Latest news with #SaeedBinSuroor
The Sun
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Horse racing tips: ‘This is a Group horse in a Listed race' – Templegate's NAP to fly home for hot trainer
TEMPLEGATE tackles Wednesday's action confident of building the bank for the summer ahead. Whack some money on a horse by clicking their odds - and check out our man's early Coral-Eclipse, July Cup and Ebor tips, including one star who 'must be backed wherever he runs '. SAQQARA SANDS (3.45 Carlisle, nap) Is definitely a horse going places and caught the eye with her comeback second at Epsom. Trainer Ralph Beckett continues to knock along at a rate of knots and this horse should improve into Group races before long. This isn't the deepest Listed race and her draw is just fine. NOEL FOX (3.55 Salisbury, nb) Loves it at this track and ran a blinder when second here to a very well-treated horse. The ground will be perfect and the four-year-old gets loads of weight from most of his rivals. He has form over shorter if it does get tactical given the small field. MOSTAWAA (3.15 Carlisle, treble) Can make the long journey north worth it. Heather Main's veteran loves the quirky track and has dropped to an attractive mark. The booking of Rossa Ryan also catches the eye. DUBAI BEACH (7.30 Kempton) Can complete the Lucky 15. He has the handicapper on the run at the moment and trainer Saeed bin Suroor is in flying form. He will be very hard to stop under a penalty. Templegate's tips WORCESTER 2.03 Jet Of Dreams 2.33 Mistertommyshelby 3.03 Rony Has 3.33 Katana 4.03 Seymourjohn 4.33 Init Together 5.05 Robber's Bridge BATH 6.20 Fancy Dancer 6.50 Bring It On 7.20 Thank The Lord 7.50 Offiah's Boy 8.20 Union Island 8.50 Blue Hero CARLISLE 2.15 Lam Yai 2.45 Regional Rock 3.15 Mostawaa (treble) 3.45 Saqqara Sands (nap) 4.15 Rogue Millions 4.50 Redarna 5.25 Orangesandlemons SALISBURY 2.25 Victorious One 2.55 Coup De Force 3.25 Nifty 3.55 Noel Fox (double) 4.25 Asmen Warrior 4.58 Criminal 5.35 Soul Dance KEMPTON 5.30 Atmosphere 6.00 Insuspense 6.30 Magnatura 7.00 Plastered 7.30 Dubai Beach 8.00 Lessay 8.30 Don Simon 9.00 Fram Castle 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:
The Sun
24-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Charities share staggering £450,000 donation following Royal Ascot BGC pledge
A host of top UK charities will share a remarkable £450,000, thanks to Betting and Gaming Council members. For the sixth year on the spin, the BGC announced that its members will give away every penny of profit from win and each-way bets on the Britannia Stakes at last week's Royal Ascot meeting. 3 Champion jockey teamed up with Saeed bin Suroor to ride Arabian Story to victory in Thursday's race, staving off the threat of La Botte to win by a neck. In a race with 30 runners - coming on a day where FIVE favourites landed - the winner coming in at 15/2 wasn't necessarily a win for the bookmakers, given only three runners - including La Botte - went off shorter odds. But it's that competitiveness in the packed race that ensured the bookmakers remained in profit across the race and that is terrific news for the charities. Prostate Cancer UK, Missing People, the SAS Regimental Association, Ascot Racecourse Supports, Racing to School, Greenhouse Sports and Tempus Novo will all now benefit from the stunning £450,000 donation. That donation coming from BCG members, including Flutter (Paddy Power, Betfair, Sky Bet), Entain (Ladbrokes, Coral), Evoke (888 William Hill), Kindred (Unibet), Betway, Rank Group (Grosvenor Sport), Virgin Bet, LivescoreBet, Star Sports and QuinnBet - as well as with the support of Tote and Bet with Ascot. The final figure now takes the total amount raised through this very initiative to an astonishing £3.6million for charitable causes. Including other campaigns, the BGC has now raised a whopping £6.5 million for good causes since its formation back in 2019. While BGC members also help fund horseracing, with a remarkable £350m a year through sponsorship, media rights and the betting levy. Grainne Hurst, CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council, said: 'It's brilliant to see BGC members once again coming together to support such a wide range of charities that make a real difference in communities right across the UK. "A huge thank you goes to all our members who took part, their customers who placed a bet on the Britannia Stakes, and of course to Ascot for their continued partnership in this important initiative. "Together, we've now raised over £3.6 million through the Britannia Stakes alone, and more than £6.5 million overall. These substantial donations highlight the real commitment of the BGC and its members to supporting charities across sport, racing, health, and the veteran community. "We know how much this funding means to the organisations involved, and we're incredibly proud to play our part in supporting the incredible work they do." Jo Youle OBE, Chief Executive of Missing People said: 'Thank you to the Betting and Gaming Council, and its members, for the incredible generosity for Missing People via the Britannia Stakes. 'Someone is reported missing every 90 seconds in the UK. Your support means the charity can be there for people in crisis who are missing, and for families still searching. No matter what the situation, this donation will mean that vital information, guidance and support will be available when it is needed most, and for however long it takes. Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made this possible." Felicity Barnard, Chief Executive at Ascot Racecourse, added: 'We are delighted to play host to this brilliant initiative which continues to raise vital funds and awareness for charities. The monies raised are helping our Ascot Racecourse Supports charity/community programme make a real difference to the many local and equine organisations that we support.' Prostate Cancer UK Chief Executive Laura Kerby said: 'We're proud of our long-term relationship with the Betting and Gaming Council and are hugely grateful to them and their members for this generous donation on such a prestigious day of racing. 'Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer in England and a disease that affects 1 in 8 men, but an early diagnosis could save your life. 'For several years now the BGC have helped us raise crucial awareness, and substantial funds which will make a massive difference to men affected by prostate cancer. Funds raised will support our groundbreaking screening trial, TRANSFORM, which will find the best way to screen men for the disease - so that one day, all men will be invited for regular tests, and more men will find it early enough to be cured. Thanks to everyone for their continued support.' Steve Freer, Tempus Novo CEO added: 'We are absolutely delighted and deeply honoured to be part of this prestigious event at Royal Ascot. Our sincere thanks go to the Betting and Gaming Council for their generous support. 'The funding we've received is making a tangible, lasting impact. Every penny is helping to drive transformational change in the criminal justice system by supporting people with convictions into sustainable employment. This is critical work—without these opportunities, many are left with little choice but to return to crime upon release. 'Thanks to this support, we're seeing lives changed, futures rebuilt, and a real shift in how rehabilitation can work in practice.' John Blake, CEO of Racing to School said: 'The beneficiaries, Trustees, and small staff team at Racing to School are hugely grateful to the Betting and Gaming Council, its members, and everyone who enjoyed a bet on this year's Britannia Stakes for their generosity. If you didn't back the winner, we hope you still enjoyed the thrill of watching the race in the knowledge that you have supported Racing to School and the six other beneficiary charities to continue their work. 'The funds will have an immediate impact to support the learning of some of the 17,500 participants of our Education Programmes who will take their first steps onto a racecourse this year which, we hope, will spark the beginning of a lifelong love of the sport.' Greenhouse Sports CEO, Don Barrell, said: 'We're incredibly grateful to the Betting and Gaming Council for selecting Greenhouse Sports as a beneficiary of this year's Britannia Stakes – and to everyone whose bets helped raise an incredible amount for charity. 'Like everyone at Royal Ascot, we believe in the power of sport. But for the young people we work with, it's about more than the game – it's about having a trusted adult in their corner. 'Our full-time Coach-Mentors are embedded in schools across some of the UK's most disadvantaged areas. They're there every day, year after year – building relationships, keeping young people engaged in education, boosting confidence, and helping them believe in their future. 'With child poverty at a record high, this support couldn't be more important. It means we can reach more young people – and help transform their life chances. 'Thank you for making that possible.' John Allcock, Secretary of the SAS Regimental Association (SASRA) said, 'We are grateful and humbled by the actions of the bookmaking members of the Betting and Gaming Council in this our 80th anniversary year. 'Extraordinary service creates extraordinary need, requiring extraordinary support. The discreet nature of the association and its support to both veteran and serving membership, and their families are considerable and grow year on year. 'This donation will make a significant difference to the lives of those who have gone (and continue to go), always a little further. We thank you so much.' Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
Khaleej Times
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
The Heart of Godolphin: Saeed bin Suroor's 40th Royal Ascot win a victory for modesty
At the regal theatre of Royal Ascot, reputations are forged with every thundering stride. Some stories echo across generations - others fade in the silence of the turf. But not this particular story. For nearly four decades, Saeed bin Suroor has been highly regarded as a master horseman and trainer known for being gracious in triumph. That familiar glint returned to his eyes on Thursday as Arabian Story thundered home in the Britannia Stakes, handing Saeed his landmark 40th Royal Ascot winner. It was a full-circle moment, almost thirty years since his first Royal Ascot triumph with So Factual in 1995. This was a milestone carved not numerically but by sheer character. Saeed's string may have shrunk from a mighty 250 to just 30 horses today yet when he talks about his horses there's a spark. 'We try to do the best with what we have,' says a vintage Saeed, with just faith. Arabian Story and jockey Oisin Murphy helped answer that faith with a barnstorming prompting Saeed to declare that the 29-year-old three-time British champion was 'the best jockey in the world.' Murphy, who has enjoyed a profitable association with Saeed was also generous in praise for Saeed, the oldest serving handler with Godolphin, the globe-trotting racing stable created by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. 'I'm over the moon to give Saeed his 40th Royal Ascot winner,' Murphy said. 'He's an incredible trainer. Very respectful. Very patient. That's what sets him apart.' When asked about his favourite Royal Ascot winner Saeed ducks the question. 'They're all special,' he says, before finally giving in: Dubai Millennium, the once-in-a-lifetime colt who dazzled in the Prince of Wales's Stakes before siring Dubawi, perhaps the greatest stallion of our time. March 25, 2000, remains one of the most iconic moments in Saeed's career as Dubai Millennium emerged as an imperious and record-setting winner of the Dubai World Cup solidifying his legendary status in global racing. And what a dream Saeed has carried: Four champion trainer at Royal Ascot, four British trainer championships, 13 Classic wins, nine Dubai World Cups, over 500 Group wins across the globe, and now 40 Royal Ascot victories - achievements that belong to the history books. Over three decades, Saeed's Royal Ascot legacy has been furnished by a string of unforgettable champions in the Godolphin blue — from the imperious Dubai Millennium in 2000 to dual Gold Cup hero Kayf Tara, the globe-trotting Fantastic Light (2001), classy miler Shamardal (2005), the versatile Benbatl (2017), and the ever-game Real World (2021). Each of them has helped cement his place as one of the most successful and respected trainers in the history of the Royal Meeting. And on Thursday, as he watched Arabian Story canter back to rapturous applause at the Royal Ascot winner's enclosure Saeed said with quiet satisfaction: 'It's nice to be back.'
Khaleej Times
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Dazzling Godolphin double as Trawlerman shatters course record
On a sun-splashed Ladies' Day at Royal Ascot, Dubai's unstoppable Godolphin stable reigned supreme with a thrilling double crowned by a record-breaking Gold Cup (G1) triumph from Trawlerman and a landmark victory for Saeed bin Suroor in the Britannia Stakes. The highlight came in the day's showpiece race when Trawlerman, last year's gallant runner-up, bounced back to claim British racing's most prestigious and biggest staying prize, at the historic meeting clocking a new track record time of 4m 15.02s. Trained by John and Thady Gosden, the seven-year-old gelded son of 2015 Epsom Derby hero Golden Horn, broke the previous Gold Cup best set by Rite Of Passage in 2010 by nearly two seconds. Ridden with supreme confidence by William Buick, Trawlerman made all the running, dictating a perfect pace and never looking back. When Illinois, the Aidan O'Brien-trained second favourite loomed into contention, Buick shook the reins and the response was electric. Trawlerman, a seven-year-old gelding by 2015 Epsom Derby hero Golden Horn, powered clear to win by seven commanding lengths, with Bin Suroor's Dubai Gold Cup (G1) winner Dubai Future finishing third, also in the royal blue silks of Godolphin, the stable created by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in 1993. 'I was just a passenger,' said a jubilant Buick, celebrating his first Gold Cup success and second winner of the week after Ombudsman on Wednesday 'He's got an extraordinary engine and the heart of a lion. "I didn't have to touch the brakes once, he was in a nice rhythm and he was relaxed; he went on autopilot, he knows his speed and he stays well so I was just a passenger,' Buick added as he celebrated his first Gold Cup and a second winner of the week.'He's a great horse.' It marked Godolphin's first Gold Cup since Papineau in 2004 and added to a legacy that includes staying greats Kayf Tara (2000) and Classic Cliché (1998). It was also a fifth Gold Cup for John Gosden, reinforcing his reputation as a master of stayers. 'He just does it all with rhythm and heart,' said Gosden Sr. "I didn't enjoy it [the final furlong] because anything can happen, you never know until they cross the line. 'It's absolutely amazing. He's the most grand, lovely horse, he really is.' In a sport where endurance is king, Trawlerman cemented his place among flat racing's elite stayers with a master class in front-running tactics to win the storied Gold Cup underscoring a remarkable consistency at the top level. Buick, claiming his first Gold Cup win, set the pace from the outset, dictating fractions with precision and never allowing his rivals a chance to close the gap. It was a performance that was a textbook exhibition of one of the most demanding trips in flat racing. The Ascot Gold Cup, inaugurated in 1807, stands as the ultimate test of stamina in flat racing and is a race steeped in tradition and prestige. Over more than two centuries, it has crowned some of the sport's most iconic stayers who have left a lasting imprint on racing history. At the pinnacle of this elite group is Yeats, trained by Aidan O'Brien and more recently, Stradivarius captured the public imagination with his thrilling hat-trick of wins from 2018 to 2020 under Frankie Dettori. The turn of the millennium saw Kayf Tara dominate for Godolphin, while Classic Cliché and Royal Rebel added to the stab;e's rich legacy. Earlier in the afternoon, Arabian Story exploded through the field in the Britannia Stakes to hand legendary trainer Saeed bin Suroor his 40th Royal Ascot winner - a milestone moment for Godolphin's most decorated trainer from Dubai. The colt, ridden to perfection by jockey Kevin Stott, delivered a flying finish down the stand side rails, denying his rivals in the shadow of the post. 'Royal Ascot has always been special to me,' said bin Suroor. 'To win 40 races here for Godolphin is an honour, and Arabian Story is one for the future. 'He's improving with every run and now we'll look to step him up to Group race company. I think he's earned that and deserves to take his chance in higher company.'
