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Articles by Jon Lees
Richard Johnson and Philip Hobbs lead tributes to 'all-round great person' Tom O'Brien
Richard Johnson and Philip Hobbs have paid heartfelt tribute to Tom O'Brien, the Grade One-winning jockey who passed away aged 39 following a courageous battle with cancer. O'Brien, a nephew of Aidan O'Brien, was a cornerstone of the Minehead operation, having joined as a teenager and remaining there until his retirement in 2023. He also served as stable jockey following Johnson's own retirement from the saddle in 2021.
Jockey at centre of void race controversy says he took 'safest and best' action
The jockey at the centre of the void race controversy at Huntingdon says he took what he thought was the ‘safest and best' course of action. The last race of Tuesday's jumps meeting had to be stopped mid-race for safety reasons after Tom Bellamy rode a withdrawn horse the wrong way down the track. The Alan King-trained Blues Singer refused to line up with the rest of the eight runner field for the handicap hurdle and took no part in the race.
Huntingdon race stopped to avert accident after jockey rides horse the wrong way back
The final race at Huntingdon on Tuesday was declared void for safety reasons after a jockey rode a withdrawn horse the wrong way down the track. The Alan King-trained Blues Singer, having his first start of the season, was making his handicap debut at the track where he had captured a maiden hurdle in March. But when the eight runners were called forward by the starter, Blues Singer hung out the back, refusing to move forward for jockey Tom Bellamy.
Huntingdon race stopped to avert accident after jockey rides horse ‘the wrong way back’
The final race at Huntingdon on Tuesday was declared void for safety reasons after a jockey rode a withdrawn horse the wrong way down the track. The Alan King-trained Blues Singer, having his first start of the season, was making his handicap debut at the track where he had captured a maiden hurdle in March. But when the eight runners were called forward by the starter, Blues Singer hung out the back, refusing to move forward for jockey Tom Bellamy.
Godolphin star Ombudsman to have career swansong in Japan Cup
Godolphin star legend Ombudsman will have the opportunity to bow out on the world stage when he lines up for the Japan Cup later this month. Joint-trainers John and Thady Gosden opted to sidestep a Breeders' Cup tilt for the Night Of Thunder colt following his triumph in the Champion Stakes. Instead, he will tackle a mile and a half for the first time in Tokyo on November 29, before heading off to stud duties at Darley's Kildangan Stud in Ireland in 2027.
Grand National hero Ballabriggs who triumphed at Aintree for Red Rum stable has died
Grand National hero Ballabriggs, who delivered a fifth success in the big race for the Red Rum stable has died, aged 25. Ballabriggs was trained by Donald McCain Jr, whose father Donald ‘Ginger' McCain won the big race four times, on three occasions with the legendary Red Rum. Owned by the late billionaire and Preston North End owner Trevor Hemmings, a Grand National fanatic, he was to inevitably develop into a successful staying chaser.
Grand National hero Ballabriggs who triumphed at Aintree for Red Rum stable has died
Grand National hero Ballabriggs, who delivered a fifth success in the big race for the Red Rum stable has died, aged 25. Ballabriggs was trained by Donald McCain Jr, whose father Donald ‘Ginger’ McCain won the big race four times, on three occasions with the legendary Red Rum. Owned by the late billionaire and Preston North End owner Trevor Hemmings, a Grand National fanatic, he was to inevitably develop into a successful staying chaser.
Tributes paid to young jump jockey, 23, who died after suffering stroke in the saddle
Tributes have been paid to a young jump jockey who died after suffering a stroke in the saddle. Pierre-Alfred Grondin, who was 23, was born on Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean and arrived in France ten years ago to try to make a career as a jockey. According to media reports in France he was riding out at work in Maisons-Laffitte when he suffered a cardio-neurovascular incident, just eight days before he was to turn 24.
Aidan O'Brien Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf contenders scratched with both unsound
Aidan O'Brien's formidable team of two-year-olds running at the Breeders' Cup at Keeneland on Friday has been depleted. The Ballydoyle trainer declared four horses in the £740,000 Juvenile Turf but by the time of the race that number will have been halved. Man's Best Friend, the winner of the Richmond Stakes at Glorious Goodwood over the summer who was due to be ridden by Colin Keane, was scratched early Friday morning.
Aidan O’Brien Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf contenders scratched with both 'unsound'
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Aidan O'Brien Breeders' Cup contender scratched amid doubts over another
Aidan O'Brien's formidable team of two-year-olds running at the Breeders' Cup at Keeneland on Friday has been depleted. The Ballydoyle trainer declared four horses in the £740,000 Juvenile Turf but by the time the race starts that number is likely to have been halved. Man's Best Friend, the winner of the Richmond Stakes at Glorious Goodwood over the summer who was due to be ridden by Colin Keane, was scratched on Friday.
Aidan O’Brien Breeders’ Cup contender scratched amid doubts over another
Aidan O’Brien’s formidable team of two-year-olds running at the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland on Friday has been depleted. The Ballydoyle trainer declared four horses in the £740,000 Juvenile Turf but by the time the race starts that number is likely to have been halved. Man’s Best Friend, the winner of the Richmond Stakes at Glorious Goodwood over the summer who was due to be ridden by Colin Keane, was scratched on Friday.
Jockey’s 10-day non-trier ban quashed amid concern over use of sectional timing
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Jockey's 10-day non-trier ban quashed amid concern over use of sectional timing
A jockey's 10-day non-trier ban has been quashed amid concern over the stewards' use of sectional timing. Jack Garritty, 30, was suspended on Monday after officials at Leicester ruled he had not taken all reasonable and permissible measures to obtain the best possible placing on the Lisa Williamson-trainer Red Derek. The 11-2 chance had stayed on from an unpromising position at the rear of the field to finish third, nine lengths behind the winner.
Oisin Murphy signs deal to ride for team with horses here, there and everywhere
Oisin Murphy has signed a deal to ride for a team with horses 'here, there and everywhere' from next year. The five-time champion jockey, whose longstanding association with Qatar Racing has come to an end due to a reduction in horses, has found an immediate replacement with an expanding operation.
Oisin Murphy ‘eternally grateful’ as Classic-winning partnership with Qatar Racing ends
Oisin Murphy’s ten plus years association with Qatar Racing is to conclude at the end of the year. The five-time champion jockey enjoyed some of his biggest early successes as retained rider to the operation headed by Sheikh Fahad Al Thani. He rode nine Group or Grade 1 winners for the team, notably on Roaring Lion, who won four top level races in a row in 2018 and landed the 2,000 Guineas on Kameko in 2020.
Paul Townend replaces Sean Bowen on Haiti Couleurs at Down Royal
Paul Townend is set to partner Welsh and Irish Grand National winner Haiti Couleurs in the BetVictor, Remembering Envoi Allen Champion Chase at Down Royal on Saturday. Willie Mullins ' principal jockey previously teamed up with Welsh trainer Rebecca Curtis to secure Cheltenham Festival glory with Irish Cavalier in 2015 and will stand in for the nine-year-old's usual rider Sean Bowen, who is committed to Wetherby for his boss Olly Murphy.
Rising star jockey commits embarrassing error by riding finish of race a lap early
A rising star jockey has made an embarrassing error by riding a finish to a race a lap early. Apprentice rider Johanis Aranguren, 23, has made an outstanding start to her career in the US where she has racked up 60 wins in her first year. The Venezuelan native, who comes from a family of jockeys, rode a four-timer at Fairmount Park in Illinois in April. She said afterwards: “It’s something I truly love, and I was born to do this. I plan on doing it for my whole life.
Breeders’s Cup jockey replaced following arrest for alleged domestic violence offences
A Breeders’ Cup jockey has been replaced three days before the start of the meeting following his arrest for alleged domestic violence offences. Ricardo Santana Jr had been named on three mounts at Keeneland on Saturday, including 14-1 chance Hymn in the £1.4 million Breeders’s Cup Sprint. He was also due to partner Foie Gras in the Filly & Mare Sprint and Doncho in the Turf Sprint, both worth £740,000.
Saffie Osborne: 'This is the first year of my career that I've truly enjoyed every moment'
History-making jockey Saffie Osborne is hoping to use the momentum from a groundbreaking year to yield more success in Hong Kong next month. The 24-year-old became the first female to ride the winner of a British Classic when partnering Highwayman to victory in the St Leger in September. It was the biggest of a series of landmarks for Osborne who in 2024 became the first woman to ride a winner at Meydan in Dubai in 2024, followed by big race success in Qatar.
Sedgefield racecourse fined £6,500 after injured jockey transported to A&E in horsebox
Sedgefield racecourse has been fined £6,500 after an injured jockey had to be transported to hospital in a horsebox. The Co Durham track was referred to the BHA's disciplinary panel over a series of breaches of general instructions arising from the incident in March this year. The unnamed rider took a fall in race 5, was examined by a doctor suffering pain over the left clavicle and shoulder but was passed fit to ride in the following race.
Sedgefield racecourse fined £6,500 after injured jockey transported to A&E in horsebox
Sedgefield racecourse has been fined £6,500 after an injured jockey had to be transported to hospital in a horsebox. The Co Durham track was referred to the BHA’s disciplinary panel over a series of breaches of general instructions arising from the incident in March this year. The unnamed rider took a fall in race 5, was examined by a doctor suffering pain over the left clavicle and shoulder but was passed fit to ride in the following race.
Racehorse groom who spent 18 days in a coma leads up winner of £3million race
A racehorse groom who spent 18 days in a coma this year recovered to lead up the winner of Australia's premier weight-for-age race. Leigh Adamson works as assistant to trainer Andrea Leek and also leads up the stable's star Cosmic Crusader. During the 2026-27 season Cosmic Crusader has won four times and risen to the top in October to win the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes and Cox Plate, as well as finish fourth in the Caulfield Cup.
Racehorse groom who spent 18 days in a coma leads up winner of £3million race
Mon, October 26, 2026 at 11:44 AM UTC A racehorse groom who spent 18 days in a coma this year recovered to lead up the winner of Australia’s premier weight-for-age race. Leigh Adamson works as assistant to trainer Andrea Leek and also leads up the stable’s star Cosmic Crusader. During the 2026-27 season Cosmic Crusader has won four times and risen to the top in October to win the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes and Cox Plate, as well as finish fourth in the Caulfield Cup.
Saffie Osborne: ‘This is the first year of my career that I’ve truly enjoyed every moment’
History-making jockey Saffie Osborne is hoping to use the momentum from a groundbreaking year to yield more success in Hong Kong next month. The 24-year-old became the first female to ride the winner of a British Classic when partnering Highwayman to victory in the St Leger in September. It was the biggest of a series of landmarks for Osborne who in 2024 became the first woman to ride a winner at Meydan in Dubai in 2024, followed by big race success in Qatar.
Enable's son is 16-1 for next year's Epsom Derby after winning debut at Doncaster
A son of the great Enable is 16-1 for next year's Betfred Derby after making an impressive winning debut on Friday. Entrust, bred and owned by Juddmonte and trained by father and son team, John and Thady Gosden, is a two-year-old colt by Dubawi out of the dual winner of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Enable’s son is 16-1 for next year’s Epsom Derby after winning debut at Doncaster
A son of the great Enable is 16-1 for next year’s Betfred Derby after making an impressive winning debut on Friday. Entrust, bred and owned by Juddmonte and trained by father and son team, John and Thady Gosden, is a two-year-old colt by Dubawi out of the dual winner of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Top trainer Gordon Elliott engaged to daughter of legendary Jessica Harrington
Top trainer Gordon Elliott has confirmed his engagement to the daughter of another top trainer Jessica Harrington. Elliott runs one of the most successful jumps stables in Ireland and is a long time rival to Willie Mullins. He has trained 41 Cheltenham Festival winners, finishing top trainer twice, and recorded his biggest success at the meeting when Don Cossack landed the 2016 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Six-time Breeders' Cup champion jockey to miss meeting after breaking leg
Irad Ortiz, the six-time winner of the award for the outstanding jockey at the Breeders' Cup, is to miss next week's meeting. Ortiz collected his latest Bill Shoemaker Award 12 months ago when he rode three winners at the two day fixture, taking his total score to 23. But just eight days before this year's event he has been ruled out indefinitely after taking a spill when riding at the host track Keeneland on Thursday.
Bob Champion opens up on battle to beat cancer a second time
Bob Champion has opened up on his battle to beat cancer a second time, saying ‘We’re on top of it’ as he undergoes treatment. The former jump jockey performed one of the greatest of all comebacks when he survived cancer to win the 1981 Grand National on Aldiniti. Eighteen months earlier he had been diagnosed with testicular cancer and given months to live when it was discovered the disease had spread to his lungs.
Aidan O'Brien withdraws four superstars from Breeders' Cup with immediate effect
Aidan O'Brien has withdrawn four of his superstar horses from the Breeders' Cup with immediate effect. The Ballydoyle trainer, one of the biggest supporters of the so-called ‘ world ' championships, jointly holds the record, with Bob Bafffert, for the most victories at Breeders' Cups with 21 victories. He can usually be guaranteed to target the meeting with some of his top performers, including next week when the event is hosted by Keeneland in Kentucky.
Trainer guarantees himself a win by saddling all 11 runners in same horse race
Thu, October 22, 2026 at 4:03 PM UTC A trainer is guaranteed success in a race on Friday because all 11 runners are from his stable. The sixth race at Mackay, in Queensland, Australia, an open handicap worth £10,000 over six and a half furlongs, has produced a one-sided line-up. Lachie Manzelmann, who has trained 20 winners during the season out of a career total of 118, declared 11 horses in the race and when the field was published he found no one else was prepared to take him on.
Newbury meeting abandoned and Saturday racing threatened by Storm Austen
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Jack Nicholls to make US debut on sprint star Miss Yechance at Breeders’ Cup
Jack Nicholls is to make his US debut on sprint star Miss Yechance at the Breeders’ Cup next week. The 20-year-old apprentice jockey, grandson of the late David ‘Dandy’ Nicholls and son of trainer Adrian, landed the biggest win of his career when riding the Karl Burke-trained filly to victory in the Group 1 Prix de l’Abbaye earlier this month.
Newbury meeting abandoned and Saturday racing threatened by Storm Austen
Friday's race meeting at Newbury has been scrapped owing to a waterlogged track, while an inspection has already been scheduled ahead of their prestigious Saturday fixture. With substantial rainfall predicted as Storm Austen batters large swathes of the nation, officials at the Berkshire venue initially arranged an inspection for 8am on Friday before the opening day of two consecutive racing days.
Rebecca Menzies' Breeders' Cup dream shattered as Adonius set to miss cut
Rebecca Menzies' Breeders' Cup dream with Adonius was shattered on Wednesday as her stable star is set to miss the cut. Adonius has earned a huge following after wins at Musselburgh, twice, and Chester and second place finishes at Glorious Goodwood and York's Ebor Festival. He then took his Durham stable to previously unscaled heights by winning the Grade 2 Indian Summer Stakes at Keeneland this month to give Menzies the biggest win of her 12 year training career with her first runner on US soil.
John Gosden performs U-turn to rule Ombudsman out of Breeders' Cup Turf
Ombudsman, brilliant winner of the Champion Stakes at Ascot, will not have his swansong at the Breeders' Cup after a U-turn by trainer John Gosden. In the wake of the Godolphin horse's defeat of last year's world's best racehorse, Calandagan at Ascot, Gosden had indicated that Ombudsman would tackle 1m4f for the first time in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland, before probably heading to stud next year.
John Gosden performs U-turn to rule Ombudsman out of Breeders' Cup Turf
Wed, October 21, 2026 at 4:35 PM UTC Ombudsman, brilliant winner of the Champion Stakes at Ascot, will not have his swansong at the Breeders' Cup after a U-turn by trainer John Gosden. In the wake of the Godolphin horse's defeat of last year's world's best racehorse, Calandagan at Ascot, Gosden had indicated that Ombudsman would tackle 1m4f for the first time in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland, before probably heading to stud next year.
King's former horse storms to £5 million Melbourne Cup favouritism
A horse owned by the King and Queen until August this year is the new favourite for the £5 million Lexus Melbourne Cup. Point Of Law, a son of Frankel who was bred by King Charles , won two of his four starts in the royal colours while trained by John and Thady Gosden. He finished an unlucky fourth at Royal Ascot then landed the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket in July to set up a potential crack at the St Leger.
Ralph Fiennes to star as Sir Henry Cecil in biopic of legendary trainer
Ralph Fiennes is to star as Sir Henry Cecil in a Hollywood-backed biopic of the legendary trainer. The three-time Oscar nominee is also an executive producer of the movie Unbeaten which reunites the actor with Conclave producer Tessa Ross and will begin shooting in 2027. The screenplay for the movie has been produced by Bash Doran and will be directed by German BAFTA-winning filmmaker Nora Fingsheidt.
Ombudsman confirmed for Breeders' Cup Turf after Champion Stakes triumph
Mon, October 19, 2026 at 11:16 AM UTC John Gosden has confirmed Godolphin's Champion Stakes winner Ombudsman is set for the Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland, with the five-year-old due to retire to stud in 2027 following his Ascot triumph. John Gosden has revealed that his outstanding Champion Stakes victor Ombudsman is being lined up for a final appearance at the Breeders' Cup on Saturday week.
Punter collects nearly £20,000 windfall from ‘stroke of genius’ four-fold accumulator
Fri, October 16, 2026 at 4:09 PM UTC The William Hill customer spent £10 on a £5 each way bet involving runners at Perth on Thursday, all of which won including one at odds of 12-1 A punter has collected nearly £20,000 in winnings from a ‘stroke of genius’ bet. The William Hill customer staked £10 on a £5 each way accumulator comprising four horse running at Perth on Thursday.
Cheltenham postpones cross country race until 2027 due to ‘unraceable ground’
Cheltenham Racecourse has cancelled racing on its cross country course due to ‘unraceable ground’ The long, dry summer and continued lack of rain has plunged England into drought, causing particular challenges at jumps courses aiming the provide safe ground. It has impacted the schedule at a number of tracks, including last weekend when the three day Welsh Racing Festival at Chepstow featured no races over fences.
Gary Moore retiring from training to hand reins to sons Jamie and Josh
Gary Moore has announced his retirement from training, bringing an end to a successful 35 year career in jumps and on the Flat. Moore, 70, who has trained in a partnership with son Josh since 2024, broke the news after the stable had secured a double at Brighton with Thundering Breeze and Gone Rogue. Gary Moore grew up in Brighton where his father Charlie had a stable adjacent to the track and was a jump jockey before taking out a licence on his own in Epsom.
Gary Moore retiring from training to hand reins to sons Jamie and Josh
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Entrepreneur who found route to racehorse ownership from 'ChatGPT' buys 23 horses
A Philippine entrepreneur has been bitten by the racing bug after researching the sport on ChatGPT. Romy Sia founded an organic food retailer Healthy Options in his home country in 1995 and has developed it into a business which now operates throughout Asia. He had no involvement in horse racing until earlier this year since when he has been buying horses to race in Britain and Australia.
Gary Moore retiring from training to hand reins to sons Jamie and Josh
Gary Moore has announced his retirement from training, bringing an end to a successful 35 year career in jumps and on the Flat. Moore, 70, who has trained in a partnership with son Josh since 2024, broke the news after the stable had secured a double at Brighton with Thundering Breeze and Gone Rogue. Gary Moore grew up in Brighton where his father Charlie had a stable adjacent to the track and was a jump jockey before taking out a licence on his own in Epsom.
Aidan O'Brien u-turns on £70,000 entry to make last minute Champions Day switch
Aidan O'Brien has altered his Qatar Racing British Champions Day strategy, with Gstaad now set to compete over a mile in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, while Constitution River will stay over the 10-furlong distance to tackle the Champion Stakes on Saturday. Saturday's fixture at Ascot is the nation's richest raceday, providing a grand finale to the British Flat racing season, featuring five Group 1 races, more than any other raceday in Britain.
Aidan O’Brien expects Champions Day upturn from Constitution River and Gstaad
Aidan O’Brien is forecasting an upturn in form from Constitution River and Gstaad when they line up for their races at Qatar Racing British Champions Day on Saturday. The duo are among the cast of stars seeking success at Ascot when it is the venue for the richest single raceday in Britain, and grand finale to the Flat racing season. Constitution River contests the £1.3 million Champion Stakes and Gstaad the £1.1m Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
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