Latest news with #Quartet
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
‘Shrewdies' to make July Quartet pay big
Confederate at 40-1, Atticus Finch at 28-1 and My Best Shot at 25-1 might be decent calls. There is almost always a surprise package among the top four finishers in the Durban July, making winning Quartet, Trifecta, Swinger and Exacta bets pay handsomely. On Saturday at Greyville, the July Quartet is predicted to have a pool of R10-million. Three days before the race, the TAB pool was already nearing R1.5-million, so there's a fair chance it will exceed the target. In 2024, all four horses at the head of the July pack were priced in double figures by the bookmakers: winner Oriental Charm at 10-1, runner-up Cousin Casey at 25-1, third-placed Royal Victory at 10-1, and fourth-placed Flag Man at 14-1. The Quartet on that occasion paid a princely R24,359.60. The year before, third-placed Bless My Stars was a 33-1 shot and fourth Do It Again 16-1; in 2022, winner Sparkling Water and second Jet Dark were both surprisingly good value at 16-1 apiece; and in 2020, fourth-placed Golden Ducat at 33-1 helped swell all dividends. This week's 129th running of Africa's greatest race sees one horse, Eight On Eighteen, dominating the betting, meaning other well-fancied runners are comparative long-shots. Second and third favourites Oriental Charm and Immediate Edge are quoted at 8-1 by Betway. But, of course, they will be included in most Quartet selections and won't be pushing out the dividend. Confederate is excellent value So, in search of the real 'roughie' – or 'shrewdie' – to make Saturday's Quartet pay, we must look to deeper reaches of the betting boards. Confederate at 40-1, Atticus Finch at 28-1 and My Best Shot at 25-1 might be decent calls. In particular, Fabian Habib-trained Confederate seems excellent value on a line of form through Fire Attack, who he beat in the SA Classic but who has since had a Grade 1 win and has attained a merit rating eight points higher than him. The gelding has never been out of the first two in nine starts and has New Zealand champion jockey Warren Kennedy – on a mission back on home turf – to help him overcome a widish draw. Every punter is on a budget of some sort, so, to keep the Quartet cost down below R1,000, say, some runners more fancied than the above three will have to be left out. It's a hard game. Suggested Quartet on the Durban July, Race 7, at Greyville on Saturday 5 July: Floating banker 11; with 1,4,6,9,10,14,16 (R840)
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Explosive material detected at Greyville
There's plenty to get punters excited at this year's Durban July. The words 'bombs', 'dynamite', and 'have a full go' are blared out by the marketers of Saturday's Durban July race meeting at Greyville. Just hype? A glance at the massive sums of money on offer for a wide variety of wagers suggests that the fanfare is pretty apt. It's not just a huge R15-million Pick 6 mega-pool that's on the menu. The Quartet on the July itself, Race 7 on the card, is predicted to amass a pool of more than R10-million. Tote agency TAB has bunged in a carryover of R1-million to get the big-race Quartet started and popularity of the first-four-finishers prediction is expected to do the rest. A R500,000 carryover to Jackpot Three on the day is set to push that pool all the way to R3-million. That bet kicks off at 5.40pm in Race 9 on the 12-race programme. Often the third Jackpot at a major meeting is something of an underfunded afterthought; not this time! Money, money, money Jackpot One, which starts in Race 1 – off at 11.45am – is likely to have a pool of R750,000. Jackpot Two, starting in Race 5 on the card, will have R2-million for division among the winning tickets. The first leg of Bipot One is Race 2 at 12.25pm. The likely pool there is R750,000. Race 3 at 1.05pm is the first leg of the meeting's Place Accumulator, which is expected to garner a pool of R2.5-million. Race 4 at 1.40pm is the first leg of the R15-million Pick6. Race 7 is, of course, the Grade 1, 2200m Durban July, which carries a purse of R5-million for the successful horses' owners – and the aforementioned R10-million for winning Quartet punters. The July is a designated World Pool race of the Hong Kong Jockey Club – which means there is a common, comingled tote on certain bet types for punters around the world. This results in gigantic pools and very stable approximate dividends in the race preamble. 'Expect an Exacta pool of around R5-million, Win and Place pools exceeding R10-million each, and Swinger and Quinella pools of more than R10-million,' says operator Race Coast.
The Province
20-06-2025
- Business
- The Province
Another one of Metro Vancouver's biggest developers announces layoffs
Metro Vancouver developer Wesgroup has become the latest company to announce a major round of layoffs in the face of tough economic conditions. Wesgroup built the Quartet project at Vancouver's River District. PNG The depth of Metro Vancouver's decline in residential construction became more visible this week with news that one of its biggest developers is making substantial job cuts in the face of what its CEO has called 'a cost of delivery crisis.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Wesgroup Properties LP, in a statement, said it is laying off 12 per cent of its workforce, which CEO Beau Jarvis indicated includes development, construction, asset management, marketing, finance, interior design and leasing. No specific numbers were included in either Jarvis' announcement via LinkedIn or company statement, but Wesgroup's LinkedIn profile indicates the firm employs between 201 and 500 people. This is the second time in six weeks a major player in Metro Vancouver development has announced layoffs. The Rennie Group, in early May, said it had laid off 31 employees — a quarter of its head office staff — citing economic factors, geopolitics and artificial intelligence. Jarvis, in a LinkedIn post, called the layoffs 'an absolute last resort' to deal with the prolonged economic uncertainty and rising costs that the industry faces. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We exhausted every possible avenue to avoid this outcome, including creating efficiencies in our systems and processes, engaging in aggressive cost-reduction measures,' Jarvis wrote. '(We) even sold off significant assets to generate capital/liquidity to cover overhead costs,' Jarvis said. 'This was all in hopes of preserving as many jobs as possible. But despite these efforts, the economic realities left us no choice.' Jarvis noted that projects across the country are being cancelled or put off and that 'we are delivering housing at a cost that people cannot afford to purchase. I will say it again – THIS IS A COST-OF-DELIVERY CRISIS (sic).' Wesgroup, whose portfolio includes the 52-hectare master-planned River District neighbourhood in south Vancouver, said in a statement that it remains in a fiscally sound position, but acknowledged that the company has had to delay several upcoming projects 'because the economics no longer support moving forward.' 'We've worked hard to avoid workforce reductions, but like many of our peers, we've reached a point where we must realign our operations for long-term sustainability,' the statement read. More to come … Read More
Muscat Daily
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Muscat Daily
Musical greenhorns celebrate Haydn, Mozart in Muscat
An exciting musical programme of 'children performing for children' was held at the Austrian Embassy to celebrate Haydn and Mozart in Oman last week. The overall offering by nimble fingers was a feast for the senses They came, they performed, they unleashed sheer magic… Eleven budding musicians in Oman displayed their prowess with musical instruments as they celebrated the immortal compositions of Austrian grand masters – Haydn and Mozart – via renditions that held a select audience at the Austrian embassy captive on the afternoon of May 16. The 'Spring Recital' programme was organised by Sarah Shanfari Topolska and the Embassy of Austria to promote budding musical talent and give her students a platform to perform to a live audience in Muscat. It comprised 16 renditions – some solo, some duo performances – by the participants who exhibited sheer mastery over their chosen musical pieces of the Austrian masters as well as a few of French, German, American, Canadian and English composers. 'I'd love for these concerts to take place more frequently, always under the name Musical Moments – children playing for children. I've already organised such concerts at the Opera Galleria, but recently it hasn't been easy to arrange. That's why I'm extremely grateful that the Austrian Embassy has agreed to host another one,' asserted Sarah, explaining further, 'It is truly amazing to organise these concerts for children and young people, to inspire them musically. This time, only my students performed, but the idea is open to all talented children and youth. Next time, other teachers will also be involved – and I'm really counting on that.' Celebrating Haydn and Mozart This year's theme was 'Musical Moments with Haydn and Mozart. Explaining the importance of celebrating the compositions of these legendary musicians, Sarah said, 'It is important to know about Haydn and Mozart – two musical superstars from Austria – because their contributions have shaped the very foundation of classical music. 'Joseph Haydn, often called the 'Father of the Symphony' and 'Father of the String Quartet', helped define the structure of classical music and inspired generations of composers. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a true musical genius, amazed the world with his extraordinary talent from a very young age and composed over 600 works that continue to be performed and loved around the world. 'Learning about these composers not only connects us to Austria's rich cultural heritage, but also helps young musicians understand the roots of Western music, appreciate artistic excellence, and find inspiration in their creativity and dedication.' Sarah further asserted that since the concert was organized at the Austrian embassy, she considered it a wonderful opportunity to introduce young people to great Austrian composers. She chose Haydn and Mozart – two iconic figures from the Classical period -alongside other composers from the same era. 'The students were able to remember these two important names and the musical style they represent. This experience was not only educational but also deeply enriching for their musical development. It helped them understand the historical context of the music they are learning and playing, and it brought them closer to the roots of classical music,' Sarah said, adding, 'Moments like these are incredibly valuable, as they inspire young people and broaden their artistic horizons in a meaningful and lasting way.' The music scene in Oman, according to Sarah, is growing, with more interest in classical training, performance opportunities, and cultural exchange. There is a lot of untapped talent here and young musicians will play a very important role in shaping the country's musical future, she said, adding, 'with the right support, encouragement, and exposure, these young artists can contribute to a thriving cultural scene and inspire the next generation. They are the future ambassadors of Omani music and creativity.' In a message to young musicians in Oman, she said, 'Never stop nurturing your passion for music, even while focusing on your studies. Music and education can go hand in hand – it's all about balance and discipline. Music enriches your life, sharpens your mind, and builds confidence. Whether or not you pursue it professionally, the skills and joy you gain through music will benefit you in every part of life. Stay curious, stay committed, and surround yourself with inspiration.' Spring Recital Programme 1. Fahad Al Asfoor: 'Surprise' by Joseph Haydn 2. Rosha Fahim: 'Allegro in F' by W A Mozart 3. Teng Jiaxun (violin) & Yihao Zhang (piano accompaniment): 'German Dance' by Haydn 4. Xin Rui Peng: 'Polonaise' by Mozart 5. Ava Yavari (violin) & Xin RuiPeng (piano accompaniment): 'Allegretto' by Mozart 6. Joanna Dixie Shantham: 'Bourlesque' by W A Mozart; 'Musette' by Leopold Mozart 7. Omar Abouelenein (violin) & Yihao Zhang (piano accompaniment): 'Allegro' (First Movement from a Concerto) by Haydn 8. Ava Yavari: 'Minuet in C' by Alexander Reinagle 9. Yihao Zhang: Sonata in D Major, Second Movement by W A Mozart 10. Qinchen Li (violin) &Yuchen Li (piano accompaniment): 'Polonaise' by Mozart 11. Sophie Ceska: 'Morning Sunbeam' by Florence Price 12. Yihao Zhang: 'Liebestraum' by Franz Liszt 13. Lila Hathroubi: 'Angelfish' by Anne Crosby-Gaudet 14. Xin Rui Peng: 'Love Theme' by Kevin Olson Rollin 15. Joanna Dixie Shantham: 'Indigo Moon' by Elissa Milne 16. Teng Jiaxun (violin) & Joanna Dixie Shantham (piano accompaniment): 'Ave Maria' by Charles Gounod Creative challenges Sarah further points out: The challenge we face is that not enough attention is given to children and very young performers. My youngest participant last year was only four years old, and this year was six. Just imagine how inspiring that can be for other small children – it shows them that they too can play an instrument and be part of something beautiful. Concerts where children perform for other children are not just nice to have—they are essential. They should be supported, nurtured, and given a platform where more young musicians can benefit from this kind of experience. I truly believe that even in Muscat, a venue like a hall within the Royal Opera House would be a wonderful space for such concerts. I am more than happy to prepare and present these performances, but organising the right venue is often the most difficult part. It requires open-minded support and favourable conditions. I sincerely hope that someone will take the initiative to help make this possible in the future, so that more young children's ensembles and performances can take part in these valuable musical experiences. This kind of investment in young talent will have a lasting impact on the cultural landscape of Oman. From this programme, you can see how many performers there were, I haven't even counted it yet, it should also be noted that the performers were only children, the children accompanied the concert completely on their own. We also tried to combine different forms of art, and the children who attended the concert had the opportunity to draw or paint whatever they liked or whatever inspired them from the performance. I believe that this kind of connection between music and visual art is also very important for the creative development of children.
Irish Independent
25-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Ian Hyland: ‘When you take Windmill Lane to America, you have near instant name recognition'
The businessman has owned many media titles – but Windmill Lane Pictures could be his jewel in the crown Yesterday at 21:30 The recent news that businessman Ian Hyland had bought Windmill Lane Pictures felt – to me anyway – like a piece of the early 2000s come back to visit. It reminded me of other similar announcements of Hyland's growing stable of magazines, and of a time – much-missed – before the words 'traditional' and 'legacy' attached themselves to print media. Hyland made his money in publishing, acquiring the previously Smurfit-owned Business & Finance magazine in 2002, and then the Vincent Browne-founded Magill in 2004. He sold Magill back to Browne in 2017. Over two-plus decades, he developed what was originally a traditional magazine publishing business into something that was very event-focused, including the Dublin Tech Summit. (Established in 2017, DTS attracts 10,000 tech entrepreneurs to Dublin each year – and in fact gets underway on May 8-29.) In the US, he has Ireland INC, a business networking hub, which hosts a range of events, including Ireland Day at the New York Stock Exchange, an annual event established in 2011. The Windmill Lane acquisition comes not long after Hyland bought Quartet Books, an independent book publishing company based in London, set up in 1972 and with a back catalogue of some 2,000 books, including titles by Auberon Waugh, Brian Sewell and Isabella Blow. We're re-publishing The Palestinians by Jonathan Dimbleby So what exactly is it about these long-established brands that appeals to him? 'Most media formats have changed,' he says, over coffee in Dublin's Westin Hotel. 'But book publishing hasn't really. Quartet was quite bohemian, something that goes back to the original owner, Naim Atallah. 'He passed away during Covid in 2021, and then the business was in some trouble. I was contacted about it, I looked at it. What interested me about it was the scale and breadth of its legacy. With 2,000 titles, there's lots of different areas of potential.' Quartet, he says, will do two titles in the UK this year, two in Ireland, one in the US. 'We're looking at 10 titles in 2026, and on from there. Phase one, we're focused on non-fiction, because it was far easier to plan commercially. We're re-publishing The Palestinians by Jonathan Dimbleby, first published in 1979. Jonathan is updating that.' Hyland is all about the enhanced potential of what too often now gets called 'content', plus the potential of the bigger international markets – particularly the US, where he has been active for a long time, including as chair of Ireland INC. ADVERTISEMENT 'Quartet attracted a lot of attention from international production houses because of its titles. The possibilities there were obvious. "We weren't a producer, but we had an interest in doing this ourselves, in creating documentaries – in fact, we had already started one, around the history of Irish America – and then the opportunity of Windmill Lane Pictures came up. 'My recognition of it is as a stunning brand,' he says. 'When I hear Windmill Lane, I think of U2, Brian Eno, Salman Rushdie's contribution, the graffiti walls...' Hyland is chairman of Windmill Lane and has appointed business journalist and author John Walsh as head of content. Walsh recently co-produced The Irish Question, directed by Alan Gilsenan, and Gilsenan will edit Windmill Lane's first documentary – dealing with the future of the US-Ireland relationship. Hyland will now hire a team of full-time and freelance talent, with a particular focus on content commissioning, commercial/partnership and communications, and ultimately he will seek a CEO to steer Windmill Lane to its next chapter. During the early 1990s, the recording and visual sides of Windmill Lane split and went their separate ways. Windmill Lane Pictures moved more towards post-production – which meant that first Covid and then the Hollywood writers' strike had an impact. 'It came up, we contacted the folks, who were in liquidation, and we came to an agreement to buy,' says Hyland. 'The brand has an incredible legacy. When you take Windmill Lane to America, you have near instant name recognition. 'While respecting that, we need to take it to the next chapter. Modern-day production and distribution platforms have changed and expanded. There's the potential with short films, YouTube platforms... 'Some of that potential we will create ourselves, some of it will find us. We're not in the business where we rely on the phone ringing. We're creating.' On the back of Donald Trump's announcement of 100pc tariffs in the US on 'foreign films' and the 'Make America Film Again' plan proposed by California governor Gavin Newsom (that a $7.5bn federal incentive be aimed at US domestic film production), Hyland travelled to the US recently to engage with officials and potential partners in Washington, DC, New York and California. Asked about the impact of such tariffs and incentives, Hyland has a considered response. 'While there are many trading challenges faced by global business on the back of tariffs, it's vitally important for us to explore any opportunities by engaging with the US, given its importance to the film industry. In so doing we can build an agile and creative film production business.' Hyland also confirmed that, as a 'statement of its intent', Windmill Lane will incorporate in the United States. I wasn't good enough. So I went into newspapers So what did he want to be when he was growing up, I ask. 'Art was my first interest, I went to the college of art and design. After that, I was looking for an ad agency job – but it never happened. I was never offered one, I wasn't good enough. So I went into newspapers. 'I started at Irish Press, moved to the Sunday Press, and then went to London with them, which was wonderful. We were selling 475,000 copies a week at the time. I was very conscious of being Irish in London. It was a tricky time, even in the mid-1990s, but if you came with a media card in your hand, it made it a bit easier.' He gravitated towards 'the commercial side, the marketing side' – and when he left the Press, planned to move to the States. 'I took a job with the Smurfit-owned Business & Finance magazine, planning to stick around for a year while my visa came through. I stayed longer, but ended up leaving and coming back when they divested – and I bought that title in 2002. 'Then I bought Magill magazine – which I still wake up in a cold sweat thinking about. I bought it from Mike Hogan, who'd bought it from Vincent Browne. I had a vision of a stable of magazines – but we're Ireland, we're too small. Though we built a great convening business with Business & Finance. 'I spent most of the last years since the mid-2000s in the States, promoting Irish business and international businesses there.' What does he make of all the recent drama between the US and the rest of the world? 'The book publishing business is unaffected – tariffs aren't really relevant. But uncertainty shakes confidence.' Still, he adds, 'It's a catalyst that has presented itself to Europe to pull together. Ireland is a very good European. We have always been close to the United States. So where do we find our new role? Are we a convener, when it comes to Europe, for America? Are we a convener for Europe when it comes to the US? 'And, in fact I think filmmaking, the creative world – in a weird kind of way – can be stimulated by this kind of stuff. There are stories to tell, and there are people who want to hear them.' And what of the voices that say we should have nothing to do with America under its current administration? That we should hold ourselves aloof? 'It's the White House – and whoever the office is led by, we have to respect that, if they got there by election. 'America is very important to Ireland. And I like to think Ireland is important to America, in a number of ways. I'd be hopeful that we can all find a way forward. I think if you based your future on personalities, we'd all have problems. I think we need to work with each other. "I'm reminded of something I heard at John Reynolds' funeral – he was a good friend of mine. I remember his brother finished his eulogy by saying: 'We only have each other.' 'I think that goes for a lot of things. And it goes for what we're dealing with today.'
