HEARTBROKEN trainer Warren Greatrex has bravely opened up on the deaths of three young workers at his yard – remembering them all as ‘great lads’.
The Lambourn-based jumps trainer has had to be a father figure and counsellor for those rocked by the suicides of Michael Pitt, David Thompson and, most recently, Billy Moffatt.
3
Billy Moffatt, who was in his early 20s when he was found dead, was the third yard worker for Warren Greatrex to take his own life in just four yearsCredit: Facebook
3
Michael Pitt was found dead aged 19 in the first tragedy to rock the trainer’s stablesCredit: Hyde News & Pictures
3
The Lambourn-based, Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer, said he considers himself a father figure to everyone who works for him – and worrying about them rather than himself is the only way to deal with such devastating lossesCredit: Rex
The huge Chelsea fan, who was reported missing in the days prior, had written a letter saying the happiest days of his life had been working for Greatrex, who said the second death ‘hit me so hard’.
Then in May this year, Moffatt, who was in his early 20s, was found dead in his accommodation – the third death in just four years.
Greatrex, a Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer, admitted he ‘never thought’ he would have to go through such shock and pain.
He told Luck on Sunday on Racing TV the passing of all three and the devastating impact on those who worked alongside them every day was still ‘raw’.
And he said to know the lads you would have had absolutely no idea any were struggling to the extent they were.
Explaining the magnitude of the losses and how best he tried to deal with it, an emotional Greatrex said: “I am the trainer so when I have a member of staff I am like a father figure as well.
“Parents entrust you to look after their children.
“I do feel responsible and all I am, and have been worried about, is everyone else.
“I never thought I’d have a situation like this.
“Even now it’s tough to talk about – but in the situation all you are worried about is everyone else.
“None of those three lads you would have had any idea that they would do that.
“All three lads were really good young men. They were funny, good to be around.
“Billy was a larger-than-life Newcastle lad who touched a lot of people because he was great fun to be around.
“But there aren’t any signs.”
Greatrex also spoke about the stresses and strains of working in the sport and how charity Racing Welfare have helped.
He said while ‘no words can describe the devastation’ of the deaths, Racing Welfare were at his yard ‘within minutes’ to offer support to those coming to terms with the losses.
His words pleading for more to be done with alcohol and drugs in racing came just days after champion jockey Oisin Murphy was charged with drink-driving ahead of his appearance at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
Greatrex continued: “I think when you’re surrounded by young people there will be times when there will be drinking, there will be drug use – that’s just the way of the world now unfortunately.
“Maybe there is a way that people can recognise it (drug use) and help people with what they can and can’t do, or at least guide them in the right direction.
You’re Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
“I always find when a member of staff comes into the yard I am responsible.
“But when they leave the yard I can’t keep an eye on them and have their back or look after them all the time.
“There will be times when members of staff come to speak to me or someone else senior like Tessa my wife, and of course we always do our best to help them.
“But when they leave the yard I am helpless.
“Still, I want them to be able to come to me.
“I am a father and when my children go anywhere, or to other yards, you want them to be looked after and navigated in the right direction.”
Greatrex will take part in a marathon hike in support of Racing Welfare on Sunday – donate to their cause HERE.
Darrell Wayne Lukas, known to the general public as D. Wayne and to friends simply as Wayne or as “The Coach” if you were in the business, died on Saturday after a brief illness. He was 89.
Lukas’ career, which started in Southern California in 1968, not only built a recognizable brand but helped shape horse racing for more than 50 years. He won 15 Triple Crown races among his lifetime win total of 4,953, having run horses in 30,436 races. His horses earned more than $300 million.
He died at his home in Louisville, Ky., after being diagnosed with a severe MRSA blood infection that affected his heart, digestive system and worsened preexisting chronic conditions. Lukas decided against an aggressive treatment plan that involved surgeries and round-the-clock assistance. Instead, he returned home and entered hospice care.
“It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved husband, grandfather and great-grandfather D. Wayne Lukas. who left this world peacefully [Saturday] evening at the age of 89 surrounded by family,” the Lukas family said in a statement released by Churchill Downs.
“His final days were spent at home in Kentucky, where he chose peace, family and faith. As we grieve at his passing, we find peace knowing he is now reunited with his beloved son, Jeff, whose memory he carried in his heart always.
“We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers and support from all corners of the racing community — from ractetracks across the country to lifelong friends and respected rivals, and from fans who never missed a post parade when ‘Lukas’ was listed in the program.”
His illness was announced on June 22 along with the decision that he would not return to training. All of his horses were transferred to his longtime assistant Sebastian “Bas” Nicholl.
“Wayne built a legacy that will never be matched.” said Nicholl upon learning Lukas was not returning to racing. “Every decision I make, every horse I saddle, I’ll hear his voice in the back of my mind. This isn’t about filling his shoes — no one can — it’s about honoring everything he’s built.”
Lukas was so good that he was in not one but two halls of fame. He was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2007 and the U.S. Racing Hall of Fame in 1999.
“Wayne is one of the greatest competitors and most important figures in thoroughbred racing history,” said Mike Anderson, president of Churchill Downs racetrack in Kentucky, after the Lukas family announced the severity of his illness. “He transcended the sport of horse racing and took the industry to new levels. The lasting impact of his character and wisdom — from his acute horsemanship to his unmatched attention to detail — will be truly missed.”
Lukas’ story started on a small farm in Wisconsin.
Bill Dwyre, who previously was the sports editor of L.A. Times and the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, recently chronicled Lukas’ roots.
“Lukas did not grow up on some farm in Kentucky, mucking stables as a teenager and rubbing elbows all day, every day, with grizzled horsemen,” Dwyre wrote last year after Lukas won the Preakness with Seize the Grey. “Lukas did grow up on a farm, all right, but in the state of Wisconsin, where there is no parimutuel betting, and where horse racing is pretty much confined to county fairs. His birthplace, Antigo, Wis., an hour and a half northwest of Green Bay, had a fair and D. Wayne … liked the horses.
Trainer D. Wayne Lukas looks on as Preakness Stakes winner Seize the Grey cools down after a workout ahead of the 156th running of the Belmont Stakes in 2024.
(Julia Nikhinson / Associated Press)
“But that sort of career was not foremost in his mind. He went to the University of Wisconsin, got his master’s degree in education, started teaching and soon was a high school head basketball coach. For a while, he was an assistant coach in the Big Ten for UW’s John Erickson. He stayed close to the game of basketball, even as his days were dominated by barns and backstretches. Along the way, one of his best friends became Bob Knight. D. Wayne liked the toughness and drive to win of the legendary Indiana University coach.”
Lukas decided to try his hand at training and started at Los Alamitos in 1968 working with quarter horses. It took him 10 years to realize that the real stars — and the money — was in thoroughbred racing. Before leaving the quarter horse ranks, he won 739 races and saddled 24 world champions.
He won his first thoroughbred race on Oct. 20, 1977, at Santa Anita. He won his last race at Churchill Downs on June 12 with 4-year-old colt Tour Player.
In between, he won the Kentucky Derby four times, the Preakness seven times and the Belmont Stakes four times. He has won 20 Breeders’ Cup races. He won the Eclipse Award for top trainer four times and was the leading trainer by wins four straight years from 1987 to 1990. In 1995, he won all three Triple Crown races but with two different horses; Thunder Gulch won the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes and Timber Country won the Preakness. It was the first time a trainer accomplished that feat.
“The most enduring and essential sports legacies can also be the most complicated,” wrote NBC’s Tim Layden, a multiple Eclipse Award-winning journalist, upon learning of Lukas’ illness. “The very best are not just driven, but obsessive. Not just creative, but ingenious. Not just hungry, but voracious. Jordan. Woods. Ali. Armstrong. Rose. One of Lukas’ favorites, and a close friend: Bob Knight. To name a few. … Transcendence demands a selfish eccentricity; because greatness and normalcy are often mutually exclusive. Lukas has lived long enough to earn a warm embrace that he would not have received as a younger man, but that embrace alone doesn’t tell enough of his outsized story and his place in racing history, where he stands very much alone.”
Lukas first made his thoroughbred mark in 1980 when he won the Preakness with Codex. It was not a popular win as Codex beat Derby-winning filly Genuine Risk and then had to withstand an inquiry to officially give Lukas his first Triple Crown win.
Bookending that win was his last Triple Crown race victory, when he won the Preakness last year with Seize the Grey.
“One of the things that was very significant to me [that day] — and maybe it’s because I’m getting a little bit older — but as I came out of the grandstand and out across the racetrack, every one of the guys that were in that race stopped and hugged me and gave me a handshake,” Lukas told The Times after the race.
“That meant more to me than any single thing. [Bob] Baffert, Kenny McPeek, right down the line.”
Lukas did not get the nickname Coach because of his days as a basketball coach but because of the coaching tree he established during his tenure.
Among those that were his assistants were Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, future Hall of Famer Brad Cox, Kiaran McLaughlin, Dallas Stewart, Mike Maker, Mark Hennig, Randy Bradshaw, George Weaver and Bobby Barnett.
Among those Lukas was closest to, but never worked for, is Baffert.
“I asked him for a job one time out of high school, and he turned me down,” Baffert told The Times in 2018, while he was on his Triple Crown run with Justify. “I tell him, ‘I’m sure glad you turned me down because you’d be taking all the credit for this.’ But he probably would have fired me after two weeks because he works way too hard.”
Lukas later introduced Baffert at his U.S. Racing Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
“He told me everybody was laughing and kidding [when they heard I was inducting him,]” Lukas told The Times in 2018. “They were saying he’s not going to have Wayne do it because they thought we were rivals. Yet he came to me, and I said, ‘Bob, I’ll be honored to present you.’ And I did.”
“The media portrayed us as rivals and everything, so we would go along with you guys and then we’d go to dinner later,” Lukas said of Baffert.
“We’ve been friends for a long time. I have great respect for his ability. He’s got an excellent eye for a horse. He’s one of the few guys in the sale that when I pick one out that I like, I know sure as hell he’ll be bidding too.”
Seize the Grey’s trainer, D. Wayne Lukas, left, shakes hands with Bob Baffert, Imagination’s trainer, after Lukas’ horse won the Preakness Stakes in 2024.
(Julia Nikhinson / Associated Press)
In fact, this year at the Preakness Alibi Breakfast, an annual affair at Pimlico where trainers, owners and others tell stories and trade barbs about their career and horses, Lukas and Baffert hijacked the event with witty repartee and joking much to the delight of those in attendance. Their friendship was borne out as genuine.
“The horses were everything to Wayne,” Baffert posted on X after learning of Lukas’ death. “They were his life. From the way he worked them, how he cared for them, and how he maintained his shedrow as meticulously as he did his horses. No detail was too small. Many of us got our graduate degrees in training by studying how Wayne did it. Behind his famous shades, he was a tremendous horseman, probably the greatest who ever lived.”
Lukas’ life on the racetrack had one significant downside, when his son and assistant, Jeff, was run over and permanently injured by a loose horse at Santa Anita in 1993.
“I have a phone with one of those long cords,” Lukas told The Times’ Dwyre in 1999, “and so, I was up and walking around and right near the door when it happened. I was the first one to get to him.”
“One of Lukas’ Triple Crown prospects, Tabasco Cat, had bolted and was loose,” Dwyre wrote. “Jeff Lukas, a veteran horseman well schooled in the procedures for such situations, had stepped in Tabasco Cat’s path and was waving his arms. Horses always stop, or veer away. But this time…
“It’s like when you meet somebody in a narrow hallway,” Lukas said. “You go right and he goes right, and then you both go the other way. But eventually, one goes right and one left. Well, Jeff and the horse both went the same way.”
“Witnesses say that the sound of Jeff Lukas’ head hitting hard, compact ground after the collision could be heard several barns away. There was no blood, just an unconscious, badly injured 36-year-old man.”
The next year, Jeff Lukas had recovered enough to return to the racetrack but it proved too difficult for him to work around horses safely. Jeff eventually moved to Oklahoma and lived in a home his father bought him until Jeff’s death in 2016 at age 58.
Santa Anita issued this statement on Sunday after learning of Lukas’ death.
“Santa Anita joins the racing community in mourning the passing of D. Wayne Lukas. … His on-track success was such that it was easy to overlook his outstanding horsemanship that we were lucky to often witness back at the barn, away from the spotlight.”
Funeral arrangements for Wayne Lukas were not immediately announced.
Lukas is survived by his fifth wife, Laurie; grandchildren Brady Wayne Lukas and Kelly Roy; and great-grandchildren Johnny Roy, Thomas Roy, Walker Wayne Lukas and Quinn Palmer Lukas.
ROYAL Ascot jockey Gary Carroll has been banned and fined – days after winning the biggest race of his life.
Carroll steered home 33-1 roughie Cercene in a shock finish to the Coronation Stakes last Friday.
1
Cercene was a brilliant winner of the Coronation Stakes – but the ride that got her there has seen jockey Gary Carroll banned and finedCredit: The Mega Agency
Trainer Joseph Murphy said the unlikely victory – worth just shy of £500,000 – was the culmination of his life’s work and there were emotional scenes in the winner’s enclosure afterwards.
But the superstar filly will need a new jockey for her intended run in the Irish Oaks next month after Carroll was hit with a big ban.
He has been whacked with a two-week suspension and fined £5,800 for using his whip twice above the limit of six in the mile race.
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. gambleaware.org.
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
D. Wayne Lukas, 89, who has been a staple in horse racing since 1968 when he was training quarter horses at Los Alamitos, is leaving the game after contracting a potentially life-ending illness.
In a note to owners and friends on Sunday, Lukas Enterprises announced: “We regret to inform you that D. Wayne Lukas will not be returning to racing. A severe MRSA blood infection has caused significant damage to his heart, digestive system, and worsened pre-existing chronic conditions. The doctors proposed an aggressive treatment plan, involving multiple surgeries and procedures over several months. Even with the best-case scenario, Wayne would require 24/7 assistance to manage daily activities.”
The note goes on to say that Lukas declined the aggressive treatment plan and would “return home to spend his remaining time with his wife, Laurie, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.”
It also says that he will be under home hospice care.
Lukas is a member of both the U.S. Racing and Quarter Horse Halls of Fame. He has won the trainer Eclipse Award five times, and his horses have won 25 Eclipse Awards.
In his career, Lukas has run 30,436 races, winning 4,953. His horses have earned over $300 million. His last significant win was in last year’s Preakness Stakes, which he won with Seize the Grey.
TEMPLEGATE takes on Saturday’s racing confident of slamming in some winners and building the bank for Royal Ascot.
Back a horse by clicking their odds below.
ALSAKIB (3.00 York, nap)
He rose through the staying ranks last season and put in his best effort at this track. He ran well on his comeback in the Yorkshire Cup last month and can improve from there.
HOLD A DREAM (2.40 Sandown, nb)
He’ll enjoy dropping to five furlongs after showing lots of pace at Newbury last time but just failing to get home. That was his turf comeback and there’s more to come.
HEATHEN (2.25 York, treble)
He runs off a much lower mark on turf compared to the all-weather and can make the most of it under experienced pilot Serena Brotherton.
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. gambleaware.org.
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
Normally, the running of the Belmont Stakes without a chance at a Triple Crown winner makes the third leg of the series about as interesting as a television procedural — the Chicagos, FBIs or Law & Orders — in the last two minutes after the culprit has been identified and prosecuted.
But not this year. The 157th running of the Belmont Stakes has about as many plot lines as a season of “The White Lotus.” It’s easily the best race of the year, and, yes, that includes the Kentucky Derby.
You’ve got your villain in Sovereignty, who kicked racing tradition in the teeth after winning the Kentucky Derby when his connections refused to enter him in the Preakness Stakes because of the short time frame — two weeks — between the first two legs of the Triple Crown. It killed any opportunity racing had to build a new fan base revolving around the Derby and a possible Triple Crown winner.
You’ve got your fresh-faced wannabe in Rodriguez, whose last race was a win in the Wood Memorial. He was scheduled to run in both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, but a sore hoof forced him to withdraw from both races. His early speed and front-running ability likely means he’ll be on the lead as the horses head down the backstretch. Add to that the fact that he is trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Mike Smith, both Hall of Famers who know how to get a horse from gate to wire in winning form.
And finally, you’ve got a wiseguy (professional gamblers) horse in Baeza, whose talent far exceeds his early results. He finished a strong third in the Kentucky Derby and second in the Santa Anita Derby behind Journalism. He is also trying to find a place in history for his mom, Puca, who has produced Kentucky Derby winner Mage and last year’s Belmont winner in Dornoch. If Baeza were to win, he would be the first horse who has a dam who has won three Classic races. That’s a record.
And that’s just half of the eight-horse field.
Whoever finishes first, the victory is likely to be remembered as having an asterisk next to it. The Belmont Stakes, considered the test of champions because of its normal 1 1/2-mile distance, is being run at the less interesting distance of 1 1/4 miles. The reason is the race has been moved from Long Island’s Belmont Park to Saratoga Race Track in Saratoga Springs, a suburb of the New York state capital of Albany, because of a massive rebuild at Belmont Park.
The reason the race was shortened is because to have a 1 1/2-mile race at Saratoga, the horses would have to start on a turn, something the organizers didn’t want to happen.
The starting positions add little clarity as to who might win. Sovereignty (post 2, 2-1 on morning line) should have no problem getting early running room, especially with Rodriguez on his immediate outside. Rodriguez (post 3, 6-1) and Crudo (post 5, 15-1) are expected to battle for the lead early. Crudo’s last win was his last outing with a 7 1/4-length win in the Sir Barton Stakes at Pimlico.
Journalism will be breaking from post 7 at 8-5 morning line odds.
“He’s been kind of the same horse since July of last summer,” Michael McCarthy, trainer of Journalism, told NYRA publicity. “He does everything you ask a good horse to do — eats well, trains well, packs well. I thought the last six or seven weeks here, his energy has been the same throughout. Obviously, Saratoga is very good for horses. He seems reenergized up here. I’m looking forward to a wonderful renewal of the Belmont Stakes on Saturday.”
If either Journalism or Sovereignty wins, they will be the first repeat winner of a Classic race since Justify in 2018, who won all three Triple Crown races. Since then, no horse has won more than one Classic race, making it a 21-race streak. Of course, Triple Crown races are only for 3-year-olds meaning trainers start every year fresh trying to find prospective winners.
Racing is in desperate need of stars and the chase for the Triple Crown is one way of getting them. It’s why there was such consternation when trainer Bill Mott and owner Godolphin, decided to skip the Preakness Stakes.
“You never know until they actually do it in a race,” said Michael Banahan, who heads Godolphin in the U.S. “He always gave us that indication that he’d like to go long. And we thought the Derby as well and then finished up, from the top of the stretch to the wire in very good fashion and galloped all the way through the wire.
Crudo is a 15-1 longshot to win the Belmont Stakes, which features an eight-horse field.
(Seth Wenig / Associated Press)
“So, I’m with the Belmont this year at Saratoga. He just has to do the same distance again. So, I would anticipate that’ll be fine for him. I suppose if it were a regular Belmont at Belmont Park, that’ll be another question to answer going that far. It certainly looks like a mile-and-a-quarter was well [within] his wheelhouse in the Derby and anticipate that it shouldn’t be any issue at Saratoga as well.”
The horse that is poised to pull the upset is Baeza, who has only won one race, a maiden at Santa Anita. His second-place finish in the Santa Anita Derby would have normally been enough to get him in the Kentucky Derby. But Churchill Downs, in an obvious attack at West Coast races, lowered the point total because of a small field.
Trainer John Shirreffs did not want to bring the horse to Churchill Downs, hoping there were enough scratches to get him in the race. Shirreffs was overruled by the owners so he stood on the backside at Barn 41 while hoping for an entry to the world’s most famous race. The reprieve, and entry, came when Rodriguez was scratched because of a sore hoof.
Baeza more than proved his entry into the Derby with a strong third-place finish.
“I think Baeza, week by week, he’s developed a little bit more,” said Shirreffs. “He’s developed a little bit more. I see him, maybe, a little bit taller, a little ‘stretchier’ He seems to be holding his weight really well. And you can really get an image of him now is what he’ll look like as a 4-year-old. So, you’re starting to see him emerge.”
The most likely scenario is the winner of the Belmont Stakes will come from the four most prominent horses. It’s more than possible that the 21-race streak without a repeat winner will be over.
TEMPLEGATE tackles Wednesday’s racing confident of bashing the bookies and building the pot for Derby weekend.
Back a horse by clicking their odds below.
THUNDEROUS LOVE (3.22 Nottingham, nap)
She made a cracking start to the season with a win on the sand at Southwell before following up nicely here two runs ago. Her hat-trick bid was thwarted by a shockingly slow start at Salisbury which gave her little chance. She’s usually better away at the stalls and can get back on track with a speedier start in this modest race.
MR JETMAN (7.22 Ripon, nb)
He was impressive when scoring over course and distance 17 days ago. He has never been out of the frame at this Yorkshire track and should be right there again.
RIDE THE THUNDER (4.55 Nottingham, treble)
Has been second on all three starts and can go one better. He shapes as though this step up in distance will suit.
ORIONIS (6.50 Ripon)
Looks good for the Lucky 15. She took a fair step forward when second at Chester last time and looks ready to win for William Haggas.
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. gambleaware.org.
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
PUNTERS are convinced they know who Ryan Moore will ride in the Epsom Oaks – after an intriguing price crash came seemingly out of nowhere.
Aidan O’Brien has three in the Friday Classic ahead of Thursday’s declarations.
1
Ryan Moore riding Minnie Hauk to win The Boodles Chester Vase Stakes last month – punters think the top jock will ride her in the Oaks after a price collapseCredit: Getty
But just who Moore would choose out of Giselle, Whirl and Minnie Hauk looked anyone’s guess.
Bookies thought they had some inkling as they made Minnie Hauk, who was 8-1 just 48 hours ago, the outsider of the Ballydoyle trio.
But the Cheshire Oaks winner’s price has been smashed into as short as 7-2 following a tidal wave of support.
Punters think her odds crashing – and Giselle and Whirl’s going the opposite way – are a sign Moore has chosen who he will partner, with one proclaiming: “That’s Ryan Moore’s ride.”
Paddy Power’s Paul Binfield said: “The front two in the Oaks market have both been strong today, but particularly Cheshire Oaks heroine Minnie Hauk.
“That support would indicate that punters are pretty sure that of Aidan O’Brien’s three possible protagonists, Ryan Moore has chosen to partner this very talented Frankel filly.”
Whoever Moore rides will have to go some to beat Charlie Appleby’s red-hot Oaks favourite Desert Flower, though.
The 1000 Guineas winner has been obliterated into just 6-5 with some firms.
Legendary jockey Kieran Fallon, who rides out at trainer Charlie Appleby’s Moulton Paddocks yard, said she was a cut above.
And punters think so too, with Desert Flower looking like she could be the shortest-price winner since O’Brien’s 11-10 Love in 2020.
Epsom Oaks odds via Paddy Power
5-4 Desert Flower 7-2 Minnie Hauk 7-1 Giselle, Whirl 10-1 Elwateen, Revoir 20-1 Quilin Queen, Wemighttakedlongway 50-1 Go Go Boots
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. gambleaware.org.
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
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. gambleaware.org.
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
PUNTERS were quite rightly stunned and social media went into meltdown after a shock unseat on a horse who drifted like a barge at Wexford on Wednesday.
Philip Byrnes flopped off Redwood Queen – trained by the jockey’s old man Charles – in the opening 2m1f claiming hurdle.
3
Redwood Queen looked to have 1-3 market leader Beacon Edge beaten as they approached the lastCredit: Racing TV
3
Redwood Queen landed on all fours having seemingly jumped the hurdle well – only for jockey Philip Byrnes to be unseatedCredit: Racing TV
3
An investigation has been launched into the incident, which came at the final flight after the horse had drifted markedly in the bettingCredit: Racing TV
Although on itself merely an extreme example of desperate riding, what angered many about this was that Redwood Queen had drifted in the betting from 7-2 to 13-2.
She clearly had the race in the bag when the jockey disappeared out the ‘side door’.
Byrnes runners, more than most other stables, appear to do best when the money is down.
My Saturday NAP
A Listed winner on comeback from ages off having previously run well in the 2000 Guineas when well fancied – everything, including the strong pace, points to a big run here. Back my tip simply by clicking the odds above.
To an outsider, the County Limerick handler runs what the majority would call a ‘gambling outfit’, for all that racing fans would have no proof of any financial transactions.
So when a Byrnes runner drifts like a barge, is clear at the last and then the jockey falls off, naturally many will cry foul play.
Only time will tell if that was the case – as the IHRB launch their full investigation.
But the chances are the case will eventually be dropped.
Only money trails could really prove guilt, and with so much punting action now on the Black Market, if anyone was trying to do something untoward they would have to be very thick indeed to leave any trace.
I did ask one top class jumps rider what they thought of the fall, and their response was interesting.
“Terrible bit of riding really,” they said.
“The horse came out of his hands and he was unbalanced but who knows whether that was enough to fall off?”
They added: “Personally I don’t think he’s that good a stunt rider. I think if they wanted to throw themselves off it would have looked more obvious.
“It’s really hard to throw yourself off a horse. I just don’t think he’s that good.”
Social media is always fascinating on these occasions. People like me – journalists and presenters on TV – tend to come in for a barrage of abuse.
The general gist is that we ‘don’t tell it as it is’.
As well as that, we should ‘have an opinion’ and we won’t talk out against the ‘racing family’.
What those on social media are actually saying is that if we don’t agree with what they suggest we are on the so-called ‘gravy train’.
In this case, what those on social media wanted me to say was a jockey had deliberately fallen off a horse who had taken a walk in the betting because connections did not want it to win.
They would also like me to add the whole game is corrupt.
To say the above is fine for most, although technically there would always be a chance of action being taken against them if the authorities found there was no case to answer.
But if a TV presenter was to say such things – or someone in writing – they would be in court or before lawyers before you could count to ten.
I know this as a fact.
In my early days of broadcasting I was laid off for a month for two instances which I stand by to today, but which could not be proven.
Did one of those mouthing off on social media offer to help pay my bills because I had publicly stood up for the punters? No they did not.
Being a keyboard warrior is, naturally, a very different world to broadcasting or writing in a newspaper.
Social media has given the people an opening to express themselves like they have never had before.
But just because the rules of the land appear to matter little online, everyone should remember that for broadcasters and journalists it’s a different world.
The Wexford incident looked awful. But was it deliberate? I have absolutely no idea.
And at this stage none of you reading this have any concrete proof either. Such is life.
It’s the calm before the Derby and Royal Ascot this weekend, but one race I’m excited to watch is Saturday’s Group 3 Betfred John Of Gaunt Stakes at Haydock and live on ITV.
Old favourites Audience and Kinross are in the line-up, but it’s Alyanaabi who interests me.
He was once fancied for last year’s 2000 Guineas, and eventually finished fifth behind Notable Speech.
He carried on at about a mile for Owen Burrows, but his stamina has always been open to question and he returned over course and distance when scoring on May 10.
I was impressed then and everything looks right here for another bold run with a strong pace assured. Come on, Alyanaabi!
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. gambleaware.org.
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
He can land a winning hat-trick for his red-hot trainer Harry Eustace in Sussex today. He had more than a length in hand there last time and it could have been a lot further. He carries a 7lb penalty but rider Kaiya Fraser’s claim takes care of almost half that. He likes this trip on decent ground and can take another step forward.
REQUIEM (2.50 Redcar, nb)
He was just touched off at Haydock last time and Sir Mark Prescott’s runners usually improve for the hike in distance he gets today.
JET BLACK (3.50 Redcar, treble)
Can land another winner for in-form Andrew Balding. She got no luck when second on handicap debut at Nottingham 18 days ago, going down by less than a length. A repeat of that would be good enough to score.
ALFAREQA (3.00 Leicester, Lucky 15)
Looked a nice prospect when winning on comeback at Doncaster last month. She kept on strongly over 7f so this mile should be ideal. The Frankel filly is having just her third run so there’s a lot more to come.
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. gambleaware.org.
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
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. gambleaware.org.
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
THERE was heartbreak for King Charles as his star filly was among a huge number of horses removed from the Epsom Oaks.
Top trainer William Haggas scratched Charles and Camilla’s Purple Rainbow from the year’s biggest race.
1
King Charles and Queen Camilla won’t have a runner to cheer home in the Epsom Oaks – after their star filly was among a huge number pulled from the iconic raceCredit: PA
Bred by the late Queen Elizabeth II, Purple Rainbow had one win from three runs in the famous Royal silks.
But it looks like she is destined for handicaps rather than the elite level after finishing fourth on her return at Ascot last month.
Haggas pulled the plug on her Oaks chances during Tuesday morning’s scratching stage.
A mass of runners – 34 in all – were axed from the June 6 Group 1 over 1m4f, worth just shy of £120,000 to the winner.
Aidan O’Brien, who has won three of the past five Oaks, was among the big names removing a number of his entries.
Among the more notable of his was 14-1 chance Ballet Slippers.
The daughter of Dubawi, who finished third to current Oaks favourite Desert Flower when last seen in October, is yet to run this season.
Group 3 winner Exactly, who had been as short as 20-1, was another pulled, along with fellow 20-1 chance Dreamy.
O’Brien had previously said after her Group 3 win over a mile at the Curragh last August that he hoped she was an Oaks filly.
While Smoken, who was sent off 5-2 favourite for the Musidora at York last week before finishing a tailed-off last, was axed by Ralph Beckett.
The winner of that race, Whirl, kept her place in O’Brien’s squad.
His Cheshire Oaks winner Minnie Hauk looks the best chance of victory being as short as 7-2.
While O’Brien’s other big Coolmore chance Giselle is into 5s.
Charlie Appleby’s 1000 Guineas heroine Desert Flower kept her place in the race, with bookies cutting her to as short as 2-1 favourite.
While Owen Burrows’ Listed Newmarket winner Falakeyah – one of just 14 left in the race – was cut to 5s.
Epsom Oaks runners
Desert Flower Falakeyah Giselle Go Go Boots Island Hopping Janey Mackers January Lake Victoria Minnie Hauk Qilin Queen Revoir Trad Jazz Wemightakedlongway Whirl
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. gambleaware.org.
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
On Monday, she released an emotional statement on her retirement.
In it, she said: “My days of being a jockey have come to an end.
“I feel the time is right. I’m sad but I’m also incredibly grateful for what my life has been for the past 16 years.
Emotional Rachael Blackmore reveals family tragedy days before Cheltenham Fesival as she dedicates win to cousin
“I just feel so lucky, to have been legged up on the horses I have, and to have experienced success I never even dreamt could be possible.
“It is daunting, not being able to say that I am a jockey anymore… who even am I now! But I feel so incredibly lucky to have had the career I’ve had.
“To have been in the right place at the right time with the right people, and to have gotten on the right horses – because it doesn’t matter how good you are without them.
“They have given me the best days of my life and to them I am most grateful.”
All your Strictly Come Dancing winners
Strictly first kicked off back in 2004, and over the years has crowned 21 winners.
Rachael would follow in the footsteps of fellow jockey Richard Dunwoody if she scooped the Strictly gig, after his stint in sequins in 2009.
He previously told how he earned £9K in nine minutes when winning the Grand National – yet bagged a bigger pay cheque on the BBC One series.
Recently, The Sun reported how the Queen Camilla Parker Bowles’ son,Tom, is said to be in talks to compete on theBBC dancing competition.
Tom, 50, is a food writer and restaurant critic and has made regular appearances on MasterChef as a judge.
A source said: “Top of their wishlist is MasterChef star Tom. His name was also sounded-out last year but never materialised. Bosses hope they’ll have better luck this year.
“It would be a coup to sign someone with such a strong royal link. Maybe we could see Camilla and Charles in the audience?”
Made In Chelsea star and I’m A Celebrity winner Georgia ‘Toff’ Toffolo is also on the dance show’s radar.
6
The Grand National winner would follow in the footsteps of fellow jockey Richard Dunwoody if she signed upCredit: AP
6
The Queen’s son Tom Parker Bowles is also a name in the frameCredit: PA
6
Comedian Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell scooped the trophy in 2024Credit: PA
