Latest news with #DesertFlower
The Irish Sun
15-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Richard Hughes' tears at Newmarket show there really is hope for all in racing this season
HOPE. That's what we all need. And for those battling the superpowers in the world of horse racing hope is everything. 1 Richard Hughes couldn't hide his emotion when talking to me after making history in the July Cup - and his underdog tale is the story of the season so far in Flat racing The good news is this season there is hope emerging on many different levels. Most recently, of course, That will have given Hughes hope, and many other trainers will be thinking 'it could be me next'. But it's been a Flat season where Hughes - who was in tears during an emotional interview with me moments after his biggest win - is not the only one to have hit the jackpot. Docklands banged in the Group 1 Queen Anne at Royal Ascot for Harry Eustace. That's massive for the young up-and-coming handler, and while the horse is owned by a group with plenty of cash to splash, it still gives everyone hope. Eustace, of course, doubled up in Group 1s by also banging in the Commonwealth Cup with Time for Sandals. And don't forget old Scotsman Jim Goldie, who was responsible for American Affair taking the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes, also at Royal Ascot. Most read in Horse Racing Don't also forget the Irish raider Cercene, who took the Coronation Stakes and a first Group 1 for both trainer Joe Murphy and jockey Gary Carroll. Why is this so important? After all sport is just about finding out who is best of the best, it's not about who is actually taking the prizes. Well it's crucial because, as I have said, everyone needs hope. Other than those I have mentioned, Group 1 races in the UK so far in 2025 have gone to Ruling Court, Desert Flower, Lead Artist, Jan Brueghel, Minnie Hawk, Lambourn, Field of Gold, Ombudsman, Trawlerman, Lazzat, Delacroix and Cinderella's Dream. The owners of that lot are some of the richest people in the world in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Ireland and Qatar. Godolphin, Juddmonte, Coolmore and Wathnan Racing cough up more money than most for horses. For most people matching them is the stuff of dreams. But there is not only hope in what has happened in Group 1 races this term. Eve Johnson Houghton is also giving people hope, as is Jonny Portman, who is having a fantastic season headed by horses like Rumstar and had a terrific treble at Newbury the other day. He's trading at 20 per cent with a massive 28 victories this season. Since he started training in 1998 the most victors he has ever had in a campaign has been 33. Portman is on fire. Eve landed the Group 2 Kingdom of Bahrain July Stakes with Zavateri and also enjoyed success at Royal Ascot thanks to Havana Hurricane in the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes. Superpowers are needed in every sport to inject cash. But for the people just below the mega players hope is so important. And this is a Flat season of hope for all. 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.
Rhyl Journal
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Ruling Court forced to miss Derby due to ground conditions
Jockey William Buick rode in the first race and reported conditions to be softer than ideal for Charlie Appleby's Justify colt. With plenty of rain forecast, and the potential for it to be torrential, Appleby took the decision to take his stable star out. 'It's very disappointing, he'd been aimed here and he's in great nick, but the ground conditions yesterday were a concern with the filly (Desert Flower in the Oaks) and William said it rode genuine good to soft yesterday,' said Appleby. 'We appreciate it was probably drying out through the course of the day (on Friday), but there was rain overnight on open ground 'We arrived here today with an open mind, William rode in the first and he felt it was genuine good to soft and so did the other jocks.' He added: 'It's disappointing, but ultimately as an operation we've done what we think is right for the horse. 'It's the ultimate challenge for these horses and as we saw yesterday with the filly it was disappointing, which of course it is when you have an unbeaten filly. It was her first defeat, but it was probably track, ground and trip that beat us and we were looking down the barrel of the same with this colt today. 'It is ground that has ultimately made the decision, the trip we were still confident like we were with the filly – you always are until you run them and get that answer. 'I feel it was the right call and we will look forward to Ascot with him. With today, if you win it's fantastic, but if you get beat in a race of this nature in these conditions you'll miss six weeks with him and that means missing the St James's Palace and Coral-Eclipse which are two important races that could be added to his resume.' Ruling Court has been put in as 5-2 second-favourite behind Field Of Gold at evens for the St James's Palace Stakes with Coral. Appleby added: 'We'll stick to the mile at Ascot and then look forwards from there. We've always been keen to step him up and hindsight is great isn't it. If we had been fourth in the Guineas we would have said great that's a lovely Derby trial, yet you win a Guineas and there is so much more in the pot. 'Ultimately we have a high-class horse on our hands and we've made the right decision by the horse.' The decision to remain at a mile with Ruling Court has opened the door for 2000 Guineas third Shadow Of Light to revert to six furlongs for the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, the distance he won the Middle Park Stakes over as a juvenile. Appleby said: 'I'd say if Ruling Court does go for the St James's Palace as planned we'll give strong consideration to dropping Shadow Of Light back in trip for the Commonwealth Cup.' The Moulton Paddocks handler also provided an update on Desert Flower. He said: 'She's fine this morning, albeit she knows she's had a race in those conditions. We'll give it a day or two then reassess.'
Leader Live
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Ruling Court forced to miss Derby due to ground conditions
Jockey William Buick rode in the first race and reported conditions to be softer than ideal for Charlie Appleby's Justify colt. With plenty of rain forecast, and the potential for it to be torrential, Appleby took the decision to take his stable star out. 'It's very disappointing, he'd been aimed here and he's in great nick, but the ground conditions yesterday were a concern with the filly (Desert Flower in the Oaks) and William said it rode genuine good to soft yesterday,' said Appleby. 'We appreciate it was probably drying out through the course of the day (on Friday), but there was rain overnight on open ground 'We arrived here today with an open mind, William rode in the first and he felt it was genuine good to soft and so did the other jocks.' He added: 'It's disappointing, but ultimately as an operation we've done what we think is right for the horse. 'It's the ultimate challenge for these horses and as we saw yesterday with the filly it was disappointing, which of course it is when you have an unbeaten filly. It was her first defeat, but it was probably track, ground and trip that beat us and we were looking down the barrel of the same with this colt today. 'It is ground that has ultimately made the decision, the trip we were still confident like we were with the filly – you always are until you run them and get that answer. 'I feel it was the right call and we will look forward to Ascot with him. With today, if you win it's fantastic, but if you get beat in a race of this nature in these conditions you'll miss six weeks with him and that means missing the St James's Palace and Coral-Eclipse which are two important races that could be added to his resume.' Ruling Court has been put in as 5-2 second-favourite behind Field Of Gold at evens for the St James's Palace Stakes with Coral. Appleby added: 'We'll stick to the mile at Ascot and then look forwards from there. We've always been keen to step him up and hindsight is great isn't it. If we had been fourth in the Guineas we would have said great that's a lovely Derby trial, yet you win a Guineas and there is so much more in the pot. 'Ultimately we have a high-class horse on our hands and we've made the right decision by the horse.' The decision to remain at a mile with Ruling Court has opened the door for 2000 Guineas third Shadow Of Light to revert to six furlongs for the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, the distance he won the Middle Park Stakes over as a juvenile. Appleby said: 'I'd say if Ruling Court does go for the St James's Palace as planned we'll give strong consideration to dropping Shadow Of Light back in trip for the Commonwealth Cup.' The Moulton Paddocks handler also provided an update on Desert Flower. He said: 'She's fine this morning, albeit she knows she's had a race in those conditions. We'll give it a day or two then reassess.'
North Wales Chronicle
07-06-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Ruling Court forced to miss Derby due to ground conditions
Jockey William Buick rode in the first race and reported conditions to be softer than ideal for Charlie Appleby's Justify colt. With plenty of rain forecast, and the potential for it to be torrential, Appleby took the decision to take his stable star out. 'It's very disappointing, he'd been aimed here and he's in great nick, but the ground conditions yesterday were a concern with the filly (Desert Flower in the Oaks) and William said it rode genuine good to soft yesterday,' said Appleby. 'We appreciate it was probably drying out through the course of the day (on Friday), but there was rain overnight on open ground 'We arrived here today with an open mind, William rode in the first and he felt it was genuine good to soft and so did the other jocks.' He added: 'It's disappointing, but ultimately as an operation we've done what we think is right for the horse. 'It's the ultimate challenge for these horses and as we saw yesterday with the filly it was disappointing, which of course it is when you have an unbeaten filly. It was her first defeat, but it was probably track, ground and trip that beat us and we were looking down the barrel of the same with this colt today. 'It is ground that has ultimately made the decision, the trip we were still confident like we were with the filly – you always are until you run them and get that answer. 'I feel it was the right call and we will look forward to Ascot with him. With today, if you win it's fantastic, but if you get beat in a race of this nature in these conditions you'll miss six weeks with him and that means missing the St James's Palace and Coral-Eclipse which are two important races that could be added to his resume.' Ruling Court has been put in as 5-2 second-favourite behind Field Of Gold at evens for the St James's Palace Stakes with Coral. Appleby added: 'We'll stick to the mile at Ascot and then look forwards from there. We've always been keen to step him up and hindsight is great isn't it. If we had been fourth in the Guineas we would have said great that's a lovely Derby trial, yet you win a Guineas and there is so much more in the pot. 'Ultimately we have a high-class horse on our hands and we've made the right decision by the horse.' The decision to remain at a mile with Ruling Court has opened the door for 2000 Guineas third Shadow Of Light to revert to six furlongs for the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, the distance he won the Middle Park Stakes over as a juvenile. Appleby said: 'I'd say if Ruling Court does go for the St James's Palace as planned we'll give strong consideration to dropping Shadow Of Light back in trip for the Commonwealth Cup.' The Moulton Paddocks handler also provided an update on Desert Flower. He said: 'She's fine this morning, albeit she knows she's had a race in those conditions. We'll give it a day or two then reassess.'
Glasgow Times
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Ruling Court forced to miss Derby due to ground conditions
Jockey William Buick rode in the first race and reported conditions to be softer than ideal for Charlie Appleby's Justify colt. With plenty of rain forecast, and the potential for it to be torrential, Appleby took the decision to take his stable star out. 'It's very disappointing, he'd been aimed here and he's in great nick, but the ground conditions yesterday were a concern with the filly (Desert Flower in the Oaks) and William said it rode genuine good to soft yesterday,' said Appleby. 'We appreciate it was probably drying out through the course of the day (on Friday), but there was rain overnight on open ground 'We arrived here today with an open mind, William rode in the first and he felt it was genuine good to soft and so did the other jocks.' He added: 'It's disappointing, but ultimately as an operation we've done what we think is right for the horse. 'It's the ultimate challenge for these horses and as we saw yesterday with the filly it was disappointing, which of course it is when you have an unbeaten filly. It was her first defeat, but it was probably track, ground and trip that beat us and we were looking down the barrel of the same with this colt today. 'It is ground that has ultimately made the decision, the trip we were still confident like we were with the filly – you always are until you run them and get that answer. 'I feel it was the right call and we will look forward to Ascot with him. With today, if you win it's fantastic, but if you get beat in a race of this nature in these conditions you'll miss six weeks with him and that means missing the St James's Palace and Coral-Eclipse which are two important races that could be added to his resume.' Ruling Court has been put in as 5-2 second-favourite behind Field Of Gold at evens for the St James's Palace Stakes with Coral. Appleby added: 'We'll stick to the mile at Ascot and then look forwards from there. We've always been keen to step him up and hindsight is great isn't it. If we had been fourth in the Guineas we would have said great that's a lovely Derby trial, yet you win a Guineas and there is so much more in the pot. 'Ultimately we have a high-class horse on our hands and we've made the right decision by the horse.' The decision to remain at a mile with Ruling Court has opened the door for 2000 Guineas third Shadow Of Light to revert to six furlongs for the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, the distance he won the Middle Park Stakes over as a juvenile. Appleby said: 'I'd say if Ruling Court does go for the St James's Palace as planned we'll give strong consideration to dropping Shadow Of Light back in trip for the Commonwealth Cup.' The Moulton Paddocks handler also provided an update on Desert Flower. He said: 'She's fine this morning, albeit she knows she's had a race in those conditions. We'll give it a day or two then reassess.'
