No weather worries for O'Brien as temperatures rise at Ascot

And the master of Ballydoyle also allayed any fears the equine athletes on show would find conditions unduly oppressive, despite the mercury rising.
O'Brien said: 'Horses love heat, it's in their nature and when you are training horses they thrive in the heat and in the cold they don't always try, they don't like the cold weather.
A horse is washed down on the track at Ascot (David Davies/PA)
'Heat is always an advantage for horses and as long as there is plenty of water at hand, you would prefer it to be warm – if you asked the horse what weather he would like, I would know what he would say.
'Ascot do an incredible job and we've had beautiful weather this week. I promise you, if you are training horses you would see the difference. When it's warm horses train better and get bigger and stronger, they eat better and drink better. When it's cold they put all their energy into keeping warm, so it's better it is warm any day.'
Ascot's clerk of the course Chris Stickels underlined the amount of water that is readily available at the track.
He said: 'We've got plenty of water available and there is over 3,000 litres in the unsaddling enclosures.
'We also ice the water and there is a 1,000-litre water bowser which sits on the finishing line of the jumps course and is able to be towed anywhere on the racecourse it is needed.
'There is also 800 litres at the winning line and pull-out area to be dished out by the dedicated team, who are not only there to top up the buckets but help out stable staff as required.
Ascot has cooling fans to hand for the equine stars (Adam Morgan/PA)
'We've got the misting fans and there are a lot of resources available. Horses get used to the heat and they do get acclimatised and it's worse if it suddenly gets hot, but the key thing is just to have a team on hand to keep on top of the resources.'
Dr Sally Taylor, head of equine regulation, safety and welfare for the British Horseracing Authority, told ITV Racing: 'The most important thing to realise is horses are very able to acclimatise to hot weather. When horses sweat it is their primary mechanism of losing heat, as the sweat evaporates it takes with it the heat so that is what you see when a horse sweats at the start.
'When they finish racing we are able to mimic that process by applying cold water and creating a breeze. Ascot does a fantastic job, there is iced water available, horses are supervised by vets at all stages of their journey across the racecourse and they have state-of-the-art fans here to create a breeze.'

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Daily Mirror

3 hours ago

• Daily Mirror

Royal Ascot jockey's comments about Aidan O'Brien say it all about Irish trainer

Aidan O'Brien is widely regarded as one of the greatest flat trainers of all time, with a record to match, and jockey Sean Levey has opened up about working under and riding for the Irishman Royal Ascot rider Sean Levey has lifted the lid on what it's really like working with legendary Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien. The 37-year-old admitted that the handler is every bit as thoughtful and hardworking behind the scenes as people might imagine. O'Brien, who made a name for himself by dominating the National Hunt scene, was handpicked by the Irish business tycoon John Magnier to take over at Ballydoyle. The revered 55-year-old has since won nearly everything in flat racing and cemented his status as a formidable force in the sport. ‌ His record at the prestigious Royal meeting is outstanding, with his stable consistently sending a strong contingent to Berkshire each year with eyes firmly set on Group 1 success. While Ryan Moore is typically seen steering O'Brien's thoroughbreds, the scale of the operation means other jockeys, including Levey, also get their chances. ‌ Levey's ties with O'Brien go back to his own formative years, cutting his teeth in horse racing while riding out for the Ballydoyle maestro in his early days. He later honed his craft under Richard Hannon in England after an apprenticeship with O'Brien. At 37, Levey's connection with O'Brien has yielded notable successes, with one standout triumph being aboard Galileo colt Jan Brueghel in the 2024 St. Leger. Speaking about his experience, the jockey shared insights into O'Brien's impactful influence and amicable character with the Irish Mirror. "I was an apprentice there [at Ballydoyle] for a few years before I moved here [to England]. It had a massive impact," divulged Ladbrokes ambassador Levey. "Because I obviously served an apprenticeship under him for a good few years. So it was... My initial standpoint was under Aidan, so you'd imagine he had a massive influence on a lot of the things I do now. He's a very, very kind man. The kind of man who does right by everyone. FREE £2 William Hill Shop Bets every day of Royal Ascot inside your Mirror We've teamed up with racing experts William Hill to offer your a £2 FREE shop bet every day of the iconic Royal Ascot festival. Pick up your Mirror from Tuesday June 17 -> Saturday June 21, 2025 to get your hands on this great offer. With 12 pages of incredible pullouts every day, PLUS a £2 shop bet, the Mirror is ready to bring you all the runners, riders, and winners of Ascot 2025. ‌ "He's also very meticulous. I think his love for the sport kind of shines through in how he presented himself and how he's navigated training a multitude of very, very good horses. I mean, his record kind of speaks for itself, and there's not much I can really add to his CV!" Throughout his career, Levey has had the honour of riding not only for the Ballydoyle dynasty but also for the Royal blue of the Maktoum family's stable, Godolphin. Founded in 1992, the international stable employs a select group of British trainers, notably Charlie Appleby and Saeed bin Suroor, to lead their operation from HQ. ‌ Levey has donned the iconic silks on occasion and believes that both Ballydoyle and Godolphin's experience and thoroughness have enabled them to maintain their top positions for such a long time. "I think I've only ever picked up rides for Saeed [bin Suroor]. Been placed in a couple of listed races, and I've won a couple of listed races. I also rode a listed winner for Richard [Hannon] with a two-year-old that he had trained for Godolphin, so I've had the privilege of wearing the blue colours, and having winners in them," Levey added. "They're a firm that have their team. I've just been lucky on occasion that the opportunity sort of presented itself, and I was put forward. They're a very good team with very good soldiers to boot. Their record kind of speaks for itself. "Godolphin are... I think they've both been in the game a long, long time. They've been breeding very good horses for a long time, and they don't leave any stone unturned, the same as Aidan doesn't leave any stone unturned, and as a result, they're extremely competitive at the top level."

The Sun

12 hours ago

• The Sun

Royal Ascot tips: ‘He'll power home like the class act he is' – Templegate's bullish 3-1 NAP on day five

TEMPLEGATE takes on Saturday's racing from Royal Ascot confident of bashing the bookies. Back a horse by clicking their odds below - and bag yourself some of our best free bet offers. He got off the mark at Lingfield on his second run before finishing his juvenile campaign with a short-head second in good company at Redcar. Trainer Ralph Beckett brought him back for his handicap debut in the competitive Esher Cup at Sandown in late April. He looked well and travelled sweetly before just being edged out in the closing stages. That was over a mile and he gives the strong impression that this longer trip will be ideal. ARAMRAM (5.00 Royal Ascot, nb) He has looked better than ever this season and followed to fine Newmarket seconds with a cosy win at Newbury last time. The official margin was a length but he was coasting in the closing stages and could have made it a lot more. The handicapper has been more than fair with a 4lb rise in the weights and the booking of Moore for Richard Hannon's flyer is the cherry on top. 'The Lads' of Ballydoyle have been hoovering up the juvenile races all week and can add the Chesham to their tally. This Justify colt took the Leopardstown maiden as last year's winner Bedtime Story last time. Templegate's tips 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:

Daily Record

17 hours ago

• Daily Record

Royal Ascot 2025 Day 5 tips and best bets as Topgear tipped to rev-up punters

Daily Record tipster Garry Owen has you covered for Royal Ascot Day 5 ROYAL ASCOT DAY FIVE TIPS 2:30 MOMENTS OF JOY 3:05 REBEL'S ROMANCE ‌ 3:40 TOPGEAR (NAP) ‌ 4:20 MARVELMAN 5:00 SYMBOL OF HONOUR 5:35 BEST SECRET 6:10 DALLAS STAR GARRY'S DOUBLE: TOPGEAR (NAP) AND MARVELMAN Topgear (3:40) will be revved-up for the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes on Day 5 of Royal Ascot. Christopher Head's charge showed potent speed when bagging a hat-trick over six furlongs at two. He held his form well over trips around a mile for the remainder of his career with Fabrice Chappett. The bay was also placed in good company over that distance on his first few starts for his new yard. He benefitted from a return to seven when cosily defeating Ten Bob Tony on a Longchamp Group 3. The six year-old hit new heights by routing Royal Scotsman in the Group 2 Challenge at Newmarket. He was even better when bolting-up from the talented Sajir on his return at Longchamp recently. The French raider looks ideally-suited to this testing six so he can power to his first Group 1 success. ‌ Moments of Joy (2:30) looks another smart juvenile for Aidan O'Brian in the Chesham Stakes. The filly wasn't overly well-fancied among a strong Ballydoyle squad on debut at Leopardstown. However, she showed a nice mix of class and guts to brush aside Little Sure Shot by a half-length. The youngster definitely has a bright future so she can deny some promising rivals upped in class. Rebel's Romance (3:05) can turn on the charm for Charlie Appleby in the Hardwicke Stakes. The seven-year-old excelled last season with a quartet of top-level victories across the globe. He warmed-up nicely for this term by comfortably defeating The Foxes in a Grade 3 at Doha. The gelding didn't enjoy the run of the race when fourth in the Sheema Classic at Meydan. He bounced back by outbattling Epic Poet over 1m 6f in the Yorkshire Cup on the Knavesmire. The Godolphin star won't mind returning to a stiff 1m 4f so he can land a slightly weaker race. Appleby can strike again with Symbol of Honour (5:00) in the Wokingham Stakes. ‌ The three-year-old wasn't disgraced in decent company over seven furlongs as a two-year-old. He benefitted from returning to six when edging-out West Acre in a valuable event at Meydan. The grey stayed upwardly mobile when decisively defeating Dark Saffron in a similar race there. He wasn't suited by a step-back up in trip when sixth to Cosmic Year in a Newmarket Listed event. The gelding hit back with a vengeance by hammering Ides Of March dropped in trip at Newbury. He then opened his Group 2 account by outpointing Arabian Dusk in the Sandy Lane at Haydock. The son of Havana Grey looks fairly-treated for his handicap debut so he can make his class tell. Marvelman (4:20) looks super-powered for Andrew Balding in the Jersey Stakes. The colt showed promise when second to Bob Mali in a strong six-furlong Salisbury novice. He improved again when chasing home Spirit Of Farhh over an extra half-furlong at Newbury. The three-year-old relished tackling seven when routing Shameful on his return at Kempton. He was then unlucky to encounter Cosmic Year in the Listed Charles II Stakes at Newmarket. That is high-class form so the Kingsclere contender can bag another hot renewal of this Group 3. ‌ Best Secret (5:35) can be a rare Gallic handicap winner here in the Golden Gates Stakes. Stephane Wattel's bay made steady progress in three outings in maiden company last term. The three-year-old stayed 1m 2f well when giving Parachutiste on his return at Saint-Cloud. He really excelled himself by hosing-up from Good Speed in a valuable Longchamp handicap. The gelding looks group-class so he can cash-in on a nice piece of placing under James Doyle. Dallas Star (6:10) can sparkle for Andrew Murray in the Queen Alexandra Stakes. The colt was outclassed when well-beaten behind City Of Troy in last season's Derby at Epsom. ‌ The bay returned with an easy win at Dundalk only to lose his way again over middle distances. He was revived by a step-up to 1m 6f when chasing home the mighty Kyprios at Leopardstown. The four-year-old then plugged-on well late to take third over two miles at Down Royal recently. Team Amo's hops looked ready to tackle this marathon distance so he can shade a trappy event. Mo of Cairo (4:10) can leave his rivals in the dust on Unite Summer Raceday at Ayr. Kevin Ryan's colt can score with a repeat of his fine debut second to Azizam at Hamilton. Classy Al (4:50) can cap a magnificent week for Jim Goldie in the John Gillespie Handicap. The four-time course winner remains well-treated after crushing Winged Messenger at Hamilton. The Uplawmoor Ace can stay on song with Woohoo (8:08) in the Eco Energy Handicap. The speedster was only denied a four-timer by the progressive Canon's House at Hamilton. That looks respectable form so the gelding can gain compensation in these calmer waters. Westerton (5:25) looks the best of Alan King's raiding party in the Johnstone Rose Bowl. The useful hurdler was a game third to Ecureuil Secret over an inadequate 1m 2f at Epsom. The five-year-old still lurks on an inviting mark so she can strike over this more suitable trip. First Instinct (5:55) can claim the trappy Land O'Burns Stakes for William Haggas. The filly ran another stormer when third to Symbol Of Honour in a Group 2 at Haydock. That was a warm event so the sprinter can resume winning ways down in trip and class. Mecca's Symphony (7.38) can call the tune for Michael Dods in the Bridgend Handicap. The three-year-old can build on her encouraging third behind Frankies Dream at Doncaster.