2025 Flat Issue 21 - More big points for the Fish

Headlines

Rivals Fall at Angels Feet

A Notable Speech In Canada

Delacroix lands Irish Champion Stakes

Report

We start at Leopardstown on Saturday where in the 1m group 1 Matron Stakes for fillies and mares Fallen Angel (Martin), took her chance, raced in second, pushed along 2f out, ridden disputing lead inside final furlong, led narrowly final 110yds, kept on well, winning by ½ l. She gets 56.5 points.

In the 1m 2f group 1 Irish Champion stakes, Delacroix (Cod), Anmaat (Cliff, Neil), went to post.

Delacroix, Prominent early, lost ground after 1f, towards rear but in touch with leaders over 7f out, smooth headway over 2f out, led 2f out, soon switched right and against near rail, ridden 1f out, kept on well winning by ¾ l. He gets 81 points.

Anmaat, Hampered soon after start, soon towards rear, good headway over 2f out, went second and edged right over 1f out, kept on (jockey said gelding was very badly hampered leaving stalls) 2nd ¾ l. He gets 13.35 points.

At Woodbine in the 1m grade 1 mile stakes, Notable Speech (Bob), went to post Dwelt, in rear, closed on inner after 1 1/2f to race in midfield, about 3 lengths fifth with 3f to run, ridden and closed well over 1f out, quickend to lead final 110yds, ran on, winning by 1 ¾ l. He gets 55.6 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

              September            Total

Cod        140.9                  926.54

Bob           55.6                    580.87

Martin      79.96              548.72

Steve         00                 506.31

Neil            42.25                358.01

Peej           00                   350.42

Cliff          13.35                 276.69

Stats Per String

           Runs        Wins

Martin      44           14

Steve         51           6

Bob           42            12

Cliff           45          6

Neil           49            7

Peej           54          10

Cod           51           16

The Weeks Losers

Love Olivia, Sunway, Gethin, Anmaat, Hotazhell, White Birch, Al Aasy, Audience, Shadow Of Light, Whistlejacket, Two Stars, Crystal Black, Ballet Slippers, Crown Of Oaks, Back in Black, Chantilly Lace

Weekend Runners

Friday 

Ayr

3.05 Military Code

3.40 Celandine

Newbury

4.05 Cosmic Year

4.40 Likealot

Saturday 

Ayr

1.15 Arctic Grey

1.50 Almeric, Damysus, Kings Gambit

Newbury

1.30 Two Stars

4.25 Arctic Grey, Completely Random

5.00 Organ

Chester

3.40 Copper Knight

4.15 Copper Knight

Newmarket

5.05 Desperate Dan

Gowran Park

4.03 Ballet Slippers

News

Moves are afoot that will signal the return of racehorses to Towcester, with the venue's new management intending to stage schooling days this winter.

Field Of Gold will return to the scene of his barnstorming Royal Ascot victory next month with the star three-year-old on course to lead a form

First Course Winner Bonus is available at 

In the UK - Brighton, Cartmel, Perth, Southwell, Stratford, Worcester

In Ireland - Ballinrobe, Galway, Roscommon, Sligo, Bellewstown, Laytown, Downpatrick,  Listowel, Kilbeggan

2025 Flat Issue 20 - Cod lead passes 300

Headlines

Oaks Takes Ascot Crown

Aventure lands Prix Vermille

Desperate Rivals Can’t Catch Dan

Report

We start at Ascot on Saturday where in the 1m 2f handicap Crown of Oaks (Martin), went to post, Led early, headed and prominent after 2f, nudged along to lead over 1f out, went clear inside final furlong, eased inside final 110yds, winning impressively by 6l. He gets 23.46 points. 

At Longchamp on Sunday in the 1m 4f group 1 Prix Vermille for fillies and Mares Aventure (Cod, Neil), took her chance, Raced in fourth, smooth headway down outer from 2f out, led over 1f, pushed out, winning comfortably by 1 ½ l . She gets 28.9 points.

At Windsor on Monday Desperate Dan (Cod) took his chance in the 1m handicap, Midfield, headway on far side of group from 3f out, led 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, edged right but kept on well towards finish, winning by 1l. He gets 31 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

              September            Total

Cod        59.9                  845.54

Bob           00                    525.27

Steve         00                 506.31

Martin      23.46              492.22

Peej           00                   350.42

Neil            28.9                344.66

Cliff          00                    263.34     

Stats Per String

           Runs        Wins

Martin      41             13

Steve         50           6

Bob           41            12

Cliff           39         6

Neil           44              7

Peej           52          10

Cod           48           15

The Weeks Losers

Arctic Grey, Kalpana, Dr Strangelove, Saariskela, Nightwalker, Sosie, Almaqam, Rosallion, The Lion In Winter, Henri Mattisse, Lead Artist, Dancing Gemini, Bay City Roller

News

Ger Keane is looking forward to testing his stable star Crystal Black at the highest level in the final Classic of the season, the Irish St Leger, at the Curragh on Irish Champions Weekend.

Jim Goldie has been forced to admit defeat and rule King Charles III Stakes winner American Affair out for the rest of the season. The high-class sprinter has been out of action since a bone scan showed an issue after he had given Goldie the first Group 1 success of his career in June. Hopes that he could return for the Breeders' Cup or British Champions Sprint Stakes have now been dashed.

"He's not going to run until next year, I would think," said Goldie. "We were hoping to get him back but we did an MRI and we weren't 100 per cent happy with it. So we want to watch it for longer before we do too much with him."

George Scott has left the door open for a possible tilt at the Champion Stakes for Bay City Roller after an agonising near-miss in Sunday's Prix Niel.  The three-year-old was sent off at 16-1 for Longchamp's Group 2 contest but outran his odds impressively under Callum Shepherd, getting his head out in front only to be reeled in Cualificar by a short neck. It was the third runner-up effort this year for the son of New Bay but the best is still yet to come according to Scott, who is hoping to see further improvement once conditions soften this autumn. 

Weekend Runners

Friday 

Doncaster

2.25 Military Code

3.00 Sunway

Saturday 

Doncaster

3.00 Shadow of Light, Audience, Ides of March

Chester

3.25 Love Olivia

Leopardstown

3.50 Al Aasy

4,25 Fallen Angel

4.55 The Lion In Winter

5.30 Delacroix,, Anmaat, White Birch, Hotazhell

Sunday 

Curragh

3,15 Two Stars, Whistlejacket, Ides Of March

4,25 Crystal Black, Uxmal

5,00 Ballet Slippers

5.35 Crown of Oaks

Doncaster

2.30 Back In Black, Arctic Grey

3,00 Completely Random

Grand Slam 

Leg 1 Neil  

Leg 2 Tony

Leg 3 Tony

Leg 4  Cliff

Leg 5 Neil

Leg 6 Peej 

Leg 7 Tony

Leg 8 Steve 

Leg 9 Steve

Leg 10 Steve

Leg 11  Steve

Leg 12  Cliff

Leg 13  Neil

Leg 14 Cliff

Leg   15 Bob

Leg 16 Bob

Leg 17 Peej

Leg 18 Bob

Leg 19 Neil

Leg 20 Peej

Leg 21 Cliff

Leg 22  Peej

Leg 23 Bob

2025 Flat Issue 19 - A missed winner

Headlines

Journalism’s Delayed Story

Report

Apologies to Cod for missing Journalism’s win at Monmouth Park on 19 July, Dwelt slightly, settled in final trio, began to close on outer with 3 1/2f to run, shaken up to be 1 length third with 2f to run, soon ridden and slightly outpaced by leaders, strong run final furlong, led close home, winning by ½ l. He gets 55.6 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

              August              Total

Cod        62.66                  785.64

Bob           00                    525.27

Steve         128.5                  506.31

Martin      98.56               468.76

Peej           34                     350.42

Neil            00                      315.76

Cliff          38.2                     263.34     

So Steve is August Trainer of the Month, Congratulations

 

Stats Per String

           Runs        Wins

Martin      38              12

Steve         46              6

Bob           40            12

Cliff           36            6

Neil           40               7

Peej           49            10

Cod           46             15

The Weeks Losers

Alsakib, Likealot

News

Roger Teal is determined to keep knocking on the Group 1 door with stable star Dancing Gemini, who is heading back to France next weekend for Sunday's Qatar Prix du Moulin.

Donnacha O’Brien’s star filly Porta Fortuna will miss her planned return in the Matron Stakes and may not be seen on the track again following a decision to sell her.

Ryan Moore is set to miss the rest of the season with a broken leg, which will rule him out of the Irish Champions Festival and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe as well as many other major autumn races.

Aidan O'Brien broke the shock news at the Curragh on Saturday, when Moore was stood down from his five intended rides, with the trainer revealing a scan on Friday had shown the Ballydoyle number-one jockey had fractured his right femur. 

Weekend Entries

Friday 

Ascot

4.05 Arctic Grey

4.40 Arctic Grey

Haydock

2.42 Copper Knight

Saturday 

Haydock

1.15 Opera Ballo

2.25 Nightwalker

3.35 Whistlejacket, Celandine

4.40 Desperate Dan

Kempton

1.35 Kalpana

3.10 Military Code

3.45 Dr Strangelove

Ascot

2.10 Crown Of Oaks

2.40 Carrytheone, Dr Strangelove

3.15 Nightwalker

4.25 Double Rush

Thirsk

4.00 Saarisskela

Sunday 

York

3.0 Copper Knight

4,00 Crown Of Oaks

4.30 Double Rush

Grand Slam 

Leg 1 Neil  

Leg 2 Tony

Leg 3 Tony

Leg 4  Cliff

Leg 5 Neil

Leg 6 Peej 

Leg 7 Tony

Leg 8 Steve 

Leg 9 Steve

Leg 10 Steve

Leg 11  Steve

Leg 12  Cliff

Leg 13  Neil

Leg 14 Cliff

Leg   15 Bob

Leg 16 Bob

Leg 17 Peej

Leg 18 Bob

Leg 19 Neil

Leg 20 Peej

Leg 21 Cliff

Leg 22  Peej

Leg 23 Bob

2025 Flat Issue 18 - No joy at York but two winners elsewhere

Headlines

Brummell is The Beau at Hamilton

Jonquil Celebrates Goodwood Mile Win

Report

We start at Hamilton on Friday where Brummell (Peej) went to post, Prominent, ridden and challenging 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well, winning by ½ l. He gets 34 points.

At Goodwood on Sunday in the 1m group 2 Jonquil (Steve), went to post, Prominent early, in touch with leaders after 2f, towards rear after 3f, headway and in touch with leaders 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, led towards finish, winning by a neck. He gets 48 points.

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

              August              Total

Cod        62.66                  730 .04

Bob           00                    525.27

Steve         128.5                  506.31

Martin      98.56               468.76

Peej           34                     350.42

Neil            00                      315.76

Cliff          38.2                     263.34     

York Grand Slam

Steve 80.5

Cod 27.4

So Steve gets the 20 points.

 

Stats Per String

           Runs        Wins

Martin      37              11

Steve         46              6

Bob           40            12

Cliff           36            6

Neil           39                7

Peej           49            10

Cod           45                14

The Weeks Losers

Audience, Back in Black, Bowmark, Celandine, Completely Random, French Master, Gladius, Kings Gambit, Military Code, Nightwalker, Organ, Rosallion, Storm Free

News

The home defence for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe has moved sharply into focus following the news that Aventure and Sosie, who finished second and fourth respectively last season, will have their key warm-ups at the revamped Arc trials day a week on Sunday.

However, John Gosden stated on Tuesday that Europe's middle-distance championship is off the agenda for Prince of Wales's Stakes and Juddmonte International winner Ombudsman, who he told the Racing Post will "stick to a mile and a quarter". 

Ed Walker has revealed that Almaqam is set for a fact-finding trip to France next month ahead of a possible crack at the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Walker said: "I'm delighted to say that Almaqam is in as good a form as I've had him all year and the plan is to run him in the Prix Foy on Arc trials day at Longchamp next month."

Weekend Entries

Saturday

Sandown 

1.50 Arctic Grey

2.25 Chantilly Lace

Chester

2.40 Alsakib

Beverley

4.55 Desperate Dan

Sunday 

Tipperary

4.30 Two Stars

Grand Slam 

Leg 1 Neil  

Leg 2 Tony

Leg 3 Tony

Leg 4  Cliff

Leg 5 Neil

Leg 6 Peej 

Leg 7 Tony

Leg 8 Steve 

Leg 9 Steve

Leg 10 Steve

Leg 11  Steve

Leg 12  Cliff

Leg 13  Neil

Leg 14 Cliff

Leg   15 Bob

Leg 16 Bob

Leg 17 Peej

Leg 18 Bob

Leg 19 Neil

Leg 20 Peej

Leg 21 Cliff

Leg 22  Peej

Leg 23 Bob

Leg 24 Steve

2025 Flat Issue 17 - Cod lead over 200

Headlines

Damysus. Lands French listed stakes

Ombudsman Rules at York

Report

We start at Deauville on Sunday in the 1m 2f listed stakes where Damysus (Cliff), went to post, Chased leaders, ridden 2 1/2f out, ran on to lead 1 1/2f out, kicked clear final 140yds, winning by 2l. He gets 38.2 points.

Yesterday at York in the 1m 2f Group 1 Juddmonte International stakes, Ombudsman ( Steve), Delacroix (Cod), went to post.

Ombudsman, Prominent behind clear leader, still plenty to do but headway from over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, went clear final 110yds,  Winning impressively by 3 ½ l He gets   80.5 points.

Delacroix, Held up in rear, still plenty to do over 2f out, headway from over 1f out, no chance with winner but went second inside final 110yds, beaten 3 ½ l. He gets 27.4 points.

Weekend Entries

Friday 

York

3.35 Celandine

5.20 Arctic Grey, Organ

Hamilton

7.05 Brummell

Saturday  

York

1.50 Bowmark, Kings Gambit, Gladius

3.00 Rosallion, Cosmic Year, Audience, Ides of March

3.35 French Master

4.10 Double Rush, Completely Random

4.45 Military Code

5.20 Gladius

Goodwood

2.05 Back in Black

3.50 Crown of Oaks

Windsor 

6.15 Gethin, Kings Gambit, Nightwalker

6.45 Bowmark, Bay City Roller, Gethin, Kings Gambit

Sunday  

Goodwood

1.50 Organ

3.00 Completely Random, Double Rush

3.35 Jonquil

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

           August   Total

Cod       62.66            730.04

Bob     00                   525.27

Martin  98.56            468.76

Steve    80.5                438.31

Peej      00                  316.42

Neil      00            315.76

Cliff    38.2               263.34

Stats Per String

         Runs     Wins

Martin     36  11

Steve       42   5

Bob        36    12

Cliff       34     6

Neil      36       7

Peej      46  9

Cod       45 14

York Grand Slam

Steve  80.5

Cod   27.4

The Weeks Losers

Organ, Noteable Speech, Dancing Gemini, The Lion In Winter, Delacroix, See The Fire, Copper Knight

News

Field Of Gold is closer to a return to the racecourse after resuming cantering in Newmarket over the weekend. The dual Group 1 winner is well on the way to making a full recovery from being found lame behind after finishing only fourth behind his pacemaker Qirat in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood last month.

The son of Kingman was back at the head of the John and Thady Gosden team on Monday morning when he enjoyed one canter on Warren Hill under his regular rider Luke Catton. It his hoped Juddmonte's colt can return to his usual routine of two canters a day later in the week ahead of a possible return to action in the autumn when he holds an entry in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Sakes at Ascot on October 18, for which he is 5-1 favourite.

Grand Slam 

Leg 1 Neil  

Leg 2 Tony

Leg 3 Tony

Leg 4  Cliff

Leg 5 Neil

Leg 6 Peej 

Leg 7 Tony

Leg 8 Steve 

Leg 9 Steve

Leg 10 Steve

Leg 11  Steve

Leg 12  Cliff

Leg 13  Neil

Leg 14 Cliff

Leg   15 Bob

Leg 16 Bob

Leg 17 Peej

Leg 18 Bob

Leg 19 Neil

Leg 20 Peej

Leg 21 Cliff

Leg 22  Peej

Leg 23 Bob

First winner bonus available, In the UK - Brighton, Cartmel, Perth, Southwell,(Flat) , Worcester 

In Ireland - Ballinrobe, Galway, Roscommon, Sligo, Bellewstown, Laytown, Downpatrick,  Listowel, Kilbeggan

2025 Flat Issue 16 - Nothing doing

Weekend Entries

Friday 

Thirsk

6.35 Copper Knight

Saturday  

Newbury

1.50 Alsakib

3.00 Back In Black

3.35 Noteable Speech, Shadow of Light, 

5.20 Organ

Curragh

3.20 White Birch

4.37 Crystal Black, Uxmal

Sunday 

Pontefract

3.42 Overture

4.12 Brummell

Deauville

2.50 Rosallion, Noteable Speech, Dancing Gemini, The Lion in Winter

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

           August   Total

Cod       35.26            702.64

Bob     00                   525.27

Martin  98.56            468.76

Steve    00                 357.81

Peej      00                  316.42

Neil      00            315.76

Cliff    00               225.14

Stats Per String

         Runs     Wins

Martin     35  11

Steve       40   4

Bob        34     12

Cliff       32      5

Neil      35        7

Peej      45   9

Cod       42  14

The Weeks Losers

Crystal Black, Detain, Haatem, Ides of March, Copper Knight

News

The City of York Stakes could be next for Shadow Of Light after he was a last-minute withdrawal from the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest, with a return trip to Paris already being planned for October.

Charlie Appleby was reluctant to run the three-year-old on quick ground at Deauville on Sunday and is targeting a third Group 1 for Shadow Of Light, following victories in the Middle Park and Dewhurst as a juvenile. He has yet to score at the highest level this season but has run with credit, including when third in the 2,000 Guineas

The Ombudsman team are taking no chances with the pace angle in next week’s Juddmonte International at York and are shipping in a pacemaker from France to set the fractions for their leading candidate. The new arrival is to be supplemented for the Group 1 contest on Thursday at a cost of £85,000.

A quiet spell for the Richard Hannon yard has not dented the trainer's huge confidence in Rosallion ahead of Sunday's Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville, where the three-time Group 1 winner bids for a change of luck after two near misse

Grand Slam 

Leg 1 Neil  

Leg 2 Tony

Leg 3 Tony

Leg 4  Cliff

Leg 5 Neil

Leg 6 Peej 

Leg 7 Tony

Leg 8 Steve 

Leg 9 Steve

Leg 10 Steve

Leg 11  Steve

Leg 12  Cliff

Leg 13  Neil

Leg 14 Cliff

Leg   15 Bob

Leg 16 Bob

Leg 17 Peej

Leg 18 Bob

Leg 19 Neil

Leg 20 Peej

Leg 21 Cliff

Leg 22  Peej

Leg 23 Bob

First winner bonus available, In the UK - Brighton, Cartmel, Perth, Southwell,(Flat) , Worcester 

In Ireland - Ballinrobe, Galway, Roscommon, Sligo, Bellewstown, Laytown, Downpatrick,  Listowel, Kilbeggan

2025 Flat Issue 15 - Three more winners

Headlines

Al Aasy lands Goodwood Sakes

Angel Falls in a Deauville

Gladius Puts Rivals to he Sword at Goodwood

Report

We start at Goodwood on Saturday where in the 1m 4f group 3 Al Aasy (Cod), went to post, Held up in last, steady headway going easily when not clear run over 2f out, headway on outer and led 1f out, pushed along and went clear final 110yds, winning readily by 3l. He gets  35.26 points.

In the 1m 1f handicap Gladius ( Martin) took his chance, Prominent, led narrowly and ridden 1f out, just prevailed , winning by a head. He gets 24.76 points.

On Sunday a Deauville in the 1m group Prix Rothschilds Fallen Angel (Martin), took her chance, Led group in centre of course, led overall when groups merged 2 1/2f out, soon shaken up, hard pressed and ridden along 1 1/2f out, headed just inside final furlong, rallied and led again final 50yds, driven out, winning by a head. She gets 73.8 points.

Weekend Entries

Saturday  

Haydock

2.25 Glittering Surf

3.00 Detain, Haatem

Redcar

3.47 Brummell

Curragh

3.25 Ides of March

Sunday 

Haydock

5.15 Copper Knight

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

           August   Total

Cod       35.26            702.64

Bob     00                   525.27

Martin  98.56            468.76

Steve    00                 357.81

Peej      00                  316.42

Neil      00            315.76

Cliff    00               225.14

Stats Per String

         Runs     Wins

Martin     35  11

Steve       38   4

Bob        34     12

Cliff       31      5

Neil      35        7

Peej      44   9

Cod       41  14

The Weeks Losers

Cosmic Year, Carrytheone, Wonder Legend, Serenity Prayer, Completely Random, Celandine, Mandanaba, Saariskela

News

Some stats in case you wanted to mark the passing of these two institutions.

Some great Punter winners picked up points at Thurles:

Un De Sceaux, Don Cossack, Footpad, Allaho, Presenting Percy, Fakir D’oudairies among others.

Our last Thurles winner was Hewick on 15 March this year

Trueshan’s great career was largely missed by the Punters with us finding only four of its wins for a total of less than 100 points. The last of those came in the 2023 Prix du Cadran.

Grand Slam 

Leg 1 Neil  

Leg 2 Tony

Leg 3 Tony

Leg 4  Cliff

Leg 5 Neil

Leg 6 Peej 

Leg 7 Tony

Leg 8 Steve 

Leg 9 Steve

Leg 10 Steve

Leg 11  Steve

Leg 12  Cliff

Leg 13  Neil

Leg 14 Cliff

Leg   15 Bob

Leg 16 Bob

Leg 17 Peej

Leg 18 Bob

Leg 19 Neil

Leg 20 Peej

Leg 21 Cliff

Leg 22  Peej

Leg 23 Bob

First winner bonus available, In the UK - Brighton, Cartmel, Perth, Southwell,(Flat) , Worcester 

In Ireland - Ballinrobe, Galway, Roscommon, Sligo, Bellewstown, Laytown, Downpatrick,  Listowel, Kilbeggan