Latest news with #Vimy
Scottish Sun
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Meet the 80-year-old granny battling billionaires with her Derby ‘superstar' tinged with sadness
Victory in the world's most famous Flat race would be 26 years in the making VIP OAP Meet the 80-year-old granny battling billionaires with her Derby 'superstar' tinged with sadness Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SHE is the 80-year-old granny battling the billionaires with her Derby 'superstar'. In what has been billed as the ultimate David vs Goliath showdown, this 'proud Yorkshirewoman' with just six horses is daring to dream in the world's most prestigious race. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Vimy Aykroyd, second from right, is the 80-year-old gran taking on the billionaires with her Derby 'superstar' Pride Of Arras Credit: Steven Cargill / 3 Victory in the Derby would be a dream come true, although tinged with sadness as Vimy's husband David is in care with dementia and is unaware the horse is running in the world's most famous Flat race Credit: PA Meet Vimy Aykroyd, racing royalty, rebel and the owner of 5-1 chance Pride Of Arras. At stake is the small matter of £900,000 for victory, a place in history and a lucrative, money-spinning career at stud for their three-year-old colt. But also the realisation of a dream that started 26 years ago when Vimy first sent horses to trainer Ralph Beckett. Their families are intertwined, with Vimy having spent time with the Becketts growing up. When Ralph, son of trainer William, started his own yard in 1999, Vimy - Lavinia for full - was one of the first to send him horses. In the years since Beckett has pretty much done it all. Millions upon millions in prize money, Arc de Triomphe victory with Bluestocking last year, Group 1s galore and Royal Ascot success. But he's never won the Derby. Over the past decade, the 1m4f race over the undulating, rolling Epsom track has been a happy hunting ground for the billionaire tycoons who dominate the sport. Since 2017 it has been won by either Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed - under his Godolphin operation - or the all-conquering Coolmore group, made up of Irish racing boss John Magnier and British former bookies Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith. Only in 2017, with Desert Crown, did it go to someone else - Dubai businessman Saeed Suhail. In fact, you have to go to diamond dealer Anthony Oppenheimer in 2015 for the last sole British owner to win the Derby, when he did it with Golden Horn. It's a tough gig when you're literally battling those with the financial might of an entire country behind them. But Vimy's more than used to overcoming adversity. 3 Sadly Vimy's husband David - her late husband's brother - seen here with Vimy in 2021, is now in a care home with dementia So can he win? Templegate's verdict By Steve Mullen (Templegate) PRIDE OF ARRAS absolutely can win the Derby. It may not have been a vintage Dante he won at York last time but Ralph Beckett's colt showed real class to get the job done. He really enjoyed stepping up to 1m2f and screams that he'll love the Derby distance too. There is lots of stamina in his pedigree but no shortage of speed either. It was good to see him accelerate once getting a gap on the Knavesmire and the Dante winning time was decent too. That was just his second run - and it came after nine months off - so you would expect a lot more from this talented colt. Beckett knows what it takes to win at the highest level and there is still some 5-1 about which looks an each-way bet to nothing. I would be surprised if he was outside the first three in the big race. Mischievous by nature, she wasn't always the best student and racing was in her blood given her grandad won the Grand National in 1891. When women were allowed to ride in Flat races for the first time in 1972 she naturally took part and won on a horse called Old Cock. Personal life took over when she moved to Spain with husband Richard Aykroyd - but he died from cancer in 1997. Vimy returned to London and then Yorkshire, where she married her late husband's brother David, who has been described as 'the epitome of the English gentleman'. Sadly, the Telegraph report that he is now in a care home with dementia and unaware their beloved horse is running in the world's most famous Flat race. Pride Of Arras was 50-1 for the Derby before he won the Dante at York - the key trial for the Epsom contest - last month. Beckett was bullish of his chances in the big one immediately after and there is no doubt he is the big British hope this year. A fairytale story, victory and overcoming odds? Sounds like Vimy Aykroyd all over. 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
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Meet the 80-year-old granny battling billionaires with her Derby ‘superstar' tinged with sadness
SHE is the 80-year-old granny battling the billionaires with her Derby 'superstar'. In what has been billed as the ultimate David vs Goliath showdown, this 'proud Yorkshirewoman' with just six horses is daring to dream in the world's most prestigious race. 3 Vimy Aykroyd, second from right, is the 80-year-old gran taking on the billionaires with her Derby 'superstar' Pride Of Arras Credit: Steven Cargill / 3 Victory in the Derby would be a dream come true, although tinged with sadness as Vimy's husband David is in care with dementia and is unaware the horse is running in the world's most famous Flat race Credit: PA Meet Vimy Aykroyd, racing royalty, rebel and the owner of 5-1 chance Pride Of Arras. At stake is the small matter of £900,000 for victory, a place in history and a lucrative, money-spinning career at stud for their three-year-old colt. But also the realisation of a dream that started 26 years ago when Vimy first sent horses to trainer Ralph Beckett. Their families are intertwined, with Vimy having spent time with the Becketts growing up. When Ralph, son of trainer William, started his own yard in 1999, Vimy - Lavinia for full - was one of the first to send him horses. In the years since Beckett has pretty much done it all. Millions upon millions in prize money, Arc de Triomphe victory with Bluestocking last year, Group 1s galore and Royal Ascot success. But he's never won the Derby. Most read in Horse Racing Over the past decade, the 1m4f race over the undulating, rolling Epsom track has been a happy hunting ground for the billionaire tycoons who dominate the sport. Since 2017 it has been won by either Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed - under his Godolphin operation - or the all-conquering Coolmore group, made up of Irish racing boss John Magnier and British former bookies Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith. Only in 2017, with Desert Crown, did it go to someone else - Dubai businessman Saeed Suhail. In fact, you have to go to diamond dealer Anthony Oppenheimer in 2015 for the last sole British owner to win the Derby, when he did it with Golden Horn. It's a tough gig when you're literally battling those with the financial might of an entire country behind them. But Vimy's more than used to overcoming adversity. 3 Sadly Vimy's husband David - her late husband's brother - seen here with Vimy in 2021, is now in a care home with dementia So can he win? Templegate's verdict By Steve Mullen (Templegate) PRIDE OF ARRAS absolutely can win the Derby. It may not have been a vintage Dante he won at York last time but Ralph Beckett's colt showed real class to get the job done. He really enjoyed stepping up to 1m2f and screams that he'll love the Derby distance too. There is lots of stamina in his pedigree but no shortage of speed either. It was good to see him accelerate once getting a gap on the Knavesmire and the Dante winning time was decent too. That was just his second run - and it came after nine months off - so you would expect a lot more from this talented colt. Beckett knows what it takes to win at the highest level and there is still some 5-1 about which looks an each-way bet to nothing. I would be surprised if he was outside the first three in the big race. Mischievous by nature, she wasn't always the best student and racing was in her blood given her grandad won the Grand National in 1891. When women were allowed to ride in Flat races for the first time in 1972 she naturally took part and won on a horse called Old Cock. Personal life took over when she moved to Spain with husband Richard Aykroyd - but he died from cancer in 1997. Vimy returned to London and then Yorkshire, where she married her late husband's brother David, who has been described as 'the epitome of the English gentleman'. Sadly, the Pride Of Arras was 50-1 for the Derby before he won the Dante at York - the key trial for the Epsom contest - last month. Beckett was bullish of his chances in the big one immediately after and there is no doubt he is the big British hope this year. A fairytale story, victory and overcoming odds? Sounds like Vimy Aykroyd all over. 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.
Globe and Mail
29-05-2025
- General
- Globe and Mail
The King of Canada, and other things nobody understands
In 2002, then-defence minister John McCallum admitted that the first time he'd heard of the Raid on Dieppe was when he attended a ceremony in France marking the battle's 60th anniversary. In an attempt to redeem himself from embarrassment, he wrote a letter to the editor of the National Post – in which he confused Vimy, Canada's First World War victory, with Vichy, France's collaborationist Second World War regime. Before entering politics, Mr. McCallum had been a university professor, the chief economist of a bank and dean of arts at McGill. With a resumé like that, you're not supposed to be last off the turnip truck. In most countries, you wouldn't be. But this is Canada, where our history is a self-erasing tabula rasa. Which brings us to the visit of King Charles III to deliver the Throne Speech – and high-level Canadian officials revealing low levels of Canadian knowledge. On Monday, the social media account of Governor-General Mary Simon tweeted the following: '#GGSimon was honoured to have an audience with His Majesty King Charles III at @RideauHall as part of Their Majesties' Royal Visit to Canada.' And then: 'These ongoing conversations deepen the meaningful bond between our nations. GB. CA.' The people who wrote those words work in the office of the person delegated to represent our head of state. Yet they're under the impression that our head of state is the ambassador of a foreign government – 'GB' for Great Britain. Vimy, Vichy. King of Canada, King of Kensington. Whatever. The post was later removed. But the high-level misunderstandings continued on Wednesday in Question Period. A Bloc Québécois MP asked why taxpayers' money had been wasted on 'the King of England.' I get that this is the term the BQ always uses, but come on: There hasn't been a King of England since 1707. Wanting to end the monarchy is a perfectly reasonable position, but at least know what you're swinging at. Steven Guilbeault, the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture (real title, I swear) replied that there was nothing unusual about the visit because, even when the King doesn't attend in person, 'it's always the British Crown that reads the speech.' Opinion: King Charles's visit to Canada was a show of weakness, not strength The 'British' Crown? Seriously? The minister of Canadian Identity needs help identifying the pieces on our constitutional chessboard. The personified symbol of national sovereignty (it sounds weird, I know) who read the Throne Speech is not a representative of the British government. In fact, given that the King was participating in a ceremony of Canadian sovereignty directed at an American audience, it's possible that Britain – where he's also the head of state – would have preferred he not come. But the request to the Canadian head of state came from the Canadian head of government, and as such would have been received as something of an obligation. The guy who arrived on a Canadian plane, rode through the streets of Canada's capital, visited the Canadian national war memorial and opened the Canadian Parliament with words written by his Canadian ministry, was the King of Canada. He was not on the clock in Ottawa as King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, or King of Australia, or King of the Bahamas. Fifteen countries share the monarch, but he occupies each post independently. Someone working at Starbucks while attending university is not the representative of Starbucks to their school. Nor are they their school's representative to Starbucks. Same thing here. Coyne: This was the moment Charles became King of Canada, and Canada his kingdom We're trying to make a big show of how we're not Americans, yet when we encounter our most shockingly not-American bits, we trip over them. Even Prime Minister Mark Carney has had trouble. Since the election, he's several times said that Canada has three founding peoples – English, French and Indigenous – with the monarchy related to the first of them. Leaving aside whether we should be talking anymore of 'founding peoples,' the reason for the Crown, or this visit, isn't that. Canada is an independent constitutional monarchy, and the King of Canada is the independent constitutional monarch. The government advised the monarch that he was needed to take part in an important constitutional convention, so he did. A historical connection to Britain is how we got here, but Canada's Crown has long been independent of that. Canada has many people of Indian ancestry, but that doesn't mean Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to be asked to read the Throne Speech. Is Canada a weird country? Sometimes. It's the result of a history of not being American. And this particular arrangement is almost impossible to change, so you might as well embrace it. Stay weird, Canada.
