Ascot Racecourse | Horse Racing Free Tips

O’Brien Planning Strong King George Assault Led By Auguste Rodin

As many as six horses from Aidan O'Brien's yard, including dual Derby winner Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), will line up in the G1 King George and Queen Elizabeth S. at Ascot on July 29.

Riding a two-race winning streak after taking Epsom's Blue Riband last month and the Irish equivalent for the Coolmore partners, Auguste Rodin beat stable-mate Adelaide River (Ire) (Australia {GB}) in the latter. He will aim to emulate former Coolmore kingpin Galileo (Ire) with a victory in the King George after winning two Derbys.

“He's on that programme, and so far, everything is going well [for the King George],” O'Brien told the Nick Luck Daily podcast on Wednesday,

The aforementioned Adelaide River enters off another strong second-place effort in the G1 Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp on June 14. He is joined by Group 1-winning older horses Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}), and Bolshoi Ballet (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), while the G2 Huxley S. hero and Group 1-placed Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}) is another possible runner.

“Luxembourg is a very strong possible at the moment,” O'Brien continued. “Point Lonsdale is a strong possible at the moment. Broome, like I said, he could go [for the King George], and probably will go to Goodwood for the two miles [G1 Goodwood Cup S. on Aug. 1]. Bolshoi Ballet is a very strong possible. And then, obviously, Auguste Rodin and Adelaide River, we'd have to see how he [Adelaide River] came out of the race [G1 Grand Prix de Paris] and give him a little bit of time to see before we make any decision about him.”

O'Brien also provided an update on likely G1 Sussex S. runner Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}), who will potentially represent the Coolmore partners in the G1 Cox Plate in the autumn.

He said, “Everything went well since [the Eclipse], and is at the moment. He's on that plan and that programme [for the Sussex] at the moment.”

The Coolmore partners also have five of the nine fillies currently entered in Saturday's G1 Juddmonte Irish Oaks. G3 Cheshire Oaks heroine and G1 Oaks runner-up Savethelastdance (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), G2 Ribblesdale S. victress Warm Heart (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Be Happy (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) were pleasing the Rosegreen handler particularly. He also has listed winner Library (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and winner Lambada (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) signed on.

“I suppose, we have three very strong fillies in there,” O'Brien added. “Obviously, the filly [Savethelastdance] from Chester we think is very well. This has always been her programme. And then the filly [Warm Heart] who won at Ascot. We weren't sure that stepping up the a mile and a half would suit her, but it obviously improved her.

“Another filly called Be Happy which we have always thought a lot of, [is in the race]. She was withdrawn at the last minute from the Oaks and we had her ready to run again, and she got an infection in her foot. The last three weeks everything has been very good with her. The plan is that is where she is going now at the moment, as well.”

Pair Of Contenders Pleasing Connections In Latest King George Works

Saeed Suhail's 2022 Derby winner Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) also remains in contention for the Ascot showpiece. Off for over a year with an ankle injury, the 4-year-old ran second in the G3 Brigadier Gerard S. at Sandown earlier this season. Another minor setback kept the Sir Michael Stoute trainee out of Royal Ascot and a run in the G1 Prince of Wales's S., but he pleased his connections in a work at Newmarket on Wednesday morning.

Suhail's racing manager, Bruce Raymond, said, “He worked this morning and Ryan [Moore] rode him. Michael was very pleased with him and I think there is a good chance he will go to Ascot.

“He worked nicely. It was a pleasing gallop. I can't say he is certain for the race, but everyone was very happy with him. There's a good chance he will go to Ascot.”

Already a winner of the King George in 2022, two-time Group 1 scorer Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) also remains among the entries. He decisively won the G2 Hardwicke S. at Royal Ascot in June for co-trainers William Muir and Chris Grassick in the colours of the La Pyle Partnership.

“He just did want we wanted and we were delighted with him,” said Muir of the 6-year-old's Newbury gallop.

“It was not a serious, hard gallop, it was just a day out really. He goes to Newbury, has a warm-up little canter and then covers the distance, that's all. He did great. We're keeping our fingers crossed and we're in good shape. Fingers crossed we'll be there at Ascot.”

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Ascot Racecourse Announces 2022 Financial Results

Edited Press Release

The turnover at Ascot Racecourse exceeded £100 million for the first time with a strong recovery from COVID-19 last season. The return to profit will allow for record prize money of £17 million set to be returned to the sport in 2023 and a voluntary increased loan repayment will help reduce debt ahead of schedule. The 2022 business summary highlighted several points of improvement:

A return to profit with a pre-tax profit of £3.4m after two difficult years of COVID-19 restrictions. This compares to a pre-COVID profit of £7.3m in 2019, highlighting significantly increased overheads and operating costs in the current economic climate.
Turnover rose by 161% to a record level of £101.4m with hospitality and admission revenues recovering strongly.
Attendance at Royal Ascot 2022 bounced back from COVID disruption to 273,465 with a total for the full year, excluding industry joint venture QIPCO British Champions Day, of 483,424.
Strong broadcast reach: World Pool turnover and international interest helped grow diverse revenue streams. Royal Ascot 2022 was broadcast into over 170 territories including NBC terrestrial coverage in America on the Saturday, reaching 2.5 million unique viewers, up 47% on 2021.
The loan agreement was renewed during the year and the term of the loan was extended by a minimum of three years.
£6m of the loan was repaid in 2022 (a £3m mandatory repayment and a voluntary partial early repayment of £3m) and the revolving credit facility of £5m, drawn down in March 2020, was repaid. Net debt at 31st December 2022 was £17.2m (2020 £25.4m).
The standby loan facility of £20m arranged through the Government CLBILS scheme remained undrawn during the year and matured at the end of April 2023. This was replaced by a revolving credit facility of £12.5m which remains undrawn.
Strong 2022 performance enabled record planned prize money in 2023 with £17m set to be on offer, an increase of £1.33m versus 2022. This excludes the £4.45m on offer at the industry joint venture fixture, QIPCO British Champions Day. Prize money at Royal Ascot 2023 was £9.52m, an increase of 10% over 2022.

Alastair Warwick, Chief Executive Officer at Ascot Racecourse, said:

“The figures for 2022 show that Ascot has recovered strongly from the impact of the pandemic. Last year's performance, headlined by record turnover, gave us the confidence to invest in the business this year, including reaching the £17m prize money mark for the first time.

“Having further reduced our debt, including through a voluntary additional repayment, we are in a good position to continue to improve both prize money and facilities.

“We are particularly encouraged to have seen strong attendance and hospitality metrics at Royal Ascot this year, the first under the reign of King Charles III. We had incredibly competitive, international fields and World Pool betting continues to be strong while viewing figures on ITV were excellent, including a peak of over a million every day and a ten year high for the final day.

“Their Majesties The King & Queen attended on all five days and it proved to be a very special occasion with Desert Hero carrying the Royal silks to victory, whilst Frankie Dettori signed off his Royal Ascot story with a ninth Gold Cup win.

“I would like to thank all our hard-working staff and our commercial and broadcast partners for their continued commitment to Ascot.”

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Five-Year Pool Betting Deal Renewed Between Ascot And HKJC

A five-year partnership renewal agreement for pool betting was agreed upon by Ascot Racecourse and the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) on Friday.

The deal renewal, signed by Michael Fitzsimons of the HKJC and Felicity Barnard of Ascot, features the delivery of a dedicated HKJC feed from Ascot, as well as additional content to help raise awareness of the racing at Ascot in Hong Kong. It will begin on July 1, 2023 and last until July 1, 2028. It is an extension of a deal that began between the two companies in 2019. It covers the commingling of bets into the World Pool for another five years, as well. This year, Ascot will host seven World Pool days including all five days of Royal Ascot, King George day and the industry-owned QIPCO British Champions Day.

Felicity Barnard, Commercial Director at Ascot Racecourse, said, “This is exciting for Ascot and exciting for racing in general. The relationship has grown and grown and this renewal shows that the Hong Kong Jockey Club are invested in racing across the world. It gives us the opportunity to expand what we are doing on the global stage so we are absolutely thrilled.

“All the revenue we generate, we look to invest in the business so our partnership with the Hong Kong Jockey Club is incredibly important to allow us to invest a significant amount into prize money. That in turn generates better-quality runners and a better product for World Pool customers.”

Michael Fitzsimons, Executive Director, Wagering Products, at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said, “The partnership is great for us, for Ascot and for racing generally around the world. The continuity of big brands working together for the benefit of racing has been really important in bringing familiarity of the product, and of the betting markets, to customers around the globe. Working together to really promote racing in a truly global sense has been brilliant for everybody.

“We know that our customers are familiar with UK racing. They like Ascot and they like the brand of Ascot especially. Thousands of people will be watching Royal Ascot this week in Hong Kong and, when Wellington (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus) runs in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee S., I'm sure we will see a serious spike in the numbers. We are all very keen for Hong Kong to put its own horses on the map, and the World Pool unites everybody in a way that's never really been done before and we are very proud of working with Ascot and other racetracks.”

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Tattersalls To Cease Operations At Ascot Racecourse

Tattersalls will no longer hold sales at Ascot Racecourse beginning immediately, the company announced on Wednesday. The final sale at the venue under the Tattersalls banner was the Ascot June Sale, which took place on Tuesday, June 6.

Both the Tattersalls Ascot July Sale on July 18 and the Tattersalls Ascot November Sale on Nov. 9 will be moved to Park Paddocks in Newmarket and retain their dates on the calendar. Entries are now being taken for the Tattersalls Ascot July Sale, which has been renamed the Tattersalls Summer Sale. The relocated sales will be conducted in guineas, with a vendor commission of 5%, in line with all Tattersalls sales held at the Park Paddocks complex.

Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony said, “We have enjoyed our seven-year association with Ascot Sales and would like to thank all the loyal vendors and purchasers who have contributed to some memorable moments in that time, as well as the support team at Ascot Racecourse. We will continue to serve this sector of the market with mixed sales at our Park Paddocks base in Newmarket in addition to the market leading mixed and online sales which we already stage throughout the year.

“Just as with the Tattersalls sales at Ascot, the relocated sales will continue to cater for all categories, both Flat and National Hunt, with the added advantage that we can also accept mares in foal and foals, which was not an option at Ascot. Vendors and purchasers will also benefit from the outstanding facilities at Park Paddocks and the lowest commission rate in Europe.”

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