Latest news with #Cercene
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Royal Ascot punters win ‘life-changing' sum from £1 stake after run of freak results ‘not seen in years'
Fair play if you managed to scoop the lot POT PICKERS Royal Ascot punters win 'life-changing' sum from £1 stake after run of freak results 'not seen in years' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SEVERAL Royal Ascot punters were celebrating winning 'life-changing' sums from a £1 stake - after a run of freak results not seen in years. Those who took on and conquered the Tote Placepot on Friday were duly rewarded with a colossal payout. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Cercene, left, was a shock 33-1 winner of the Coronation Stakes Credit: Shutterstock Editorial If you managed to pick a horse to place in the first six races and stuck a quid on it, you'd have won £26,424.30. Bookies were laughing as huge outsiders such as 33-1 Cercene won the Coronation Stakes. While 25-1 roughie Time For Sandals nabbed the Commonwealth Cup ahead of the likes of the well-fancied Shadow Of Light, Jonquil and Babouche. Favourite backers were licking their wounds after getting one over the layers on Thursday. But it was definitely 1-0 to the bookies on day four after just two favourites - Ethical Diamond and Amiloc - won. There were just 18.15 winning units on the Placepot. And the £26,000 dividend was one of the biggest seen in years. However, the benchmark was set in 2022 when, on one day there, the dividend was £79,125.50 to a £1 stake. Kev Matthews, Head of Racing at Tote, said: "Days like this are what the Tote Placepot is all about – a small stake can lead to a life-changing return. "Friday's dividend of over £26,000 is a perfect example. "We saw plenty of favourites turned over and a real mix of results, which gave Placepot players a rollercoaster ride all the way through to the final leg. "Huge congratulations to those who landed it." The Placepot, which requires punters to pick a placed horse in each of the first six races, remains one of the most popular bets in British racing. With tens of thousands playing every day at Royal Ascot, today's results demonstrate the unique excitement and potential rewards of pool betting. 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
4 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Royal Ascot punters win ‘life-changing' sum from £1 stake after run of freak results ‘not seen in years'
SEVERAL Royal Ascot punters were celebrating winning 'life-changing' sums from a £1 stake - after a run of freak results not seen in years. Those who took on and conquered the Tote Placepot on Friday were duly rewarded with a colossal payout. Advertisement 1 Cercene, left, was a shock 33-1 winner of the Coronation Stakes Credit: Shutterstock Editorial If you managed to pick a horse to place in the first six races and stuck a quid on it, you'd have won £26,424.30. Bookies were laughing as huge outsiders such as 33-1 Cercene won the Coronation Stakes. While 25-1 roughie Time For Sandals nabbed the Commonwealth Cup ahead of the likes of the well-fancied Shadow Of Light, Jonquil and Babouche. Favourite backers were licking their wounds after getting one over the layers on Thursday. Advertisement But it was definitely 1-0 to the bookies on day four after just two favourites - Ethical Diamond and Amiloc - won. There were just 18.15 winning units on the Placepot. And the £26,000 dividend was one of the biggest seen in years. However, the benchmark was set in 2022 when, on one day there, the dividend was £79,125.50 to a £1 stake. Advertisement Most read in Horse Racing Comment Exclusive Kev Matthews, Head of Racing at Tote, said: "Days like this are what the Tote Placepot is all about – a small stake can lead to a life-changing return. "Friday's dividend of over £26,000 is a perfect example. "We saw plenty of favourites turned over and a real mix of results, which gave Placepot players a rollercoaster ride all the way through to the final leg. "Huge congratulations to those who landed it." Advertisement The Placepot, which requires punters to pick a placed horse in each of the first six races, remains one of the most popular bets in British racing. With tens of thousands playing every day at Royal Ascot, today's results demonstrate the unique excitement and potential rewards of pool betting. 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. Advertisement
Gulf Today
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Royal Ascot is ‘heaven on earth' for shock winner Cercene's trainer
Cercene and Time for Sandals brought smiles to the faces of bookmakers on the fourth day of Royal Ascot on Friday springing huge shocks in the two Group One races. Cercene was at 33/1 the longest price winner ever in the Coronation Stakes, she showed real grit under Gary Carroll to battle back to overcome French favourite Zarigana. For Carroll and trainer Joe Murphy, who had only had one previous runner at the meeting, it was easily their most prestigious winner and comes on arguably the biggest stage. 'This is 50 years of work, that's what it is, of love and care, and all for the owners we have, all our people, it's just a whole group of people together,' said Murphy, who has been training since 1977. 'This is heaven on Earth.' For Carroll it was his third Royal Ascot winner but first ever Group One winner anywhere and due reward for flying back after riding in Ireland on Thursday. 'Hugely good horses are very hard to come by and sometimes only one comes along in a lifetime and I guess mine has,' he said. Harry Eustace has got a real taste now for Group One races at Royal Ascot, having broken his duck on Tuesday he added a second in the Commonwealth Cup with Time for Sandals, a shock 25/1 winner. 'I don't know it has not landed yet,' said Eustace of his astonishing week. 'You have to be very careful with Ascot if you get your hopes up it can bite you back.' For his father James, who Harry took over from, it was 'magic'. 'It is so wonderful,' said Eustace senior, who also enjoyed success at Royal Ascot. 'We tried to get Harry to go to university, we succeeded initially and he went to Edinburgh. 'He had two good years and a lot of fun before he dropped out and then took off for Australia and the racing bug bit.' Fantastic days: For jockey Richard Kingscote it was a seventh Royal Ascot winner, his first Group One, and ended a losing run of 67 rides at the meeting. 'This means an awful lot,' said Kingscote. 'I have had some nice horses but this will do the world of good. 'I am delighted to ride a good winner for Harry, he is a gentleman, it is a happy yard.' The race had looked set up to end trainer Charlie Appleby's three year losing run at the meeting but once again it ended in disappointment -- hot favourite Shadow of Light never featured. Willie Mullins normally associated with the Cheltenham Festival winners enclosure had quite a day. The 68-year-old Irish training legend began the day in the Royal Procession, his wife Jackie presented a trophy, and then he welcomed home his 11th Royal Ascot winner. Ryan Moore recorded his 91st Royal Ascot winner as he guided Ethical Diamond home to an impressive victory in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes, just months after he finished fourth in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. 'It is wonderful,' said Mullins. 'These are fantastic days. 'Jackie said let us just enjoy it and to have a winner well it is the cherry on top of the cake is it not?' Venetian Sun won the first the Group Three Albany Stakes ending O'Brien's hopes of a sweep of the two-year-old races this week. Trainer Karl Burke had described the week so far as 'savage' but he had a beaming smile on his face as he walked back to the winner's enclosure. 'A very special filly never had a two-year-old filly like her. She has been kicking group horses out of the way at home,' said Burke, who previously won the Albany in 2020 with Dandalla. Venetian Sun, co-owned by Tony Bloom owner of Premier League side Brighton, was a second Royal Ascot winner for jockey Clifford Lee. 'It is very hard to get a winner here, you think you come here with a real chance and find you fall short,' he said. 'Mr Burke though gives me plenty of ammunition and this one delivered.' Agence France-Presse
South China Morning Post
14 hours ago
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Royal Ascot is ‘heaven on Earth' for shock winner Cercene's trainer
Trainer Joe Murphy and jockey Gary Carroll celebrate after Cercene's win in the Coronation Stakes. Photo: Reuters Cercene and Time for Sandals brought smiles to the faces of bookmakers on the fourth day of Royal Ascot on Friday, springing huge shocks in the two Group One races. Cercene was at 33-1 the longest price winner ever in the Coronation Stakes, showing real grit under Gary Carroll to battle back to overcome French favourite Zarigana. For Carroll and trainer Joe Murphy, who had only had one previous runner at the meeting, it was easily their most prestigious winner and comes on arguably the biggest stage. 'This is 50 years of work, that's what it is, of love and care, and all for the owners we have, all our people, it's just a whole group of people together,' said Murphy, who has been training since 1977. 'This is heaven on Earth.' CERCENE defies the odds to win the Coronation Stakes, under the mount of G.F. Carroll for trainer Joseph G. Murphy. Congratulations to connections. — Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) June 20, 2025 For Carroll, it was his third Royal Ascot winner but first ever Group One winner anywhere and due reward for flying back after riding in Ireland on Thursday. 'Hugely good horses are very hard to come by and sometimes only one comes along in a lifetime and I guess mine has,' he said. Harry Eustace has got a real taste now for Group One races at Royal Ascot. After breaking his duck on Tuesday when Docklands won the Queen Anne Stakes, he added a second success in the Commonwealth Cup with Time For Sandals, a shock 25-1 winner. HK Racing News Get updates direct to your inbox Sign up Best Bets Racing News By registering you agree to our T&Cs & Privacy Policy Error: Please enter a valid email. The email address is already in use. Please login to subscribe. Error, please try again later. THANK YOU You are one the list. 'I don't know, it has not landed yet,' said Eustace of his astonishing week. 'You have to be very careful with Ascot – if you get your hopes up it can bite you back.' The first Group 1 of the day, The Commonwealth Cup, goes the way of TIME FOR SANDALS, ridden by Richard Kingscote and trained by @H_Eustace. Congratulations to the connections! — Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) June 20, 2025 For his father James, who Harry took over from, the two Group One triumphs were 'magic'. 'It is so wonderful,' said Eustace senior, who also enjoyed success at Royal Ascot. 'We tried to get Harry to go to university, we succeeded initially and he went to Edinburgh. 'He had two good years and a lot of fun before he dropped out and then took off for Australia and the racing bug bit.' For jockey Richard Kingscote it was a seventh Royal Ascot winner, his first Group One, and ended a losing run of 67 rides at the meeting. Richard Kingscote returns after winning the Commonwealth Cup on Time For Sandals. 'This means an awful lot,' said Kingscote, who is believed to be in the mix for a return to Hong Kong next season after a short stint as injury cover earlier this year. 'I have had some nice horses but this will do the world of good. 'I am delighted to ride a good winner for Harry, he is a gentleman, it is a happy yard.' The race had looked set up to end trainer Charlie Appleby's three-year losing run at the meeting but once again it ended in disappointment – hot favourite Shadow Of Light never featured. Willie Mullins, who is normally associated with the Cheltenham Festival winners enclosure, had quite a day. Ryan Moore boots home Ethical Diamond at Royal Ascot. The 68-year-old Irish training legend began the day in the Royal Procession, his wife Jackie presented a trophy, and then he welcomed home his 11th Royal Ascot winner. Ryan Moore recorded his 91st Royal Ascot winner as he guided Ethical Diamond home to an impressive victory in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes, just months after he finished fourth in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. 'It is wonderful,' said Mullins. 'These are fantastic days. 'Jackie said 'let us just enjoy it' and to have a winner, well it is the cherry on top of the cake, is it not?' VENETIAN SUN wins The Albany Stakes! @CliffordleexLee wins for @karl_burke, congratulations to Tony Bloom & Ian Mcalvey. #RoyaalAscot — Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) June 20, 2025 Venetian Sun won the Group Three Albany Stakes to end Aidan O'Brien's hopes of a sweep of the two-year-old races this week. Trainer Karl Burke had described the week so far as 'savage', but he had a beaming smile on his face as he walked back to the winners' enclosure. 'A very special filly – never had a two-year-old filly like her. She has been kicking Group horses out of the way at home,' said Burke, who previously won the Albany in 2020 with Dandalla. Venetian Sun, co-owned by Tony Bloom, owner of Premier League side Brighton, was a second Royal Ascot winner for jockey Clifford Lee. 'It is very hard to get a winner here, you think you come here with a real chance and find you fall short,' he said. 'Mr Burke though gives me plenty of ammunition and this one delivered.'
Times
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Times
Cercene's shock Ascot win fulfils lifetime ambition for trainer Murphy
They don't know where the winning post is. Zarigana swept through the Coronation Stakes in the Ascot straight to lead as a favourite should. She had done her bit. She didn't know there were 100 yards still to run. Her head came up, her ears went back. Beside her little Cercene, a 33-1 outsider, stuck her neck out and took back the lead. Some horses, like humans, are mentally harder than others. Zarigana is quite wonderfully bred, having Frankel and the unbeaten Arc winner Zarkava as her maternal grandparents. But two inched-out, top-level defeats before this further half-length reverse suggest that she is not prepared to run regardless. Cercene is no peasant, being by the dual Derby winner Australia, and despite being third in the Irish Guineas, her six races gave her an official rating a full 10lb behind Zarigana. That her long-serving Tipperary trainer, Joe Murphy, had never trained an Ascot winner, and but one in Britain, didn't shorten her price any more than the presence of the rider Gary Carroll, known over here for one Royal Ascot success two years ago. But 33-1 is a huge price to offer on only six pieces of public form and a team who are anything but beginners. Murphy is a much respected figure in Tipperary, where he has been training for 30 years, and if he has only had six winners in Ireland this season they have come from a mere 47 runners. 'This is 50 years of work, that's what it is, of love and care, and all for the owners we have, all our people, it's just a whole group of people together. This is heaven on earth,' this ageing underdog from Fethard, Co Tipperary, said with heartwarming emotion. 'It's a lifetime's ambition to have a group one winner. Cercene's by Australia — a sire I love — and her half-brother [Perotto] won the Britannia so the pedigree was there and if she was an inch bigger I wouldn't have her! 'She travelled well, Gary gave her a great ride, and we were thinking that, being by Australia, she'd stay as well. She was headed and came back again. She waited for something to head her, but she's very tough and a dream to train. The plan was today so now we'll draw new plans.' • Royal Ascot day 5 tips: Satono Reve can land Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes Ascot is inevitably dominated by the O'Briens and Gosdens, the Buicks and Moores, but it is not all Formula 1. Ryan Moore may have chalked up his sixth winner of the meeting on Ethical Diamond for Ireland's mostly jump-training colossus Willie Mullins in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes but the place felt better for hearing Cercene's rider give a testimony to match that of her trainer. 'It's unbelievable. I've been riding a long time now and I've been placed in plenty of group ones but this is my first one,' Carroll, 35, said. 'If I was ever to ride a group one winner it was to be for Joe Murphy. I've been riding for him since I was a 7lb claimer. He's been very, very good to me. I'm delighted to repay him. Good horses are very hard to come by. To do this at Royal Ascot is magic.' Cercene's 33-1 success was a long way from being the only relief for the bookies after the bloodbath of the first days of the meeting. Despite the legendarily astute Tony Bloom striking substantially on his filly Venetian Sun in the first, she still started at 7-1 and the second and third, Awaken and Balantina were returned at 66-1 and 40-1 respectively. Better still for the bookies, and all of us who live in hope of a decent return for our money, the first three in the group one Commonwealth Cup came in at 25-1, 28-1 and 20-1. Not that this was a total surprise to Harry Eustace, the 36-year-old trainer of the winner, Time For Sandals, who took over his father's Newmarket stable in 2021 and had his first group one winner when Docklands won the Queen Anne Stakes on Tuesday. 'It's hard to be very confident with Ascot and if you get ahead of yourself you can be cut down very quickly,' he said with smiling understatement. 'What we knew was that we had horses coming in here in great form and we just needed the racing luck.' There is always a lot of pride in the winner's enclosure and the jockey Richard Kingscote, the groom Becky Curtis and the owners David and Lorrie Bevan duly had smiles so deep that their faces would hurt in the morning. But no face quite matched that of 65-year-old James Eustace. For he has not just fathered one group one-winning trainer but two, Harry's younger brother, David, having already won the Melbourne Cup. James trained in Newmarket for 30 years and won the Hunt Cup here with Refuse To Lose in 1998 but this beats everything. 'It's hard to say how much it means to [wife] Gay and me,' he said, 'but the great thing is that they did this on their own bat. Maybe it was the little New Forest pony we had which allowed them to whizz around on the Heath but they were always in the tack room.' Yes, those boys always knew where their winning post would be.
