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The Irish Sun
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Royal Ascot is an absolute beast and keeps getting bigger – but Charlie Appleby can't buy a winner there
THE beast that is Royal Ascot just keeps on getting, erm, beastier. I don't think that's a word, but oh well. Across the board, attendances have been dipping at our biggest tracks after a post-Covid surge. But this meeting continues to buck the trend. 1 Field Of Gold has been the start of the Ascot show this week Credit: PA Crowds have been up on each of the first four days this week — no doubt thanks also to the sweltering weather. Ascot has thoroughly deserved to have its days in the sun, though. As much as I've become a dinosaur and roll my eyes at things considered 'Instagrammable', that's exactly what this meeting is . . . and people can't get enough. From the moment the gates opened punters were streaming in and queuing for 20 or 30 minutes at four designated selfie spots. The action has been good off the track, but even better on it. It's one of the great weeks of the year and people like to be a part of it. Long may that continue. The game's wealthiest owners spend millions to have runners here and the result, as ever, has been a top-class four days of racing with one day still to come. And, Jesus wept, it's been hot. So hot, in fact, the icing on the cakes in the press room was close to melting. You don't realise how tough we have it sometimes. Thanks in advance for your sympathy. There is no doubt in my mind who the star performer of the week was, and that's Field Of Gold. He won the St James's Palace by three and a half lengths and it could have been even more comprehensive had Colin Keane delayed his challenge a little longer. Those with a greater grasp of the formbook than me reckon he is the best miler since his old man Kingman 11 years ago — it's hard to argue on what he's done the last twice at the Curragh and Ascot. Most read in Horse Racing The galloping grey got the Johnny G show rolling, and what a difference a year makes. In 2024, Gosden was scrabbling around looking for a half decent horse, and all of a sudden he's got a stable full of them. In contrast, what a complete nightmare it's been for Godolphin's main man Charlie Appleby. His last winner at Royal Ascot was in 2022, when Naval Crown struck at 33-1, and he has now had 35 straight runners without a winner at the Royal meeting. He had lots of beaten fancies last year and this week it's been a similar tale of woe, with Notable Speech (4-1), Ruling Court (4-1), Cinderella's Dream (5-4f) and Shadow Of Light (6-4f) among those turned over at short odds. It certainly does not bode well for his two fancied runners Treanmor and Rebel's Romance today. It's three years in a row now that Appleby has got off to a fast start in the spring before spluttering to a halt in early summer. What on earth is happening? Are the horses peaking early and unable to back up? Appleby must be sick of the sight of all those top hats and tails by now. And it must hurt even more that Godolphin have had three winners this week, two trained by Gosden and one by Saeed bin Suroor. I bet Saeed is secretly over the moon — he has been starved of ammunition over the last decade having falling down the pecking order with Sheikh Mo, but he has shown repeatedly he can still get the job done on the big days. If it's the most important week of the year for trainers, it's probably more significant for the men and women in the weighing room. A couple of jocks who were in the wilderness coming here were Richard Kingscote and Kieran Shoemark, but both went home with winners under their belts. You could see the weight of the world melt off Shoemark's shoulders in particular after he guided 22-1 shot Never Let Go home in the Sandringham yesterday. Whatever you think about his ability in the saddle, the bloke has clearly suffered since losing the Gosden gig and you'd have to have a heart of stone to not wish him well going forwards. Mind you, one jockey who hardly did his reputation on these shores any good was the mercurial Frenchman Mickael Barzalona. Zarigana travelled like stink in the Coronation but he couldn't lift the hot favourite home, just a couple of weeks after losing another tight one at Epsom on popular punters' pick Calandagan. He was only appointed as the No1 jock to the Aga Khan at the start of the year but, after this latest dud, he'll surely be feeling the heat . . . and that makes two of us. 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: Read more on the Irish Sun 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.
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
I'm supremely confident my big Royal Ascot tip on Friday will be far too good for his rivals
It's hotting up on and off the track now MATT CHAPMAN I'm supremely confident my big Royal Ascot tip on Friday will be far too good for his rivals Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) OUT of the shadows and into the limelight — that's what I'm expecting for last season's champion juvenile at Ascot on Friday. We've made it to Day Four of the Royal meeting, and SHADOW OF LIGHT (3.05) — last season's Group 1 Middle Park and Dewhurst hero — drops back in trip for the Commonwealth Cup. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Is Shadow Of Light a bit of a good thing in what would normally be a hugely competitive Commonwealth? Credit: PA Like many, I suspect he will take all the beating after his comeback third to stable companion Ruling Court and Field Of Gold in the 2,000 Guineas. Shadow Of Light might well have won that race if he had been delivered a little later, but whatever the case, the drop to 6f should be exactly what he will enjoy and I just think he will be far too good. I'm happy with stall 19, so come on, William Buick. GOLD DIGGER (2.30) can get the day off to a flyer in the Albany Stakes. She looked special on debut at Yarmouth and it would be a famous winner here for Phil Cunningham and Richard Spencer. I was there that day, and many thought Awaken would take all the beating for George Boughey. She ran well, but was no match for Gold Digger, a Starman offspring who cost 260,000gns at the Craven Breeze-Up sale. She stays well and will be well suited to a Jamie Spencer special from off the pace. Stall 14 should not be an issue. ETHICAL DIAMOND (3.40) was fourth in the Duke Of Edinburgh last year when the 7-4 favourite. But he was out in stall 18 that day and get a much handier box in stall seven this time. The Willie Mullins challenger will hopefully be a stronger horse this time as he just weakened late on in 2024 and I suspect he will take all the stopping under Ryan Moore. He was a fine fourth at Cheltenham in the County Hurdle. For many the big one of the day is the Group 1 Coronation Stakes. We get the chance to see what might be a monster in FALAKEYAH (4.20) and her draw (stall two) has worked in her favour. Owen Burrows was considering the French Oaks after her demolition job in the Pretty Polly but also the Irish 1,000 Guineas. I'm pretty sure she has the speed for this test. She should be improving all the time as had only been to Wolverhampton prior to her Newmarket victory. She looks an absolute tank. Jim Crowley takes the mount. NEVER LET GO (5.00) is the one for me in the Sandringham. A strong gallop will be ideal for her and she has plenty of experience for Ed Walker. Many in this race are stepping up in trip, but Never Let Go drops in distance and looks sure to be suited by a proper gallop. Kieran Shoemark would not usually want to get down to a weight of 8st10lbs every day but he might just be rewarded here for making the effort. She's up in the handicap for a Listed third when last seen but as a lightly-raced animal I'm not too fussed about that. An each-way wager. Amiloc could easily win the King Edwards VII Stakes - also known as the Ascot Derby. But ZAHRANN (5.35) might just be one of the best Johnny Murtagh has trained in his career. The Aga Khan-owned colt and son of Night of Thunder was impressive in Listed company at Leopardstown last time and stayed this trip very well. He was well backed and it looked as though the stable knew he's classy. I'll chance him each-way. The day closes with JORGE ALVARES (6.10) in the Palace of Holyroodhouse Handicap. A lot of very fast horses here and I suspect something will come flying through late. He could be the one each-way for Colin Keane and Ger Lyons. The gelding has plenty of experience and ran really well when last seen at Curragh staying on strongly having been close to the pace. He's up 1lb here but that shouldn't make any difference and he's raced up to seven furlongs so that bit of stamina could be useful. Good luck one and all. Yeeehaaa! 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.
Powys County Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Ombudsman shows star quality with sizzling Prince of Wales's display
Ombudsman displayed a devastating change of gear to run out a brilliant winner of the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot. Successful on each of his first four starts last season, including a Group Three win in France, John and Thady Gosden's colt met with defeat for the first time when second to Almaqam on his return to action in last month's Brigadier Gerard at Sandown. The Godolphin-owned four-year-old faced a further hike in class for this Group One feature, but after being settled well off the strong early pace by William Buick, he engaged overdrive once in the clear halfway up the straight and readily picked off the gallant Anmaat to win by two lengths going away. See The Fire was third, another two and a half lengths behind the 7-1 winner, but Aidan O'Brien's Los Angeles, the 13-8 favourite, faded into fifth place. WOW! OMBUDSMAN THROUGH TRAFFIC TO WIN THE PRINCE OF WALES'S STAKES! #ROYALASCOT — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 18, 2025 Gosden senior, celebrating his 70th Royal Ascot winner, said: 'He's a special horse and it's just a question of an owner giving you the time to let them mature and get there. 'He's got a turn of foot and he (Buick) knew it, it was a matter of getting out, but I did notice when he finally got daylight there was a furlong to go.' He went on: 'It's a question of, when you get to the straight, whether you get the luck. He wasn't in a position where he could swing round the field, it was more of a case of waiting for the gap. 'He was very patient. I knew when there was a gap at the furlong pole that this horse has an extraordinary turn of foot – he was patient and he was rewarded. 'When we bought him he was an immature horse, he didn't run as a two-year-old and as a three-year-old we brought him on and then put him away. He's horse who is now properly grown and developed as a four-year-old. 'He's a mile-and-a-quarter horse, he's got a wonderful turn of foot as you saw and I think we'll play to that strength. As far as I'm concerned he's done nothing but grow in stature. 'He is a horse that because he hasn't over-raced this year, he could be a horse you could look at the Eclipse. 'That wouldn't be my choice (to run him against Field Of Gold).' Thady Gosden added: 'When William found a gap he asked him to go through it and he was very quick. 'The Eclipse looks like the natural step to take. It was a top-class field today, it was the most elite field of the week as it often is and he showed what he was capable of there. 'It wasn't a huge field but it was highly elite, as you'd expect at this meeting. He certainly came up good.' Buick was noticeably jubilant on passing the line, after an opening day that had seen high-profile reverses for Notable Speech and Ruling Court. He said: 'This place tames lions. It's so special to win here because it's so tough, everyone comes here in great form and everyone is doing their very best of course. 'They went a hard gallop. I was always going to have to ride for a bit of luck and he quickened instantly. I thought he was impressive. 'I think that was a taste of what's to come for sure. He's got low miles on the clock, he's an exciting horse.'
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Ombudsman has all the answers in Prince Of Wales's
Ombudsman displayed a devastating change of gear to run out a brilliant winner of the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot. Successful on each of his first four starts last season, including a Group 3 win in France, John and Thady Gosden's colt met with defeat for the first time when second to Almaqam on his return to action in last month's Brigadier Gerard at Sandown. The Godolphin-owned four-year-old faced a further hike in class for this Group 1 feature, but after being settled well off the strong early pace by William Buick, he engaged overdrive once in the clear halfway up the straight and readily picked off the gallant Anmaat to win by two lengths going away. See The Fire was third, another two and a half lengths behind the 7-1 winner, but Aidan O'Brien's Los Angeles, the 13-8 favourite, faded into fifth place. Gosden Sr, celebrating his 70th Royal Ascot winner, said: "He's a special horse and it's just a question of an owner giving you the time to let them mature and get there. "He's got a turn of foot and he (Buick) knew it, it was a matter of getting out, but I did notice when he finally got daylight there was a furlong to go." He went on: "It's a question of, when you get to the straight, whether you get the luck. He wasn't in a position where he could swing round the field, it was more of a case of waiting for the gap. "He was very patient. I knew when there was a gap at the furlong pole that this horse has an extraordinary turn of foot — he was patient and he was rewarded. "When we bought him he was an immature horse, he didn't run as a two-year-old and as a three-year-old we brought him on and then put him away. He's horse who is now properly grown and developed as a four-year-old. "He's a mile-and-a-quarter horse, he's got a wonderful turn of foot as you saw and I think we'll play to that strength. As far as I'm concerned he's done nothing but grow in stature. "He is a horse that because he hasn't over-raced this year, he could be a horse you could look at the Eclipse. "That wouldn't be my choice (to run him against Field Of Gold)." Thady Gosden added: "When William found a gap he asked him to go through it and he was very quick. "The Eclipse looks like the natural step to take. It was a top-class field today, it was the most elite field of the week as it often is and he showed what he was capable of there. "It wasn't a huge field but it was highly elite, as you'd expect at this meeting. He certainly came up good." Buick was noticeably jubilant on passing the line, after an opening day that had seen high-profile reverses for Notable Speech and Ruling Court. He said: "This place tames lions. It's so special to win here because it's so tough, everyone comes here in great form and everyone is doing their very best of course. "They went a hard gallop. I was always going to have to ride for a bit of luck and he quickened instantly. I thought he was impressive. "I think that was a taste of what's to come for sure. He's got low miles on the clock, he's an exciting horse."
South Wales Guardian
3 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Field Of Gold sparkles with decisive St James's Palace strike
John and Thady Gosden's colt had been a fast-finishing second behind Ruling Court in the 2000 Guineas before easily winning the Irish equivalent, while the French Guineas winner Henri Matisse was also running. There was no doubt who emerged as the best of the three though, as Colin Keane breezed through on the 8-11 favourite before bursting clear to beat Henri Matisse by three and a half lengths, with Ruling Court back in third. Field Of Gold has now charted the same route as his sire Kingman, who also suffered defeat at Newmarket before gaining Irish redemption and adding Royal Ascot glory when trained by John Gosden. 'Like father, like son,' said Gosden, in reference to Kingman's win in 2014. 'The nerves may have got to the trainer beforehand but thankfully not to the horse or the jockey. 'It was great, a great performance and Oisin (Murphy) did a nice job on Windlord setting an even pace and he came to the head of the straight and he had a lot of horse. 'For a moment I was thinking 'whoops, this is Ascot and it climbs and have we gone a bit soon'. I wasn't watching him, I was looking back as you always have to do here, but fortunately none of the dangers were coming to get him. 'He always impressed as a two-year-old but he was a big boy and slightly outgrew himself. We ran him in France which was a mistake in itself and I should have run him in the Dewhurst and I regret that. But this year he has been exemplary in everything he has done and he's a pleasure to train because he is a pretty relaxed character.' Gosden admitted the Irish 2,000 Guineas had not originally been part of Field Of Gold's intended campaign, which could influence where the colt heads next. He added: 'It was never the plan to go to Ireland and he's had a trial and two Guineas and now this which is a lot of racing and we're not even halfway through the season yet. 'Maybe (we'll) freshen him up now and go to the Sussex, but we will see. If we hadn't gone to Ireland, I would have been keen to go to the Eclipse. 'When they win like that and make it look easy they do take a lot out of themselves and I don't want to be someone seen running him back quick in an Eclipse straight off the back of this.' For Juddmonte's new retained rider it capped a fine first week in the hot seat for the Abdullah family, with the six-time Irish champion in no doubt he is in a privileged position, handed the reins to an exceptional talent. Keane said: 'He's a special horse and I'm lucky enough to join this team and to have a horse like him early on is amazing. I've had nothing compared to this and it's very special. 'He just proved what he did at the Curragh wasn't a mistake and it's similar to revving a motorbike, when you ask him it's instant. 'Without a doubt he's the best I've ridden. The next best would be Siskin who was in the same colours, but this lad is a level above, he's very special. 'I'm in a very privileged position to be in these colours and getting a horse like him is unbelievable. That was utterly sublime, Field Of Gold with a wow moment at #RoyalAscot — Adam Morgan (@Adam_Morgs) June 17, 2025 'I wasn't nervous, but there was plenty of anticipation and it was a very good renewal of the race. It was three Guineas winners taking each other on, but he's won like a very good horse. 'Ideally I would have liked to have been carried further into the race as he will only do so much once he got there. I didn't want to be a sitting duck there for them to catch me, but once he quickened up I thought they will do well to catch me. 'I couldn't wish for a better start, but when you're riding for this operation and this is the quality of horse you get, these are the opportunities you get and it's very special but also a bit of relief. 'He's following in the right footsteps and he just seems to be a horse who is getting better with racing and you can see the way he relaxes now. I'm just the man fortunate enough to be stepping in on him at the right time.' The writing was on the wall early for Ruling Court who never looked likely to confirm form with Field Of Gold. 'William (Buick) said he was never really travelling comfortably and at this level you need to be able to get up there and travel on the bridle to give your horse a breather,' said Charlie Appleby. 'It might be a bit too soon to say we'll be looking at an Eclipse but working back from the Juddmonte will be the most likely target.' Aidan O'Brien indicated Henri Matisse would likely stick at a mile.
