Royal Ascot

Kia Joorabchian has poured cold water on any potential severing of ties between trainer Robson Aguiar after the Brazilian native claimed he had lost at least 10 Amo Racing-trained runners on Monday.  The Amo boss went as far as saying he was "shocked" by the trainer's comments and refuted any talk of grumblings between the pair during racing at Naas on Sunday.  It was suggested that Aguiar was informed of Joorabchian's decision to take horses away from the stable shortly after the trainer enjoyed a one-two in the five-furlong conditions...

Liberty Rings (f, 2, Awesome Slew--America First, by Uncaptured), a rallying third in her debut going 4 1/2 furlongs at Gulfstream Apr. 19, made her first start on grass a winning one with a 7-1 upset in Saturday's Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies S. The 7-1 chance was hustled to the front, sped through an opening quarter in :21.78 and kept finding down the lane despite drifting some to punch her ticket to Royal Ascot. It was 1 1/4 lengths back to first-time starter Pros And Cons (Justify) in second. "She...

Owner Gary Matthews gives credence to that old saying about good things coming in threes. After his father Brendan, the legendary greyhound trainer, was inducted into the coursing hall of fame on Sunday night, his own filly, the Paddy Twomey-trained Velozee (Sioux Nation), confirmed herself a bona fide Royal Ascot contender with a stylish victory in the First Flier Stakes at the Curragh on Monday. To put the icing, cherry and chocolate sprinkles on top of a glorious weekend for the Matthews family, their beloved Armagh trashed neighbours Down in...

Forever Young (Real Steel) was a surprise name among a star-studded list of 24 entries for the G1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. The GI Breeders' Cup Classic and dual G1 Saudi Cup hero would be having his first start on turf if lining up at Ascot for trainer Yoshito Yahagi, who is now a regular presence on the world stage with victories in Dubai, America, Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong. Whilst Yahagi is still waiting for his first success in Britain and Ireland, he did...

Joe Murphy, Bill Dwan, Richard Brown and Michael Donohoe have led the tributes to racing's "problem solver" John Fleming, who died after being struck by a bus at Dublin Airport on Thursday morning. Fleming, 62, enjoyed huge success as an owner, notably with trainers Michael O'Callaghan and Joe Murphy. His biggest day came last summer when Cercene, who he part-owned, won the Group 1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot while Navassa Island carried his own colours to Listed success at Cork earlier this month. He was also a keen trader...

Globetrotting multiple Group 1 winner Rebel's Romance will defend his G2 Hardwicke Stakes crown at Royal Ascot next, according to trainer Charlie Appleby. The gelding was withdrawn from the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic prior to the race at the end of March. Appleby told the Press Association, "He's heading to the Hardwicke. I didn't think he could beat Calandagan (Gleneagles) in the Dubai Sheema Classic which is why we didn't take him over there for World Cup night and I think the Hardwicke is the right spot to start him...

Group 1-winning sprinter American Affair is on course to return at the Dante Festival at York, according to trainer Jim Goldie, who is eyeing a repeat win in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot with his stable star. The six-year-old provided the Scottish trainer with a breakthrough Group 1 victory in that race last June before suffering a leg issue. It was hoped he would return for the Breeders' Cup or Champions Day, but Goldie confirmed the son of Washington DC is on schedule with his recovery and...

Talk about a dream start. Louis Blanchet and Ruben Elbase, the latest duo to strike up a training partnership in France, couldn't have wished for a better beginning to their venture when sending out Nargiz to win a maiden at Pornichet racecourse last Thursday. The daughter of Lope De Vega carried the distinguished colours of Gerard Augustin-Normand to victory and now the training duo of Blanchet, who up until this point had been working as an assistant to his brother and trainer Xavier, along with Elbase, a former owner, are...

Roger and Tony O'Callaghan talk about Tally-Ho Stud's new addition Maranoa Charlie, buying into Group 1 winner Zavateri and more "We prefer not to say too much, we rather row in behind the horses and let them do the talking," says Tony O'Callaghan from his kitchen table at Tally-Ho Stud.  Both he and his son Roger don't bother to conceal the fact that this is their least favourite part of the job. There is, of course, a silver lining to the fact a journalist with an expectant face and a...

'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' and Europe's Champion First-Season Sire of 2024 Sergei Prokofiev (Scat Daddy--Orchard Beach, by Tapit) will return home to Ontario to stand at stud at Ballycroy Bloodstock, David Anderson of Anderson Farm announced Tuesday. The news was first reported by Canadian Thoroughbred. Originally bred in Ontario by Anderson, the 9-year-old son of Scat Daddy was a $1,100,000 Keeneland September grad in 2017 to Coolmore's M.V. Magnier and he carried the blue and orange silks to victory at second asking to earn his 'Rising Star' status...

Prize-money at Ascot Racecourse will be a record £19.4 million in 2026, an increase of £1.65 million on this year. Figures exclude the industry-owned QIPCO British Champions Day. Across 25 racedays, 88 of Ascot's 169 races (52%) will have a higher total prize fund than in 2025, with all races on the Flat worth £25,000 or more. Royal Ascot will be worth £10.65 million, from £10.05 million. Increases have been made across the Royal Ascot programme, with all eight Group 1 races now worth a minimum of £700,000 (including two...

One of the most exciting young stallions in Europe is on his way to Yeomanstown Stud after Gay O'Callaghan struck the winning bid for the sire of Group 1 winner Time For Sandals at a Tattersalls Ireland silent auction. Sands Of Mali has been at the centre of a legal dispute between Steve Parkin of Clipper Logistics and Ballyhane Stud boss Joe Foley, who has managed the career of the 10-year-old stallion since he joined the roster back in 2021.  In that time, the Group 1 winner has confirmed himself...