but late on she was really strong. 'She had to work really hard and the only place she was going to get company was out in the middle and Ryan did really well to let her go there. She was under the pump a long way out, but so strong at the line and is obviously high class. 'She's like a four-year-old really and Ryan thought she would be better when she steps up to six furlongs and she's a big, mature filly who walks around the ring like a four-year-old, she's so scopey – she's something to look forward to.' On future plans, O'Brien added: 'I think we look forward to going up in trip now, the lads will decide that. You would imagine she would have no problem going six furlongs, but she is No Nay Never and he's a big speed influence always. 'The Queen Mary winner seems to always head to Deauville (Prix Morny) or the Curragh (Airlie Stud Stakes) and that would be the two races really or there is the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket in July. That may come too soon, but we will see how she is.' Flowerhead's trainer Charlie Clover was thrilled to secure a Royal Ascot placing in his first full season with a licence. He said: 'This is a huge start for us, we were struggling away for the first few months but it's really kicked into gear the past few weeks and it's been a delight to see the whole team find their feet. 'It's only a small team but it's been massively welcome to see these horses run to form and I can't thank (owner) Amo Racing enough, they've done so much for me and my career in helping me get off the ground. 'We liked her at home, we hoped she'd run a nice race but second was a bit of a dream. You can get greedy quite quickly and think you could have won it, who knows? 'I'm delighted to be in the frame and for her to run a big race for owners who are so important to me.' Biancone plans to head back to America with Lennilu following her run, saying: 'She's only a baby. 'I liked the fact she was the first one off the bridle and she was there at the end, which means she will go a bit further and that is great. We're happy, she fought all the way. 'We go home, we give her a break. The first plan was to try to bring her here which we did, she's Grade Two placed now which is good. She'll have a little vacation and we'll see her in Del Mar.' The Richard Hannon-trained Harry's Girl was pulled up during the race and it was later confirmed the filly had sustained a fatal injury.

Rhyl Journal
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
True Love powers to Queen Mary first for O'Brien
Trained by Aidan O'Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, True Love had chased home Tuesday's Coventry Stakes winner and stablemate Gstaad on her latest start and was duly sent off the 9-4 favourite. True Love took some time to work her way into the race as Zelaina set a scorching early pace, but she stayed on to real effect in the final furlong to beat 100-1 shot Flowerhead, with Patrick Biancone's American raider Lennilu third. It was win number 93 for O'Brien at the big meeting, although rather surprisingly his first in the Queen Mary. He said: 'She's lovely and in her first run Ryan came in and said they won't beat her again and then after her second run Wayne (Lordan) said the same thing, that they won't beat her again, and then you have to consider the two that beat her (Lady Iman and Gstaad) are very good horses. 'Ryan gave her a beautiful ride and Michael (Tabor) has always loved her and always spoken about her. It's great as her mother (Alluringly) is in foal to City Of Troy and her sister is in foal to Wootton Bassett so it's marvellous really. 'She was drawn by herself and there was no pace where she was so she had to go and do her own work and that's what Ryan did, he was excellent on her. She was probably strongest in the last half-furlong and when she got going she really powered away. Another juvenile winner for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore 👏 True Love wins The Queen Mary Stakes ❤️#RoyalAscot — ITV Racing (@itvracing) June 18, 2025 'Ryan said he was a little slow to step and a little on the back foot all the time and I think that's why he was trying to stoke her up a bit, but late on she was really strong. 'She had to work really hard and the only place she was going to get company was out in the middle and Ryan did really well to let her go there. She was under the pump a long way out, but so strong at the line and is obviously high class. 'She's like a four-year-old really and Ryan thought she would be better when she steps up to six furlongs and she's a big, mature filly who walks around the ring like a four-year-old, she's so scopey – she's something to look forward to.' On future plans, O'Brien added: 'I think we look forward to going up in trip now, the lads will decide that. You would imagine she would have no problem going six furlongs, but she is No Nay Never and he's a big speed influence always. 'The Queen Mary winner seems to always head to Deauville (Prix Morny) or the Curragh (Airlie Stud Stakes) and that would be the two races really or there is the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket in July. That may come too soon, but we will see how she is.' Flowerhead's trainer Charlie Clover was thrilled to secure a Royal Ascot placing in his first full season with a licence. He said: 'This is a huge start for us, we were struggling away for the first few months but it's really kicked into gear the past few weeks and it's been a delight to see the whole team find their feet. 'It's only a small team but it's been massively welcome to see these horses run to form and I can't thank (owner) Amo Racing enough, they've done so much for me and my career in helping me get off the ground. 'We liked her at home, we hoped she'd run a nice race but second was a bit of a dream. You can get greedy quite quickly and think you could have won it, who knows? 'I'm delighted to be in the frame and for her to run a big race for owners who are so important to me.' Biancone plans to head back to America with Lennilu following her run, saying: 'She's only a baby. 'I liked the fact she was the first one off the bridle and she was there at the end, which means she will go a bit further and that is great. We're happy, she fought all the way. 'We go home, we give her a break. The first plan was to try to bring her here which we did, she's Grade Two placed now which is good. She'll have a little vacation and we'll see her in Del Mar.' The Richard Hannon-trained Harry's Girl was pulled up during the race and it was later confirmed the filly had sustained a fatal injury.