Latest news with #Townend
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Burghley still the pinnacle, says Townend
The Shropshire-based former world number one first competed in the historic 5* event in 2004 and has since gone on to claim nine CCI5* victories throughout his career. Despite winning team gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, the 42-year-old claimed a victory at Burghley was the real dream as he prepares to compete for the title once again in September. 'Burghley is the iconic event of our sport. It's got such history with the house and it's a really special event from a horse point of view because of the terrain,' he said. 'To win Burghley three times is something that has never really sunk in. It's a bit weird even saying, and especially hearing it, because it's such a difficult thing to do. 'It's a childhood dream. It's what every event rider wants to win in the world, or should want to win in the world. 'To have actually done that is very, very special.' Competing across three disciplines of cross-country, show jumping and dressage, eventing is the ultimate equestrian test and there is no more iconic setting than Burghley. When Huddersfield-born Townend first won in 2009 on Carousel Quest, it marked a particularly memorable win as it came at a pivotal time in his career. 'I was only 26 and had just won Badminton Horse Trials, had won a very valuable class in Cardiff at the Millenium Stadium and just bought a farm,' he recalled. 'So it was a bit of a whirlwind for a normal person from the outskirts of Huddersfield to all of a sudden winning a lot of money, buying a farm then winning Badminton and then Burghley. 'I was definitely on a roll and flying high. No wonder I lost the plot for a day or two after that. It was special and it was a very good, happy time and a very big party time in our lives. 'The day after I won Burghley I was due to go on Ready, Steady, Cook down in London. I woke up in the clothes I was partying in, someone picked me up and I went on the TV in the same clothes I was wearing the night before. They were pretty wild times.' But Townend, who has won 101 FEI competitions and 13 British national titles, proved he could sustain such form with a sparkling career. Having most recently won at Burghley in 2023 on Ballaghmor Class, he will return once more and face the new challenge of a reversed cross-country course for the 2025 event. But Townend no doubt will relish the challenge as the last time the course ran in this direction, he took the victory in 2017 - Ballaghmor Class' first in the competition. 'I'm very excited [about the change of direction]. Hopefully it bodes well that the course is running the way it is this time,' he said. 'I think it's going to make it even more of a stamina test. I've not seen the course obviously, but I think that you go up Winner's Avenue pretty early on which is a pretty long, big hill. 'So whoever wins Burghley this year, it's going to be a hard-fought competition.' He will have tough competition with reigning champion Ros Canter expected to be back to defend her crown. But Townend knows as well as anyone else just what it takes to win at an event that represents the pinnacle of his sport. 'It takes a very special horse and rider combination to win it,' he asserted. 'It's basically the ultimate equine athlete and for a lot of things to go right in preparation and on the day.' Defender Burghley Horse Trials (4-7 September 2025) has been a major international sporting and social event for over 50 years. It attracts the world's top equestrians and is attended by vast and enthusiastic crowds. For more information visit
Los Angeles Times
02-07-2025
- General
- Los Angeles Times
Huntington Beach to explore moving International Surfing Museum
Huntington Beach's International Surfing Museum, established in 1987 by Ann Beasley and Natalie Kotsch, has been a mainstay downtown on Olive Avenue since 1990. But the museum could be moving a bit north as part of a merger with the Main Street branch of the Huntington Beach Public Library. The City Council voted 7-0 on Tuesday night to direct staff to evaluate the feasibility of locating the surfing museum within some underutilized space in the library. The item was brought forward by Mayor Pro Tem Casey McKeon, Mayor Pat Burns and Councilwoman Gracey Van Der Mark after the International Surfing Museum approached the city asking for more space to display larger surfboards, some dating back to the 1930s, along with other archival materials. Van Der Mark expressed hope that a shared space between the museum and library, along with the Huntington Beach Art Center across the street, could create an art district on the fifth block of Main Street. 'I think actually outgrowing the current facility is a good problem to have,' she said. 'We're trying to find a solution. It is Surf City USA … maybe it'll be a little destination. Instead of just coming down to the first block to shop, second block to eat, maybe tourists can work their way out there to go to the surf museum and the library, maybe even collaborate with the library and having some reading programs.' International Surfing Museum executive director Peter 'PT' Townend said he has an extensive library of surf magazines and books, along with other relics. 'We're going to create a study center of surf culture,' said Townend in an interview following Tuesday night's meeting. 'We hope to help with one of the educational institutions, one of the colleges, as part of that.' Townend added that Mike Adams, a member of the museum's board of directors, has already sketched out some possible layouts. 'It's a big step forward, in my opinion, for Surf City,' Townend said. 'We need to be bigger and better. We've been operating world-class exhibits in a box, and now it's time to get bigger and better … We might have lost the Olympics, but we're still Surf City. We want people to come here for the Olympics, to come visit Surf City and see the International Surfing Museum.' He added that the International Surfing Museum, which debuted an exhibit about Duke Kahanamoku last year, is planning for a 2026 exhibit to honor the 50th anniversary of the World Surf League. Townend, originally from Australia, became the first professional surfing world champion in 1976. City staff will review the Main Street library branch's compatibility with the surf museum, operational impacts and required land use entitlements and return to the City Council within 90 days with findings and next steps. Visit Huntington Beach, the city's tourism agency, has indicated preliminary support for the move and could help with relocation and operating costs.
Irish Examiner
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
O'Sullivan finishes with a flourish with Listowel double
Lombardstown trainer Eugene O'Sullivan left it late to make his mark on the final day of Listowel's three-day meeting, but made up for lost time with a fine double in the last two races, both owned by Jack Singleton. Bugs Moran contested the Beasley Engineering Hunters' Chase, and the eight-year-old benefited from a fine front-running ride by Mick Kenneally. A useful sort when with Noel Meade, he is lightly raced over fences and is just the type to excel in this sphere. 'He's a lovely horse to get,' said O'Sullivan. 'He's rated in the 130s over hurdles and I got him with the intention of running him in the Foxhunters but didn't have him qualified in time. 'Jumping is what it's all about, and Mick gave him a great ride. In Mallow, he made a mistake at the first, and in Killarney he made three or four mistakes, but it's just experience he needs. I'm not sure what we'll do with him yet, but I'd like to plan towards Cheltenham next year. He's not the fastest horse but he'll stay all day.' The final race of the three-day meeting was the Bryan MacMahon Bumper and Themanintheanorak made a winning track debut under a confident ride by the trainer's nephew, Alan O'Sullivan. Well-backed favourite Additional Time dropped out of contention racing down the back, leaving Angelo Dundee to trade short in running, but all the while Themanintheanorak crept into contention, and once hitting the front he won as he pleased. 'Delighted with that,' said O'Sullivan. 'He's another nice horse to have, and Alan gave him a great ride. He fell in two of his point-to-points but he's not a bad jumper, and he has plenty of scope and will improve away.' Paul Townend travelled to the meeting for two rides and also completed a double, both for Willie Mullins. In neither case was there much to concern connections, particularly with Blood Destiny, who earned a long overdue return to winning ways in the John J. Galvin Chase. At odds of 1-8, nothing but a Monday stroll was expected, and Townend ensured it was thus. In front from flag fall, he sent his mount clear down the back, and getting in close to the final fence was all that kept it interesting. 'He enjoyed it, and winning will do him the world of good,' said Townend. 'He handled the ground well enough and did what he was expected to do. The last was big when we were coming to it, just because we were getting it so easy. 'I don't know if he's going to stay going or if he'll be left off. He's not old and he has other career options, not just farming these races. He's a horse with good form, but he's just hard to win with.' La Note Verte was all the rage in the market for the Nora Canty Mares' Maiden Hurdle and the five-year-old, having her first run since winning a bumper at this meeting in 2024, also delivered for Mullins and Townend with little fuss. Available at 6-4 in the overnight market and sent off 4-7, she raced in a prominent position, went to the front early in the straight, and won readily despite patent signs of greenness. Townend said: 'She likes it around here, and it wasn't the deepest of races, but she jumped like a buck, and that's her asset. She'll have to improve on that to be competitive through the summer, but her jumping should bring her a long way.' The Tony Martin-trained Day Trader, who showed real promise on his hurdling debut but disappointed when turned out just six days later, got off the mark at the third time of asking when winning the John B. Keane Maiden Hurdle under Daniel King. The lightly-raced Patty O'Farrell has shown improved form since going handicapping and Peter Maher's mare made the breakthrough over timber when taking the Southern Waste Management Mares' Handicap Hurdle in grand style. Never far off the pace under a smart ride by Sean O'Keeffe, the seven-year-old led two out and didn't have to be fully extended to beat the staying-on Katherine. Stuntman Steve gained a much deserved second success over hurdles when taking the Join Racing TV With A Free Trial Now Handicap Hurdle. Having run well in handicaps on consecutive days at the Easter festival in Fairyhouse and again when fourth in a good race at Killarney, he was popular in the betting this time. The 11-4 favourite, which Seán Flanagan rode for Gavin Cromwell, was under pressure from a long way out but responded well and won a shade comfortably.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Superstar' horse eyes first Badminton Horse Trials win
The Olympic gold medallist pairing of Ballaghmor Class and Oliver Townend, could become the outright most successful British combination in eventing history at Badminton this weekend. The pair have already enjoyed a distinguished career, claiming four five-star titles and leading Team GB to an historic Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo Games. The 18-year-old gelding has not been placed outside of the top five on his past four visits to Badminton, finishing runner-up twice. And you can watch highlights of the 2025 Badminton Horse Trials on Sunday, 11 May (BBC Two and iPlayer from 13:45 BST). Townend, who has had the horse he calls "Thomas" in his yard since a four-year-old, told BBC Sport: "There's no other way to describe Ballaghmor Class apart from being a part of the family. "He's very shy to start with but I think he's become quite aware that he's a superstar now. "When the wagon goes down the road to a competition and he's not in it, he's banging the stable door down. Thomas is what you'd call a professional, a proper competition horse." The "quirky" horse first gained attention in winning the Burghley Horse Trials on his debut at the level in 2017. He has since achieved success at Kentucky, Burghley again and Maryland last autumn. Townend, 42, has won nine five-star level events, including Badminton in 2009 on Flint Curtis. "For me to try to show the world how good he is, is my main job but, so far so good. By the time he finishes everybody will realise quite what a special horse we've seen," he added. Townend is also riding Ballaghmor Class' stablemate Cooley Rosalent in a bid to claim his second Badminton title and 10th five-star win. Paris Olympic champions Laura Collett, Ros Canter and Tom McEwen are amongst the challengers, alongside the reigning World Champion Yasmin Ingham.
Irish Examiner
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Townend picks up where he left off with Tipperary success
Crowned champion jockey for the seventh time at Punchestown last Saturday, Paul Townend made a perfect start to the new season when scoring on board his first mount of the 2025-2026 campaign, Gold Dancer, in the Hotel Minella Beginners Chase in Tipperary. The Gigginstown-owned, Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old, raced prominently, jumped soundly in the main, and, in the closing stages, saw off Le Coq Hardi by four lengths. 'He's been so disappointing, but had a run over fences,' said Townend. 'Chasing was always going to be his game. He makes lengths over his fences and it'll take a good novice to lie up with him. I'd say we'll keep going with him.' Townend was expected to complete a double for the Closutton team on You Oughta Know in the Ryans Cleaning beginners Chase. However, the 11-8 favourite blundered and unseated the champion jockey at the second fence. Victory in this event went to the 134-rated, Gordon Elliott-trained Western Fold, positively ridden by Danny Gilligan to put his experience to good use. The six-year-old, having his sixth run over fences, jumped impeccably and relished every yard of the longer trip, powering home eight lengths clear of Oscars Brother. Representing Elliott, Lisa O'Neill said: 'He had plenty of experience and his jumping improved as he went along. Danny gave him a lovely, positive ride and said he got the run of the race. It's great to get him on the scoreboard. And I''d say he'll keep going through the summer.' Edward O'Grady registered his first success since November when St Faz, successful on the Flat and over hurdles, opened his chasing account in the Botanica International Handicap Chase. Ridden by Darragh O'Keeffe, the 5-2 favourite took command at the second last and stayed on to beat One Last Tango by two and a quarter lengths. 'The horses have been running well without winning, so I'm very pleased this fellow has won,' commented the veteran trainer, 'He's a five-year-old, so might progress and he'll run in those novice handicaps through the summer.' The father and son combination of trainer Alex and amateur Luke Burke-Ott struck in the Join Racing TV Now With A Free Month Trial Handicap Chase when Inchidaly Copper recovered from a last fence blunder to outpoint the flattering In The Trenches by a neck. 'The main thing is to keep him fresh and he's only in six weeks, so we thought he'd need the run,' said the trainer, 'I'd say he trains himself and we had no real plan for him. The distance was shorter than ideal for him.' Another father/son team was on the mark in the Buy Tickets Online Novice Hunters Chase as The Rebel County, owned and trained by Garrett Ahern in Bartlemy, County Cork and giving his son Josh a first racecourse success, saw off favourite Cause For Comment and Keep On Dreaming. 'He loved that summer ground,' declared the winning rider. 'He was wicked keen with me and I kept wide for the best ground. I gave him a squeeze turning into the straight and away he went.' The only four-year-old in the field, Chosen Comrade, described by her trainer Peter Fahey as 'not the biggest, but a nice staying filly', made an impressive debut in the mares' bumper, beating favourite Katie's Melody comfortably, and proving another winner for in-form John Gleeson. And, successful with I'm Slippy at Fairyhouse last month, Robert Tyner and Josh Williamson teamed-up again to take the geldings' bumper with six-year-old Quakerstown scorer Stanners Glen.
