Spirit Mixer produces 25-1 Northumberland Plate surprise
Spirit Mixer made it third time lucky in the JenningsBet Northumberland Plate at Newcastle.
A close second to top-class stayer Trueshan in 2023, Andrew Balding's charge could finish only ninth 12 months ago and went off at 25-1 on this latest visit to Gosforth Park for a race affectionately known as the 'Pitmen's Derby'.
Bred in the purple as a son of Frankel and owner Jeff Smith's Group One-winning mare Arabian Queen, Spirit Mixer was delivered with his challenge in the home straight and knuckled down to get the better Dancing In Paris by a neck under a delighted Rob Hornby, who travelled north for a solitary ride.
Spirit Mixer comes out on top in the Northumberland Plate!
The son of Frankel digs deep to take the prize at the third attempt, getting the better of Dancing In Paris on the run for home for @rob_hornby18 and @AndrewBalding2 at @NewcastleRaces! pic.twitter.com/sVKYwb2UA2
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 28, 2025
'He was never a 25-1 shot in my head. I've won big races on him before and he was coming in off the back of a really good run at Goodwood,' said the jockey.
'I could have gone to Windsor and had four or five rides, but I wanted to come and ride him. He's a horse that's done no harm to me and it's fantastic to get that sort of reward today.
'There's a great crowd here today – I don't usually make the trek up north this far! I put it in my Sat Nav and it's just over five hours to get home, so this will make it a bit easier.'
He added: 'He's such a cool horse, he's seven years old now and a beautifully-bred homebred of Mr Smith's. He's just thriving and really enjoying his racing at his tender age.
'The race went pretty smooth. I thought I was jostling for the lead early enough, but he got into a battle and outstayed them then inside the last furlong.
'It's important to be riding winners on Saturdays in these big races and I've been fortunate enough to win a July Cup in these colours (on Alcohol Free), they mean a great deal to me, as does riding winners for Kingsclere.
'What a joy he is to own and to train and to ride.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Powys County Times
an hour ago
- Powys County Times
Jury due to begin deliberating in Sean ‘Diddy' Combs sex trafficking trial
Jurors are set to start deliberating in Sean 'Diddy' Combs's sex trafficking case, weighing charges that could put the hip-hop mogul in prison for life. After receiving legal instructions from federal Judge Arun Subramanian, the jury of eight men and four women will head behind closed doors to deliberate on Monday. They will sift through seven weeks of sometimes graphic and emotional testimony about the rap, fashion and reality TV impresario, including drug-fuelled sex marathons dubbed 'freak-offs' or 'hotel nights'. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking — relating to two of his ex-girlfriends — and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution for allegedly arranging to fly sex workers across state lines. In closing arguments last week, prosecutors and Combs's defence team took their last shots at convincing jurors to convict or acquit the Grammy Award-winning founder of Bad Boy Records. 'The defendant used power, violence and fear to get what he wanted,' assistant US attorney Christy Slavik said. 'He thought that his fame, wealth and power put him above the law.' Defence lawyer Marc Agnifilo countered: 'This isn't about crime. It's about money.' He noted that one of Combs's accusers in the criminal case also sued him in civil court. In all, 34 witnesses gave evidence, headlined by Combs's former girlfriends Cassie — the R&B singer born Casandra Ventura — and 'Jane' who gave evidence under a pseudonym. Both women said he often was violent towards them and forced them into hundreds of sexual encounters with paid male sex workers. Jurors also saw now-infamous security camera video of Combs beating, kicking and dragging Cassie at a Los Angeles hotel in 2016 and clips from videos of sexual encounters. Combs chose not to give evidence, and his lawyers did not call any witnesses in their defence case. His lawyers elected instead to challenge the accusers' credibility during lengthy cross-examination questioning. The defence has acknowledged that Combs veered into violence, but his lawyers maintain that the sex acts were consensual. They contend that prosecutors are intruding in Combs's personal life and that he has done nothing to warrant the charges against him.
Rhyl Journal
an hour ago
- Rhyl Journal
Runners battle hot, humid and windswept Nova Prestatyn parkrun
It was a very hot and humid despite a very strong and blustery wind at the Nova parkrun at Prestatyn last Saturday, with a generous attendance of some 255 mixed ability athletes and walkers, who all braved the refreshing sea breeze and sandy atmosphere. Two male visitors and course debutants grabbed their places in the top three as fast finishers with Aaron Dodwell becoming the first male runner home on his debut in 18.44, with Dafydd Montgomery 2nd in 19.17, and debutant Harry Brewster 3rd on his debut in 19.30. The first female finisher was Carla Green (NWRRC), in 14th place overall, and she also won her VW50 age cat in 21.34. Prestatyn RCs Lisa Lines claimed the 2nd spot in 22.33, with Sali Wheway 3rd with a new course PB of 24.30. *Some Conwy on Tour members and others at Nova included: The dynamic fundraising duo of Dave Munday and Daniel Huws following their epic 10 parkrun challenge from last week, with Dave finishing 37th in 24.21 and he was 3rd in his VM60 age cat, with Daniel 62nd and he was 2nd in his VM50 cat in 26.18. Master veteran Don Hale finished 83rd in 27.63 on his first parkrun in five weeks, and he was 2nd in his VM70, and John Stallard was 109th in 30.22, super vet Mike Davis ran well following his recent op in 113th place and he won his VM75 cat in 30.34, with another master vet in Mike Hayton 124th in 31.42; and well done again to Sue Williams who was 140th in 32.51 and 2nd in her VW60 cat, with Elizabeth Driscoll 155th in 34.14. *Penrhyn Castle: Another very good turn-out of 253 runners at Penrhyn parkrun last weekend with Phil Lynes the first finisher in 18.47, whilst visitor Steven Willetts (Red Rose Runners) was 2nd on his course debut in 19.29, and Lawrence And Hopey 3rd in 19.52. Another visitor, Francesca Deluca, was the first female finisher on her debut in 22.31, and Michelle Farrell (GOG Triathlon) took 2nd place with a new PB in 23.11, whilst Amy Shaw was 3rd on her debut on 23.15. *Some Conwy on Tour results from Penrhyn included: 20th Josh Mottram (Colwyn Bay AC) in 22.08, and he also won his SM18 age cat, with Laura McKenzie (Betsi Runaways) 33rd and 2nd VW45 in 23.21, Ian Taylor (Colwyn Bay AC) 38th in 23.45, Mike Pemberton 68th in 25.28, and Gwyn Williams (Colwyn Bay AC) 112th in 27.52. *Other parkrun results for Conwy on Tour members: Sale Water parkrun: Father and son Stuart and Joe Culverhouse, made their course debuts, with Stuart 15th overall, and 3rd VM50 in 20.25, and JM11-14 athlete Joe finishing 31st, and winning his junior age cat in 21.55. Newborough Forest: Gareth Southworth finished 32nd in 24.14, and he was 3rd in his VM55 age cat, and at Nant y Pandy: Darren Dentith was 12th with a new course PB in 22.21. Chester: Peter Johnson finished 163rd at the Countess of Chester parkrun in 29.24.
Rhyl Journal
2 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Jury due to begin deliberating in Sean ‘Diddy' Combs sex trafficking trial
After receiving legal instructions from federal Judge Arun Subramanian, the jury of eight men and four women will head behind closed doors to deliberate on Monday. They will sift through seven weeks of sometimes graphic and emotional testimony about the rap, fashion and reality TV impresario, including drug-fuelled sex marathons dubbed 'freak-offs' or 'hotel nights'. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking — relating to two of his ex-girlfriends — and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution for allegedly arranging to fly sex workers across state lines. In closing arguments last week, prosecutors and Combs's defence team took their last shots at convincing jurors to convict or acquit the Grammy Award-winning founder of Bad Boy Records. 'The defendant used power, violence and fear to get what he wanted,' assistant US attorney Christy Slavik said. 'He thought that his fame, wealth and power put him above the law.' Defence lawyer Marc Agnifilo countered: 'This isn't about crime. It's about money.' He noted that one of Combs's accusers in the criminal case also sued him in civil court. In all, 34 witnesses gave evidence, headlined by Combs's former girlfriends Cassie — the R&B singer born Casandra Ventura — and 'Jane' who gave evidence under a pseudonym. Both women said he often was violent towards them and forced them into hundreds of sexual encounters with paid male sex workers. Jurors also saw now-infamous security camera video of Combs beating, kicking and dragging Cassie at a Los Angeles hotel in 2016 and clips from videos of sexual encounters. Combs chose not to give evidence, and his lawyers did not call any witnesses in their defence case. His lawyers elected instead to challenge the accusers' credibility during lengthy cross-examination questioning. The defence has acknowledged that Combs veered into violence, but his lawyers maintain that the sex acts were consensual. They contend that prosecutors are intruding in Combs's personal life and that he has done nothing to warrant the charges against him.
