Royal Ascot 2025 news: A celebration of heritage, horsepower and high stakes
In the realm of British sport, few spectacles capture tradition, elegance and sporting excellence quite like Royal Ascot.
From Tuesday, June 17 to Saturday, June 21, the world’s finest flat racing will once again grace the hallowed turf of Ascot Racecourse for the 2025 renewal of this prestigious meeting.
More than a sporting event, Royal Ascot is a cornerstone of the British social and cultural calendar - and it is one Sports News Blitz will be watching (and betting on) with glee.
Jan Brueghel tops rankings after Coronation Cup triumph
Jan Brueghel's much-improved performance in the Coronation Cup at Epsom on Friday has propelled him to the top of Timeform's pecking order in Europe.
That gritty half-length defeat of Calandagan earned Jan Brueghel a Timeform rating of 128 (from 119p) which marks him out as the joint-highest-rated horse in Europe along with last season's King George winner Goliath, who didn't need to be at his best to win a Group 3 at Longchamp on Sunday.
Epsom Derby news: Ryan Moore opts for lowest rated of Oaks trio
Thursday 5th June 2025 - Timeform ratings show that Ryan Moore has plumped for potential rather than form in the book in Friday's Betfred Oaks at Epsom.
Almaqam and Estrange emerge as serious Group 1 players in open middle-distance division
Recent winners Almaqam and Estrange are both credible contenders for Group 1 honours in a wide-open middle-distance division, according to the ratings experts at Timeform.
Pride of Arras emerges as leading Derby contender after Dante Stakes triumph
Pride Of Arras’s victory in the Dante Stakes on Thursday has been rated by Timeform as the pick of the performances in the middle-distance classic trials this spring and places him behind only 2000 Guineas winner Ruling Court on ratings for the Derby.
William Hill punter stuns bookies with incredible return from £16 in bets
William Hill have been stunned by a racing punter who has pulled off a remarkable haul after their series of multiples all landed, seeing them walk away with £74,215.87.
Timeform ratings reveal scale of Dan Skelton’s challenge in title battle with Willie Mullins
Timeform ratings help highlight the incredible strength in depth at Willie Mullins' disposal and just how difficult a task Dan Skelton has faced in trying to wrest the title from the champion.
Star Sports partners with George Boughey as trainer expands at Newmarket base
Star Sports is the new sponsor of Classic-winning trainer George Boughey’s yard in Newmarket.
Kentucky Derby 2025: Dates, drama, dapper hats and the people to watch
It’s almost that magical time of year again, when mint juleps flow, outrageous hats defy gravity, and elite horses sprint for glory in under two minutes.
Yep, the 2025 Kentucky Derby is galloping our way, ready to kick off the greatest three-part horse party in America: the Triple Crown.
Craven winner Field Of Gold leaps to top of three-year-old ratings
Field Of Gold's impressive victory in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket on Wednesday has propelled him to the head of Timeform's three-year-old ratings and marks him out as the one to beat in the 2000 Guineas.
Horse tattoo serves as lucky charm for Old Gold Racing owner
A horse racing fan from Northamptonshire was so keen on the horse he’d just purchased a share in, Akimos, that he had the equine athlete tattooed on his leg before Wednesday’s race at Ffos Las.
Two punters pull off Grand National betting masterclass
Official Betting Partner of the Randox Grand National Festival, William Hill, are reeling after two shrewd punters won big thanks to Saturday’s main event.
£250m to be staked at Grand National festival as I Am Maximus tops betting
The year’s most popular horse race, the Grand National, is expected to attract £150m in betting turnover in the UK and Ireland this year, with official Grand National betting partner William Hill anticipating the betting industry to see around £250m staked across the three days at Aintree.
Grand National tips: Bookmaker thinks 2025 could be a grey day at Aintree
Data from William Hill has revealed that backing grey horses has been no way of winning money on the Grand National.
Since the turn of the millennium, 62 greys have gone to post across the 24 renewals.
But of those runners, a mere seven have placed in the first five, and there has been just one winner since 2012.
Despite this, William Hill think it could be a good year for the greys, offering just 3/1 that any of the eight greys set to run will win the 2025 Grand National.
Iroko best-handicapped National contender in likely absence of Mr Vango
Timeform’s best-handicapped horse heading into Saturday’s Grand National is the Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero-trained Iroko with a rating of 183p, ahead of the Gavin Cromwell-trained duo, Stumptown (182) and Perceval Legallois (181).
Bookies fear Irish domination at the Grand National
Official Betting Partners of the Randox Grand National Festival, William Hill, can report that three Irish-trained runners are their worst results in this year’s Randox Grand National.
Ryan Moore eyes Hong Kong Derby glory with Mickley in high-stakes return
Ryan Moore is preparing to return to Hong Kong to ride the John Size-trained Mickley in the HK$26 million (£2.6m) BMW Hong Kong Derby at Sha Tin on Sunday 23 March, one of seven rides he has picked up on the card.
Sir AP McCoy defends Jonbon and reflects on a dramatic Cheltenham Festival
Sir AP McCoy has told William Hill that he believes Jonbon’s stellar reputation has been unfairly tarnished after he was unable to break his Cheltenham Festival duck last week.
Speaking to fellow William Hill ambassador Nick Luck and reflecting on the week at Prestbury Park, McCoy said that he believes Jonbon’s standing has been unjustly derided after defeat yet again at the Festival.
Cheltenham Festival hero off to Newbury, Ahoy Senor Aintree-bound, says Lucinda Russell
Lucinda Russell has told William Hill that her runaway Cheltenham Festival hero Myretown will be aimed at the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, while Ahoy Senor will run at the Aintree Bowl.
The William Hill ambassador believes that Myretown’s spectacular victory in the Ultima will almost certainly be the final run of his season, with big aims set for next term.
Grand National Festival 2025: Dates, how to watch on TV, trainers and jockeys to watch
The excitement is building for the 2025 Grand National Festival, and Sports News Blitz is here to guide you through the biggest storylines.
Here, Callum Close tells all there is to know as Aintree prepares for another thrilling edition of this iconic event.