Latest news with #Ascot2025
Daily Mirror
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Royal Ascot jockey's comments about Aidan O'Brien say it all about Irish trainer
Aidan O'Brien is widely regarded as one of the greatest flat trainers of all time, with a record to match, and jockey Sean Levey has opened up about working under and riding for the Irishman Royal Ascot rider Sean Levey has lifted the lid on what it's really like working with legendary Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien. The 37-year-old admitted that the handler is every bit as thoughtful and hardworking behind the scenes as people might imagine. O'Brien, who made a name for himself by dominating the National Hunt scene, was handpicked by the Irish business tycoon John Magnier to take over at Ballydoyle. The revered 55-year-old has since won nearly everything in flat racing and cemented his status as a formidable force in the sport. His record at the prestigious Royal meeting is outstanding, with his stable consistently sending a strong contingent to Berkshire each year with eyes firmly set on Group 1 success. While Ryan Moore is typically seen steering O'Brien's thoroughbreds, the scale of the operation means other jockeys, including Levey, also get their chances. Levey's ties with O'Brien go back to his own formative years, cutting his teeth in horse racing while riding out for the Ballydoyle maestro in his early days. He later honed his craft under Richard Hannon in England after an apprenticeship with O'Brien. At 37, Levey's connection with O'Brien has yielded notable successes, with one standout triumph being aboard Galileo colt Jan Brueghel in the 2024 St. Leger. Speaking about his experience, the jockey shared insights into O'Brien's impactful influence and amicable character with the Irish Mirror. "I was an apprentice there [at Ballydoyle] for a few years before I moved here [to England]. It had a massive impact," divulged Ladbrokes ambassador Levey. "Because I obviously served an apprenticeship under him for a good few years. So it was... My initial standpoint was under Aidan, so you'd imagine he had a massive influence on a lot of the things I do now. He's a very, very kind man. The kind of man who does right by everyone. FREE £2 William Hill Shop Bets every day of Royal Ascot inside your Mirror We've teamed up with racing experts William Hill to offer your a £2 FREE shop bet every day of the iconic Royal Ascot festival. Pick up your Mirror from Tuesday June 17 -> Saturday June 21, 2025 to get your hands on this great offer. With 12 pages of incredible pullouts every day, PLUS a £2 shop bet, the Mirror is ready to bring you all the runners, riders, and winners of Ascot 2025. "He's also very meticulous. I think his love for the sport kind of shines through in how he presented himself and how he's navigated training a multitude of very, very good horses. I mean, his record kind of speaks for itself, and there's not much I can really add to his CV!" Throughout his career, Levey has had the honour of riding not only for the Ballydoyle dynasty but also for the Royal blue of the Maktoum family's stable, Godolphin. Founded in 1992, the international stable employs a select group of British trainers, notably Charlie Appleby and Saeed bin Suroor, to lead their operation from HQ. Levey has donned the iconic silks on occasion and believes that both Ballydoyle and Godolphin's experience and thoroughness have enabled them to maintain their top positions for such a long time. "I think I've only ever picked up rides for Saeed [bin Suroor]. Been placed in a couple of listed races, and I've won a couple of listed races. I also rode a listed winner for Richard [Hannon] with a two-year-old that he had trained for Godolphin, so I've had the privilege of wearing the blue colours, and having winners in them," Levey added. "They're a firm that have their team. I've just been lucky on occasion that the opportunity sort of presented itself, and I was put forward. They're a very good team with very good soldiers to boot. Their record kind of speaks for itself. "Godolphin are... I think they've both been in the game a long, long time. They've been breeding very good horses for a long time, and they don't leave any stone unturned, the same as Aidan doesn't leave any stone unturned, and as a result, they're extremely competitive at the top level."
Telegraph
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Royal Ascot Day 5 tips: ITV Racing selections
Saturday – the fifth and final day of Royal Ascot 2025 – features a Group 1 for the sprinters and there is also the Wokingham handicap for the speedsters. Ron Wood has a selection and verdict for all seven races, and it is all live on ITV1 (1.30-6pm) and ITV4 (5.50-6.35pm), as well as Sky Sports Racing. Also, check out these Lucky 15 and each-way suggestions for day four. If you already have a Betano account and are looking for a new bookmaker to use on this week's racing, check out more free bets from the best betting sites, reviewed by our experts Royal Ascot Day 5 tips – Ron Wood's selections Nap Saracen (4.20, Ascot) 1pt each-way @ 7/1 with Betano (⅕ odds, 4 places) ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Next best Treanmor (2.30, Ascot) 1pt win @ 13/8 with Betano ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Others Rebel's Romance (3.05, Ascot) 1pt win @ 5/2 with Betano ⭐⭐ Topgear (3.40, Ascot) 1pt win @ 8/1 with Betano ⭐⭐ Grand Grey (3.40, Ascot) 0.5pt each-way @ 66/1 with Betano (⅕ odds, 4 places) ⭐⭐ Jarraaf (5.00, Ascot) 1pt each-way @ 8/1 with Betano (⅕ odds, 5 places) ⭐⭐⭐ Zoum Zoum (5.00, Ascot) 1pt win @ 16/1 with Betano ⭐⭐ Seraph Gabriel (5.35, Ascot) 1pt win @ 3/1 with Betano ⭐⭐⭐ El Burhan (5.35, Ascot) 1pt win @ 12/1 with Betano ⭐⭐⭐ Sober (6.10, Ascot) 1pt win @ 10/11 with Betano ⭐⭐⭐ Odds provided by Betano and correct at the time of writing. Stars denote strength of selection (maximum five). 2.30, Ascot – Chesham Stakes (Listed, 7f) An interesting two-year-old event featuring a filly for Aidan O'Brien, Moments Of Joy, who won the same Leopardstown maiden on her debut as last year's highly impressive winner of this race, Bedtime Story. Charlie Appleby's TREANMOR (next best) is a promising colt. Moments Of Joy had to work hard on her debut – and while she is open to a lot of improvement, preference is for the Godolphin runner. Treanmor won so easily in a 6f Newmarket novice on his debut. The form has been let down, but there is no doubt at all that this is a smart horse, as he should be for €2m as a yearling. The worry is that Moments Of Joy could outstay him, as her debut win came over 7f and Treanmor evidently has a lot of speed. But the selection is by Frankel out of a 7f Listed winner, so the trip should be fine for him, and he just looks really good. Selection: Treanmor 1pt win @ 13/8 with Betano Go to site > 3.05, Ascot – Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2, 1m 4f) REBEL'S ROMANCE, a seven-time winner at the highest level, could be on the downgrade now, but he most recently won the Group 2 Yorkshire Cup narrowly from Epic Poet, who was getting 5lb, and now meets that horse off level weights. This Charlie Appelby-trained seven-year-old will not mind the drop back in trip and he is taken to have too much for his rivals in what is an ordinary running of the Hardwicke. 3.40, Ascot – Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (Group 1, 6f) This is a cracking race featuring form lines from around the world and maybe TOPGEAR, from France, can take it. He improved last season, his first campaign with trainer Christopher Head, with the drop to 7f seeing him win two lesser Group races, notably the Group 2 Challenge Stakes at Newmarket – by five-and-a-half lengths – on his only previous start in Britain. He resumed with a 7f Group 3 success at Longchamp in May, defeating Sajir, who reopposes. Third-placed King Gold won a 7f Longchamp Group 3 on Thursday and fourth-placed Lake Forest was fifth in the Group 1 Queen Anne at Ascot on Tuesday. Topgear has to prove he is fast enough, now down in trip, but he won his three starts over 6f to 6½f as a two-year-old, including a Group 3, and this is a stiff 6f. A small each-way bet on GRAND GREY is also suggested. This lightly raced ex-French runner did well for second behind Sajir in the 6f Group 3 Abernant Stakes at Newmarket, on his British debut, considering the race did not unfold to suit his off-the-pace style, and he had no chance after blowing the start at the Curragh in his previous outing. This test should suit him. Selection: Grand Grey 0.5pt each-way @ 66/1 with Betano (⅕ odds, 4 places) 4.20, Ascot – Jersey Stakes (Group 3, 7f) There is still better to come from SARACEN (nap). He won a 6f Curragh maiden by four lengths on his sole juvenile start and was still raw when third in the 7f Group 3 Greenham at Newbury on his reappearance. That race did not unfold to suit and he was beaten by two horses with Group 1 form. Saracen ran at Newbury so his connections could see whether he was one for the French 2,000 Guineas or the Jersey, and he turns up in the latter race with strong-looking claims, looking a fair wager to at least place. Selection: Saracen 1pt each-way @ 7/1 with Betano (⅕ odds, 4 places) Go to site > 5.00, Ascot – Wokingham Stakes (Heritage Handicap, 6f) JARRAAF won a couple of handicaps over course and distance on good and quick ground last year and there was nothing wrong with his reappearance fourth in a Salisbury Listed race. Khaadem was third in the same Salisbury race before winning the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes in 2023. And this year's Salisbury third, Annaf, runs in the QEII Jubilee. Jarraaf finished two places behind ZOUM ZOUM at Salisbury, but went through the race like the better horse and, having done his running and probably being in need of the outing, just faded a little late. Still, an interest in Zoum Zoum is also advised, as he is a significantly bigger price and the Salisbury race just looks worth buying into. Selection: Jarraaf 1pt each-way @ 8/1 with Betano (⅕ odds, 5 places) 5.35, Ascot – Golden Gates Handicap (Class 2, 1m 2f) There are also a couple of horses of interest in this one, starting with EL BURHAN. He did well to win a competitive Chester handicap over just 7½f on his reappearance and is open to improvement over this longer trip for trainer George Boughey, who had the winner of this race in 2022. The other is SERAPH GABRIEL, who shaped well when second in a mile handicap at Sandown on his seasonal return. The Sandown winner, Fifth Column, 'won' his race on the wrong side of the track in the Britannia at Ascot on Thursday, and Seraph Gabriel has been saved for this meeting since Sandown. 6.10, Ascot – Queen Alexandra Stakes (Class 2, 2m 5 ½f) The final selection of Royal Ascot 2025 is SOBER. He was a dual Group 2-winning stayer on the Flat in France in 2023 and most recently won over hurdles – over 2m 4f – on his debut for Willie Mullins. He has never tried as far as this trip (2m 5½f), but he looks like having too much for his rivals. Selection: Sober 1pt win @ 10/11 with Betano Today's UK and Irish racing (Flat unless stated) Redcar 1.10-4.45 Limerick 1.50-5.20 Newmarket 2.03-5.05 Down Royal 2.08-5.40 Ascot 2.30-6.10 Bangor (NH) 3.55-7.30 Ayr 4.10-8.08 Lingfield 5.45-8.55 Haydock 6.00-8.45 Ascot course guide Ascot is a right-handed circuit of roughly one mile six furlongs in length that joins a mile-long straight track. The two share a home straight and the round circuit is used for longer races such as the Gold Cup, which is run over 2m 4f. A good tactical position can be key on the round course, because once the field makes the final turn into the home straight, runners will want to be well placed for the final dash. There can be draw biases on the vast straight track, which is used for all the sprint races, because one part of the course may be quicker than another, or, if the runners split into different groups, there may be more pace in one of the bunches than another. What does nap mean? Nap is a word used in betting circles to describe a prediction that a tipster thinks has a particularly strong chance of winning. Many horse racing tipsters pick out a 'nap of the day', which is their favoured selection from all the races across the different meetings. The term nap derives from the French card game Napoleon. When players of this game thought they had a particularly strong hand that they would win with they would shout 'Napoleon'. Ron Wood 2025 horse racing P/L (up to and including Thursday June 19) Star ratings explained ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - confident selection ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - strong fancy ⭐⭐⭐ - fair claims ⭐⭐ - tentative choice ⭐ - minimum confidence
Daily Mirror
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Royal Ascot winner survives late injury scare kept secret from punters
After Merchant landed the King George V Stakes, his trainer William Haggas revealed the horse nearly missed the race after coughing and slipping in the saddling box A Royal Ascot winner survived a late injury scare that was 'kept secret' from connections and punters. Merchant, trained by William Haggas for posh syndicate Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, was strongly fancied for the King George V Stakes. The three-year-old had won two of his five starts in the style of a progressive colt and added a third success to his record with victory in front of the packed Ladies' Day enclosures, going off the 3-1 favourite. But the success was only half the story with Haggas confessing afterwards that Merchant had nearly been taken out of the race, but he had not told anyone about it. Victory, under Tom Marquand, was achieved in relatively straightforward fashion but the Newmarket trainer, speaking to ITV Racing interviewer Matt Chapman, sought to explain that behind the scenes it had not all been plain sailing. He said: 'A lot of people don't understand what trainers go through. Yesterday the horse coughed ten times at exercise, never coughed at all, then the seeds of doubt come in, the sleepless nights, 'Are we doing the right thing? Do I tell Harry? No, no. Yes, we're doing the right thing. The horse is fine.' 'Going into the saddling boxes he slipped just as he was going in. He then held his leg, the left hind all through saddling. So then we went out and trotted him up twice. He seemed all right. I said to Tom, 'If you're not happy with him at the start, take him out'. 'I couldn't tell anyone. We've got 50 people here, but it's not all plain sailing. So when they win it's absolutely fantastic and I'm thrilled to bits.' Chapman suggested that many punters 'will be shouting at the screen to say we should have known that' on hearing Haggas's admission. The trainer replied, 'No, no, no. That's complicated. No one knows why he coughed, but he did. When they don't and they suddenly do, it's a bit of a nerve-wracking situation. 'I've been doing this quite a long time. You take a decision, you stick by it and it's paid off. We can now relax and drink another glass of sparkling water.' He added: 'I don't know whether the punters trust us but I think the Highclere shareholders and Harry Herbert and his management team trust us. We will make a decision for the horse's benefit.' FREE £2 William Hill Shop Bets every day of Royal Ascot inside your Mirror We've teamed up with racing experts William Hill to offer your a £2 FREE shop bet every day of the iconic Royal Ascot festival. Pick up your Mirror from Tuesday June 17 -> Saturday June 21, 2025 to get your hands on this great offer. With 12 pages of incredible pullouts every day, PLUS a £2 shop bet, the Mirror is ready to bring you all the runners, riders, and winners of Ascot 2025.
Daily Mirror
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
US racecourse shut down after ICE officers 'apprehend' workers during raid
Members of the US's Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted searches for undocumented workers at Delta Downs in Louisiana A racecourse was shut down and a number of backstretch workers 'apprehended' during a raid by ICE officers. In a concerning development for the racing industry across the US, who rely heavily on immigrant labour for their stable workforce, the searches were carried out at Delta Downs in Louisiana. Officers from the US's Immigration and Customs Enforcement closed all exits and entrances to the track and deployed drones while they swept the site for undocumented labourers, according to a report. Eric Hamelback, CEO of the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, told the news site that a number of workers were 'apprehended'. A statement from ICE said: 'For operational security reasons and the safety of our law enforcement personnel, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations does not confirm or discuss ongoing operations. When appropriate, the agency publicly announces the results of operations through our Newsroom on the website.' Delta Downs hosts both thoroughbred and quarter horse race meetings but there was no fixture on Tuesday. The policies of the Trump administration which, through ICE, has stepped up operations to identify and arrest immigrants who are in the US illegally has caused increasing alarm among the racing industry. According to DRF, representatives had complained to the Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins that many staff were not showing up for work because of fears they would be apprehended. The National HBPA has urged members to lobby their federal representatives to urge them to 'work with Rollins to protect our farms, restaurants, hotels, and other industries.' Hamelback said: 'This is very concerning, very concerning.' Many trainers obtain visas for certain backstretch workers but it is well known that at smaller tracks a large percentage of the stable workforce are undocumented. One post on X said: 'What is happening at Delta Downs is cruel and inhumane. If you can't differentiate between a 'violent criminal' and a backstretch worker the problem is you not them. 'They are people. They are in the U.S. for work. Their employers should've given them a work visa to avoid this.' FREE £2 William Hill Shop Bets every day of Royal Ascot inside your Mirror We've teamed up with racing experts William Hill to offer your a £2 FREE shop bet every day of the iconic Royal Ascot festival. Pick up your Mirror from Tuesday June 17 -> Saturday June 21, 2025 to get your hands on this great offer. With 12 pages of incredible pullouts every day, PLUS a £2 shop bet, the Mirror is ready to bring you all the runners, riders, and winners of Ascot 2025.
Telegraph
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Hatinators and the new rules of Ascot dressing
How to dress for the famous horse racing meet in June has always been a fascinating blend of tradition with a dash of modernity. As Ascot racecourse releases its official lookbook overseen by creative director of the festival, British designer Daniel Fletcher, we assess the changing style and social mores in the enclosures. The Gentlemen by Stephen Doig When King Charles casts his eye over the crowds at Ascot 2025, set to take place from 17-21 June, he may well alight on some looks that are something of a departure at the rigidly decorous occasion. A flash of mannish bare leg, for example – hitherto an absolute 'no no' at Ascot, but granted within the Windsor enclosure. Actually, there's no dress code for the Windsor enclosure, but 'smart daywear' is the order of the day. Dare you bare in shorts? You certainly have permission, because they feature in the official lookbook that has debuted today, curated by British designer Daniel Fletcher, who balances his work with Chinese brand Mithidrate alongside acting as creative director to Ascot. The guide lends some suggestions for ensembles to wear within the various enclosures, as well as some general stylistic themes, from 'Best of British' to 'Prints & Patterns'. While you might not agree that revealing some acreage of calf isn't quite the done thing at Ascot, there are plenty of outfits that will happily stand up to anything the King – a regular attendee – might wear, according to the dress codes of the various enclosures. Let's start with the most lofty and prestigious; the Royal Enclosure. There are handsome morning suits, with Pall Mall formalwear outfitter Favourbrook acting as the official outfitter RP. There are subtle sartorial mores associated with morning suits and the fine details of how to wear them – more on that to come later – but patrician eyebrows were raised in 2021 when navy was granted as a colour for morning attire. That was deemed controversial as it's a shade associated with citified, corporate attire; the old guard presumably deeming it a tad arriviste. King Charles, as it happens, tends to wear a grey Anderson & Sheppard morning suit with lilac and pink accessories, if you're looking for a point of reference. There are also suggestions for the less formal set-ups within Ascot; colourful suiting features by way of a handsome sage-green suit, and elsewhere suits are worn with sweaters and a little foulard, if you're feeling rather outré. There's also a nod to sensual Seventies style in silk shirting, as well as the more classic varieties of single-breasted suits worn with pinstriped shirts and club ties, for a hint of Gordon Gekko. Perhaps a more soft-focus and English take on suiting is the cream chalk-striped suit worn with pastel shirting, bi-coloured loafers and a jaunty straw panama hat. It's just the thing to see you through the 'season' – as it was ceremoniously called during the Edwardian era – from Henley to Glyndebourne and various garden parties, and has just a touch of Sebastian Flyte about it. Which is no bad thing. The Ladies by Jessica Burrell Ever since men were required to wear top hats in the Royal Enclosure in the late 18th century, headpieces have been a focal point of the Royal Ascot dress code. For women, regulations require a minimum base diameter of four inches, along with a dress or skirt falling 'just above the knee' – or, as of 2017, a jumpsuit. But this year, fashion-forward racegoers might trade their traditional hats for 'hatinators', which are mentioned in the official dress code. As the name implies, these combine the features of a hat and a fascinator, with a larger structure worn on a headband or hair clip rather than directly on the head. They are also a frequent feature in this year's Royal Ascot lookbook, which was launched today. Introduced last year as an inspirational guide for attendees, the lookbook is styled by British designer Daniel Fletcher, whose namesake brand is popular with young tastemakers including Alexa Chung and Robert Pattinson. Among this year's suggested looks for women are a striped and floral Vivienne Westwood suit styled with a large blush-pink hatinator by Merve Bayindir, which resembles a rose. It's an elegant look from a 'Best of British' section in the lookbook, which also stars pretty pink pastels including a top and skirt by Suzannah London paired with a bow-adorned hat by Lock & Co. Another hatinator highlight comes courtesy of Filipa Cardoso's sheer pastel-blue face-framer, which looks fresh paired with a shirt and skirt from Rotate Birger Christensen. Clearly, separates are going to be the order of the day in the Royal Enclosure this year. Classic hat styles stray towards the rather more outré, including a towering oversized yellow pillbox style and something resembling a lampshade from Harvy Santos, as well as a fully feathered peach basket style from Rachel Trevor Morgan. The latter is worn with a vintage Prada dress sourced from Sign of the Times, a luxury resale store in London and online, so perhaps Fletcher is appealing to younger racegoers. In any case, one must commend his suggestion of bringing pre-loved fashion into your occasionwear wardrobe. For those looking to play things a little safer, on-trend polka dots look set to be a winner. This classic look dominates the 'Prints & Patterns' section of Fletcher's look book and recalls Julia Roberts' race day look in Pretty Woman, which was also channelled by the Princess of Wales in black and white Alessandra Rich polka dots for Ascot in 2022.
