When Your £140k-Per-Race Wonder Horse Becomes the Last Man Standing

By Lewis Barnett 27 May, 2025 5 mins read 77 Views

I've been covering racing for twelve years, and I can honestly say I've never seen a Royal Ascot entry stage bloodbath quite like this one.

We're talking about a massacre of big names that would make Game of Thrones look like a children's tea party. Kyprios? Gone. Friendly Soul? Axed. Running Lion? See ya later. It's like someone took a machete to the entry lists and went absolutely mental with it.

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The Retirement That Changed Everything

Tuesday morning hit like a sledgehammer when news broke that Kyprios was being retired with immediate effect. The poor horse had been carrying an injury, and suddenly the Gold Cup - the race everyone thought he'd dominate - was left looking like a ghost town at a family reunion.

My mate Dave texted me: "There goes my accumulator." Same, Dave. Same.

French Invasion Alert!!!

Here's where it gets interesting though. While everyone's crying into their morning coffee about the British and Irish withdrawals, this French horse called Lazzat is quietly becoming the story nobody saw coming.

This globe-trotting machine has earned over £1.4 million from just ten runs. Ten! That's £140,000 per race if you're keeping track (and trust me, his connections definitely are). Jerome Reynier trains him, and honestly? The guy's got some serious stones bringing him over for the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.

Ladbrokes have slashed him from 5-1 to 7-2. That's not just a market move - that's a stampede.

Storm Boy's Epic Faceplant

Poor Storm Boy. Remember when he was the ante-post favourite? Well, he decided to have an absolute shocker on his debut for Aidan O'Brien last weekend. From hero to zero in one race - now he's drifted out to 20-1 like yesterday's newspaper.

O'Brien's probably wondering what the hell happened there.

The Wathnan Exodus

Wathnan Racing had a proper clear-out too. Haatem, their Jersey Stakes winner from last year, got pulled from both the Queen Anne and Prince Of Wales's Stakes. The four-year-old's been running like he's carrying invisible weights this season - fifth and fourth place finishes that scream "something's not right here."

Their Electrolyte also vanished from the Commonwealth Cup entries. At this rate, they'll need a completely new game plan.

Illinois Steps Up (But Watch Your Back)

With Kyprios gone, Illinois has inherited the Gold Cup favouritism. Fair enough - he's earned it. But there's this French runner called Candelari lurking in the shadows at 3-1, and after watching him demolish a Longchamp Group 1 last weekend, I'm starting to think Illinois might have company.

Alex Apati from Ladbrokes put it perfectly: "Kyprios' retirement news has blown the Ascot Gold Cup market wide open." No kidding, Alex.

What This Actually Means

Look, withdrawals happen. Injuries happen. But when you lose this many big names in one go, it completely reshapes the entire meeting.

Lakie Victoria is now odds-on for the Coronation Stakes after her Irish 1000 Guineas win, which feels about right. Meanwhile, punters are scrambling to figure out where their money should go now that half the original favourites have vanished into thin air.

June 17th can't come fast enough. This year's Royal Ascot is going to be absolutely bonkers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the meaning of 'Going?' in horse racing

'Going' refers to the condition of the racecourse's surface on the day of a race. It can have a significant impact on the performance of horses and the outcome. The Going' is a range of conditions, from heavy (indicating a soft, wet surface) to firm (indicating a dry, hard surface). There are many grades between these two extremes, including soft, good-to-soft, good, firm to good, and hard. Trainers and jockeys must consider the 'Going' when deciding on racing strategy and equipment, such as the choice of horseshoes for better grip.

What does a racing term describing a horse as "stayer" mean?

A'stayer horse' excels when racing over long distances. Usually, these distances go beyond one mile. Stayers require not only speed, but endurance as well to maintain their pace during long races. Renowned stayers often compete in long-distance races such as the Ascot Gold Cup.

How does the handicapping system work in UK Horse Racing?

The handicap system in UK horse racing is designed to ensure that every horse has an equal chance at winning. In essence, the weights that horses carry in a race are determined by their previous performances. The heavier the weight, the better for horses that have a good past performance. The British Horseracing Authority is responsible for the handicapping process in the UK, and their team of handicappers regularly updates ratings following the results of races.

What are the 'Classics" in UK horseracing?

Classics in UK Horse Racing refers a series five prestigious races, which are traditionally regarded as the most prestigious competitions for three-year old thoroughbreds. The 2,000 Guineas (also known as the 1,000 Guineas), The Epsom Derby (also called The Epsom Oaks), and The St. Leger Stakes make up this series. This is a major achievement for any horse. Winning the Triple Crown is even more impressive.

What is meant by the jockeys silks and why?

The jockey's sashes are the colorful and pattern garments that are worn during a racing event. Each set of silks is unique and registered with the horse's owners, making it easy for spectators and officials alike to identify horses during a race. The design of the silks often holds sentimental value or tradition for the owners and can include a variety of colors, patterns, and emblems.

What are Britain's most prestigious races for horses?

The United Kingdom hosts several acclaimed horse racing events that attract audiences worldwide. Among these, the most prestigious include the Royal Ascot, the Cheltenham Festival, the Grand National at Aintree, and The Epsom Derby. These events showcase not only the best in equine talents, but also rich tradition and history. They have evolved into social occasions with distinct dress codes and royal patronage.

Statistics

The National Hunt racing season in the UK sees approximately 1,000 races with hurdles or fences each year.
The Royal Ascot, held annually in June, draws crowds of 300,000 over its five-day meeting.
Approximately 6 million people attend horse racing events in the UK each year, making it the second most popular spectator sport in the country.
Around 14,000 thoroughbred foals are born each year in the UK with the goal of becoming top racehorses.
British horse racing generates over £350 million in annual tax revenues for the UK government.
The annual Cheltenham Festival has an economic impact of over £100 million for the local Gloucestershire economy.

External Links

How To

How to read the racecards for UK Horse Racing

Reading a racecard effectively can greatly enhance your horse racing experience. It gives details about horse names and numbers, the colors of jockey's shirts, the draw numbers, weights carried, trainers, and jockeys. The form figures reflect the horse’s performances in recent races. They include numbers and letters that indicate the reasons why horses did or didn't finish. The weight carried may indicate the handicap or set weight for weight-for-age racing. Understanding this data can help predict race outcomes and make better bets. Familiarize yourself with these symbols and terms to advance your racing knowledge.