Latest news with #HardwickeStakes
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Kia Joorabchian books Frankie Dettori to try to turn fortunes around in big race
The Amo Racing supremo has admitted enduring a disappointing 2025 so far and is pinning his hopes on the Adrian Murray-trained Tiberius Thunder at Saratoga Kia Joorabchian has booked Frankie Dettori to try to turn his 2025 fortunes around. The Amo Racing supremo has endured a disappointing year to date with his team's biggest success so far coming from Commonwealth Cup runner-up Arizona Blaze in a Group 2 race this month. Joorabchian, who has ambitions to challenge racing superpowers Coolmore and Godolphin, has been a major buyer at the thoroughbred sales. In June on the eve of Royal Ascot he spent £2 million to acquire Ghostwriter who finished third in the Hardwicke Stakes on his debut for Amo Racing but was withdrawn before his next appearance after getting upset and injuring himself in the preliminaries. Ghostwriter has since been switched from trainer Clive Cox to Freemason Lodge in Newmarket, the former Sir Michael Stoute yard now owned by Amo Racing. Kevin Philippart de Foy took over training at the stables in July as Amo's number one trainer. Joorabchian owned up to the struggles after Arizona Blaze's win at the Curragh under David Egan for trainer Adrian Murray in an interview with RacingTV. He said: 'It's been unfortunate. We've had a lot of bad luck this year. Right before Royal Ascot we had a couple of our bigger two-year-olds get injured. We really haven't seen the majority of our horses come out yet. Don't miss a FREE £2 William Hill shop bet inside your Mirror every day of Glorious Goodwood Festival Pick up your Mirror every day of the Goodwood festival to get your hands on 12 page pullouts packed with insight from the punters you trust, plus FREE William Hill shop bets every day of the festival from Tuesday July 29 until Saturday August 2, 2025. Find out more here. 'We've got our trainer in Freemason now. He's only just started and we are very lucky to have him. It was really the missing piece of the puzzle for us. 'Going forward now the team is getting more together. David is doing an incredible job with us and he's extended. We are looking forward to the next 18 months being somewhat more successful than the last five.' On Saturday Amo Racing are set to be represented by Tiberius Thunder in the £550,000 Saratoga Derby Invitational at Saratoga. The three-year-old colt, trained by Murray, finished fourth in the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. The mount will be taken by Frankie Dettori, who rode his last winner in Britain before he relocated to the US on Amo Racing star King Of Steel when he captured the Champion Stakes at Ascot in 2023. Murray told Mirror Racing: 'We always try to get the best available and when you go over there it helps to have someone who knows the track. 'Tiberius Thunder was one of five or six to run really good races at Royal Ascot. He's a fair horse and we think he has a big chance.'
The Irish Sun
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Legendary jockey Kieren Fallon tips ‘overlooked' superstar to stun them all in £1.5million King George
LEGENDARY jockey Kieren Fallon has tipped an 'overlooked' superstar to stun them all in Saturday's £1.5million King George. The blockbuster Ascot Group 1 is being billed as a mouthwatering rematch between Coronation Cup 1-2 Jan Brueghel and Calandagan. Advertisement 1 Rebel's Romance ridden by William Buick on their way to winning the Hardwicke Stakes during day five of Royal Ascot Credit: PA Aidan O'Brien's runner got the better of the French raider that day but the market has Calandagan reversing the form this time. Nestled behind them in the betting is Andrew Balding's Kalpana, who will get 3lb from the big boys. But Fallon, who won the King George on Golan in 2002, is happy to bypass the market leaders and go for one at an each-way price, even if bookies are only paying two places. The six-time champion jockey is drawn to the chances of globetrotting sensation and 6-1 fancy Rebel's Romance. Advertisement The Charlie Appleby-trained, Godolphin-owned hero has won more than £10m in his career and finished first in three of four races this year. Most recent of those was his Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes victory at Royal Ascot. King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes odds Saturday's feature will pit the best of the best against each over 1m4f. Here's how the bookies currently have it... 13-8 Calandagan 7-4 Jan Brueghel 9-2 Kalpana 6-1 Rebel's Romance 12-1 Lambourn 16-1 Whirl 33-1 Green Impact 100-1 Continuous Not only did that salvage what was turning into a disastrous week for Appleby, but it confirmed he loves the Berkshire track in the summer. Fallon reckons everything points towards conditions suiting again on Saturday. Advertisement Most read in Horse Racing And he thinks Rebel's Romance, despite being three years older than Jan Brueghel and Calandagan, has plenty of miles left in the tank. He said on Sky Sports Racing: "I would love to ride Rebel's Romance - he's a monster, a beautiful, big, genuine horse. "He's coming into the race strong after his Royal Ascot win. "His confidence will be very high." Advertisement Former jockey Seb Sanders agreed that Rebel's Romance was 'overlooked' in the market. Fallon added: "Jan Brueghel is tough but I think Rebel's Romance, if he turns up, is going to be a hard horse to beat. "He looks amazing, is lightly raced and is doing everything right at home. "After his last run he will only improve, he didn't have a hard race and it was a confidence booster for him." Advertisement 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
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Legendary jockey Kieren Fallon tips ‘overlooked' superstar to stun them all in £1.5million King George
Victory would see the horse smash the £11million career earnings mark ROM COM Legendary jockey Kieren Fallon tips 'overlooked' superstar to stun them all in £1.5million King George Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LEGENDARY jockey Kieren Fallon has tipped an 'overlooked' superstar to stun them all in Saturday's £1.5million King George. The blockbuster Ascot Group 1 is being billed as a mouthwatering rematch between Coronation Cup 1-2 Jan Brueghel and Calandagan. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Rebel's Romance ridden by William Buick on their way to winning the Hardwicke Stakes during day five of Royal Ascot Credit: PA Aidan O'Brien's runner got the better of the French raider that day but the market has Calandagan reversing the form this time. Nestled behind them in the betting is Andrew Balding's Kalpana, who will get 3lb from the big boys. But Fallon, who won the King George on Golan in 2002, is happy to bypass the market leaders and go for one at an each-way price, even if bookies are only paying two places. The six-time champion jockey is drawn to the chances of globetrotting sensation and 6-1 fancy Rebel's Romance. The Charlie Appleby-trained, Godolphin-owned hero has won more than £10m in his career and finished first in three of four races this year. Most recent of those was his Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes victory at Royal Ascot. King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes odds Saturday's feature will pit the best of the best against each over 1m4f. Here's how the bookies currently have it... 13-8 Calandagan 7-4 Jan Brueghel 9-2 Kalpana 6-1 Rebel's Romance 12-1 Lambourn 16-1 Whirl 33-1 Green Impact 100-1 Continuous Not only did that salvage what was turning into a disastrous week for Appleby, but it confirmed he loves the Berkshire track in the summer. Fallon reckons everything points towards conditions suiting again on Saturday. And he thinks Rebel's Romance, despite being three years older than Jan Brueghel and Calandagan, has plenty of miles left in the tank. He said on Sky Sports Racing: "I would love to ride Rebel's Romance - he's a monster, a beautiful, big, genuine horse. "He's coming into the race strong after his Royal Ascot win. "His confidence will be very high." Former jockey Seb Sanders agreed that Rebel's Romance was 'overlooked' in the market. Fallon added: "Jan Brueghel is tough but I think Rebel's Romance, if he turns up, is going to be a hard horse to beat. "He looks amazing, is lightly raced and is doing everything right at home. "After his last run he will only improve, he didn't have a hard race and it was a confidence booster for him." 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.
North Wales Chronicle
19-07-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Al Riffa makes class count with stylish Curragh Cup win
The dual Group One winner had played a supporting role in three previous outings this year, finishing third in the Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia and fourth in the Prix Ganay in France before finding the globetrotting Rebel's Romance too strong Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot. Stepping up to a mile and three-quarters for the first time, the Dylan Browne McMonagle-ridden 4-5 favourite saw out the trip in some style, rocketing clear late on to claim Group Two honours by five lengths from Shackleton. Crash, bang, wallop – what a stayer! Hardwicke Stakes runner-up 𝐀𝐥 𝐑𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐚 thrives for a step up to 1m6f with a frankly effortless success in the Curragh Cup 💥 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 19, 2025 Stable representative Kevin Blake said: 'That was brilliant, he's a horse with a lot of class and he was last to first in a National Stakes here in fairness to him. 'No one ever felt that he needed that trip, but it made sense. He was relaxed, Dylan said he was very easy to ride over that trip, he quickened up and it was really good. 'I'd say it's most likely that he'll go straight to the Irish Leger from here. There is a possibility of the Group One that he won in Berlin last year (Grosser Preis von Berlin), but I'd say it's more likely he'll go straight there. 'The Melbourne Cup is in the minds thereafter. We all know what comes with that but that would be what we'd like to do, if we're allowed.' Odds-on favourite New Zealand led home a one-two-three for Aidan O'Brien in the Juddmonte Chaldean Irish EBF Maiden. Despite finishing only seventh on his debut at this venue three weeks ago, the Frankel colt was sent on his way the 10-11 favourite to open his account in a race won by Henry Longfellow and The Lion In Winter in the past two years and was soon bowling along in front under Ryan Moore. He was under pressure from two furlongs down, but kept responding to his rider's urgings and had just enough up his sleeve to repel his previously unraced stablemate Issac Newton by a nose, with another Ballydoyle newcomer Action – a half-brother to dual Derby winner Lambourn – an eyecatching third. A @Ballydoyle 1-2-3 in the @JuddmonteFarms Chaldean @IrishEBF_ Maiden 🔥 Action and Isaac Newton caught the eye, but 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐙𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 held sway under Ryan Moore. The Lion In Winter, Henry Longfellow, Mac Swiney, New Approach and Teofilo have all won this race 👀 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 19, 2025 Of the winner, O'Brien said: 'He's a lovely big horse, he hasn't a clue what he's doing yet – he's massive, the power and the size of him. 'We'll go gentle and let him come on. He learned a lot from the first day, we liked him before that and he was very green. The first day he was a little bit slow away and you could see him today, he never travelled a yard. 'He's a big horse and he's all power. I know he's not short of speed, but he looks like a big, middle-distance horse.' The Ado McGuinness-trained Go Athletico (20-1) swooped fast and late under Shane Foley to claim top honours in the €100,000 Kwiff Supercharged Betting Scurry Handicap. 'It's a nice birthday present – I'm the big 60 today,' said McGuinness. 'I suppose class is permanent and form is temporary and he did lose his form big time. He slipped back down and we were very disappointed with him. 'He's a good horse and he'll probably pitch up in Galway now in the Ahonoora Handicap, that's where he's going to do next.' Stop The Nation was a 15-2 winner of the Lavazza Sprint Nursery Handicap for trainer Jack Davison and 3lb claimer James Ryan. 'I had a baby boy at 23.59 last night and James Ryan lost his claim there. It's a real feel-good winner on many fronts,' said Davison. 'He's a good colt and he's learning the whole time. He'll be a lovely horse for the Goffs Million.'
Glasgow Times
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Al Riffa makes class count with stylish Curragh Cup win
The dual Group One winner had played a supporting role in three previous outings this year, finishing third in the Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia and fourth in the Prix Ganay in France before finding the globetrotting Rebel's Romance too strong Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot. Stepping up to a mile and three-quarters for the first time, the Dylan Browne McMonagle-ridden 4-5 favourite saw out the trip in some style, rocketing clear late on to claim Group Two honours by five lengths from Shackleton. Crash, bang, wallop – what a stayer! Hardwicke Stakes runner-up 𝐀𝐥 𝐑𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐚 thrives for a step up to 1m6f with a frankly effortless success in the Curragh Cup 💥 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 19, 2025 Stable representative Kevin Blake said: 'That was brilliant, he's a horse with a lot of class and he was last to first in a National Stakes here in fairness to him. 'No one ever felt that he needed that trip, but it made sense. He was relaxed, Dylan said he was very easy to ride over that trip, he quickened up and it was really good. 'I'd say it's most likely that he'll go straight to the Irish Leger from here. There is a possibility of the Group One that he won in Berlin last year (Grosser Preis von Berlin), but I'd say it's more likely he'll go straight there. 'The Melbourne Cup is in the minds thereafter. We all know what comes with that but that would be what we'd like to do, if we're allowed.' New Zealand and Ryan Moore won the opening race at the Curragh (Niall Carson/PA) Odds-on favourite New Zealand led home a one-two-three for Aidan O'Brien in the Juddmonte Chaldean Irish EBF Maiden. Despite finishing only seventh on his debut at this venue three weeks ago, the Frankel colt was sent on his way the 10-11 favourite to open his account in a race won by Henry Longfellow and The Lion In Winter in the past two years and was soon bowling along in front under Ryan Moore. He was under pressure from two furlongs down, but kept responding to his rider's urgings and had just enough up his sleeve to repel his previously unraced stablemate Issac Newton by a nose, with another Ballydoyle newcomer Action – a half-brother to dual Derby winner Lambourn – an eyecatching third. A @Ballydoyle 1-2-3 in the @JuddmonteFarms Chaldean @IrishEBF_ Maiden 🔥 Action and Isaac Newton caught the eye, but 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐙𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 held sway under Ryan Moore. The Lion In Winter, Henry Longfellow, Mac Swiney, New Approach and Teofilo have all won this race 👀 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 19, 2025 Of the winner, O'Brien said: 'He's a lovely big horse, he hasn't a clue what he's doing yet – he's massive, the power and the size of him. 'We'll go gentle and let him come on. He learned a lot from the first day, we liked him before that and he was very green. The first day he was a little bit slow away and you could see him today, he never travelled a yard. 'He's a big horse and he's all power. I know he's not short of speed, but he looks like a big, middle-distance horse.' The Ado McGuinness-trained Go Athletico (20-1) swooped fast and late under Shane Foley to claim top honours in the €100,000 Kwiff Supercharged Betting Scurry Handicap. Go Athletico (right) gets up to win the Scurry Handicap (Niall Carson/PA) 'It's a nice birthday present – I'm the big 60 today,' said McGuinness. 'I suppose class is permanent and form is temporary and he did lose his form big time. He slipped back down and we were very disappointed with him. 'He's a good horse and he'll probably pitch up in Galway now in the Ahonoora Handicap, that's where he's going to do next.' Stop The Nation was a 15-2 winner of the Lavazza Sprint Nursery Handicap for trainer Jack Davison and 3lb claimer James Ryan. 'I had a baby boy at 23.59 last night and James Ryan lost his claim there. It's a real feel-good winner on many fronts,' said Davison. 'He's a good colt and he's learning the whole time. He'll be a lovely horse for the Goffs Million.'
