Latest news with #QueenAnne
UPI
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- UPI
Trainers O'Brien, Gosden dominate early days of Royal Ascot
1 of 2 | Trawlerman and jockey William Buick return from victory in Thursday's Group 1 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot. Photo by Megan Coggin, courtesy of Ascot June 29 (UPI) -- Trainers Aidan O'Brien and John and Thady Gosden certainly enjoyed the first three days of the Royal Ascot meeting, as O'Brien saddled three star-bound 2-year-olds and the Gosdens sent out the winners of the three biggest races. The Godolphin team also landed a few blows as the fashion-filled week passed its midpoint, handing out Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" tickets along the way. Here's a look, including a few other stops around the globe. Around the world, around the clock Royal Ascot The Royal meeting got off to a surprising start as Docklands, a 15-1 chance, put his nose in front of the favorite, Rosallion, at the end of the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes. Cairo, at odds of 100-1, finished third. Docklands, an Australian-bred 5-year-old, was second in the 2024 Queen Anne, but was dispatched at 15-1 odds, as he was winless in 11 starts since bagging the Brittania Stakes at the 2023 Royal meeting. The race was a "Win and You're In" for the Breeders' Cup Mile on the Del Mar turf Nov. 1. Things got better later, but the Queen Anne did not throw down an auspicious start for the big outfits as Rosallion represented Sheik Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, while Godolphin's Notable Speech finished fourth, Juddmonte's Lead Artist was seventh and Coolmore's Diego Velazquez reported ninth. American hope Carl Spackler raced prominently but faded to get home sixth. The Group 1 St James's Palace Stakes for 3-year-olds, slotted right in the middle of the first day's schedule, was bookmarked by many as not only the day's best race but the best of the meeting. The English, French and Irish Guineas winners faced off, representing Godolphin, Coolmore and Juddmonte, respectively. And the winner is: By a knockout, Field of Gold. The Irish Guineas winner, a Kingman colt, found a seam near the top of the Ascot straight, kicked away 2 furlongs out and won by 3 1/2 lengths over French Guineas winner Henri Matisse. Ruling Court, who defeated Field of Gold in the English Guineas, was third. That's Juddmonte, Coolmore and Godolphin 1-2-3. Trainer John Gosden, now handling probably European racing's hottest commodity, said Field of Gold's scheduling hasn't totally gone to plan thanks to the trip to Ireland to atone for the loss at Newmarket and might call for a tap on the brakes. American Affair, a homebred Washington, D.C., gelding from a small Scottish stable, upset the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes, a 5-furlong dash, winning by a neck over Frost at Dawn. Believing, the favorite, finished 10th and reigning Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint champion Starlust was fourth. American Affair earned a "Win and You're In" spot in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. Gstaad looked like a potential superstar for the Irish Coolmore "lads" as the Starspangledbanner colt dominated the Group 2 Coventry Stakes for 2-year-olds. Gstaad raced alone between the inside and outside groups in the big field and jetted away to win by 3 lengths, improving to 2-for-2 as the first in what turned out to be a trio of 2-year-old triumphs for the Irish juggernaut. Wednesday All Ombudsman needed in the final furlong of the Group 1 Prince of Wales's Stakes was a place to go. After idling behind a very hot pace set by the Coolmore duo of Continuous, and Los Angeles, jockey William Buick found himself with a handful of horse and tiring rivals in a line in front of him. He jinked right, then left, finally found a seam and the 4-year-old Night of Thunder colt did the rest, shooting off to win by 2 lengths. Anmaat and Sea the Fire were second and third. Ombudsman earned another prestigious trophy for Gosden and a "Win and You're In" spot in the Breeders' Cup Turf on Nov. 1 at Santa Anita. Crimson Advocate rallied like a shot outside rivals to win a high-quality renewal of the Group 2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes for fillies and mares by 1 1/4 lengths from Cinderella's Dream. Fallen Angel took third, giving Wathnan Racing first and third around the Godolphin color-bearer. Reinvented this year as a miler by trainer Gosden, she had finished second and first in preparation for the Duke of Cambridge. True Love overwhelmed 22 other 2-year-old fillies in the opener, the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes at 5 furlongs. The No Nay Never filly, a plus-sized O'Brien trainee, started from the stands-side gate, took her time winding up, found her rhythm and won by 1 1/4 lengths. Extreme longshot Flowerhead edged Gulfstream Park-based Lennilu for third in a good effort by both. True Love became the second impressive 2-year-old score of the Royal meeting for Coolmore. Carmers, the first-ever Royal Ascot runner for trainer Paddy Twomey, improved to 3-for-3 with a victory in the 1 3/4-mile Group 2 Queen's Vase for 3-year-olds. Further and Rahiebb were a tight second and third with pacesetter Shackleton also close in fourth. Carmers, a Wootton Bassett colt, started his career with victories at Ballinrobe and Vavan in Ireland, both at 1 5/8 miles. Thursday The midpoint of the meeting featured the Group 1 Gold Cup with Godolphin's Trawlerman defeating Coolmore's Illinois by 7 lengths. Trawlerman, second in last year's Gold Cup to the recently retired Kyprios, led throughout the 2 1/2 miles and responded eagerly when asked by jockey William Buick with 3 furlongs left. The other Godolphin entry, 9-year-old Dubai Future, stayed on gamely to finish third. "Trawlerman just goes off," trainer Gosden said. "I said to William, 'What did you do?' and he said, 'I threw the reins at him. He can judge pace better than me.' And off they went together." Charles Darwin gave O'Brien, Coolmore and Moore yet another great 2-year-old performance in the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes. The No Nay Never colt accelerated smoothly through the last of 5 furlongs to win by 2 1/4 lengths over Godolphin's Wise Approach. Sandal's Song, who qualified via the Royal Palm Juvenile at Gulfstream Park, got nearly to terms with the winner and ran on well to finish third. It was the third straight win for Charles Darwin, all by big margins, and earned him a "Win and You're In" spot in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. That was the first of three victories on the day for the group, also including the Group 2 Ribblesdale for 3-year-old fillies, won by 7-1 shot Garden of Eden, and the Group 3 Hampton Court for 3-year-olds, won by Trinity College by 3 1/2 lengths over another Godolphin runner, Tornado Alert. South America After handing out this week's "Win and You're In" bids at Royal Ascot, Breeders' Cup this weekend turns its attention back to South America. Sunday's Group 1 Grande Premio Brasil at Hipodromo da Gavea in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, grants the winner a pass to the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf. The Gran Premio Pamplona at Hipodromo de Monterrico in Lima, Peru, is a "Win and You're In" for the Maker's Mark Filly & Mare Turf. It's a quiet week in North America, with the $500,000 Grade III Ohio Derby at Thistledown and the $300,000 Grade II Chicago Stakes for fillies and mares at Churchill Downs atop the schedule.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Abbey Clancy packs on the PDA with husband Peter Crouch as the couple put on an amorous display during day two of Royal Ascot
They've been married since 2011 and share four children together. And Abbey Clancy and her husband Peter Crouch were packing on the PDA as they enjoyed a loved-up outing on the second day of Royal Ascot on Wednesday. The couple were pictured sharing a kiss as they watched the action from a balcony overlooking Ascot Racecourse. Abbey, 39, who shared snaps of her look on Instagram, showed off her model physique in a slinky white satin dress from Magda Butrym. Meanwhile Peter, 44, put on a dapper display in a sharp cream suit as he leaned in for a kiss from his stunning wife. Royal Ascot, the jewel in the crown of the UK racing calendar, kicked off on Tuesday with the Queen Anne Stakes and will run until Saturday. King Charles and Camilla have been once again arriving in the famous carriage procession along the course and past the stands that will welcome hundreds of thousands of punters during the five-day meet. It is a royal tradition that has reached its 200th anniversary this year after it was first held in 1825 during the reign of King George IV. The festival was founded by Queen Anne in 1711 after she declared Ascot ideal for 'horses fit for kings' and it is now a major social event and sporting attraction. It comes after Abbey told OK! magazine that she would love to have another baby, but her former footballer husband Peter joked he would 'leave' her if she considered it. She said: 'I'd have 10 kids if I could but Pete is like "absolutely not". I think he said he'd leave me if I bring another living thing into the house. 'All the kids are in school now so I could easily have a newborn, but my husband says "no way".' The couple, who have been married since 2011, share four children - Sophia Ruby, 14, Liberty Rose, 10, Johnny, seven, and Jack, six. While Abbey said that she typically gets her way with her husband, she acknowledges that adding another child to their family is one subject he will not change his mind about. As she watched the racing unfold with her pals, Abbey was in high spirits She has previously spoken of her husband's affection for their children, admitting that whenever they do get the opportunity to enjoy a date night, they end up missing their brood The model joked: 'I've actually just got a lovely new baby who's 18 hands - Enzo, my horse. 'He's five minutes from the house but I'd like him to live in my garden and sleep in my bed but that's not possible either!' She has previously spoken of her husband's affection for their children, admitting that whenever they do get the opportunity to enjoy a child-free date night, they end up missing their sizeable brood. Abbey said that while they are a well-off family, she does her best not to spoil her children so that they understand the importance of working hard.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Royal Ascot jockey talks up 28-1 shot and compares favourite to Declan Rice
Sean Levey holds a stellar book of rides for day 1 of Royal Ascot, and thinks his best chance is a mount who works like Declan Rice, with a 28-1 outsider also in with a solid shout Sean Levey believes his opening ride at Royal Ascot, Rosallion, compares to Arsenal star Declan Rice at home and has 'little to find' in order to win the Queen Anne Stakes. St James's Palace charge Rashabar is another the 37-year-old thinks could outrun his 28-1 price. Levey first tasted victory at the prestigious Royal meeting back in 2022, and last year, guided the then-three-year-old Rosallion to Group 1 glory in the St James's Palace for just his second Ascot winner. This year, he has three rides on day 1, and none are bigger than the now four-year-old son of Blue Point, who fractionally disappointed on his return when third in the Lockinge Stakes last month, but heads the Queen Anne betting at a general 5-2. Richard Hannon's colt is one that Levey regards highly, and one he feels works and performs like Gunners ace Rice, with an understated and reserved but effective temperament. "He's never been very flash like Declan Rice. I mean, we always thought he was exceptional with his mannerisms and the way he went about things, but he never caught the eye with the way he worked at home," admitted Ladbrokes ambassador Levey. "I think it's normally a sign of a smart horse. A lot of good horses are quite reserved at home. They leave their running for the race course. That kind of gives them that bit of longevity going forward. "He confirmed what we thought of him when he ran on a track for the first time, and then continued to confirm that throughout. There's no doubt he brings his best out to the races whenever he does run." Levey continued, touching on Rosallion's Queen Anne chances: "He's obviously going there with a favourite's chance, and he'd probably be my most fancied horse anyway. He's in a difficult position because, obviously, he was a dual-Group 1 winner as a three-year-old. He had a setback that left him off the track for nearly a year leading up to the Lockinge. "So, ultimately, he was having his sort of a prep run in the Lockinge, where, like he did as a three-year-old, he got beat, but at the same time, we knew he would have needed it. At the end of the day, if you look at the Lockinge, we were only beaten two lengths by what you'd argue were horses having their third run of the year. Not a lot to find, considering we have been off the track for so long." Later in the day, Levey will get a leg up on Brian Meehan's colt Rashabar, who impressed at this meeting 12 months ago when claiming the six-furlong Coventry Stakes as an 80-1 shot. He placed fourth on his last outing in the Irish 2,000 Guineas. The three-year-old has been put up in trip this campaign, and while he hasn't tasted victory since his Ascot win, some promising runs in behind quality horses over seven furlongs and a mile give Levey hope at a price of 28-1. "Well, the St James's Palace is always one of the biggest three-year-old races of the meeting. I mean, it is considered the stallion maker. It's a massive race," added Levey. "Rashabar is in a good place. He kind of missed running in the French Guineas and ended up in the Irish one, and we thought he'd come on again for that run in the Irish one. And if he does so, it obviously leaves him being quite competitive [in the Coventry]. "I think you could argue Rashabar is going to come on for his run at the Curragh. I think Ascot will definitely suit him, it being a stiff track, and we'd like to think he'll come on from his last one."
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Royal Ascot racegoers pull out all the stops as the festival gets off to a stylish start
Glamorous racegoers have pulled out all the sartorial stops as they arrived at Royal Ascot in the sunshine today to kick off the annual celebration in style. As one of the highlights of the racing calendar, the prestigious festival at the Berkshire racecourse is just as famous for its fashion as it is for its races. This year, statement hats were the focal point of revellers' eye-popping looks as day one of the annual race meeting got underway. Dressed to impress, guests wore a variety of show-stopping headpieces as they descended on Ascot for a day of equestrian fun. Floral prints, modest hemlines and attention-grabbing hats were the order of the day for many, while others looked effortlessly elegant in crisp white dresses and sharp blazers. Royal Ascot, the jewel in the crown of the UK racing calendar, starts today with the Queen Anne Stakes and will run until Saturday. Traditionally, the King and Queen arrive at Royal Ascot in a carriage procession with their guests, a convention which has reached its 200th anniversary this year, as it was first held in 1825 during the reign of King George IV. The festival was founded by Queen Anne in 1711 after she declared Ascot ideal for 'horses fit for kings' and has today become a major social event as well as a sporting attraction. Charles and Camilla, both fans of racing, are likely to arrive in the famous carriage procession along the course and past the stands that will welcome hundreds of thousands of punters during the five-day meet. The monarch and his wife will be hoping for a winner in the Ascot Stakes when their horse Reaching High, trained by Willie Mullins, takes on other thoroughbreds. Mullins, reflecting on the thoroughbred's narrow defeat at Leopardstown racecourse in Ireland, said: 'I've been very happy since his first run, he did everything nicely at Leopardstown and if he could run a similar type of race at Ascot I would be very pleased.' Queen Elizabeth II was a passionate owner and breeder of thoroughbreds and had more than 20 Royal Ascot winners during her 70-year reign. Charles and Camilla have taken on her stable of horses and enjoyed their first Royal Ascot winner in 2023 when their horse Desert Hero triumphed in the King George V Stakes. Meanwhile, whilst no dress code rules apply in the Windsor Enclosure, although the majority of guests choose to dress up regardless, a strict dress code operates across the Royal and Queen Anne Enclosures. Hats are a must in both Royal enclosures. Alternatively, a headpiece or 'hatinator' with a minimum base diameter of 4 inches (10cm) is also acceptable. Dresses must be knee length or longer and forget spaghetti straps - all shoulders must be a minimum width of 1 inch (2.5cm). Strapless, off-the-shoulder and one shoulder items are also banned. Shorts of any kind are not permitted. But having been included in the dress code since 1971, trouser suits remain a popular choice - although they mustn't be mismatched. From 2017 onwards, jumpsuits have also been accepted as Ascot worthy, while men must stick to black dress shoes worn with ankle socks, but there are no footwear specifications for women.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
UK's most iconic department store plots its first shops outside London after 318 years in business
THE UK's most iconic department store plots its first shops outside London after 318 years in business. The upmarket store currently has four UK stores that are all based in the capital. 2 2 Fortnum & Mason was established 318 years ago in 1707 and was founded by William Fortnum, a footman for Queen Anne, and Hugh Mason, his landlord. The pair started operating from a small store in St James Market and a spare room in Mason's house. The store quickly became known for its innovative and high-quality products, appealing to the tastes of the affluent and aristocratic clientele. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, Fortnum & Mason expanded its offerings, becoming a purveyor of fine foods, wines, and spirits. Currently, Fortnum & Mason has stores in Piccadilly, St Pancras station, the Royal Exchange in Bank and in Heathrow Terminal. But now the upmarket department store is thinking about venturing outside of the capital. The retailer said earlier this year that it was no longer seen as a 'Christmas focused' business as shoppers were snapping up its luxury food products to 'stock their own larders' throughout the year. The retailer's chief executive Tom Athron told The Telegraph that he would be interested in having branches 'up the spine of the country'. He said the business would look at sites in a 'beautiful location' with 'beautiful architecture'. 'This isn't about ubiquity. But there are other locations across the country where we think that Fortnum could offer both retail and restaurants, where it would be relevant. The Viking Centre: Britain's first American-style mall faces demolition "And we're looking at those now,' Athron said. The news comes as the retailer says there is a surge in demand for its luxury teas, biscuits and jam. The store underwent a significant refurbishment in 2007, celebrating its 300th anniversary with a rejuvenated look that honoured its storied past. History of Fortnum & Mason Fortnum & Mason was established 318 years ago in 1707. It was founded by William Fortnum, a footman for Queen Anne, and Hugh Mason, his landlord. The pair started operating from a small store in St James Market and a spare room in Mason's house. The department store eventually set up shop at its current location at 181 Piccadilly. One of Fortnum & Mason's earliest claims to fame was its invention of the Scotch egg in 1738, a portable and filling snack ideal for travellers. The store quickly became known for its innovative and high-quality products, appealing to the tastes of the affluent and aristocratic clientele. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, Fortnum & Mason expanded its offerings, becoming a purveyor of fine foods, wines, and spirits. It was also during this period that the store became renowned for its hampers, which were meticulously curated and became a staple of British festivities and picnics. These hampers were often sent to British troops during times of conflict, providing a comforting taste of home. By the Victorian era, Fortnum & Mason had firmly established itself as a symbol of British luxury. The store's association with the royal family was further cemented when it was granted its first Royal Warrant by Queen Victoria. This distinguished honour recognised Fortnum's as a supplier of goods to the royal household, a tradition that continues to this day. The 20th century saw Fortnum & Mason adapting to the changing times while maintaining its commitment to quality and tradition. During both World Wars, the store remained open, offering solace and a sense of continuity to Londoners. Post-war, the store further diversified its range, introducing new departments and expanding its international reach. In more recent years, Fortnum & Mason has continued to evolve, embracing modernity while preserving its heritage. The store underwent a significant refurbishment in 2007, celebrating its 300th anniversary with a rejuvenated look that honoured its storied past. Today, it offers a wide array of products, from gourmet foods and fine teas to exquisite homewares and beauty products. It offers a wide array of products, from gourmet foods and fine teas to exquisite homewares and beauty products. is set to open more shops. Earlier this year ASOS also revealed plans to relaunch a Topshop website. .
