Jason Heavey

The Daily Mirror is launching a free weekday horse-racing pullout from August 17, expanding its coverage to six days a week alongside the existing Saturday section. The supplement will include racecards, tips, Spotform ratings, analysis, news, gossip and exclusive columns. Chief tipster David Yates will write a weekly column, ITV presenter Oli Bell will contribute on major issues affecting racing fans, and Steve Jones will produce a midweek Value Scope Extra column. The Mirror also hopes to include more Irish racecards when space permits.

The Daily Mirror is partnering with William Hill to offer readers a free shop bet each day from March 10 to 13, 2026, during the Cheltenham Festival. The paper will also publish racing guides, previews and daily pullouts. The preview highlights a possible British response to recent Irish dominance, with Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott leading the Irish challenge and horses including Galopin Des Champs, Fact To File, Gaelic Warrior and The Jukebox Man featuring prominently in the betting. Other contenders and jockeys mentioned include Golden Ace, Majborough, Old Park Star, Lulamba, Sean Bowen and Harry Cobden.

The Mirror outlines its planned coverage of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival, including a racing pocket guide, preview supplements and daily pullouts from March 7 to March 13. The festival begins on March 10, with analysts expecting a stronger British challenge against Irish dominance. Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott lead Ireland’s contenders, while Britain’s hopes include The Jukebox Man, Haiti Couleurs and jockey Sean Bowen. Key races discussed include the Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase, Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, Arkle Trophy and Turners Novices’ Hurdle.

Constitution Hill's spectacular nine-and-a-half-length Flat debut at Southwell has prompted owner Michael Buckley to target a 2026 campaign ending in Australia's Melbourne Cup. A decision on whether the horse will run in next month's Champion Hurdle remains pending, with schooling under Yogi Breisner due to inform the choice. Buckley believes over-confidence contributed to Constitution Hill's recent jumping problems and says recent training videos suggest improved coordination between the horse and rider.

Eight horses and jockeys at Evangeline Downs in Louisiana had to swerve around an ambulance that unexpectedly entered the course during the eighth race on Saturday night. The evasive actions prevented a potentially serious collision, and no injuries were reported. Track officials have launched an inquiry into how the ambulance came to be in the racing area, while commentators and fans described the incident as an alarming near miss.

Newsboy recommends Akabusi as the main Nap in Kempton’s 7.10 nursery and Atmosphere as the next-best selection in the 4.05 handicap. Akabusi arrives after a Wolverhampton win, retains blinkers and receives a 7lb claim from Toby Moore, while Atmosphere is favoured after winning over the same Kempton course and distance. The article also lists selections for all races at Hexham, Warwick, Ffos Las and Kempton Park, with Akabusi and Atmosphere named as the suggested double.

The scheduled seven-race meeting at Huntingdon will proceed despite severe rail and road disruption following a stabbing on a London North Eastern Railway service near Huntingdon. Ten people were taken to hospital, with nine reportedly suffering life-threatening injuries and no fatalities reported. British Transport Police have made two arrests, while racecourse officials are coordinating with local authorities and assessing the impact on attendees.

Racing at York was suspended after jockeys Jim Crowley and Trevor Whelan fell during the Garrowby Stakes. Both were conscious and communicating with medical staff but were believed to have suffered leg injuries before being taken to Leeds General Infirmary. Crowley's horse Almeraq appeared to clip heels and fall, bringing down Whelan's mount Tiger Bay; both horses appeared unhurt. Racing resumed after the next race was delayed by nearly 30 minutes.

British horse racing will suspend four race meetings on September 10 for the first time in its history to protest the Government’s proposed betting-tax changes. Meetings at Lingfield Park, Carlisle, Uttoxeter and Kempton Park will be rescheduled, while racing leaders, owners, trainers and jockeys will gather in Westminster. The British Horseracing Authority says aligning racing’s 15% betting-duty rate with the 21% rate for online games of chance could cost the industry £330 million in revenue over five years and put 2,752 jobs at risk in the first year. The action is part of the “Axe the Racing Tax” campaign urging the Government to abandon the proposal.

Daily Mirror chief tipster David Yates, known as Newsboy, correctly selected all seven winners at Beverley on 5 July 2025, producing a combined 12,936-1 accumulator. His selections included 14-1 winner Dandy’s Angel and 3-1 final winner Dolly’s Delight. The paper’s Value Scope columnist Steve Jones also identified several successful bets at Haydock, including 11-1 winner Expert Angel and three placed horses.

Trainer Julie Camacho paid tribute to Makanah, a much-loved 10-year-old racehorse who sustained a fatal injury during a six-furlong handicap at Thirsk. Makanah had been with Camacho's yard for six years, winning eight of 59 races and earning more than £159,000 in prize money. His owners, Axom Lxxi, bought him from Shadwell for £30,000 in 2017 and recently held a birthday party for him at the stable. Camacho said he was adored by the team, breeder and owners and would leave a huge void.

Constitution Hill finished fifth of six in the Boodles Champion Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival, extending a difficult run after falls at Cheltenham and Aintree. He completed the race but made errors and never showed his usual pace under stand-in jockey James Bowen. State Man, ridden by Paul Townend and trained by Willie Mullins, made all the running to beat Golden Ace and Kargese. Nicky Henderson said Constitution Hill was beaten well before the finish and that something had gone wrong, while Mullins praised State Man's consistency and performance.

The Mirror provides free interactive racecards, results, form information, live betting and odds for horse racing in the UK and Ireland. The page highlights major events including the Cheltenham Festival, the Grand National, Royal Ascot and the Epsom Derby, and promotes expert betting tips through the Mirror Punters Club and betting services from Paddy Power.

The Daily Mirror is promoting its partnership with William Hill for the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, offering readers a free William Hill shop bet each day from March 11 to 14, alongside racing pullouts, tips and analysis. The coverage highlights leading contenders including Galopin Des Champs, Constitution Hill and Jonbon, previews key races across the festival, and promotes the Mirror’s digital coverage and Punters Club newsletter.

The Mirror outlines its coverage of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, including daily pullouts, racecards, live blogs, tips, analysis and reader offers. The four-day meeting features leading British and Irish trainers and jockeys, with Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott, Henry De Bromhead, Rachael Blackmore and Dan Skelton among the key figures. Galopin Des Champs is seeking a third Gold Cup victory, while Constitution Hill aims to reclaim the Champion Hurdle after missing the previous edition through injury. Readers are also encouraged to join the free Mirror Punters Club for racing updates, tips, competitions and offers.

Cheltenham Festival-winning jockey Michael O'Sullivan died at 24 from injuries sustained in a fall at Thurles on February 6. He had been treated in intensive care at Cork University Hospital after falling from Wee Charlie at the final fence. O'Sullivan's family donated his organs, while racing authorities, colleagues and trainers paid tribute to his talent, humility and character. A number of Irish racing fixtures were cancelled as a mark of respect.

Frankie Dettori will not ride at Royal Ascot 2024 after deciding to honor his retirement from British racing. His representative, Hannah Tufnell, confirmed that he will attend the meeting as a racegoer and spend time with family and friends. Dettori will also participate in a hospitality venture with chef Francesco Mazzei. The decision ends speculation that US trainer Wesley Ward might give him rides, despite Dettori's continued success in the United States, including six consecutive winners at Santa Anita in April.

Trainer Lucinda Russell has announced the retirement of 10-year-old Corach Rambler, the 2023 Grand National winner. The horse, who also won two Ultima Chases at the Cheltenham Festival and earned more than £750,000, had an unsuccessful Grand National defence after unseating Derek Fox at the first fence and was later pulled up at Punchestown. Russell said the decision was made to protect Corach’s welfare and allow him to retire in excellent condition, despite his age and potential to continue racing.

Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs by a nose in a dramatic three-way photo finish, edging Sierra Leone and Japan's Forever Young. Trained by Kenny McPeek and ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr., Mystik Dan secured a historic double for the pair after their Kentucky Oaks victory with Thorpedo Anna the previous day. A crowd of 156,710 watched the race, while Chad Brown praised Sierra Leone's effort despite the narrow defeat.

Frankie Dettori won six consecutive races on Santa Anita Derby day in California, falling one victory short of matching his famous Magnificent Seven at Ascot in 1996. His wins included the Santa Anita Oaks on Nothing Like You, who defeated stablemate Kinza by seven and a half lengths, and a victory on Royal Charter. Dettori narrowly missed a seventh win when Imagination finished second in the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby.

Absolute Steel, a 200-1 outsider beaten by 99 lengths on his previous start, produced a major upset at Exeter by making all and holding off 4-9 favourite Lowry’s Bar in the Trustatrader Apply Today British Studs EBF Novices Hurdle. Ridden by Stan Sheppard and trained by Tom Lacey, the £16,000 purchase secured his first victory despite showing little form in his two previous races. Sheppard said he was surprised but believed the horse had performed better previously than the results suggested.

Point-to-point jockey Keagan Kirkby, aged 25, died after being thrown from his horse during the final race at Charing in Kent. His horse ran through the wing of a fence on the second circuit, and he could not be saved despite immediate medical attention and helicopter emergency support. Kirkby had worked for trainer Paul Nicholls since 2019 and was nominated for the 2024 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards. Nicholls, the Injured Jockeys’ Fund and British Horseracing Authority paid tribute to him, describing him as hardworking, passionate, thoughtful and highly regarded, while asking that his family and colleagues’ privacy be respected.

Freezing weather forced the abandonment of Ascot’s Saturday BetMGM Clarence House Chase meeting, which was due to feature a rematch between El Fabiolo and Jonbon. The British Horseracing Authority is discussing options for rescheduling races lost this weekend. Haydock’s Saturday card, including the Peter Marsh Chase, also faces likely cancellation pending a course inspection, while Taunton and Lingfield have more favorable prospects.

Rookie jockey Joe Anderson recovered spectacularly after being thrown over the neck of Transmission during the Betgoodwin Sussex Stayers Handicap Hurdle at Plumpton. He clung to the horse, rode without irons for part of the three-mile race, regained them with a circuit remaining and guided the seven-year-old to victory. Racing commentators and trainer Fergal O’Brien hailed the performance as one of the greatest rides seen at Plumpton.