Latest news with #RulingCourt
Powys County Times
7 days ago
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Ruling Court to step up in trip after Ascot defeat
A belated step up in trip is likely for Ruling Court following his Royal Ascot reversal, with both the Coral-Eclipse and the Grand Prix de Paris under consideration. Charlie Appleby's 2000 Guineas hero was slated for an immediate leap up to a mile and a half for the Derby before being withdrawn on the day at Epsom and subsequently remained at a mile for an all-star rematch with Newmarket runner-up Field Of Gold in the St James's Palace Stakes. However, after seeing his Rowley Mile rival turn around the Guineas form in style, Appleby is now relishing the next stage of his career up in distance, despite also being eager to see how the cards fall into place before playing his hand. 'We're very much letting the dust settle but the signs are he has very much come out of the race well,' said Appleby. 'We'll see where respective winners from the whole meeting go in respects to where we may head. Ombudsman was of course very impressive in the Prince of Wales's Stakes and it will be interesting to see where John and Thady (Gosden) steer him towards. 'We've mooted an Eclipse with our fellow but I'm not afraid of going straight up to a mile and a half which we were going to do in the Derby and we have got the option of the Grand Prix de Paris. 'It's your last option against three-year-olds so that could be a nice race to take a look at, but we'll let a bit more dust settle before we confirm a plan.' While Ruling Court may be heading up in distance, it appears likely Appleby's other Classic scorer Desert Flower will be dropping back in trip after her third at Epsom in the Oaks. Sent off the 11-10 favourite after a sublime performance on her return in the 1000 Guineas, the challenge of Epsom on rain-softened ground ultimately proved too much, with the Moulton Paddocks handler happy to give her as much time as necessary to recover from her Oaks exertions. 'You know she's had a race at Epsom for sure and as I've said previously the ground and the track were the undoing of us,' added Appleby. 'It might have looked like she stayed but I don't think she did being brutally honest, or didn't stay well enough for that level. 'I'm going to give her a little bit of time and there's plenty of options for her at a mile and a mile and a quarter. She's a filly who owes us nothing and for now we will give her plenty of time.'
Irish Daily Mirror
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
'Worldwide superstar' horse takes earnings to over €12.5m with Royal Ascot win
Rebel's Romance took his career earnings to over €12.5million after winning the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot on Saturday. The seven-year-old belatedly got Charlie Appleby off the mark at this year's meeting with a typically determined display. Having clinched his greatest victory on home turf in last month's Yorkshire Cup, Rebel's Romance was a hot pick at 6-4 to bag another win with William Buick in the saddle. Fans backing the favourite were put at ease as Rebel's Romance travelled strongly throughout the race and surged to a clear victory, winning by one and three-quarter lengths over Al Riffa, with Ghostwriter nabbing third place. Trainer Appleby, who was yearning for an Ascot triumph after a dry spell since 2022 and had seen his fair share of well-fancied horses like Notable Speech, Ruling Court, Cinderella's Dream, and Treanmor fall short earlier in the week, expressed his elation at finally making it back to the winner's circle at a major event. "Rebel's Romance is a worldwide superstar. I've got a picture of this fellow on my bedside table. He means that much to us all," said the Moulton Paddocks handler. "He's the only horse I know that you can take to Hong Kong and he'll get you into any bar and restaurant! You can get in anywhere on the back of Rebel's Romance. "As William says, he's his best friend and they have that great rapport there. You couldn't get two more willing partners together. "I have to give credit to the team at home. When you have an older horse, to keep them sound and keep them going, for him to have his enthusiasm year after year at this level. "As they get older they all taper, as we all do, that's expected. He might get a bit slower but his enthusiasm and his heart does not falter one iota." Reflecting on the week, Appleby added: "You can come here thinking you're fully loaded and have great chances, and you can walk away with excuses, but that's racing. I would like to think that we compose ourselves well, we take it on the chin and then we look forward to moving on. "Once something comes to Rebel's Romance, he finds. You very rarely get a horse that when it gets into the red, he still goes. "If there was one horse that you were having to roll your last dice on in this game, it was going to be him. Win, lose or draw he's going to go out there and go out on his sword for you." Joseph O'Brien was proud of the performance of runner-up Al Riffa, saying: 'Fantastic run, probably unlucky to meet a horse like Rebel's Romance in that race, but we're very proud of our horse, who is a real star for us and he's run his legs off for us again today. 'Hopefully there will be plenty more big days with him to come this season. He's a beautiful horse and he always runs to a rating not too far off 120, and it's hard to find horses like that. 'I wouldn't be against trying a little bit further with him – he's got plenty of stamina in his pedigree. I think we'll probably think outside the box with him a little bit now.' The Clive Cox-trained Ghostwriter was sold for £2million on the eve of the Royal meeting and shaped with plenty of encouragement in his first start in the Amo Racing colours. Owner Kia Joorabchian said: 'That was the first time at that trip (mile and a half) and I think he has handled that trip very well. 'I'm definitely not disappointed because probably that's one of his best runs ever. Clearly he's got very strong heart and I think he's going to give us a lot of fun.' On what the future holds for the four-year-old, he added: 'He like the (fast) ground so maybe somewhere like America, Australia, those kinds of places he'd relish. 'No decisions from us, but we are very pleased with his run and I think he's managed to prove that the amount that we invested in him was worth it. 'Of course you'd like to win, but being beaten by a horse that has won the Sheema Classic, the Breeders' Cup, big races in Qatar, that horse is a massive horse and I'm happy for Charlie – he's broken his duck before me!"
The Herald Scotland
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Rebel's Romance digs deep for Hardwicke honours
Favourite backers will have had few concerns, with Rebel's Romance travelling strongly throughout and he found plenty up the straight to score comfortably by a length and three-quarters from Al Riffa, with Ghostwriter third. Appleby, who had not saddled a Royal Ascot winner since 2022 and had seen well-fancied horses like Notable Speech, Ruling Court, Cinderella's Dream and Treanmor beaten this week, was relieved to get himself into the big-race winner's enclosure. REBEL'S ROMANCE wins The Hardwicke Stakes for Charlie Appleby. Congratulations to connections. — Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) June 21, 2025 'Rebel's Romance is a worldwide superstar. I've got a picture of this fellow on my bedside table. He means that much to us all,' said the Moulton Paddocks handler. 'He's the only horse I know that you can take to Hong Kong and he'll get you into any bar and restaurant! You can get in anywhere on the back of Rebel's Romance. 'As William says, he's his best friend and they have that great rapport there. You couldn't get two more willing partners together. 'I have to give credit to the team at home. When you have an older horse, to keep them sound and keep them going, for him to have his enthusiasm year after year at this level. 'As they get older they all taper, as we all do, that's expected. He might get a bit slower but his enthusiasm and his heart does not falter one iota.' Rebel's Romance and William Buick return to the winner's enclosure (John Walton/PA) Reflecting on the week, Appleby added: 'You can come here thinking you're fully loaded and have great chances, and you can walk away with excuses, but that's racing. I would like to think that we compose ourselves well, we take it on the chin and then we look forward to moving on. 'Once something comes to Rebel's Romance, he finds. You very rarely get a horse that when it gets into the red, he still goes. 'If there was one horse that you were having to roll your last dice on in this game, it was going to be him. Win, lose or draw he's going to go out there and go out on his sword for you.' Joseph O'Brien was proud of the performance of runner-up Al Riffa, saying: 'Fantastic run, probably unlucky to meet a horse like Rebel's Romance in that race, but we're very proud of our horse, who is a real star for us and he's run his legs off for us again today. 'Hopefully there will be plenty more big days with him to come this season. He's a beautiful horse and he always runs to a rating not too far off 120, and it's hard to find horses like that. 'I wouldn't be against trying a little bit further with him – he's got plenty of stamina in his pedigree. I think we'll probably think outside the box with him a little bit now.' The Clive Cox-trained Ghostwriter was sold for £2million on the eve of the Royal meeting and shaped with plenty of encouragement in his first start in the Amo Racing colours. Kia Joorabchian now owns Ghostwriter (Mike Egerton/PA) Owner Kia Joorabchian said: 'That was the first time at that trip (mile and a half) and I think he has handled that trip very well. 'I'm definitely not disappointed because probably that's one of his best runs ever. Clearly he's got very strong heart and I think he's going to give us a lot of fun.' On what the future holds for the four-year-old, he added: 'He like the (fast) ground so maybe somewhere like America, Australia, those kinds of places he'd relish. 'No decisions from us, but we are very pleased with his run and I think he's managed to prove that the amount that we invested in him was worth it. 'Of course you'd like to win, but being beaten by a horse that has won the Sheema Classic, the Breeders' Cup, big races in Qatar, that horse is a massive horse and I'm happy for Charlie – he's broken his duck before me!'
The Irish Sun
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Royal Ascot is an absolute beast and keeps getting bigger – but Charlie Appleby can't buy a winner there
THE beast that is Royal Ascot just keeps on getting, erm, beastier. I don't think that's a word, but oh well. Across the board, attendances have been dipping at our biggest tracks after a post-Covid surge. But this meeting continues to buck the trend. 1 Field Of Gold has been the start of the Ascot show this week Credit: PA Crowds have been up on each of the first four days this week — no doubt thanks also to the sweltering weather. Ascot has thoroughly deserved to have its days in the sun, though. As much as I've become a dinosaur and roll my eyes at things considered 'Instagrammable', that's exactly what this meeting is . . . and people can't get enough. From the moment the gates opened punters were streaming in and queuing for 20 or 30 minutes at four designated selfie spots. The action has been good off the track, but even better on it. It's one of the great weeks of the year and people like to be a part of it. Long may that continue. The game's wealthiest owners spend millions to have runners here and the result, as ever, has been a top-class four days of racing with one day still to come. And, Jesus wept, it's been hot. So hot, in fact, the icing on the cakes in the press room was close to melting. You don't realise how tough we have it sometimes. Thanks in advance for your sympathy. There is no doubt in my mind who the star performer of the week was, and that's Field Of Gold. He won the St James's Palace by three and a half lengths and it could have been even more comprehensive had Colin Keane delayed his challenge a little longer. Those with a greater grasp of the formbook than me reckon he is the best miler since his old man Kingman 11 years ago — it's hard to argue on what he's done the last twice at the Curragh and Ascot. Most read in Horse Racing The galloping grey got the Johnny G show rolling, and what a difference a year makes. In 2024, Gosden was scrabbling around looking for a half decent horse, and all of a sudden he's got a stable full of them. In contrast, what a complete nightmare it's been for Godolphin's main man Charlie Appleby. His last winner at Royal Ascot was in 2022, when Naval Crown struck at 33-1, and he has now had 35 straight runners without a winner at the Royal meeting. He had lots of beaten fancies last year and this week it's been a similar tale of woe, with Notable Speech (4-1), Ruling Court (4-1), Cinderella's Dream (5-4f) and Shadow Of Light (6-4f) among those turned over at short odds. It certainly does not bode well for his two fancied runners Treanmor and Rebel's Romance today. It's three years in a row now that Appleby has got off to a fast start in the spring before spluttering to a halt in early summer. What on earth is happening? Are the horses peaking early and unable to back up? Appleby must be sick of the sight of all those top hats and tails by now. And it must hurt even more that Godolphin have had three winners this week, two trained by Gosden and one by Saeed bin Suroor. I bet Saeed is secretly over the moon — he has been starved of ammunition over the last decade having falling down the pecking order with Sheikh Mo, but he has shown repeatedly he can still get the job done on the big days. If it's the most important week of the year for trainers, it's probably more significant for the men and women in the weighing room. A couple of jocks who were in the wilderness coming here were Richard Kingscote and Kieran Shoemark, but both went home with winners under their belts. You could see the weight of the world melt off Shoemark's shoulders in particular after he guided 22-1 shot Never Let Go home in the Sandringham yesterday. Whatever you think about his ability in the saddle, the bloke has clearly suffered since losing the Gosden gig and you'd have to have a heart of stone to not wish him well going forwards. Mind you, one jockey who hardly did his reputation on these shores any good was the mercurial Frenchman Mickael Barzalona. Zarigana travelled like stink in the Coronation but he couldn't lift the hot favourite home, just a couple of weeks after losing another tight one at Epsom on popular punters' pick Calandagan. He was only appointed as the No1 jock to the Aga Khan at the start of the year but, after this latest dud, he'll surely be feeling the heat . . . and that makes two of us. 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
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
I'm supremely confident my big Royal Ascot tip on Friday will be far too good for his rivals
It's hotting up on and off the track now MATT CHAPMAN I'm supremely confident my big Royal Ascot tip on Friday will be far too good for his rivals Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) OUT of the shadows and into the limelight — that's what I'm expecting for last season's champion juvenile at Ascot on Friday. We've made it to Day Four of the Royal meeting, and SHADOW OF LIGHT (3.05) — last season's Group 1 Middle Park and Dewhurst hero — drops back in trip for the Commonwealth Cup. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Is Shadow Of Light a bit of a good thing in what would normally be a hugely competitive Commonwealth? Credit: PA Like many, I suspect he will take all the beating after his comeback third to stable companion Ruling Court and Field Of Gold in the 2,000 Guineas. Shadow Of Light might well have won that race if he had been delivered a little later, but whatever the case, the drop to 6f should be exactly what he will enjoy and I just think he will be far too good. I'm happy with stall 19, so come on, William Buick. GOLD DIGGER (2.30) can get the day off to a flyer in the Albany Stakes. She looked special on debut at Yarmouth and it would be a famous winner here for Phil Cunningham and Richard Spencer. I was there that day, and many thought Awaken would take all the beating for George Boughey. She ran well, but was no match for Gold Digger, a Starman offspring who cost 260,000gns at the Craven Breeze-Up sale. She stays well and will be well suited to a Jamie Spencer special from off the pace. Stall 14 should not be an issue. ETHICAL DIAMOND (3.40) was fourth in the Duke Of Edinburgh last year when the 7-4 favourite. But he was out in stall 18 that day and get a much handier box in stall seven this time. The Willie Mullins challenger will hopefully be a stronger horse this time as he just weakened late on in 2024 and I suspect he will take all the stopping under Ryan Moore. He was a fine fourth at Cheltenham in the County Hurdle. For many the big one of the day is the Group 1 Coronation Stakes. We get the chance to see what might be a monster in FALAKEYAH (4.20) and her draw (stall two) has worked in her favour. Owen Burrows was considering the French Oaks after her demolition job in the Pretty Polly but also the Irish 1,000 Guineas. I'm pretty sure she has the speed for this test. She should be improving all the time as had only been to Wolverhampton prior to her Newmarket victory. She looks an absolute tank. Jim Crowley takes the mount. NEVER LET GO (5.00) is the one for me in the Sandringham. A strong gallop will be ideal for her and she has plenty of experience for Ed Walker. Many in this race are stepping up in trip, but Never Let Go drops in distance and looks sure to be suited by a proper gallop. Kieran Shoemark would not usually want to get down to a weight of 8st10lbs every day but he might just be rewarded here for making the effort. She's up in the handicap for a Listed third when last seen but as a lightly-raced animal I'm not too fussed about that. An each-way wager. Amiloc could easily win the King Edwards VII Stakes - also known as the Ascot Derby. But ZAHRANN (5.35) might just be one of the best Johnny Murtagh has trained in his career. The Aga Khan-owned colt and son of Night of Thunder was impressive in Listed company at Leopardstown last time and stayed this trip very well. He was well backed and it looked as though the stable knew he's classy. I'll chance him each-way. The day closes with JORGE ALVARES (6.10) in the Palace of Holyroodhouse Handicap. A lot of very fast horses here and I suspect something will come flying through late. He could be the one each-way for Colin Keane and Ger Lyons. The gelding has plenty of experience and ran really well when last seen at Curragh staying on strongly having been close to the pace. He's up 1lb here but that shouldn't make any difference and he's raced up to seven furlongs so that bit of stamina could be useful. Good luck one and all. Yeeehaaa! 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.
