Dunlop and Booth receive MBEs in King's Birthday Honours

Michael Dunlop and Neil Booth have spoken of their immense pride after being awarded MBEs in the King's Birthday Honours.Dunlop, 36, is regarded as a road racing great as the record holder for the most number of wins and podiums at the Isle of Man TT, making it 33 victories just last week.The Ballymoney man comes from a family synonymous with motorcycling and tragedy, with his father Robert, brother William and uncle Joey all tragically passing away while pursuing the sport they loved.Michael has remained committed to racing as, in addition to his exploits on the Isle of Man, he has enjoyed success at the North West 200, claiming his first victory just days after his father's death in 2008 when topping the podium in the 250cc race.His most recent outing at the North West saw him secure a hat-trick of wins to bring his tally to eight overall and further cement his legacy in the sport.He now follows in the footsteps of his uncle Joey, who was also made an MBE in 1986 before being presented with an OBE 10 years later."This is a wonderful honour for me and for my family," he said."I am proud to represent Northern Ireland sport, and motorcycling in this country."Our team has had another brilliant year, with a hat trick at the NW200, and smashing into the record books again at the Isle of Man TT."To be the not just the most successful rider in the history of the TT, but also to have the record number of podiums and to have won on the biggest number of manufacturers is extremely special."I am humbled to be awarded this honour from the Palace."
'This award is for the entire sport' - Booth
County Antrim bowler Booth has spoken of his "delight", having been awarded an MBE.The highly-decorated 57-year-old enjoyed a remarkable career on the green and has since brought that expertise into his role as coach of the Irish men's team which opens its 2025 Mainstream International Programme with a test match away to Bowls Jersey over the weekend.Booth will go there with an added spring in his step after news of his recognition was made public on Friday and he admits he was a little shocked when first contacted."I saw the letter outside the door with 'Cabinet Office' on the front and started to think I was going to be extradited, but I was delighted when I opened it up," he said."I can't imagine what the whole occasion will be like, but I'm really looking forward to it. We'll make a weekend out of it but I imagine I'll be pretty nervous."Booth recently collected the High Performance Coaching Award at the Sport NI Sportmaker ceremony at Titanic Belfast and this will sit alongside a host of medals and honours collected down through the years.The Portglenone man is a three-time medallist at the World Championships which includes gold in the fours back in 2004 when the Championships were held in Ayr.Booth is also in possession of four Commonwealth Games medals, including gold from the 1998 edition in Kuala Lumpur and bronze in Manchester 2002 - both in the fours - while taking silver medals in the triples in the Melbourne Games of 2006 and again in Glasgow 2014.As a coach, he helped guide Northern Ireland's men to the men's fours title at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, with Gary Kelly taking silver in the men's singles.In 2020, he completed a charity challenge when playing bowls in 52 clubs throughout Ireland to raise awareness of mental health issues, which underlined his commitment to help others.The awarding of an MBE is the crowning glory and Booth reflected on a superb career, but insists he will accept the award on behalf of the entire sport."I've probably played at that high level from he late 80s, early 90s, all the way through to 2014," he added."Since then, the coaching role has gone really well and the men's team is second in the world at the minute, which is exceptional. I'm just delighted as this says a lot about the sport in general. It's come on leaps and bounds over here, so this is an award for the entire sport, as much as it is for myself."

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

The Sun

26 minutes ago

• The Sun

Five BEST used caravans for a summer staycation are revealed – and they're all under £5,000

THE best second-hand caravans to buy for under £5,000 have been revealed - as Brit travellers look for UK getaways this summer. Caravan specialists told The Sun the best brands to look for when RV hunting on a budget, as well as key tips for second-hand buyers across the UK. 6 Experts weighed in on which campers have the best value for money at the low £5,000 price point. A handful of brands were mentioned by multiple sources, with each specialist detailing which caravans had the best quality at their estimated price. Caravans For Sale told The Sun that shoppers should target "mid to late 2000s models". And they gave tips on what to look for before buying used caravans, including reports and battery checks. Bailey Senator The Bailey Senator is made by Bailey of Bristol, one of the UK's most trusted and long-established caravan manufacturers. Caravans For Sale spokesperson Linzi Oliver said it used to be in the "higher-spec range at the time [it was released]". 6 Once a flagship model, it is still known for its luxury touches, solid build quality, and spacious layouts. She explained: "You'll find older Series 5 or Arizona models just scraping under £5k if well-used, and they still offer great quality for long-term touring." Older models from 2001 can even be snatched up second hand for just over £2,500. But they still boast decent sized rooms and extra premium features that aren't found in entry-level campers. Watch the video to see inside the family-of-seven's caravan home The line was discontinued in 2010, but lives on as a top choice for used caravan buyers in 2025. Elddis Odyssey The Elddis Odyssey is a well-built, mid-to-high-range touring caravan made by Elddis, a trusted British brand based in County Durham. The Odyssey range was a popular step up from Elddis's entry-level caravans, offering more space and cosier interiors — without the sky-high prices of high-end models. "This range has a strong reputation for being robust," Oliver said. How much does it cost to live in a caravan? LIVING in a caravan can be an economical and flexible lifestyle choice in the UK. Here's a breakdown of potential costs: Initial Costs Caravan Purchase: £8,000 - £40,000 (depending on size, age, and condition) Caravan Insurance: £200 - £800 per year Ongoing Monthly Costs Pitch Fees: £150 - £600 (varies by location and facilities) Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water): £40 - £120 Maintenance and Repairs: £20 - £80 Internet and TV: £20 - £50 Gas for Heating/Cooking: £15 - £40 Other Potential Costs Waste Disposal Fees: £8 - £25 Transport Costs (if moving locations): Variable, depending on distance Optional Add-ons (Awning, Solar Panels, etc.): £400 - £1,600 (one-time) Sample Monthly Budget Pitch Fees: £400 Utilities: £80 Maintenance and Repairs: £40 Internet and TV: £40 Gas for Heating/Cooking: £25 Total: £585 Annual Estimated Cost Total Monthly Costs: £585 x 12 = £7,020 Insurance: £500 Maintenance and Repairs: £480 Total Annual Cost: £8,000 Tips to Save Off-Peak Pitch Fees: Look for lower rates during off-peak seasons. DIY Maintenance: Handle minor repairs yourself. Energy Efficiency: Invest in solar panels to reduce utility costs. While initial setup costs can be significant, ongoing expenses for living in a caravan can be relatively low, making it a viable option for those seeking an affordable and mobile lifestyle in the UK. "And with larger 4 berth options, they're great for families." The expert added: "2005–2008 Odyssey models can often be found for £4,000–£5,000, usually in good condition with full service history." Though the line was discontinued in the early 2010s, it remains a favourite on the used market. The Odyssey is ideal for summer staycations, festivals or long weekends on the coast. Lunar Ariva Oliver said: "The Ariva is celebrated for being lightweight, often around 970kg MTPLM, which makes it ideal for smaller tow vehicles. "Older Arivas (2005–2009) are commonly available for £3,500–£4,800." 6 The two-birth caravan may be small, but it still has a well-equipped interior, including a kitchen, living area and a bathroom. It's a great choice for couples looking for an easy to handle caravan for short weekend trips away. Swift Charisma The Swift Charisma 565 is a great family-friendly caravan, with a 2003 model selling for between £4500 and £5000. It features a washroom, a side kitchen and a dinette, with an L shaped lounge. 6 "The seating is generally comfortable and the L shaped lounge is a very sociable area and makes into a large double bed", said caravan expert Andrew Jenkinson. This layout is ideal for four or makes a great 3 berth, plus it comes with a mover and an awning – not a bad buy at all." This caravan is perfect for taking kids away to the beach on school holidays. Compass Corona The Compass Corona 505 is a five-berth caravan with 2003 models of the vehicle selling for around £4,750. It's a lightweight family model with two double dinettes, giving it a spacious feel. "The caravan has a large front layout, side kitchen with a wardrobe and a washroom opposite with a dinette at the rear which comes with a bunk bed too. "This layout is ideal for families and with a spec that includes an oven ,heating, a fridge and a shower it's a great buy and it's also relatively light in weight too. "This is ideal for a family of first timers."

The Guardian

33 minutes ago

• The Guardian

Royal Ascot 2025: updates, previews, full results and more from day five's races

Update: Date: 2025-06-21T10:13:14.000Z Title: - Chesham Stakes (7f)', ' Content: Good morning. And after yesterday's sojourn to Ascot in my finery (of which more later) here's the run down of today's action and after ginving you the going and non-runner details I will start publishing Greg Wood's previews of all the races. 2.30pm - Chesham Stakes (7f)3.05pm - Hardwicke Stakes (1m 4f)3.40pm - Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (6f)4.20pm - Jersey Stakes (7f)5.00pm - Wokingham Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (6f)5.35pm - Golden Gates Stakes (Handicap) (1m 2f)6.10pm - Queen Alexandra Stakes (2m 6f) Update: Date: 2025-06-21T10:07:16.000Z Title: Preamble Content: Welcome back to Ascot on the fifth bright, warm morning in a row at this year's Royal meeting, on a day when the biggest crowd of the week might just witness a moment of racing history in the afternoon's feature event, the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (3.40pm). Japan has become one of global racing's powerhouses over the last quarter of a century, winning major races on all continents and often bringing plenty of travelling fans along for the ride. Their record at Royal Ascot, however, and in fact, at Ascot full stop, is a tale of woe, with the occasional near-miss along the way. Agnes World, the first Japanese-trained runner at the meeting, finished second, beaten just over a length, in what was then the Group Two King's Stand Stakes, when he was giving weight to his 22 rivals (and in his next race, won the Group One July Cup, the summer sprinting championship). One of his stable companions finished 22nd in the same race, and since then, only one of 10 runners from Japan has even reached the first five (Shahryar, in the 2022 Prince Of Wales's Stakes). In Noriyuki Hori's Satono Reve, though, the country has one of its strongest contenders for years, and riding legend Joao Moreira has flown in to take the reins. The six-year-old has form that puts him within a length or two of Ka Ying Rising, the top-rated sprinter in global racing, and has been given plenty of time to get used to his new surroundings having arrived in Newmarket in early May. I think he could be the horse to finally break Japan's duck here, and the market seems to agree as he has been backed from 9-2 to 5-2 favourite this morning. Inisherin, last year's winner of the Commonwealth Cup here, is next in on 9-2, and in a truly international field, two French-trained runners, Lazzat and Topgear, are next in at 5-1 and 6-1 respectively. The Jersey Stakes (4.20pm), for three-year-olds over seven furlongs, and the Hardwicke Stakes, over a mile-and-a-half and a race that has often been a stepping stone to the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes here in July, are the main supporting races on today's card, along with the ever-popular Wokingham Handicap at 5pm. The going remains good-to-firm all over after further watering last night, and temperatures are expected to climb towards 30C as the afternoon goes on, which should ensure that the track is bursting at the seams by the time the royal procession makes its way down the track just before 2pm. The attendance has been up on every day of the meeting so far – it was an 8% jump on Friday – and there is every chance the course will complete a full house today, for the second year in a row. John & Thady Gosden are tied at five apiece in the race to be top trainer, Oisin Murphy is just two wins behind Ryan Moore after taking the last race here on Friday and you can follow all the action and slings and arrows of outrageous fortune as the 2025 Royal meeting draws to a close right here on the Guardian's live blog.

Daily Mail​

34 minutes ago

• Daily Mail​

Money washes through Royal Ascot - a bottle of Whispering Angel costs £75 - but it still appeals to all... DOMINIC KING reveals the glitz and the glamour of the heaven for racegoers

In that special space reserved for the winners, another dream had just come true. A tough little filly called Cercene had just won The Coronation Stakes, one of Royal Ascot 's Championship races, and her connections were beside themselves. 'It's a lifetime's ambition to have a Group One winner,' said Joseph Murphy, a 70-year-old from Tipperary who has been training horses since 1977. 'This is 50 years of work – that's what it is. It's just a whole group of people together. This is heaven on earth.' Money could not have bought the feeling that washed over Murphy on Friday. Success at this meeting hits differently compared to any other time of year, as this is the place to be – and be seen. But money, though, is a theme that washes through the week. Racing finds itself in a tricky position at present, with a number of issues to address and problems to solve, but step into Ascot and you would wonder there are complaints about the sport. Ascot, you see, appeals to all. At one end of the spectrum, you have an influential owners such as Kia Joorabchian, the successful football agent, going head-to-head with the American financial whizz John Stewart at auction on Monday evening. The Goffs London Sale, staged in Kensington Gardens, kick starts Royal Ascot week, with high rollers from around the world coming in to buy horses that ready to run and hold entries at the meeting. Joorabchian and Stewart went head-to-head in dramatic fashion for Lot 10, a beautiful colt called Ghostwriter, with the former coming out on top. Ghostwriter will run for a first prize of £141,775 in Saturday's Hardwucke Stakes. He cost Joorabchian £2million. You don't need pockets that deep, however, to get the unbridled joy of an Ascot win. Havana Hurricane blew his rivals away in the Windsor Castle Stakes on Wednesday and had been bought for £9,000 by his trainer Eve Johnson Houghton. His bounty for winning was £62,381. This provides the best example of the spectrum that Royal Ascot takes in. It is for everyone and you can enjoy it, however much you want to pay. Of course it is possible to pay through the nose. Entry into the Queen Anne Enclosure is £110 and, on your way to it, you will walk past pop-up stalls from luxury watchmaker Longines and bespoke fashion designer LK Bennett. The outfits racegoers are wearing show that no expense has been spared, with gentlemen applying little luxurious flourishes to their Morning Suits by buying floral buttonholes from a trader on Ascot High Street. The charge is at your discretion but it was easy to see crisp £20 notes being tendered for the service. Yet it's not all bank-breaking stuff. One gentleman on X posted that his tie for the meeting, pink and purple to match his waistcoat, had cost £1.70 from a local charity shop. 'You have 300,000 people over five days; everyone from the King of England to someone who has saved all of their expendable income over the last few months,' said Ascot CEO Fliss Barnard during an interview with the Sunday Telegraph ahead of the meeting. 'There's an ecosystem of getting the product right, the pricing and how you're telling people about it.' There are soaring temperatures but punters have 16 hydrations stations Guinness costs £7.80 a pint, in line with what you would pay at Cheltenham, Aintree or Newmarket (courses that are owned by The Jockey Club); Whispering Angel, the rose wine that is enormously popular, will set you back £75 for a bottle, while a bottle of Moet & Chandon champagne is £100. All bars have been doing a roaring trade. Not that you have needed alcohol to combat the raging temperatures: there are 16 hydration stations around Ascot and free bottles of water have been given away at the end of the day to keep racegoers cool. The customer experience is key. Barnard, a 42-year-old mother-of-two who once worked with West Ham, makes the point about an ecosystem and she is right: you can bring a picnic into the centre of the course, open from Thursday to Saturday, and spend as much or as little as you want. A ticket to the Heath enclosure is £45 and when you compare that to other sporting events, it is impossible not to see the value. The quality of the sport, which is what it is all about, is relentlessly high, with superstars emerging from all angles. It costs Ascot £30million to stage the event but the return is exceptional, as between 70 and 80 per cent of their annual turnover is generated. The most recent financial figures saw Ascot turnover £110.9million, so it illustrates the importance. Another aspect to emphasise is that £200million loan that they took out in 2005 to build the stand that takes your breath away – one American visitor on Wednesday stood and looked at it from the parade ring for five minutes in awe – has been paid back. Study the figures long enough and it is enough to make you dizzy but one thing is true: the buzz it provides, the memories it creates is on another level. Murphy called 'heaven' – he wouldn't be alone in speaking that way.