Latest news with #SamJames
The Herald Scotland
06-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Bright Thunder oozes class in Deauville romp
It was a victory that was a welcome tonic for the Spigot Lodge team after near misses both earlier on the Deauville card with Spycatcher and in the German Derby with Contingent and there could plenty more to look forward to with the daughter of Night Of Thunder after her commanding performance in the hands of Sam James. James told Sky Sports Racing: 'She jumped really well, if not too well and I wanted to get a bit of cover. Emphatic! British raider Bright Thunder makes it look easy in the Listed Prix Goldikova for @samjock22 and @karl_burke… — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) July 6, 2025 'However, once I got behind Christophe (Soumillon on Rubies From Burma) on the lead horse she settled away grand and I thought we were going quite slow so I was quite happy to let her find herself and keep coming. 'She doesn't find an awful lot off the bridle but to be fair to her today she's really quickened up and put the race to bed. 'A Group Three wouldn't be out of the question for her and the faster they go in these races the more it suits her. She seems to like coming over here so maybe she can come over again. 'You can sometimes get racing a long way out on a straight mile, but today it all went to plan and she obviously likes coming over and Karl does as well when he brings horses over here.'
BBC News
03-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Somerset pub The Sheep and Penguin 'validated' by CAMRA award
The owners of a pub say being recognised with an award just two years after opening has been "validating".The Sheep and Penguin in Wells, Somerset, was named pub of the year by the Bath and Borders new owners bought the site - where the Mermaid previously traded before its closure about 13 years ago - in 2023, and gave it a complete overhaul to run it as a pub and accommodation James, the operations manager of the venue, said the pub's success was down to the team, the building's new fit-out and the range of drinks available. According to the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), nearly 300 pubs closed across England and Wales in 2024, the equivalent of six closures a about opening a pub in this climate, Mr James said his family were "confident" they could make a good go of it."We felt like we knew enough about pubs from frequenting them that we could create a good offering," he said."We can buck the trend and show that if you give pubs a bit of love and TLC, actually they can become key places in the community... and they can thrive."Part of this means the pub is trying to get in drinks from smaller, local independent breweries, rather than big brands. Mr James said: "The strength comes from our staff, and we're trying to become a community pub."He praised the pub's chef, housekeeper and front-of-house team, and said the general manager was "an encyclopaedia of all sorts of beers and liquors".Mr James added that the team hoped to "keep on building" on what they had achieved.A spokesperson for Bath & Borders CAMRA said they were "thrilled" to present the pub with the award, after a "stunning restoration" of the venue.
