4 h. ago Ireland’s leading Flat rider ditched from Melbourne Cup favourite for local

Dylan Browne McMonagle is on course to be crowned champion jockey in Ireland for the first time but his services won't be needed for Al Riffa, who will now be ridden by Mark Zahra

Politics

66 h. ago Taunts add spice as big three vie for Champion Stakes in thrilling Ascot finale

Three of the world’s top-10 racehorses go head-to-head in £1.4m race which features a tangled mass of plotlinesIf you were to sit down with a blank piece of paper to design an ideal finale for the 2025 Flat season, the result would probably be a race with a striking resemblance to Saturday’s Champion Stakes at Ascot.It will be run over a mile-and-a-quarter, an ideal test for speed and stamina, and on good ground, with three of the world’s top-10 racehorses on ratings going head-to-head. The double-figure field also includes some very live “dark” horses that could spring a surprise, and a runner apiece for Ireland, Britain and France, European racing’s leading nations, among the three main contenders. The strength and depth of the competition is so high that punters who successfully unravel the puzzle can expect at least a 180% return on their stake, in the space of a couple of minutes. Continue reading...

Sport

3 d. ago Melbourne Cup favourite Sir Delius ‘at risk of injury’ ruled out of £5million race

Sir Delius, the big hope of trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, underwent a series of scans which are part of the strict protocols introduced for the race

Economics

1 week ago London art show reveals mesmerising effects of coffee on brainwaves

A unique one-off event gave visitors the chance to see how drinking their favourite cup of coffee affects their brainwaves.

Politics

1 week ago England among eight rugby nations who vow to ban players in rebel R360 league

Statement says R360 players ineligible for internationalsIreland and Scotland among those to impose sanctionGlobal rugby’s biggest unions have gone on the attack against the rebel Rugby 360 organisation that is seeking to poach the game’s leading stars. England, Ireland, Scotland, France and Italy, along with New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, made clear on Tuesday that players who join the proposed new competition will be ineligible for international selection and have confirmed they will not support the venture.Rugby 360’s backers, fronted by the former England international Mike Tindall, had been hoping to launch their multi-city franchise tournament next year but have now been told to back off in no uncertain terms. “As a group of national rugby unions, we are urging extreme caution for players and support staff considering joining the proposed R360 competition,” read a statement issued by the world’s leading unions. Continue reading...

Sport

1 week ago England among eight rugby nations vowing to ban players in rebel R360 league

Statement says R360 players ineligible for internationalsIreland and Scotland among those to impose sanctionGlobal rugby’s biggest unions have gone on the attack against the rebel R360 organisation that is seeking to poach the game’s leading stars. England, Ireland, Scotland, France and Italy, along with New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, made clear on Tuesday that players who join the proposed new competition will be ineligible for international selection and have confirmed they will not support the venture.R360’s backers, fronted by the former England international Mike Tindall, had been hoping to launch their multicity franchise tournament next year but have now been told to back off in no uncertain terms. “As a group of national rugby unions, we are urging extreme caution for players and support staff considering joining the proposed R360 competition,” read a statement issued by the world’s leading unions. Continue reading...

Sport

2 w. ago Kemi Badenoch makes embarrassing Brexit gaffe despite claiming she never makes gaffes

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch claimed in a TV interview that Northern Ireland voted to leave the EU - even though the nation actually backed remain by a majority of 56% to 44%

Politics

3 w. ago Who will captain Europe at Adare Manor in 2027? The main contenders named

Golf Correspondent Martin Dempster runs the rule over the contenders to lead Europe in Ireland

Politics

3 w. ago Can England live up to World Cup favourites tag? – Talking Points

The Red Roses take on Canada at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.

Politics

3 w. ago Ryder Cup star who faced intense criticism days before event gives brutal response to fans

The Ryder Cup star is a fan favourite

Politics

last month Ayr Gold Cup results LIVE as Northern Ticker favourite for the big one on Scotland's richest raceday

It's one of the biggest weekends in Scottish racing and we've got it all covered right here

Politics

last month Ayr Gold Cup results LIVE as Purosangue backed into favourite for the big one with a flood of bets

It's one of the biggest weekends in Scottish racing and we've got it all covered right here

Events

last month Ayr Gold Cup results LIVE as Thunder Roar wins the 13:15 for favourite backers

It's one of the biggest weekends in Scottish racing and we've got it all covered right here

Politics