Latest news with #DutyFirst
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Royal Ascot: Coronation Stakes attracts 11 fillies
Falakeyah and Zarigana top 11 contenders for Friday's Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. The Owen Burrows-trained Falakeyah was supplemented for the mile Group One following an effortless Listed win in Newmarket's Pretty Polly Stakes, with connections opting by bypass a possible Prix de Diane run. Francis-Henri Graffard's Zarigana was crowned winner of the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches in the Longchamp stewards' room following the demotion of Shes Perfect to second and she will clash again with fourth-placed Exactly, who is one of two for Aidan O'Brien along with January. Ollie Sangster fields both Flight and Simmering, second and third in the 1000 Guineas, with Duty First, Kon Tiki, Cathedral, Cercene and Chantilly Lace completing the field. The Commonwealth Cup has drawn a bumper field of 22, headed by 2000 Guineas third Shadow Of Light, who will be dropping back to six furlongs for Charlie Appleby. Babouche, Jonquil, Whistlejacket, Ides Of March and Big Mojo are other leading names in the Group One contest, for which only Seattle was not declared. The opening Albany Stakes boasts a 17-strong line up, with Karl Burke having made no secret of his regard for ante-post favourite Venetian Sun. Fitzella, Gold Digger and O'Brien's Signora are also towards the head of the betting. Derby seventh Green Storm and 12th Nightwalker bid for compensation in the King Edward VII Stakes, in which Ralph Beckett's unbeaten gelding Amiloc is set to be a popular choice. Puppet Master won the Lingfield Derby Trial but bypassed Epsom and he is one of two for O'Brien along with Naas winner Galveston. Dante third Wimbledon Hawkeye runs for James Owen, while the progressive Zahrann represents Johnny Murtagh. Teumessias Fox heads a maximum 19-strong field for the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes, with 28 to go to post in both the Palace of Holyrood House Stakes and the Sandringham.
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Classy line-up assembled for Coronation Stakes
Francis-Henri Graffard's Zarigana was crowned winner of the French 1000 Guineas in the ParisLongchamp stewards' room following the demotion of Shes Perfect to second and she will clash again with fourth-placed Exactly, who is one of two for Aidan O'Brien along with January. Ollie Sangster fields both Flight and Simmering, second and third in the 1000 Guineas, with Duty First, Kon Tiki, Cathedral, Cercene and Chantilly Lace completing the field. The Commonwealth Cup has drawn a bumper field of 22, headed by 2000 Guineas third Shadow Of Light, who will be dropping back to six furlongs for Charlie Appleby. Babouche, Jonquil, Whistlejacket, Ides Of March and Big Mojo are other leading names in the Group One contest, for which only Seattle was not declared. The opening Albany Stakes boasts a 17-strong line up, with Karl Burke having made no secret of his regard for ante-post favourite Venetian Sun. Fitzella, Gold Digger and O'Brien's Signora are also towards the head of the betting. Derby seventh Green Storm and 12th Nightwalker bid for compensation in the King Edward VII Stakes, in which Ralph Beckett's unbeaten gelding Amiloc is set to be a popular choice. Puppet Master won the Lingfield Derby Trial but bypassed Epsom and he is one of two for O'Brien along with Naas winner Galveston. Dante third Wimbledon Hawkeye runs for James Owen, while the progressive Zahrann represents Johnny Murtagh. Teumessias Fox heads a maximum 19-strong field for the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes, with 28 to go to post in both the Palace of Holyrood House Stakes and the Sandringham.
Khaleej Times
15-04-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Dubai Duty Free's 30-year love affair with Newbury Racecourse hits new heights
Hometown winners, Guineas hopes, and vibrant grandstands — Newbury Racecourse was buzzing last weekend as Dubai Duty Free celebrated 30 years of partnership in spectacular style. Over two days of thrilling action, the Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials Weekend delivered everything a racegoer could want: rising stars, local success stories, record-breaking crowds, and even a glimpse at potential Classic champions in the making. Racegoers weren't the only ones enjoying the weekend. Dubai Duty Free's Managing Director, Ramesh Cidambi, hosted media and racing professionals across both days, delivering a heartfelt tribute to the company's late CEO Colm McLoughlin, whose family has enjoyed many cherished moments at Newbury over the years. Cidambi also shared some standout figures: 'I am glad to say that 2024 was a record sales year for Dubai Duty Free with turnover of $2.164 billion. We have just announced our first quarter sales of $565 million, so things are going well! It is thanks to the success of our retail business that we are able to support sponsorships such as this.' Saturday's card featured the eagerly anticipated trials for the 1000 and 2000 Guineas — and it didn't disappoint. The first Classic trial saw 15 talented fillies line up in the Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Stakes. It was Duty First who stole the spotlight, the locally-trained runner from Archie Watson's Lambourn yard sweeping home under Hollie Doyle. Though Watson's sights were originally set on the Italian Guineas, the win has inspired loftier ambitions. Duty First is now being considered for a Newmarket run — though she'll need to be supplemented. Either way, she's earned her shot. Meanwhile, trainer Andrew Balding had the kind of day most can only dream of — notching an incredible four wins including both the Group 3s. Two of his standout runners — Davina Grace and Jonquil — had only recently joined his team from now-retired trainers Rae Guest and Sir Michael Stoute. But their debut performances were nothing short of emphatic. Davina Grace, the only mare in her race and still carrying her winter coat, battled bravely to land the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes. 'She's bound to improve,' Balding said, after Davina Grace edged out outsider Tabletalk in a tight finish, with stablemate Bellum Justice left trailing. Then came Jonquil — a son of none other than the legendary Frankel — who powered home in the Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes, setting himself up as one to watch for the 2000 Guineas. Further down the card, Balding's purple patch continued as Point of Contact made a remarkable return to action after a layoff dating back to July 2024. Injured at Newbury last summer, he came back stronger to claim the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship Maiden, denying William Haggas's fancied Crown of Oaks. The weekend concluded with the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire Handicap, another fiercely competitive affair over ten furlongs. This time it was Sweet Reward, trained by Jonathan Portman, who took the spoils, sporting the silks of the Old Stoic Racing Club — a syndicate led by the much-loved former Sky Sports Racing presenter, Robert Cooper. Off the track, the celebration continued in the Dubai Duty Free Marquee, which drew larger-than-usual crowds with its welcoming hospitality — from complimentary Arabic coffee and dates to spot prize giveaways, including entries into Dubai Duty Free's luxury prize draws. Next stop for Dubai Duty Free? The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at The Curragh in June — but for now, the cheers from Newbury still echo, celebrating a partnership 30 years strong and showing no signs of slowing down.
