Quinault not for passing in Criterion Stakes at York
The five-year-old has long been an admirable servant for his Newmarket handler and always capable of mixing it at a high level and proved so once again to notch his 11th career success.
A 12-1 chance for the first running of the Group Three event on the Knavesmire, Hart wasted little time taking the initiative and although plenty tried to reel Quinault in late on, he held on gamely for a length success over Kevin Ryan's fast-finishing Room Service.
Williams said: 'We're delighted and he's always been a high-class horse. We hoped he was up to winning at Group level, before he'd only won at Listed level but when he gets his own way in front he's a hard horse to get past and he's always determined to win which helps.
'Jason gave him a great ride and he had his conditions today which helped. He really likes York and funnily enough he's won three times at York now and is unbeaten at the track. He's just a really good horse basically.'
Paddy Power make Quinault a 16-1 chance for the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood, but it is more likely he returns to Yorkshire for a tilt at Group One glory in the upgraded Sky Bet City of York Stakes during the Ebor Festival on August 23.
'I think for sure we'll have a crack at the City Of York and that was the reason for coming here rather than the Chipchase at Newcastle,' continued Williams.
'We'll see what he's like at home but I would imagine the plan would be to go straight to it. If he got a bit fresh at home, which he can and he does take his racing well, we might have to look at something else in between.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
3 hours ago
- Wales Online
Tomos Williams gets rave reviews from British and Irish media as everyone says the same thing
Tomos Williams gets rave reviews from British and Irish media as everyone says the same thing Tomos Williams started very well but was forced from the field with an injury. British and Irish Lions' player Tomos Williams (L) dives to score a try (Image: Getty Images ) Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams has received rave reviews from the British and Irish media after his performance against Western Force, leaving everyone hoping his injury doesn't rule him out of action. The British and Irish Lions played the Super Rugby side in the first touring match on Australian soil, with Williams the starting scrum-half. Despite Force starting well against the Lions, aided by a number of high quality internationals like Nic White and Ben Donaldson, Andy Farrell's outfit were ultimately too strong for them. The Lions scored eight tries, with former Cardiff Rugby man Williams grabbing two of them. Williams was the sole Welshman in the match day squad, with Farrell switching up selection for the second game of the 2025 tour, as Jac Morgan dropped out of the game day collective. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. The Gloucester Rugby number nine certainly flew the flag for Wales, producing a superb performance in Lions red. However, he clutched his hamstring following the second score, which led to him being withdrawn from the field. England international Jack van Poortvliet previously trained with the Lions after Jamison Gibson-Park's injury with Leinster, and is currently with England in Argentina for their summer tour, so is an option for Farrell. Reports this morning, however, suggest Scotland's Ben White is on standby. Despite only playing just over half the match, he has earned some positive reviews from the media Article continues below an Irish publication, gave Williams a 9/10 for his performance. A wayward box-kick was recognised, but his game as a whole outweighed the negatives for them. "Nice support line got him a try, on 16 minutes," they wrote. "Teamed up with Lowe, up the right wing, for a brilliant second try." MailOnline gave him a 7/10 and described him as a "Test contender if fit". "His injury scare will worry the Lions coaches. Scored two tries, tidy box-kicking and maintained attacking tempo," read the MailOnline rating. Sir Clive Woodward, the 2005 Lions coach, also hopes the injury isn't as bad as feared. "I was really impressed by Williams," he said in the Mail. "So I hope the fact he limped off after his second try with a hamstring problem isn't a serious injury." The Daily Express also noted how Williams added tempo to the Lions, giving him an 8/10. The Telegraph handed out another 7/10 for his efforts, while recognising the Welshman's box-kicking "wasn't always on the money". "Everyone will be hoping the apparent hamstring injury is not too serious because Williams is electric as he showed with his two excellent tries," wrote The Telegraph. Planet Rugby praised Finn Russell and Williams as a half-back partnership. "Russell and Williams treated us to an inspirational display of playing off both nine and ten, the same system that Bath thrive upon and one that changes the point of attack and the phase continuity to confuse the very best blitz defences," they wrote. They added: "The Lions yanked him off after his try as the Welshman showed a tight hamstring, but he laid down a serious marker for Test selection." Ireland lock Joe McCarthy had a stormer against Force and his contributions have been acknowledge by the press. The Telegraph gave him a big 9/10, stating he has taken a "massive step towards the Test team". The Times went on to state McCarthy had "locked down his Test spot" following a performance epitomised by his physicality and threat at the breakdown. Article continues below "Joe McCarthy delivered from first to last. In the final quarter of the game he was still stealing lineouts, still picking and carrying, still popping up at breakdowns as the first scrum half, skilfully maintaining the late momentum," wrote The Times. Finn Russell, James Lowe and Henry Pollock also received positive reviews from the press. Speaking about Pollock, Planet Rugby wrote: "His chip, chase and regather was a real high of his game while he kept the Force defence honest with his running lines and aggressive carries. He was busy defensively too. The bolter has really laid down a marker for the Test squad in his first two games. An outrageous performance."
Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- Daily Mail
CALUM McCLURKIN: American Affair's Royal Ascot triumph is a Scottish sporting success story to savour
Jim Goldie is far too modest to say but American Affair's success in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot was a sensational modern-day Scottish sporting success story. We are no stranger to big-race success north of the border in horse racing. Lucinda Russell has won two Grand Nationals in the last decade with One For Arthur (2017) and Corach Rambler (2023). Russell showed her prowess for priming one for the big occasion at this year's Cheltenham Festival when Myretown blitzed the field in the Ultima Handicap Chase, landing a right gamble in the process. What Scotland craved, however, was something similar on the Flat. It seems impossible in the modern day for a small yard in Lanarkshire to win a Group One prize at Royal Ascot. But Goldie somehow managed it. Racing is one of the most established oldest sports in the planet. There have been results recorded as early as the 1720s. There has been no registered Group One success by a horse trained in Scotland in history. Until a couple of weeks ago when American Affair won the King Charles III Stakes. The Pattern formula was only introduced in 1971 and Scotland has waited since its induction for its first Group One success. Make no mistake, this is Scotland's most significant race win on the Flat since Rockavon won the 2,000 Guineas in 1961. That was only the third Scottish-trained winner at Royal Ascot. Big Timer won the Wokingham Stakes Handicap for Linda Perratt in 2008. You'd have to go back to Lanercost's Gold Cup win in 1841 for the only other known Scottish-trained success at the royal meeting. This was the first at Group One level. And in an era where deep pockets and powerhouse breeding operations rule the sport with an iron fist, for Goldie to achieve the success with a home bred is nothing short of extraordinary. This was a victory for patience and familiarity. Rated a lowly 67 at Carlisle at the beginning of his career, American Affair has risen through the ranks as a sprinter. As Goldie puts it, he's getting quicker as he's getting older. He's now rated 114 and a Group One winner. Scotland's flag bearer for the Flat. Keith Dalgleish went close a couple of times with good horses on the big stage, Glasvegas and What's The Story are two that come to mind who ran well at the royal meeting. Goldie has a long association with good horses; think the likes of Euchen Glen, Jack Dexter and Hawkeyethenoo. The latter two were sprinters from a similar breeding line and it was the familiarity by training the family over the last two generations that helped Goldie, who turns 70 at the end of the year, to a landmark victory with American Affair. Goldie told Mail Sport: 'This is very sweet. 'He has just been fantastic. We started him off at seven furlongs but, since he got back to five, he's got better and better. 'Funnily enough, I was quite confident he would do it here. It all fell into place and, aye it's great. It means a lot.' This wasn't the strongest King Charles III Stakes in the world. The sprinting division at the top table is middling at best but the progressive five-year-old was there to take advantage and produce one of the most thrilling Scottish success stories in racing. So what next for American Affair? Surely a trip to America for the Breeders' Cup in November is in the offing. Now that really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Goodwood is an option but the downhill nature of the track may not play to his strengths and he'd have to carry a penalty. He's also raced for times already this season. A short break before a tilt at the Nunthorpe Stakes at York looks the logical next step. A trip to Ireland for The Flying Five at the Curragh would also look a suitable assignment before jetting off Stateside for the Breeders' Cup. Whether the winner of a weak Group One or not, history tells you how difficult and rare these are for horses trained in Scotland to win huge races such as the King Charles III Stakes. Enjoy it and drink it all in. American Affair is a Scottish sporting success story worth raving about it. Shout it loud and proud. ITV COVERAGE IS SOLID BUT LACKS A HARDENED PUNTER ITV Racing gets some unfair stick for its coverage of the sport. It's not for the absolute purists and attempts to cover all aspects of a day at the races, that includes the softer social side away from the live action. The royal parade, like the monarchy itself, will always divide opinion but it's importance is lifting Royal Ascot can't be underplayed. The puff pieces on champagne, hats, celebrities and fine dining are also fine. The royal meeting is a significant social event. Racing is the main focus but not the be all and end all. The light-hearted social media bits, the parade ring, the betting ring and the form analysis all serve their purpose - special mention for Jason Weaver's exceptionally well-articulated case for Noble Champion in last Saturday's Jersey Stakes who won easily at 25-1. One of the best bits of punditry I've ever heard in any sport. We also get plenty of insight from owners, trainers and jockeys alike. There's plenty to like but one thing missing is a hardened punting presence. Somebody from the outside looking in who is just trying to make a few quid. These people, folk who primarily fund the sport, aren't catered for. Plenty of people across the country work hard at trying to read the form to the best of their ability and try to make profit from festivals. Some see it as the ultimate puzzle to figure out. Take American TV coverage for the Breeders' Cup as an example. Someone is given a betting bank for the weekend and see how they fare. It would go a long way in explaining the thought process and the decisions punters make. There are 28 races over five days at Royal Ascot. Giving an individual a bank of £500 or £1,000 would be a welcome breath of fresh air to ITV's coverage of big festivals. It would offer a good, hardened edge to things as a nice trade off to the lighter subjects of the week. PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK… WHIRL was mightily tough from the front to repel Kalpana in a terrific duel in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh yesterday. Second in the Oaks, Whirl was not for passing in front against a classy, older rival. SELECTIONS OF THE DAY… Punting opportunities look at a premium on Irish Derby day. Lambourn ought to win but there's nothing exciting in that and a few rivals ought to get much closer today. The main event is sidestepped in favour of the Rockingham handicap (3.30). FAIR TAXES (7-1, Coral) looks a young Irish sprinter on the upgrade for trainer Ed Lynam and can take a hand in one of the more competitive betting heats on a fairly substandard card. Sticking with the each-way theme in sprints, the top of the market look opposable in the six-furlong Listed contest (2.25, Curragh). KING CUAN 13-2, William Hill) has more potential than most and is worth a shot upped in grade for Paddy Twomey. With the Irish sprinting form generally pretty poor, Roger Varian sends over RUSSET GOLD (11-1, bet365) and this track will play to his strong-finishing strengths. He has bits and pieces of form that entitle him to huge respect. Take these two each-way against the field.
Powys County Times
17 hours ago
- Powys County Times
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! — 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.'
