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Scottish Sun
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Richard Hughes' tears at Newmarket show there really is hope for all in racing this season
They're taking on the big boys - and winning MATT CHAPMAN Richard Hughes' tears at Newmarket show there really is hope for all in racing this season Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HOPE. That's what we all need. And for those battling the superpowers in the world of horse racing hope is everything. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Richard Hughes couldn't hide his emotion when talking to me after making history in the July Cup - and his underdog tale is the story of the season so far in Flat racing The good news is this season there is hope emerging on many different levels. Most recently, of course, Richard Hughes banged in Saturday's Group 1 July Cup at Newmarket. That will have given Hughes hope, and many other trainers will be thinking 'it could be me next'. But it's been a Flat season where Hughes - who was in tears during an emotional interview with me moments after his biggest win - is not the only one to have hit the jackpot. Docklands banged in the Group 1 Queen Anne at Royal Ascot for Harry Eustace. That's massive for the young up-and-coming handler, and while the horse is owned by a group with plenty of cash to splash, it still gives everyone hope. Eustace, of course, doubled up in Group 1s by also banging in the Commonwealth Cup with Time for Sandals. And don't forget old Scotsman Jim Goldie, who was responsible for American Affair taking the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes, also at Royal Ascot. Don't also forget the Irish raider Cercene, who took the Coronation Stakes and a first Group 1 for both trainer Joe Murphy and jockey Gary Carroll. Why is this so important? After all sport is just about finding out who is best of the best, it's not about who is actually taking the prizes. Well it's crucial because, as I have said, everyone needs hope. Other than those I have mentioned, Group 1 races in the UK so far in 2025 have gone to Ruling Court, Desert Flower, Lead Artist, Jan Brueghel, Minnie Hawk, Lambourn, Field of Gold, Ombudsman, Trawlerman, Lazzat, Delacroix and Cinderella's Dream. The owners of that lot are some of the richest people in the world in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Ireland and Qatar. Godolphin, Juddmonte, Coolmore and Wathnan Racing cough up more money than most for horses. For most people matching them is the stuff of dreams. But there is not only hope in what has happened in Group 1 races this term. Eve Johnson Houghton is also giving people hope, as is Jonny Portman, who is having a fantastic season headed by horses like Rumstar and had a terrific treble at Newbury the other day. He's trading at 20 per cent with a massive 28 victories this season. Since he started training in 1998 the most victors he has ever had in a campaign has been 33. Portman is on fire. Eve landed the Group 2 Kingdom of Bahrain July Stakes with Zavateri and also enjoyed success at Royal Ascot thanks to Havana Hurricane in the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes. Superpowers are needed in every sport to inject cash. But for the people just below the mega players hope is so important. And this is a Flat season of hope for all. 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
15-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Richard Hughes' tears at Newmarket show there really is hope for all in racing this season
HOPE. That's what we all need. And for those battling the superpowers in the world of horse racing hope is everything. 1 Richard Hughes couldn't hide his emotion when talking to me after making history in the July Cup - and his underdog tale is the story of the season so far in Flat racing The good news is this season there is hope emerging on many different levels. Most recently, of course, That will have given Hughes hope, and many other trainers will be thinking 'it could be me next'. But it's been a Flat season where Hughes - who was in tears during an emotional interview with me moments after his biggest win - is not the only one to have hit the jackpot. Docklands banged in the Group 1 Queen Anne at Royal Ascot for Harry Eustace. That's massive for the young up-and-coming handler, and while the horse is owned by a group with plenty of cash to splash, it still gives everyone hope. Eustace, of course, doubled up in Group 1s by also banging in the Commonwealth Cup with Time for Sandals. And don't forget old Scotsman Jim Goldie, who was responsible for American Affair taking the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes, also at Royal Ascot. Most read in Horse Racing Don't also forget the Irish raider Cercene, who took the Coronation Stakes and a first Group 1 for both trainer Joe Murphy and jockey Gary Carroll. Why is this so important? After all sport is just about finding out who is best of the best, it's not about who is actually taking the prizes. Well it's crucial because, as I have said, everyone needs hope. Other than those I have mentioned, Group 1 races in the UK so far in 2025 have gone to Ruling Court, Desert Flower, Lead Artist, Jan Brueghel, Minnie Hawk, Lambourn, Field of Gold, Ombudsman, Trawlerman, Lazzat, Delacroix and Cinderella's Dream. The owners of that lot are some of the richest people in the world in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Ireland and Qatar. Godolphin, Juddmonte, Coolmore and Wathnan Racing cough up more money than most for horses. For most people matching them is the stuff of dreams. But there is not only hope in what has happened in Group 1 races this term. Eve Johnson Houghton is also giving people hope, as is Jonny Portman, who is having a fantastic season headed by horses like Rumstar and had a terrific treble at Newbury the other day. He's trading at 20 per cent with a massive 28 victories this season. Since he started training in 1998 the most victors he has ever had in a campaign has been 33. Portman is on fire. Eve landed the Group 2 Kingdom of Bahrain July Stakes with Zavateri and also enjoyed success at Royal Ascot thanks to Havana Hurricane in the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes. Superpowers are needed in every sport to inject cash. But for the people just below the mega players hope is so important. And this is a Flat season of hope for all. 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.
Gulf Today
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Royal Ascot is ‘heaven on earth' for shock winner Cercene's trainer
Cercene and Time for Sandals brought smiles to the faces of bookmakers on the fourth day of Royal Ascot on Friday springing huge shocks in the two Group One races. Cercene was at 33/1 the longest price winner ever in the Coronation Stakes, she showed real grit under Gary Carroll to battle back to overcome French favourite Zarigana. For Carroll and trainer Joe Murphy, who had only had one previous runner at the meeting, it was easily their most prestigious winner and comes on arguably the biggest stage. 'This is 50 years of work, that's what it is, of love and care, and all for the owners we have, all our people, it's just a whole group of people together,' said Murphy, who has been training since 1977. 'This is heaven on Earth.' For Carroll it was his third Royal Ascot winner but first ever Group One winner anywhere and due reward for flying back after riding in Ireland on Thursday. 'Hugely good horses are very hard to come by and sometimes only one comes along in a lifetime and I guess mine has,' he said. Harry Eustace has got a real taste now for Group One races at Royal Ascot, having broken his duck on Tuesday he added a second in the Commonwealth Cup with Time for Sandals, a shock 25/1 winner. 'I don't know it has not landed yet,' said Eustace of his astonishing week. 'You have to be very careful with Ascot if you get your hopes up it can bite you back.' For his father James, who Harry took over from, it was 'magic'. 'It is so wonderful,' said Eustace senior, who also enjoyed success at Royal Ascot. 'We tried to get Harry to go to university, we succeeded initially and he went to Edinburgh. 'He had two good years and a lot of fun before he dropped out and then took off for Australia and the racing bug bit.' Fantastic days: For jockey Richard Kingscote it was a seventh Royal Ascot winner, his first Group One, and ended a losing run of 67 rides at the meeting. 'This means an awful lot,' said Kingscote. 'I have had some nice horses but this will do the world of good. 'I am delighted to ride a good winner for Harry, he is a gentleman, it is a happy yard.' The race had looked set up to end trainer Charlie Appleby's three year losing run at the meeting but once again it ended in disappointment -- hot favourite Shadow of Light never featured. Willie Mullins normally associated with the Cheltenham Festival winners enclosure had quite a day. The 68-year-old Irish training legend began the day in the Royal Procession, his wife Jackie presented a trophy, and then he welcomed home his 11th Royal Ascot winner. Ryan Moore recorded his 91st Royal Ascot winner as he guided Ethical Diamond home to an impressive victory in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes, just months after he finished fourth in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. 'It is wonderful,' said Mullins. 'These are fantastic days. 'Jackie said let us just enjoy it and to have a winner well it is the cherry on top of the cake is it not?' Venetian Sun won the first the Group Three Albany Stakes ending O'Brien's hopes of a sweep of the two-year-old races this week. Trainer Karl Burke had described the week so far as 'savage' but he had a beaming smile on his face as he walked back to the winner's enclosure. 'A very special filly never had a two-year-old filly like her. She has been kicking group horses out of the way at home,' said Burke, who previously won the Albany in 2020 with Dandalla. Venetian Sun, co-owned by Tony Bloom owner of Premier League side Brighton, was a second Royal Ascot winner for jockey Clifford Lee. 'It is very hard to get a winner here, you think you come here with a real chance and find you fall short,' he said. 'Mr Burke though gives me plenty of ammunition and this one delivered.' Agence France-Presse
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Royal Ascot is 'heaven on earth' for shock winner Cercene's trainer
Cercene and Time for Sandals sprang huge surprises on the penultimate day of Royal Ascot (BENJAMIN CREMEL) Cercene and Time for Sandals brought smiles to the faces of bookmakers on the fourth day of Royal Ascot on Friday springing huge shocks in the two Group One races. Cercene was at 33/1 the longest price winner ever in the Coronation Stakes, she showed real grit under Gary Carroll to battle back to overcome French favourite Zarigana. Advertisement For Carroll and trainer Joe Murphy, who had only had one previous runner at the meeting, it was easily their most prestigious winner and comes on arguably the biggest stage. "This is 50 years of work, that's what it is, of love and care, and all for the owners we have, all our people, it's just a whole group of people together," said Murphy, who has been training since 1977. "This is heaven on Earth." For Carroll it was his third Royal Ascot winner but first ever Group One winner anywhere and due reward for flying back after riding in Ireland on Thursday. "Hugely good horses are very hard to come by and sometimes only one comes along in a lifetime and I guess mine has," he said. Advertisement Harry Eustace has got a real taste now for Group One races at Royal Ascot, having broken his duck on Tuesday he added a second in the Commonwealth Cup with Time for Sandals, a shock 25/1 winner. "I don't know it has not landed yet," said Eustace of his astonishing week. "You have to be very careful with Ascot if you get your hopes up it can bite you back." For his father James, who Harry took over from, it was "magic". "It is so wonderful," said Eustace senior, who also enjoyed success at Royal Ascot. "We tried to get Harry to go to university, we succeeded initially and he went to Edinburgh. Advertisement "He had two good years and a lot of fun before he dropped out and then took off for Australia and the racing bug bit." - 'Fantastic days' For jockey Richard Kingscote it was a seventh Royal Ascot winner, his first Group One, and ended a losing run of 67 rides at the meeting. "This means an awful lot," said Kingscote. "I have had some nice horses but this will do the world of good. "I am delighted to ride a good winner for Harry, he is a gentleman, it is a happy yard." The race had looked set up to end trainer Charlie Appleby's three year losing run at the meeting but once again it ended in disappointment -- hot favourite Shadow of Light never featured. Advertisement Willie Mullins normally associated with the Cheltenham Festival winners enclosure had quite a day. The 68-year-old Irish training legend began the day in the Royal Procession, his wife Jackie presented a trophy, and then he welcomed home his 11th Royal Ascot winner. Ryan Moore recorded his 91st Royal Ascot winner as he guided Ethical Diamond home to an impressive victory in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes, just months after he finished fourth in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. "It is wonderful," said Mullins. "These are fantastic days. "Jackie said let us just enjoy it and to have a winner well it is the cherry on top of the cake is it not?" Advertisement Venetian Sun won the first the Group Three Albany Stakes ending O'Brien's hopes of a sweep of the two-year-old races this week. Trainer Karl Burke had described the week so far as "savage" but he had a beaming smile on his face as he walked back to the winner's enclosure. "A very special filly never had a two-year-old filly like her. She has been kicking group horses out of the way at home," said Burke, who previously won the Albany in 2020 with Dandalla. Venetian Sun, co-owned by Tony Bloom owner of Premier League side Brighton, was a second Royal Ascot winner for jockey Clifford Lee. Advertisement "It is very hard to get a winner here, you think you come here with a real chance and find you fall short," he said. "Mr Burke though gives me plenty of ammunition and this one delivered." pi/nr
