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Edinburgh Reporter
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Belmont Stakes vs. St. Leger Stakes: Which Race Reigns as the Ultimate Challenge?
Equestrian sports like horse racing are big industries on both sides of the Atlantic. In fact, both have their version of the Triple Crown Series. In Britain, three-year-olds tackle the 2,000 Guineas, Derby, then St. Leger. In the U.S., it's the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont. They have a few similarities. For example, the constituent races in both Triple Crowns are open to three-year-old colts and fillies. But if we talk about differences, we can start by comparing the last legs of both Triple Crowns, the British St. Leger Stakes and the American Belmont Stakes. Which final pose is more challenging? We'll sketch their shared roots, then break down their histories and contrasts. Photo by @coldbeer: The Belmont Stakes The Belmont Stakes wraps up the American Triple Crown each year on the second Sunday in June. Carried out annually, it's an American Grade I stakes race open to three-year-olds and competed over the worldwide classic distance of 1.5 miles or 12 furlongs. This race has several alternative names, the most popular of which is The Test of the Champion. It's also nicknamed The Run for the Carnations, as carnations are the traditional flower of the Belmont Stakes. The winner is draped with about 700 carnations, creating a 40-pound blanket. With no Triple Crown on the line this year and race day less than two weeks away, anticipation is already building. Fans are expected to flock to trusted betting platforms like FanDuel to monitor late odds shifts and insider insights before the gates open. Tracing a 150-Year-Old Tradition The Belmont Stakes debuted in June 1867 at Jerome Park in the Bronx. It's the oldest Triple Crown race and one of North America's earliest significant stakes contests. Conceived by August Belmont Sr. and Leonard Jerome, the inaugural running challenged three-year-olds over a mile and a half. It also coined the 'Test of the Champion' nickname, which still resonates today. Over the years, the Belmont Stakes has been held at the following racetracks. The most frequent venues are 1st Belmont Park (56 times) and 2nd Belmont Park (56 times). In 2025, the Belmont returns to Saratoga for a second straight running while Belmont Park undergoes renovations. When the Long Stretch Breaks the Best Being the last jewel of the American Triple Crown, its blanket of carnations remains one of the most sought-after prizes in horse racing. Belmont Park's famously long stretch has upended many would-be champions. Some skip the race altogether. Others fade in the final furlong. California Chrome is the latest example, sweeping the first two legs only to settle for fourth in the Belmont. Experts say the Belmont Stakes is the most strategic race in the American Triple Crown. It requires jockeys to efficiently maximise their horses' potential, conserve energy, and save ground whenever possible. Belmont Park is known for its long stretch. If the jockey is unfamiliar with it, it can break a horse's potential to win. So, it takes a calculated and smart jockey to pull off a smooth Belmont Stakes campaign. The St. Leger Stakes Closing the curtain on Britain's five Classics, the St. Leger Stakes is run last each year. Its distance of 1 mile, 6 furlongs, and 115 yards exceeds every other Classic in the lineup. Like Belmont, it doubles as the last leg of its Triple Crown and even carries extra prestige as the finale of the Fillies' Triple Crown. Run at Doncaster over a testing 1 mile, 6 furlongs, and 115 yards (2,921 meters), this Group 1 flat event welcomes only three-year-old colts and fillies. Its late-season slot and extended trip demand maturity and stamina, turning September's race day into a true showdown of classic endurance. The Making of a 250-Year-Old Classic The St. Leger Stakes began in 1776 as the 'Sweepstake of 25 Guineas,' founded by Major-General Anthony St Leger after he settled near Doncaster. Legend has it that guests suggested naming the race after the Marquess during a Doncaster's Red Lion pub celebratory dinner. But he instead honoured its creator, coining the 'St Leger' title in 1778. The race became famous two decades later when Champion completed the Derby–St Leger double in 1800. Shortly after, organisers trimmed the trip to today's 1 mile, 6 furlongs, cementing its reputation as the season's ultimate endurance test. Even now, the winning jockey receives a bespoke cap, serving as a nod to the race's storied past and enduring prestige. What Makes That Last Leg So Brutal Claiming the English Triple Crown is famously elusive. Many colts conquer the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket and the Derby at Epsom, only to falter when the St. Leger's extended trip arrives. In fact, no horse has completed all three since Nijinsky's sweep in 1970, underscoring just how demanding that final leg can be. Nijinsky pulled off the last British Triple Crown in 1970, battling ringworm and fueled by a raw-egg-and-stout regimen. His authoritative win at Doncaster demonstrated that true champions rise above adversity when the stakes are highest. Legacy on Two Continents It's easy to argue which race is more challenging, but smarter to appreciate what each brings to the sport. Belmont's 'Test of the Champion' thrills with its mile-and-a-quarter dash, while the St. Leger rewards maturity and staying power. They spring from different pedigrees yet feed the same passion, which is to showcase the very best of the crop. As long as horses run and crowds gather, these two classics will remain pillars of racing tradition. Like this: Like Related
Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Mark Selby says fan credited him with 'saving her life' on eve of Crucible
Mark Selby has been open about his battles with his mental health, with the four-time world champion now revealing that his openness had been helping others with their struggles Snooker star Mark Selby has revealed an anguished fan credited him with 'saving' her life by disclosing his own battles with mental health. The 41-year-old has won four World Championships and nine Triple Crowns since turning pro in 1999. He won the British and Welsh Open last season but was dumped out of the World Championship in the first round. The wins in Cheltenham and Llandudno ensured it was Selby's most successful season for some time. The Englishman has now opened up on his battles with mental health. He revealed that he hit a low ebb last year as his wife Vikki underwent treatment for brest cancer. That came around the same time as a close family friend died after being diagnosed with cancer. While Selby has tended to keep his personal struggles private, he did issue an emotional statement three years ago, which he credits with helping him through his struggles. And his decision to go public also help to stop a fan from taking their own life. Selby has revealed that the day before this year's World Championship began, he was stopped outside the Crucible where the woman credited him with saving her life. 'I was doing a few autographs and pictures. And this girl came up to me, bless her. She only must have been in her mid-20s. She said: 'Mark, can I just say something to you?' Of course, I said," he told The Sun. "She replied: 'I just want to say, I tried to take my own life a little while ago and hearing you speak out made me realise there's more to life – and you can get on.' So, that was quite emotional and touching, knowing that you have helped someone – because you never know what's going on behind closed doors. 'If you can help one person, that girl for example, that obviously makes it worthwhile, me speaking out. It basically saved her life. There's a lot more people going through it than what you think. And I was one of them." Unfortunately for Selby, he suffered a shock 10-8 defeat to Ben Woolaston in the first round of the World Championship. He admitted afterwards that he had not performed at the level required. "I didn't deserve to win. Ben played some great stuff, his safety was unbelievable at times but I still had my chances. It was pathetic really from me, to play like that is disappointing," Selby said. "It's the same old story, I try too hard and stop myself from playing. I love Ben to bits, I've known him for years. I grew up with him and have seen him progressing. It was tough from start to finish, I didn't play anywhere near where I can play and didn't deserve to win. "I played poorly from start to finish. I felt like I threw so many frames away, I kept getting 30 in front and running out of position or missing a silly shot, and then Ben would come back and win the frame. "I probably threw five or six frames away and it's disappointing because I came here with a bit of confidence and I didn't expect to play like that."
Daily Mirror
08-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Dallaglio's wife tries to save him from bankruptcy by selling £2.7m home
The wife of former England Rugby Union star Lawrence Dallaglio is racing to sell the couple's £2.7million home in order to save him from a potential bankruptcy order Lawrence Dallaglio's wife is trying to sell their £2.7million house in a bid to shield her husband from bankruptcy. As reported by Telegraph Sport, Alice Dallaglio took steps at the High Court on Friday, seeking a validation order that would permit the immediate disposal of the couple's Richmond abode, where they lived for nearly a quarter of a century. The sale comes amid divorce proceedings between the duo, who have been wed for 20 years. The former Rugby Union legend faces the grim possibility of bankruptcy, a subject brought into focus during an Insolvency and Companies Court hearing on Tuesday. At 52, Lawrence narrowly sidestepped financial ruin two years ago, clearing debts which tallied up to £700,000 in unsettled taxes. Once on the brink of bankruptcy due to a petition from HM Revenue and Customs, he was able to shake off the threat in 2023 after engaging in an individual voluntary arrangement, reports Wales Online. In court, Craig Parrett, a director at Isadore Goldman representing Alice, said: "The completion of the property's set for tomorrow and all the parties are keen to ensure that completion can proceed for the benefit of the first respondent's [Dallaglio's] creditors." Despite the home being tagged at around £2.7m, Parrett went on to clarify that the true equity stood at approximately £1.2m – the inflated sale price potentially signalling the urgency to generate funds. Parrett added: "If a bankruptcy order is made, the net sale proceeds will be provided to a trustee. "If the bankruptcy order is not made, they'll be provided to the IVA supervisor." ICC judge Stephen Baister said that the application would be made a priority with some minor tweaks, saying: "Get it in quickly enough. "I'm sitting in the afternoon and I'll certainly get it done." The order was reportedly approved. News surfaced in February that the couple, parents to three children named Enzo, Ella, and Josie, were filing for divorce. They both appeared at Central Family Court in Holborn to negotiate a final settlement. Regarded as one of the legends of English rugby, Lawrence earned distinction with four Six Nations titles, five Triple Crowns, and a World Cup. He also spent the duration of his 18-year club career with Wasps. Following his retirement at the close of the 2008 season, Dallaglio has been actively involved in charity work and participated in various cycling challenges. In 2018, he launched the first Dallaglio Cycle Slam, which has since become an annual event aimed at raising funds for disadvantaged young people in need of assistance.
Wales Online
08-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Lawrence Dallaglio's estranged wife puts £2.7m home up for sale to save him from bankruptcy
Lawrence Dallaglio's estranged wife puts £2.7m home up for sale to save him from bankruptcy Lawrence Dallaglio's wife, Alice, is attempting to prevent the former England Rugby Union star from going bankrupt by trying to sell their £2.7million home in Richmond Alice Dallaglio is trying to prevent her husband, Lawrence Dallaglio, from bankruptcy (Image:) Lawrence Dallaglio's wife is trying to sell the couple's £2.7million home in order to prevent her husband from going bankrupt. As per Telegraph Sport, Alice Dallaglio sought a validation order from the High Court on Friday, to allow for the immediate sale of the property in Richmond which she shared with the former England Rugby Union star for almost 25 years. It comes as the couple, who have been married for 20 years, are currently going through divorce proceedings. Lawrence is faced with the prospect of a bankruptcy order which was raised during an Insolvency and Companies Court hearing on Tuesday. The 52-year-old only escaped financial awe two years ago by paying off debts which included £700,000 in unpaid taxes. The former flanker was the subject of a bankruptcy petition from HM Revenue and Customs before it was withdrawn in 2023 after reaching an individual voluntary agreement. Alice was represented at the hearing by Craig Parrett, a director at Isadore Goldman, who told the court: "The completion of the property's set for tomorrow and all the parties are keen to ensure that completion can proceed for the benefit of the first respondent's [Dallaglio's] creditors." Article continues below While Parrett noted that the sale price of the home was around £2.7m, he explained that the equity in the home was only around £1.2m – with the sale price seemingly reflecting on the urgency of cashing in. Parrett added: "If a bankruptcy order is made, the net sale proceeds will be provided to a trustee. If the bankruptcy order is not made, they'll be provided to the IVA supervisor." ICC judge Stephen Baister told Parrett that the application would be prioritised with minor adjustments, explaining: "Get it in quickly enough. "I'm sitting in the afternoon and I'll certainly get it done." It is reported that the order was granted. Lawrence Dallaglio could face bankruptcy (Image: Getty Images ) It emerged in February that the couple, who have three children in Enzo, Ella, and Josie, were filing for divorce. Both attended Central Family Court in Holborn to attempt to finalise a divorce settlement. Article continues below Considered to be one of the greats of English rugby after winning four Six Nations titles, five Triple Crowns and a World Cup, Lawrence spent the entirety of his 18-year career with Wasps. Since retiring at the end of the 2008 season, Dallaglio has engaged in charity work and took part in a series of cycling events. In 2018, he also hosted the inaugural Dallaglio Cycle Slam, which has since gone on to become an annual event to raise money for excluded youth in need of support.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Thirteen Lions calls Andy Farrell must get right
Andy Farrell has some huge calls to make ahead of Thursday's Lions squad announcement - Getty Images/David Rogers A shadowy process in which the participants are sworn to secrecy, the papal conclave would do well to learn from the levels of mystery and intrigue surrounding Andy Farrell's final Lions selection meeting at an undisclosed location in London on Wednesday. Telegraph Sport raises 13 topics that will determine the make-up of the squad, to be announced on Thursday afternoon. Rule by debate or dictatorship? As head coach, Farrell will have the final say on squad selection. The question is how much input will his assistants have? While Richard Wigglesworth, Simon Easterby, John Dalziel, Andrew Goodman, Johnny Sexton and John Fogarty are all fine individual coaches, this is not a cabinet of heavyweights like Ian McGeechan assembled in 2009 or Warren Gatland in 2017. Fogarty and Dalziel have been coaching at international level for five years while the others are relative novices and none have coached on a Lions tour before. Certainly Sexton will not be shy in sharing his opinion – see his thoughts on Finn Russell – but how much sway will that have in the final decision? Speaking in March, Farrell suggested none of his thoughts will be set in stone when he walks into a room. 'I am open-minded enough to be persuaded in my opinion, I am not too pig- headed for that,' Farrell said. 'But if it comes down to a 50-50 I'd be happy to make the call. The way I like to do it when you start getting to the point or near the point where you start to play devil's advocate on everyone's opinion and the truth definitely comes out then.' Recency bias vs class is permanent Since the last Lions tour, Ireland have been by far the best-performing home nation – significant World Cup hiccup aside – winning two Six Nations titles as well as three Triple Crowns, reaching world No 1 status as well as securing landmark victories in South Africa and New Zealand. However, their form has dipped significantly with an underwhelming loss to the All Blacks in the autumn followed by a rout at home to France. A Leinster side containing 20 Irish internationals then lost to Northampton in the Champions Cup semi-final. Farrell's selections as Ireland head coach demonstrate that he is loyal – some would say to a fault – to players whose form might be wavering. Can he afford to apply the same principles to Lions selection? Or will he weigh the most recent high-level performances more prominently in that final selection call. 'Some teams are the worst in the world or the best in the world after two rounds and then how they finish they are now the best in the world or the worst in the world,' Farrell said. 'I just have to make sure I am level-headed enough to just see the reality of it.' Leinster's loss to Northampton may have jeopardised some Ireland players Lions hopes – in particular fly-half Sam Prendergast (centre) - Sportsfile via Getty Images/Seb Daly We need to talk about Sam... On that subject, fly-half Sam Prendergast was conspicuously poor in both Ireland's loss to France loss and against Northampton last Saturday. His defence is simply a liability and one that would be ruthlessly exploited by a master manipulator such as Joe Schmidt. In a way, this should not be a surprise for a young fly-half who has not yet played 50 games of senior rugby and has a few rough edges. With his sumptuous range of passing and kicking you can see why Farrell is so smitten with Prendergast as Ireland's future No 10. Sexton too is a huge admirer. It has been suggested Prendergast would learn a lot from going to Australia but that is anathema to what the Lions should stand for. They are no development vehicle. Prendergast has plenty of attributes to be a successful Test fly-half but the flaws may appear too big to ignore. …. and Owen If Prendergast's selection ahead of, say Fin Smith or Finn Russell, would be incendiary then Owen Farrell going in the same circumstances would trigger a thermonuclear reaction on social media and beyond. Farrell has the experience of three previous tours and through force of personality would set internal standards that are so crucial to the Lions success over the tour, as former team-mate Alex Goode attests to. However, Farrell does not have the crucial commodity of form to merit selection after a rough first season with Racing 92. Farrell senior has said his only criteria is selecting players who give the Lions the best possible chance of success Down Under, but however alien the idea of nepotism might be to him, he has to at the very least consider the optics of selecting his son. Farrell, pictured with Owen during the 2017 Lions tour, would open himself to accusations of nepotism by picking his out-of-form son - Sportsfile via Getty Images/Stephen McCarthy The French connection The plus side of selecting Farrell is that barring a late surge Racing should not be involved in the Top 14 play-offs, allowing him to be called up instantly. Same for Courtney Lawes at Brive. For other contenders such as Blair Kinghorn and Jack Willis with Toulouse and Ben White, Kyle Sinckler and David Ribbans with Toulon, who are currently first and third in the Top 14, the situation is more complicated. Should either side reach the Top 14 final on June 28 then they will miss at least the Lions' first three fixtures against Argentina in Dublin on June 22, Western Force in Perth on June 28 and Queensland Reds in Brisbane on July 2. This, needless to say, would be far-from-ideal preparation and while Farrell previously appeared relaxed about it, he may only be able to make one or two rather than four or five exemptions. Witness the fitness The other big factor the coaches will need to consider is the current injury list which sadly now includes Caelan Doris who appears increasingly unlikely to make the tour. Centre Ollie Lawrence, wing Ollie Sleightholme and second row George Martin, who featured in England's Six Nations, are all out. Then comes a list of players who are currently injured but working their way back to fitness such as George Furbank, Mack Hansen, Sione Tuipulotu, Huw Jones, Blair Kinghorn, Zander Fagerson, Matt Fagerson, Duhan van der Merwe and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. Some are due back before the end of the club season but Farrell can only take so many risks in a squad touring the other side of the world. Caelan Doris is among a long list of players Farrell may choose to omit due to fitness concerns - Getty Images/David Rogers Price of utilities Now if Farrell does intend to take some French-based players as well as some players who might at the very least be far from 100 per cent, this will place an added premium on certain individuals to cover multiple positions, especially in the backline. Elliot Daly and Jamie Obsorne can seamlessly slot between the centres as well as the back three while Blair Murray can feature there and at fly-half. In a specialist role like No 10, where game minutes may be limited, the ability to fill other positions is especially important which may well play into Marcus Smith's hands. 'You need versatility in a Lions squad,' Danny Wilson, the Harlequins head coach, said. 'He can genuinely do that. He's shown it at 10 and 15 internationally.' Then there is Asher Opoku-Fordjour, that rarest of beasts as a prop who can double up at loosehead and tighthead, which was noted by scrum coach John Fogarty. 'Something like that is valuable, isn't it?' While it is valuable, there is also a balance between having Jacks of all trades and too few specialist masters. Combo deals or mix and match? With time so limited on a Lions tour, there will be a strong temptation to pick a couple of flat-pack combinations off the shelf rather than mix and match. Hence picking ready-made centre pairings of Tuipulotu and Jones or Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose. Same with the half-backs where there is an added appeal of picking Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith or Jamison Gibson-Park who play for both club and country. If Maro Itoje is going to be your main lineout target, that counts in the favour of Jamie George who has thrown to Itoje more than any individual. However, there is a danger that if you go down that path then you end up with the entire Ireland team. Welshman Tomos Williams has a creditable chance of selection thanks to his superb form with Gloucester - Getty Images/David Rogers Can Welsh dragons bring fire? Picking on a combination basis would work against Wales players. So would picking on the basis of Test results. With no Welsh coach in the room, there may not be anyone banging the table on their behalf. The job for Farrell and his team is to separate the individual quality from the team's performances. There are very few backs in world rugby who look like a million dollars behind a retreating pack, but Tomos Williams has given frequent demonstrations with Gloucester how dangerous he can be when given something of a platform. Same with Murray with the Scarlets. Jac Morgan is competing in the most fiendishly competitive position at openside but do you give his consistently excellent performances for Wales extra credit – or does he have more involvements because he is on the back foot so much? But Farrell was brutally clear that he is not going to kowtow to the notion that each nation deserves a set representation. Need for speed Go back through past Lions squads, whether Louis Rees-Zammit in 2021, Anthony Watson in 2017 or Jason Robinson in 2001, and there has always been a gas merchant. Now pace is relative. The majority of the likely backline are by no means slow but by Test standards there is a lack of an out-and-out speedster, with the possible exception of Scotland's Darcy Graham who is as much elusive as electric. How much will this play into the hands of Feyi-Waboso as he slowly recovers from the shoulder surgery which was botched between the Rugby Football Union and Exeter? Or does Farrell have another candidate in mind to inject some raw speed into his backline? Henry Pollock 's youthful fearlessness could swing selection in his favour ahead of more established players - Getty Images/David Rogers Dropping a Pollock At this stage, Henry Pollock can no longer be considered a long shot from left field. Only the astounding depth in the back row prevents him from being a certain selection given his recent performances. Either way it will be a controversial call: overlooking possibly the form player in Europe or selecting a one-cap England flanker ahead of far more established options such as Ben Curry, who was one England's best performers in the Six Nations, or Josh van der Flier. Pollock could still arrive as a call-up from England's tour to Argentina but Farrell must be tempted to unleash that youthful fearlessness that he once possessed in spades for Wigan and Great Britain. Avoiding 'off-tour' adventures Picking a Lions squad is not simply about picking the best of the best, it is also about the blend of personalities and the ability to be a good tourist. This is not to say that anyone will be selected for the quality of their banter or that they will not fight tooth and nail to get a starting shirt, but it is crucial that those players not picked for the first Test do not go 'off tour' as has happened previously. Farrell will have done his homework on those who react well to being overlooked. Several players for instance have commented that George Ford was instrumental in keeping standards high in England's training despite only being selected for the final match. Another factor that needs to be considered is the experience of Lions tours. Even those who went to South Africa in 2021 will not have had a full taste of it behind closed doors. There needs to be at least a cohort of senior players who can relay their experiences, both good and bad, to the rest of the group so the squad are not caught unawares by the intensity of a full-fat tour with fans. About Schmidt Finally, there is he who must not be named. Australia head coach Joe Schmidt has an outsized influence on the coaching careers of five of their coaches from his time in Ireland setting up a fascinating master-v-apprentices dynamic this summer. While Australia lost to Ireland in the autumn, the Wallabies often appeared to be one step ahead of what Farrell's team were doing, which was doubtless a sign of Schmidt's influence. The Lions coaching team want to be unpredictable in how they play Australia; might this also be reflected in a couple of curveball selections?
