Latest news with #horseracing
News.com.au
16 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Racing Victoria stewards probe The Storyteller stomach-tubing allegation against Pakenham trainer John Leek Jr
Racing Victoria stewards are investigating Pakenham trainer John Leek Jr in relation to alleged race day treatment of a horse, The Storyteller. The Storyteller was scratched by Order of Stewards last Thursday from a 3100m Benchmark 70 at Warrnambool after Leek Jnr was intercepted roadside en route to the track. Race day stewards opened and adjourned an inquiry into the 'circumstances surrounding the late scratching' of The Storyteller, a $4.40 chance at the time in pre-race markets. Racing Victoria (RV) has confirmed The Storyteller-Leek Jnr investigation remains ongoing. Leek Jnr politely declined to comment on the stewards' inquiry and allegations when contacted by this masthead on Tuesday, in respect of the 'ongoing investigation'. This masthead established RV investigative and intelligence unit stewards, Compliance Assurance Team (CAT), approached Leek Jnr parked roadside near Terang last Thursday. Leek Jnr was allegedly found in possession of equipment which could be used for stomach-tubing the horse. This masthead understands roadside comments from Leek Jnr form part of the stewards' evidence. The CAT stewards wear police-style standard body cameras during integrity operations. This masthead does not suggest Leek Jnr is guilty of any alleged breach, only that RV stewards are investigating an event roadside, which led to an ordered withdrawal of The Storyteller last Thursday. The Storyteller turns the tables on Tishman in a hard-fought battle in the straight ðŸ'� @DanielStack33 — (@Racing) July 6, 2025 • RV would not be drawn on whether the CAT team targeted Leek Jnr specifically, as part of a regular covert surveillance operations, or coincidently drove past the parked horse float at the opportune time. The CAT stewards conduct random and targeted investigations to uphold Victorian racing integrity. Under Australian Rules of Racing (AR255) stomach-tubing or being involved in such activity is banned on the day of a race, trial or jumpout, without stewards' permission. The process involves a tube being fed through a horse's nose, down the throat and into the stomach, to administer sodium-bicarbonate dissolved in water. The 'milkshake' is said to reduce lactic acid and help a horse run further with less fatigue. A minimum 12-month disqualification is mandatory, in absence of special circumstances, if a person is found guilty of 'stomach-tubing or attempted stomach-tubing' on race day or one clear day prior. The Storyteller has an acceptance to race in a 2238m Benchmark 64 on Thursday at Sale. The four-year-old Roc De Cambes gelding, purchased for $25,000 out of an online sale in late April, has won three of five starts and more than $60,000 prizemoney for part-owner Leek Jnr and connections since the digital auction.
The Sun
17 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
New boss Lord Allen to take reins of British racing as he says ‘work to do' to secure sport's future
THE new boss of British racing Lord Allen says there is 'work to do' - as his position in charge of the sport was finally confirmed. The Labour peer will start in his new role on September 1, having originally been in line to begin on June 2. 1 His tenure was delayed as the BHA said Lord Allen wanted to 'continue meeting stakeholders to better inform his vision for the sport'. After a lengthy consultation process his position was made official on Monday evening. A BHA statement on Monday evening said: "Lord Allen of Kensington will start work in his post as Chair of the British Horseracing Authority from 1 September, it was confirmed following a meeting of the organisation's Board. "The BHA Board affirmed its commitment to implementing governance reforms including a fully independent Board following constructive discussions. "The Board met in London on Monday to consider Lord Allen's response to submissions from shareholders regarding proposed governance changes. "As a result of these submissions, it was today agreed that work should now start towards the establishment of a single independent board of directors. "This will oversee a single BHA executive led by a CEO. "The agreement means Lord Allen will now take up his post from the start of September. "The incoming Chair and the Board will now begin the next steps towards creating an independent Board, including experienced individuals from the industry, through a period of transition and subject to ratification by the members." David Jones, Chair of the BHA's Nominations Committee and Interim BHA Chair said: "The BHA Board has made clear its commitment to pressing ahead with the establishment of an independent Board of Directors. "We look forward to working with Lord Allen to support the industry as it takes this important step forward towards a strong future." While new chief Lord Allen said: "I am delighted we have agreed to a process towards a new independent BHA Board, and I look forward to formally starting in September. "Horseracing has a strong future. There is work to do, but I am in no doubt as to the passion and commitment of the many thousands of people who make up our industry." 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:
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Nikola Jokić cries tears of joy, takes champagne shower after his horse wins race in Serbia
Much was made about Nikola Jokić's stoic reaction to winning the 2023 NBA championship. This is not that. Jokić, whose love of his horses is well-documented, watched one of them win a race in his home country of Serbia on Sunday. Arena Sport TV documented the action and Jokić's reaction in a video that the Denver Nuggets shared Sunday afternoon. Jokić let the emotions fly. [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] After his horse crossed the finish line, Jokić put his head in his hands in tears. He then hopped a fence to access the track, still in tears as he approached his horse and his driver with his arms wide open. He then shared a hug with the driver and gave his horse a pat on the back. The tears kept flowing as he walked with his team to the celebration circle. There, Jokić was in charge of the magnum bottle of champagne. He popped the cork, then sprayed down his team, horse included. He then proceeded to pour champagne on the heads of his team members while saving the final champagne shower for himself. It was a display of unbridled joy. Cue up Jokić's stoic reaction in the immediate aftermath of leading the Nuggets to the NBA championship in 2023: "It's good," Jokić told ESPN when asked how it feels to win his first championship. "The job is done. We can go home now." This reaction resulted in jokes about how much Jokić does or doesn't care about basketball. Which were, of course, silly. Jokić has been the best basketball player in the world for several years running. He's a three-time MVP and a two-time Olympic medalist in addition to being an NBA champion. Of course he cares about basketball. A lot. One doesn't reach his level without caring. And he did let his guard down in the ensuing celebrations in the Nuggets locker room ... : ... and again during Denver's championship parade: But it's fair to say that Jokić's love for his horses and their racing success holds an unparalleled place in his heart. Nothing — at least in public — seems to come close.
The Australian
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Australian
Van Der Hoven moves to Brisbane on a whim and a prayer
Namibia-born jockey Heavelon Van Der Hoven is shifting from Sydney to Brisbane on a whim and a prayer. With the backing of the strong Annabel and Rob Archibald stable, Van Der Hoven will this week move with his two dogs into his new unit at Ascot, just a stone's throw from the Doomben and Eagle Farm racetracks. The 32-year-old jockey finished his five-year Sydney stint in style last Saturday, steering the Jim and Greg Lee-trained Glorious Moments to victory to secure his first NSW metropolitan win. The next day he packed all his belongings into a friend's ute and trailer and started driving to Brisbane, stopping at Murwumbillah on the way. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Van Der Hoven had already launched a few hit-and-run missions to southeast Queensland – his last starts up north were on Caloundra Cup Day at the Sunshine Coast on July 5. He will start the new chapter in his career at Doomben next Wednesday when he is slated to have four rides for the Archibalds, with whom he has a superb 21 per cent winning strike rate. 'I've always had it in the back of my mind to move up there if the right opportunity comes because I really like Brisbane,' Van Der Hoven said. 'The weather and the atmosphere play a big part. It's more chilled and relaxed and there are nice tracks up there. 'I'm not a city boy. I grew up on a farm (in Reheboth, just south of Windhoek in Namibia) and I like the outdoors. And I like the water a lot.' Heavelon Van Der Hoven comes back to scale after his victory on Glorious Moments at Royal Randwick on Saturday – his first NSW metropolitan win. Picture: Getty Images • Harley hopes Cool Archie is his ticket to Group 1 stardom The seeds for Van Der Hoven's sea-change were planted early this year when Annabel Archibald sought a meeting with the jockey. 'Annabel asked 'would you ride for me up there?' and I said 'yeah if you'll support me' and that started the whole thing,' Van Der Hoven recalled. 'I'll try to do my best to be a city rider up here and try to get a few features if possible.' Van Der Hoven said he knew Brisbane-based Irish jockey Robbie Dolan from the days when he used to play golf in Sydney with the Melbourne Cup-winning hoop, but he was not moving north to make friends. • Rutledge's 'omen' win on The Irish written in the stars 'I don't really associate with a lot of racing people. I just keep to my own,' he said. 'Once I'm up there riding, trainers will obviously know that I'm planning to stay and maybe I can go to work for them and show my face around. 'There will be ups and downs and it'll be a challenge but I just have to take it on. 'But everywhere is hard, you just need the right support and connections I guess. I'll just put my head down and work hard.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
From MVP To The Winner's Circle: Nikola Jokić Brought To Tears As His Horse Wins In Serbia
From MVP To The Winner's Circle: Nikola Jokić Brought To Tears As His Horse Wins In Serbia originally appeared on Paulick Report. Denver Nugget's versatile big man and three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić was brought to tears watching his horse win a race at Dužijanca in Subotica, Serbia on the translated video, Jokić—who races under the ownership name Dream Catcher—watched as his horse won the second race on the card. In the video, you can see Jokić hugging the horse and celebrating with champagne. Jokić, also known as 'Joker,' is a lifelong harness racing fan. He first got into the sport around age 12 when his parents took him to the track. A friend's dad was involved in racing, and one thing led to another—Jokic was hooked. The 2023 NBA Champion has celebrated plenty of big wins before, but watching his horse cross the finish line clearly meant more. One looked like work. The other? Pure passion. Post race interview with subtitles: Nikola Jokic post race interview with English subtitles (via Reddit r/denvernuggets) This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jul 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
