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Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Royal Ascot trainer blasts 'worst ride' from jockey making debut at meeting
Jerome Raynier was not happy with Flavien Prat's effort on Facteur Cheval after the globetrotter weakened out of the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot won by John and Thady Gosden runner Ombudsman A trainer has complained about the 'worst ride' from a top jockey who was making his debut at Royal Ascot. Flavien Prat flew over from America to team up with Facteur Cheval in the £1million Prince of Wales's Stakes on Wednesday. The 25-1 shot finished sixth of eight behind impressive winner Ombudsman, a horse continuing an excellent week for father and son team John and Thady Gosden. While there were celebrations for the Newmarket stable, French handler Jerome Reynier was dissatisfied with Prat's effort on Facteur Cheval after the earner of almost £4million of prize money ran out of puff in the straight. From a midfield position the six-year-old gelding made good headway three furlongs from the finish and held a slight lead before he weakened right out of contention to be beaten eight-and-a-quarter lengths. The 1m 2f was the furthest distance Facteur Cheval had tried and Reynier claimed Prat, who has ridden 1,995 winners in his home country, gave him little chance. READ MORE: Mirror watches as Royal Ascot punters stopped by drug sniffer dogs The trainer fumed: "He (the horse) has come out of the race well, despite his jockey doing absolutely nothing to help him. I think it was perhaps the worst ride given to one of my horses since I became a trainer. "In a race with loads of pace, he elected to lead the chase (behind pacemaker Continuous). He was the first to commit on the turn for home and launched his attack three wide with no cover and too far out." Before the race Prat was described "as brilliant a turf rider as any of us have ever seen over here" by Team Valor International chief Barry Irwin, who own the 2024 Meydan Dubai Turf hero with Gary Barber. Facteur Cheval picked up just over £14,000 for connections in a race which had top three prizes of £599,708, £227,362.50 and £113,787. Via the Racing Post, Reynier added: "Flavien thought he was at Santa Anita or Del Mar where they have short straights and the tracks are flat. "And I don't think it was a judicious move to use a jockey who rides in that style. It was just a terrible ride." Born in France, Prat has lived in America since 2015, where he has ridden top horses like Breeders Cup Classic hero Flightline and Hot Rod Charlie, the winner of the Pennsylvania Derby. He took another ride for George Weaver's US stable after partnering Facteur Cheval, when Tough Critic finished 11th of the 23 that set out in the Windsor Castle Stakes won by Eve Johnson Houghton-saddled Havana Hurricane.
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Wales has a new sporting superstar as Gstaad lights up Royal Ascot in front of royalty
Wales has a new sporting superstar as Gstaad lights up Royal Ascot in front of royalty The horse named after a ski resort was actually bred in Carmarthenshire. Ryan Moore riding Gstaad wins The Coventry Stakes on day one during Royal Ascot 2025 (Image:for Ascot Racecourse ) Wales can lay claim to a new potential sporting superstar, one who dazzled in front of the King and Queen on the biggest stage of all this week. Gstaad lit up Royal Ascot on Tuesday, delivering a show-stopping performance to land the Coventry Stakes, one of the most prestigious races of the year for two-year-olds. In front of a crowd in the region of 50,000 - with King Charles and Queen Camilla watching on from the Royal box - the horse named after a ski resort in Switzerland slalomed his way through his rivals before shooting clear for a three-length success. He is now among the favourites for Classic honours in the 2000 Guineas next year and his potential worth could run into the millions. Which is all a far cry from his more modest background. While he is now owned by the all-powerful global Coolmore operation and trained by Irish maestro Aidan O'Brien, he was actually bred in Carmarthenshire. He hails from Maywood Stud - around 20 miles from the racecourse at Ffos Las - and the operation of small breeder Kelly Thomas. Article continues below Gstaad is the son of a mare called Mosa Mine, who failed to win a race of any description in 11 attempts and who Thomas bought back for just £800 in 2011. It turned out to possibly be the best £800 she ever spent as Mosa Mine has now produced two top-level performers, with Gstaad following in the hoofprints of Vandeek. 'We had everything to look forward to with Gstaad,' she told the Racing Post. 'Obviously the purchaser couldn't have been better, and he couldn't have gone to a better trainer with a better team of people looking after him. 'We could only hope that he could repay everybody's faith in him. 'To come from the smallest stud, receive the biggest amount of backing and then end up on the biggest stage with the biggest result, I just can't believe it.' Article continues below She added: 'We were watching it from the stands at Ascot and when he won I was shaking so much I just had to cup my hands over my face and cry my eyes out.'
Scottish Sun
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Gemma Collins reveals her ambitions to become a Dame after charming King Charles and Queen Camilla
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) GEMMA Collins has opened up about her ambitions to become a Dame after charming King Charles and Queen Camilla. Speaking as she launches her new Ladies' Day Ascot campaign with betting giants Paddy Power the reality TV queen, who is pictured being fed grapes on a regal chaise longue by fellow ambassador ex England footballer Peter Crouch, thinks she's due an honours one day. 4 Gemma Collins has opened up about her ambitions to become a Dame after charming King Charles and Queen Camilla Credit: Racing Post 4 Gemma previously met the King and Queen Camilla in 2023 when she attended The Animal Ball Credit: PA Gemma, 44, revealed: 'Of course I'd love it to be made a Dame, but I don't think it's going to happen just yet. "One day that is the dream. It would just be the best thing that could ever happen. 'After years of entertaining the public, I believe that I should get the title Dame Gemma Collins and it's just so funny because I'm sure this is what Charles' mum would have wanted.' Gemma previously met the King and Queen Camilla in 2023 when she attended The Animal Ball, but confesses that the Royals sought her out and invited her. She said: 'I love the royals. King Charles requested for me to meet him back in 2023. Clarence House called me because they wanted to get in touch with a British icon who is the mood of the nation. 'I dressed in Valentino and went to Lancaster House, in London. 'Charles was great fun, and very funny, I called him King of the Planet because I really admire him for all the work he does for the animals . "Personally, I think he's very down to earth. Obviously they're super posh because they're the Royal family. Camila was lovely. We had a good old chat.' Gemma, known as The GC to fans, feels she could play a role of agony aunt to Charles amid his fallout with youngest son Prince Harry. Gemma explained: 'I think Charles does need to mend his relationship with Prince Harry, life is too short. We do not know what's around the corner. Gemma Collins breaks silence on scary pneumonia battle as she struggles to breathe in chaotic radio appearance "I didn't know I was gonna get stopped in my tracks with viral pneumonia a couple of weeks ago. "So I just think we've got one life, life is short and we all need to forgive in our hearts. "There is so much sadness in the world at the minute. You can really feel the energy. I just think life is short. We do not know if we're going to wake up tomorrow. "And honestly, like so much time is wasted on pettiness. 'I think the king is so cool and the nation would love to see him reunite with Harry. He's like the naughty child. You never know the truth, but I hope they can repair and heal.' Gemma is delighted to be working with Paddy Power ahead of Royal Ascot's Ladies Day next Thursday. It comes after she was their guest of honour at Cheltenham Races in March. She said: I'm loving working with Paddy Power. And they're really fun and I've just been so lucky like the campaigns we've been doing are just such a vibe. 'It all started when Paddy Power invited me to Cheltenham, as I've gotten older I like to say yes to a lot more things. I'm so happy they called because I literally shut it down. "People just didn't expect to see me in Cheltenham and women should be able to go to these horse races too. 'I feel like some women are just meant to be there to be dressed up, but it's really cool for women to have a little flutter on the horses, why should men have all the fun? 'Horse-racing is really blokey, but I'm here to shut that down. Women rule the world. 'Everyone can get the Royal treatment at Ascot. Paddy Power does things differently, they're full of mischief and entertainment.' She added: 'I met Peter Crouch - he was very nice, tall and gentlemanly.' Gemma is delighted that her hero David Beckham is getting a Knighthood finally. She said: 'I love David Beckham. I loved his Hugo Boss campaign and I was breathless without pneumonia. I think he deserves this knighthood so much. He deserves everything good coming to him. He's so down to earth. 'Funnily enough, I see his mum Sandra a lot in Epping. I don't disturb her. She goes to the same cafe as me. I just look at her and think, 'God, you must be walking on cloud nine, having such an amazing son.' 'I love the fact he's got into country life. I always remember him queuing when the Queen passed away. It shows respect on such a level and he is a great role model to young boys, young men and children growing up today.' 4 Gemma, known as The GC to fans, feels she could play a role of agony aunt to Charles amid his fallout with youngest son Prince Harry Credit: Racing Post
Daily Mail
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
How to fix the Epsom Derby: DOMINIC KING on a radical plan to revive racing's big disappointment
The debate is raging for one simple reason – people care. When an event that formed part of so many childhoods and created so many legends doesn't shimmer as it once used to, the fallout is often noisy and won't go away. This is where Epsom's Derby finds itself. Lambourn, Aidan O'Brien's eleventh winner of the ultimate flat race, has barely been mentioned since Saturday and that cannot be right. There was no luck around the colt's display of raw power and relentless galloping, he was by far the best in the field. But the reason that nobody is talking about the performance is down to the entire show. The noise on social media, the reporting in the Racing Post and the volume of emails this correspondent has received in recent days, all centred on the Derby and its relevance show the depth of feeling. Saturday, as an occasion, felt hugely disappointing. Walking around the course, it was impossible to shake the feeling that Epsom has been neglected even more so than Kempton, which always finds itself in the eye of a storm after it stages The King George VI Chase on Boxing Day. Spectators in a variety of enclosures remarked how the facilities were not up to standard; the course commentary, depending on where you were standing, was muffled or inaudible and the lack of screens to show the action was disappointing. There can be no doubt that many of the crowd who went to the races on Saturday wouldn't have been aware they were on track for the kind of race that makes you want to come back for more as they head straight to the end of the site that had a huge beer hall and later welcomed DJs. Away from The Derby, which will be sponsored by Betfred until the end of 2026, there wasn't really anything to excite. After Lambourn had secured his place in history, the quality of racing resembled a wet Monday at Redcar, not an event that attracts interest from all around the world. We argued in this space last Saturday morning that Epsom should be the only card when the Derby is being staged and nothing that happened last weekend changed that view. If anything, we should go further and be totally revolutionary. Why not have an eight-race super card, one that starts at 3pm and finishes at 7pm with the Derby as the last race – there would be a peak time Saturday evening audience tuning before the family entertainment programmes. On the card you would have the Coronation Cup, run over the same mile-and-a-half course as the Derby; Epsom could also potentially take the Temple Stakes from Haydock Park, a straight five furlong dash and sell it around the possibility of seeing the fastest horse on the planet. The straight five furlongs at Epsom descends like a ski jump and the sight and sound of sprinters thundering past crowded stands at 40mph would be breathtaking. Never forget that racing is all about the majesty and power of the horse – they are the true stars of the game. Jim Allen, Epsom's new general manager, is aware of all this. He told me this week his first challenge is to get the local community onside and make them proud of what is on their doorstep. The town centre last weekend felt as underwhelming as the course and this has to change. Allen, an enthusiastic and passionate man, is determined to tap into all the stories that have been told at Epsom. It should be a venue that feels as special as walking to Wembley, Lord's, St Andrews, Twickenham or Silverstone: it's time to write another chapter and bring back former glories. Scampering Satono has what it takes The countdown to Royal Ascot has started in earnest and what a privilege it was to be on Newmarket's July course at daybreak on Wednesday to see some of the international runners. There aren't many more picturesque settings than the July Course in full bloom and those last words certainty applied to Satono River, the Japanese contender for the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes on Saturday week; he's been based at the stables of James Horton. Ryan Moore made a flying visit to partner the six-year-old in his gallop and the manner in which Satono Reve scampered away at the end of his work left you very much with the impression that he has what it takes to become Japan's first winner at the 11th attempt at the Royal meeting. 'After arriving from Hong Kong, Satono Reve had some time to recover before steadily building up his training,' said trainer Noriyouki Hori. 'It's a different environment from what he's used to but he's been coming along well thanks to the support of James, his team and everyone involved.' Nori is a man of few words and didn't give the impression he wanted to engage in any small talk but the forensic level of attention he was giving to Satono Reve showed no stone has been left unturned. He's primed to run for his life. Mullins' Royal pride Regular readers will know all about the pride Willie Mullins felt when he was given the opportunity to become the first Irishman to train a horse for the reigning monarchs. Reaching High, who started his career in the care of Sir Michael Stoute, moved to Mullins's Closutton base two months ago and has been brought along slowly. The idea is to have the gelding cherry ripe for an assignment in next Tuesday's Ascot Stakes and the vibes are positive. It has been noticeable that The Queen has been an increasingly visible presence on courses – she was at Hexham last week – and her wishes is to see the Royal horses run well at the meeting that matters most. Reaching High is 10/1 currently and there would be worse each-way wagers. Rutter to expand his stable Georginio Rutter, once of Leeds United and now plying his trade at Brighton, was at Epsom on Saturday and his passion for racing is huge. His horse Bopedro, trained in Yorkshire by David O'Meara, finished sixth in one of the races at the Derby. It wasn't difficult to come to the conclusion, though, that he will be adding to his stable in the coming months. He had several conversations with the excellent Richard Hannon during the afternoon and it would be a smart move to have runners with him SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND: Competitive cards this weekend means it's prudent to keep your powder dry for Ascot. Backing BELIEVING at 4/1 for the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot on Tuesday would be a much more sensible course of action. George Boughey's filly is in fine form.
Irish Daily Mirror
11-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Willie Mullins shells out close to €500,000 on unraced horses at Goffs Sales
Willie Mullins shelled out close to €500,000 on unraced stock as horse racing's biggest hitter gathered at the Goffs Arkle Sale on Tuesday. Mullins and his bloodstock agent Harold Kirk got the cheque book out to buy a trio of unraced three-year-olds. With the price of point-to-pointers seemingly increasing every year, many of jump racing's top trainers are now breaking in young horses themselves before readying them for the racetrack. Although there is also a premium to be paid on the best pedigrees. Mullins and Kirk paid €175,000 to land a It's Gino gelding called Mistral Le Du from Roger Marley's Church Farm Stables. Kirk, as reported by the Racing Post, said: Kirk said: 'He was one of the standout horses in the sale, and by a very good sire [It's Gino] in France. "He is a beautiful individual, a very good mover, and he stood out for me. I knew he would make money, but I didn't think it would be that much. There is always somebody else interested." Mullins also bought another French-bred Altesse du Luy from Altesse du Luy for €145,000. And they completed their purchases on the first of two day of the Arkle Sale by splashing out €110,000 on a Zarak filly called Karak de Faust. The sales topper on the first day, though, was a €190,000 purchase by Ellmarie Holden on a No Risk At All gelding from Sluggara Farm. Holden has previous with big-money store purchases, having shelled out €140,000 to buy a horse called Jonbon at the Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale. That turned out to be a very shrewd bit of business as Jonbon would go on to win a point-to-point for the Holdens before being sold for a record-breaking £570,000. And Jonbon, of course, has lived up to his price tag, winning ten Grade 1 races and counting for Nicky Henderson and his owner JP McManus. Holden said: 'Jonbon worked out. He cost €140,000 and we were lucky he worked out. If this guy is anything like Jonbon it will be very straightforward. Jonbon was very easy to do anything with, he never had any issues." British trainer Dan Skelton was also present at the sale, and he paid €165,000 for another No Risk At gelding. In total, 188 horses were sold on the opening day of the sale for a combined sum of €10,306,500.
