Paris 2024 Olympics was watched by 5bn, claims IOC June 20, 2025 The Paris 2024 Olympic Games were the most-watched in history, according to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The IOC said 5bn people – 84 per cent of the world’s population – watched action from France last summer on TV or digital devices. In Britain, 36.1m people – 59 per cent of the population – watched [...]
Expect Purton and Ensued to have Fun Together June 20, 2025 NORMALLY there are always a couple of stand-out performers when delving through the formbook in Group-race contests in Hong Kong. This is not the case in the Group Three Premier Plate (12.35pm), a nine-furlong handicap, when all 14 gallopers who line-up can be given some sort of chance on form, and bettors face a monumental [...]
Hermod can Pack a punch and defy penalty at Sha Tin June 20, 2025 AFTER five days of top-class racing at Royal Ascot, it’s the turn of Sha Tin in Hong Kong on Sunday to host an 11-race programme starting at 9.00am which includes a couple of enticing Group Three handicaps. It is interesting Zac Purton climbs back aboard Beauty Eternal in the Group Three Premier Plate (11.30am), a [...]
British and Irish Lions get trendy with TikTok partnership June 20, 2025 The British and Irish Lions have stepped into the modern age, announcing a partnership with social media giant TikTok. The deal will see the touring rugby team use TikTok to reach a new generation of rugby fan. The team’s social presence on the Chinese-owned brand is healthy but lower than many other sports teams. They’ve [...]
British and Irish Lions ticket prices teeter on verge of greed June 20, 2025 I love the British and Irish Lions but quite frankly the touring side is teetering on becoming a black hole of greed, pulling fans’ precious pennies and pounds into a vortex of commercial excess. Take Friday’s exhibition match against Argentina at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium. There were a number of single tickets still available just yesterday [...]
Government to hand £500m to sports events, athletics Worlds may miss out June 19, 2025 The Government will back major UK events such as the 2028 Euros and 2027 Tour de France depart to the tune of £500m, but did not publicly back the World Athletics Championships. DCMS Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy on Thursday evening pledged £900m of investment into major sorting events and grassroots sports, with £500m reserved for [...]
Don’t Signor Cecelia to strike Gold in the Albany June 19, 2025 FRIDAY’s opening contest is the Group Three Albany Stakes (2.30pm), and I think there could be a few runners flying under the radar in the market, especially with the World Pool in operation. OH CECELIA comes from Jack Davison’s yard and could likely go off at a big price on the World Pool given her [...]
Mojo to emerge from the Shadows in Commonwealth Cup June 19, 2025 FRIDAY’s Royal Ascot card is headlined by two Group One contests, and the first of them is the Commonwealth Cup (3.05pm). This is a relatively new addition to the list of top tier races at the Royal Meeting, being introduced in 2015. At that stage Mick Appleby was just establishing himself as a name and [...]
Falakeyah can upset French raider in the Coronation June 19, 2025 PUNTERS are treated to two Group Ones on Friday at Royal Ascot, and the second of which, the Coronation Stakes (4.20pm), features some very promising three-year-old fillies over the round mile. Zarigana heads the betting and arrives here on the back of her controversial victory in the French 1000 Guineas. Francis-Henri Graffard’s filly was awarded [...]
Southampton chairman: Saints not for sale June 19, 2025 Southampton chairman Dragan Solak has insisted the club that were relegated from the Premier League this year is not for sale. Solak and his Sport Republic group purchased a controlling stake in the Saints in 2022 and have seen the St Mary’s club promoted and relegated from the Premier League in that time. He became [...]