Navan’s new two-day Festival has attracted some real equine stars – with champion jockey Paul Townend especially excited about teaming up with Facile Vega in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase on Saturday.
Always highly thought of as just the second foal out of Willie Mullins’ champion mare Quevega, he won the Cheltenham Festival bumper in 2022.
Having landed a Grade One on just his second outing over hurdles last season, Facile Vega ran inexplicably badly at the Dublin Racing Festival and, despite returning to something like his best at Cheltenham, had no answer to Marine Nationale in the Supreme in March.
While he enjoyed a stroll at Punchestown to end on a winning note, he has always had the size and scope of a chaser.
“Facile Vega was a star novice hurdler last season. He’s one we’re really looking forward to getting going over fences and he’s one that could even improve for fences,” Townend told Navan Racecourse.
“His schooling has been really good and we’re looking forward to getting him out on the track.
“He has the size and scope to develop into a better chaser, his mother got better with age and he did really well through the summer. Without putting the mockers on him, I like the way he’s taken to fences at home.
“Navan is a good, big, fair track with an inviting fence, it’s one of the tracks we are blessed to have on our doorstep in Ireland.”
It is far from a penalty kick, however, with Henry de Bromhead’s Inthepocket, also a Grade One-winning hurdler, and the Gordon Elliott pair of Saint Felicien and Sa Fureur, who have been favourites for the Coral Cup for the past two seasons.
Townend also rides Dysart Dynamo, who steps out of novice company in the Bar One Fortria Chase
“The conditions suit Dysart Dynamo. He ran into El Fabiolo a couple of times but without him around he’d have had a tremendous season. It looks a nice place to start him off, with the conditions suiting,” said Townend.
Captain Guinness, Saint Roi, Now Where Or When and Riviere D’etel complete the field.
Last year’s winner Home By The Lee and Stayers’ Hurdle victor Sire Du Berlais look to put down an early marker in the Railway Bar Lismullen Hurdle.
Home By The Lee will be joined by his Joseph O’Brien-trained stablemate Busselton.
“He’s done great (over the summer) and I’m looking forward to getting him started for the season,” O’Brien said of Home By The Lee.
“I suppose he will go down the staying hurdle route and we’re looking forward to the year ahead.
“The plan was always he would have an extended break and he is starting back a bit later than last year, but we’re not too worried about that and we’re looking forward to getting him back on track.
“Leopardstown (at Christmas) is probably his big target for the first half of the season.”
On Busselton, he added: “He also had a pretty busy campaign last year and had a nice holiday during the summer.
“This is a nice starting point for him, even though his best runs have come over a bit further than this.”
Bob Olinger and Zanahiyr will also have plenty of followers in an open race.
Incredibly, Gordon Elliott has declared 15 of the 22 runners in the Bar One Racing Troytown Handicap Chase on Sunday, albeit Thedevilscoachman heads the market for Noel Meade.
The government has responded to the racing industry’s petition to stop the proposed implementation of affordability checks.
Although it is registered in the name of Nevin Truesdale, chief executive of the Jockey Club, the petition was launched on behalf of Britain’s horseracing industry, which supports more than 85,000 jobs and contributes £4.1billion to the UK economy each year.
It has so far attracted in excess of 80,000 signatures and will warrant consideration for a debate in parliament when it hits 100,000.
The sport is broadly concerned that the implementation of affordability checks will be highly damaging to its revenue and are potentially intrusive to punters for the sake of relatively small losses. Many owners have spoken out on their intention to leave the sport or significantly cut their interests over the issue.
With signatures rising swiftly the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has underlined its commitment to “effective but proportionate” affordability checks whilst working with the industry to gain clarity on the expected financial deficit.
A portion of the response read: “We are committed to a proportionate, frictionless system of financial risk checks, to protect those at risk of harm without over regulating. The Gambling Commission will set out plans in due course.
“The government and Gambling Commission recognise concerns some have with the proposed system of financial risk checks for the highest spending online customers to help identify and tackle gambling related harm. We share the goals that the checks should not overregulate the gambling sector, should not unduly disrupt the millions of people who gamble without suffering harm, and should not cause unnecessary damage to sectors which rely on betting, in particular horseracing. The government is a strong supporter of horseracing, and recognises that it is not the job of either the government or the Gambling Commission to tell people how to spend their money. As outlined in the gambling white paper we are seeking to balance this freedom with the necessary action to tackle the devastating consequences which harmful gambling can have for individuals and communities.
“Importantly, the proposals will represent a significant improvement for both businesses and customers compared to the current situation. While the Gambling Commission does not currently have specific requirements or thresholds, we know that operators are applying inconsistent ‘affordability’ checks on a number of customers, often without being clear on why the checks are happening, and normally requiring customers to provide data manually. We have challenged operators to be more transparent with customers in the interim, but the proposed system will be a significant improvement in having clear and proportionate rules which all operators are held to, and allowing for financial data to be shared seamlessly with operators instead of burdening customers with information requests. Both the government and the Gambling Commission have been clear that we would not mandate the checks proposed in the consultation until we are sure that they will be frictionless for the vast majority of customers who would be checked.”
It added: “The government recognises the enormous value of horseracing as both a spectator sport and through its economic contribution. The white paper’s estimate was that financial risk checks will reduce online horserace betting yield by 6% to 11%, which would in turn reduce racing’s income by £8.4 to £14.9 million per year (0.5% to 1% of its total income) through a reduction in levy, media rights and sponsorship returns. We are working with racing and refining that estimate. We have also commenced a review of the Horserace Betting Levy to ensure a suitable return to the sport for the future.
“The government and Gambling Commission are working with the industry and others to ensure the checks can be implemented in an effective but proportionate way. We are also exploring the role of pilots or phased implementation to help ensure this.”
Royal Ascot winner Burdett Road knows all about competing on the big stage and heads to Cheltenham to continue his hurdling education in the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle.
A winner of the Golden Gates Stakes at the big summer meeting before trying his hand in Group company, he made the perfect start to life over timber when making his first outing for new handler James Owen at Huntingdon.
Although somewhat raw, it was hard not to be impressed by the facile nature of that 12-length romp and he now heads to Prestbury Park for an immediate step up in class.
“He seemed to enjoy it at Huntingdon, even though he was a little bit keen and exuberant,” said Owen.
“He enjoyed the jumping but made a couple of silly little mistakes and we’ve had him back and schooled him since and he seems to have learnt a bit.
“Hopefully, he will put up a better display of jumping at Cheltenham, where we are all looking forward to watching him.
“We’re very privileged to have him and hopefully he will do the job for us just as well as he did for Michael Bell.”
Noel George may have grown up a stone’s throw away form Cheltenham but he is now classed as a raider from France at Prestbury Park and, alongside his training partner Amanda Zetterholm, will saddle the exciting Milan Tino.
Owned by JP McManus, he reversed form with his debut conqueror Kingland when they clashed again in Auteuil’s Prix Georges de Talhouet-Roy and the two horses that finished ahead of Milan Tino that day went on to finish first and second again in one of France’s premier juvenile events.
George said: “He’s a horse we have always liked a lot and I actually got in touch with Charlie Swann before he ran first time out as he was for sale, and after he confirmed he was a good horse first time out, JP McManus has thankfully invested in him and I think he’s a smart horse to head over with.
“The two horses who beat him last time were the first two in a Grade One and first time out he was beaten by a horse who was third in a Grade One.
“He has improved a lot since those two runs and I’m really looking forward to seeing how the form works out in England.
“I’m in France mainly for the amazing prize-money, but I have British owners and I’m British myself obviously, so when we have ones good enough for the big day, then we will be coming over.”
A field of 11 will head to post, with An Bradan Feasa making his debut for Newmarket handler Jack Jones following an impressive win at Ballinrobe in September, while Tom Dascombe will saddle a rare runner over obstacles with the hat-trick seeking Gifted Angel.
Brian Ellison’s Eagle Prince and Ben Brookhouse’s I Still Have Faith both arrive following a victory on their hurdling debuts, with owners Mark and Maria Adams bidding for a third straight win in the race with former Andrew Balding inmate Galactic Jack.
Mister Coffey will begin his journey back to the Grand National on Saturday when he attempts to finally break his duck over fences in the From The Horse’s Mouth Podcast Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham.
Although second to L’Homme Presse in a Grade One over fences in February 2022, Nicky Henderson’s eight-year-old is remarkably still a novice over the larger obstacles, despite a respectable overall record that has seen him make the podium in seven of his nine chasing appearances.
Having run with credit at Prestbury Park at the last two Cheltenham Festivals, connections now hope they have picked out a suitable option to kick-start the gelding’s new campaign.
“He’s been third and second at the track but the most significant thing is he has never won a race over fences and hopefully this is the perfect opportunity,” said Charlie Gordon-Watson, racing manager to owner Lady Bamford.
“It’s left-handed on soft ground, the distance is right, everything is right. It looks like the right race for him.”
Mister Coffey was last seen jumping with real gusto on the front-end at Aintree in April in the Grand National.
Only stamina could stop Mister Coffey’s fun on that occasion and his team are now keen to return to Merseyside in the spring, providing their charge improves his rating sufficiently to make the line-up.
Gordon-Watson added: “Nicky was concerned about the new limit on numbers and that he needs to get up the weights a bit, so he needs to go up quite a few pounds to be guaranteed to get in. He’s 142 at the moment, so he has a bit of work to do.”
The Listed event, which was won last year by The Real Whacker and has the likes of Thistlecrack on its roll of honour, has attracted a strong field of six, with Nigel Twiston-Davies responsible for Weveallbeencaught and Broadway Boy, who both bring course-winning form to the table.
However, it is Good Risk At All that could pose the biggest threat to Mister Coffey, judged on his taking chasing bow at Carlisle.
Sam Thomas’ seven-year-old relished the larger obstacles when a 16-length winner over the reopposing Alaphilippe in the north west and could continue his handler’s fine start to the current season.
“Hopefully, Good Risk has learnt plenty from Carlisle and it is a small-runner field as well, which is nice,” said the trainer.
“We were thrilled (with his run at Carlisle), he made a bit of a novicey mistake early doors but he got the hang of it and please God he has learnt loads from that and, with a nice clean round of jumping, I would like to think he wouldn’t be a million miles away.”
Willie Mullins’ Baby Kate and John McConnell’s Sharp Object give Ireland a strong hand in the concluding Karndean Designflooring Mares’ Open National Hunt Flat Race, while the Emerald Isle raiders also have leading claims earlier in the day with Buddy One in the Paddy Power Games Handicap Hurdle.
Paul Gilligan’s six-year-old was third behind Iroko in the Martin Pipe back in March before also picking up a silver medal at Aintree a month later and he has continued to thrive, impressing with victory at Galway late last month.
“He’s improving and improving the whole time,” said Gilligan. “It’s another step up obviously, but his Galway run was fantastic – he was very professional that day in Galway.
“If he brings back his Martin Pipe form, then even though he has top-weight, he has to be in with a massive shout and that is what we are hoping.”
Spirit Dancer quickened up impressively to give owner and breeder Sir Alex Ferguson a famous victory in the Bahrain International Trophy.
The former Manchester United manager already had a special place in his affections for the Richard Fahey-trained six-year-old, having sent the unraced dam Queen’s Dream to Frankel.
While he has taken time to reach his full potential, this summer saw him win three in a row, including the Group Three Strensall Stakes at York, which booked his ticket for this contest, worth £500,000 to the winner.
Spirit Dancer was not among the favourites due to the class of the opposition, which included Charlie Appleby’s Grade One winner Nations Pride, Saeed bin Suroor’s 2022 Queen Anne runner-up Real World, Israr for the Gosdens and Aidan O’Brien’s Point Lonsdale.
All the main protagonists had their chance but none had an answer to Spirit Dancer, who when Oisin Orr unleashed him down the outside put the race to bed in a matter of strides.
Ferguson was understandably delighted, telling Racing TV: “That is the best ever, without doubt. Against all the pedigrees and form of all the other horses – that’s fantastic, I couldn’t believe it.
“Richard said to leave it to the jockey, he’ll be all right.
“I was terrified looking at all the other people involved in this race. Godolphin had five horses in it. That was great, I’m so proud.
“I said to the jockey ‘remember, he’s a Frankel’.”
Orr said: “I got a lovely sit the whole race and I always felt I had plenty of horse underneath me. I couldn’t believe how well he quickened in the straight, he’s won well.
“He had good form coming here, maybe he just needed his last run a little but he’s come back to his best today.”
Brian Toomey has hailed the support of Harry Redknapp as he prepares to saddle his first runner as a trainer in the colours of the former football manager at Lingfield on Saturday.
The ex-jump jockey’s journey to the training ranks is a remarkable one, having sustained life-threatening injuries from a horror fall at Perth 10 years ago.
That incident saw the now 34-year-old spend 157 nights in hospital and placed in an induced coma for two weeks while having surgery to reduce swelling on his brain, including the removal of part of his skull.
Despite the extent of his injuries, and medics telling Toomey he had died for six seconds and was given only a three per cent chance of survival, he made a full recovery and even briefly returned to the saddle before hanging up his boots and turning his attentions to training in 2016.
Seven years on and he is preparing to saddle his first runner since taking up residence at Bowstridge Farm in Chalfont St Giles and being granted a dual-purpose licence by the British Horseracing Authority.
Toomey admits it has been a far from straightforward journey to reach this proud moment, but it is the Irishman’s determined attitude that first attracted the attention of Redknapp, whose Wake Up Harry will line-up for the new handler in division one of the one-mile Gamble Responsibly At BetMGM Handicap.
He said: “I’m blessed with the contacts and connections I have made and my first runner is for Harry Redknapp, who has been very encouraging to me throughout my path towards my goal. It’s a massive privilege and very exciting.
“Harry respects and admires my drive and determination he has said, and it’s one of the reasons he has supported me. He said ‘listen, you have never given up’ – and I’m very lucky.”
Toomey went on: “It hasn’t been easy, I won’t lie. I come from a non-racing background and it is something I have had to go out and achieve myself.
“I have been talking about it for a very long time and people probably thought ‘is this going to ever happen?’, but an opinion is not a fact and I knew in my head this is something I was always working towards and something I was going to achieve if I could.
“I am very passionate about training and nothing has been handed to me and hopefully I can prove I can do it. I am very focussed on making it a success if I can.”
Toomey’s carefully selected Buckinghamshire base is in the ideal spot to target a whole host of racecourses and he hopes that Redknapp isn’t the only famous face he can attract to his yard as he develops both the facilities and his string.
“I’ve got a few horses that will be ready to run before the year ends,” the trainer added.
“I’m hoping to pick up some more support before the year ends, but I’ve been blessed to have the support I already have.
“I’m at Chalfont St Giles in Buckinghamshire. It is a lovely part of the country and only 24 miles from central London – and there are a lot of famous names around Chalfont St Giles and you never know, hopefully I may be able to attract a few of them.
“I’m only an hour away from Lingfield and 45 minutes from Kempton and places like that, so it is very central and there are plenty of racecourses around.”
Frankie Dettori may have said his goodbyes to British racing, but his legacy on the racecourse will live on when Lanfranco makes his debut at Lingfield on Saturday.
Fittingly trained by the Italian’s long-time ally in the training ranks John Gosden, in conjunction with his son Thady, the Frankel colt is the first offspring of the Group One-winning mare Coronet, who Dettori partnered 11 times and steered not only to Royal Ascot glory, but also a pair of top-level races in France.
Like Coronet, Lanfranco will sport the colours of Dettori’s friend Prince Faisal Salman and his Denford Stud, and although the 52-year-old’s riding days in Britain may be over, the Clarehaven heir apparent Kieran Shoemark will be in the saddle when the youngster starts out over 10 furlongs in the BetMGM Take Time Out During #sgweek23! EBF Maiden Stakes.
“He is the first foal out of Coronet, so he was always a little bit special to us, but dare I say it, a typical first foal and was always going to need a little bit of time,” said Richard Evans, farm manager at Denford Stud.
“Coronet herself did not show her best until she was four and five and we just knew he would need that little bit of time and now he is going to be seeing a racecourse for the first time and it is very much see how we go.
“The feeling is he won’t show himself until next year really and at least the run this year will give him a little bit of experience. He’s very much out for a run and gaining experience and we just hope he progresses over the winter.”
The name Lanfranco had been reserved by Denford Stud awaiting the right opportunity to honour the decorated jockey and although Dettori played a key role in assigning the moniker, it is now unlikely he will get the chance to partner the colt on track following his forthcoming pre-retirement move to America.
“The name came about from Frankie’s visit to us earlier in the year,” Evans explained.
“Frankie is obviously very good friends with the Prince and we had the name Lanfranco on hold and we gave him the choice. It was very much while visiting the stud, choose which colt you would like to name, and he went for the Frankel-Coronet, as one might expect.
“It was good to use the name and it would be lovely if Frankie could ride him, but as we all know, we’re getting towards the end of Frankie’s career and the colt won’t be showing his best until next year, so just maybe it won’t happen. You never know.”
United States and Panama both placed a foot in the Concacaf Nations League semi-final and, by extension, next year's Copa America, after they registered identical 3-0 victories in the first legs of their respective League A quarterfinals on Thursday.
United States vs. Trinidad and Tobago
A late surge earned the United States victory over Trinidad and Tobago at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas.
Antonee Robinson had a goal and an assist, as the United States scored three goals in the final 10 minutes of regular time to secure a healthy cushion going into Monday’s return leg.
As expected, United States dominated proceedings from the start, but they posed little threat in front of goal against a well-organised Trinidad and Tobago defence.
A second yellow card to Noah Powder in the 37th, saw the Soca Warriors down to 10 men with more than a half to play, and that prompted their host to commit numbers forward even more in search of the opening goal.
Trinidad and Tobago were stout-hearted and defiant at the back, especially goalkeeper Denzil Smith, whose confidence grew by saving a Yunus Musah attempt from distance and then a Sergino Dest shot.
However, their resistance was inevitably broken in the 81st, when Robinson’s cross from the left wing was flicked in by Ricardo Pepi to make it 1-0 to the home side.
While the goal inspired United States to push for more, it broke the hearts of the Trinidadians, and they imploded defensively as a result. Minutes after supplying the assist on the go-ahead goal, Robinson added a goal himself with a powerful left-footed finish in the 86th.
United States were keen to tack on one more before the final whistle and they did it in the 89th when Gio Reyna gathered a pass Folarin Balogun and fired into net to complete the 3-0 scoreline.
Costa Rica vs. Panama
Panama for the second straight time outclassed Costa Rica in a Nations League fixture at the Estadio Saprissa in San Jose.
After defeating the Ticos 1-0 in Costa Rica in the 2022-23 Nations League group stage, the Canaleros achieved the same feat, this time by a wider scoreline.
It was a dream start for Panama, as a picture-perfect fourth-minute free kick Michael Murillo went blazing into the top right corner of the net.
Panama remained on the front foot, and they doubled their advantage in the 29th when a miscued clearance from Costa Rica's defence allowed Jose Fajardo to swoop in and finish a right-footed effort.
Costa Rica sought a response and Jimmy Marin went close to pulling a goal back with a 33rd-minute shot that grazed the post.
Costa Rica mounted pressure to start the second half, but it allowed Panama to counterattack with space, and the visitors made the most of a break in the 60th. That play ended with Adalberto Carrasquilla sliding a pass into Cecilio Waterman, whose finish made it 3-0.
With the three-goal cushion, Panama played to their liking, but also kept the Costa Rican attack at bay, as they saw out the remainder of the contest for the win.
Guadeloupe consolidated their lead atop Group A in League B of the Concacaf Nations League, following a 2-0 win over St Maarten, while St Lucia and St Kitts and Nevis played out a goalless draw on Thursday.
The results saw Guadeloupe move to 12 points, two points ahead of St Lucia on 10 points, as they chase promotion to League A. St Kitts and Nevis and St Maarten are on four and three points respectively.
St Kitts and Nevis vs. St Lucia
It was a night of mishits for St Kitts and Nevis and St Lucia at the SKNFA Technical Center in Basseterre.
Ronaldo Belgrove had a driving effort towards goal in the third minute, but St Lucia's Melvin Doxilly averted the danger.
Belgrove had a better look two minutes later with a rifle towards goal, but this time goalkeeper Vino Barclett got in the way.
Omari Sterling-James of St Kitts and Nevis tried his luck in the 25th, while Raheem Somersall had an attempt five minutes later.
Caniggia Elva had the best chance for the visitors in the 41st, but goalkeeper Julani Archibald proved equal to the task.
Both teams continued to give as good as they got, as they continued to throw their weight in attack, but couldn't find the elusive winner.
St Maarten vs. Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe continued winning ways against St Maarten at the Wildey Turf Stadium in Wildey, Barbados.
They generated quality chances early with Matthias Phaeton getting a look on frame in the 10th minute.
Imar Kort had the best look for St Maarten in the 23rd with a hit from the middle of the field.
Ange Plumain also went close in the 39th, with Phaeton again proving a menace in the 45th, but failed to get on target for the breakthrough.
It wasn't until the 65th minute that the deadlock was finally broken courtesy of Plumain, who made no mistakes from close range.
Phaeton should have extended the lead in the 70th, but again failed to get his effort on goal at that point.
Kort had a direct shot towards goal, but goalkeeper Davy Rouyard was on hand to deny the effort.
Phaeton found the back of the net five minutes into second half stoppage time to ice the game and seal the three points.
Both Dominica and Aruba clinched promotion to League B after they registered contrasting away victories in their respective League C Concacaf Nations League encounters on Thursday.
British Virgin Islands vs. Dominica
Dominica will be back in familiar territory in League B for the next edition of the Nations League, as they sealed promotion with a 2-1 win over British Virgin Islands in Group C at the A.O. Shirley Recreation Ground in Road Town, BVI.
With the result, Dominica are guaranteed of top spot in the three-team group with a match to spare. They are on seven points, while BVI, on five points, remain in the mix for promotion as the best-ranked second-place team in League C.
After playing out a goalless first half, where both teams created chances, the best of which fell to BVI, as Luka Chalwell's shot that was saved, while Taylor Scarff's header was tipped over the crossbar by Glenson Prince, in goal for Dominica.
Dominica's best effort in the first 45 minutes, fell to Javid George, whose right-footed effort came back off the post.
However, Dominica’s pressure finally bore fruit in the 52nd minute, as George played a cut-back pass to Audel Laville, who bounced home a shot for a 1-0 lead.
BVI replied 11 minutes later courtesy of T’Sharne Gallimore in the 63rd. Gallimore received a pass and then made a slick cut before curling a right-footed shot into net to make it 1-1.
But Dominica regained the ascendancy in the 68th through Eustace Marshall, who expertly headed home after being left unmarked in front of goal.
Dominica fended off a late BVI charge to nail down the precious three points and secure their place in League B.
US Virgin Islands vs. Aruba
Aruba are also on their way back to League B thanks to their 4-1 triumph over United States Virgin Islands in Group B at the Bethlehem Soccer Complex in Saint Croix.
The victory gives Aruba nine points from three games, five points ahead of second-place Cayman Islands.
It was an ideal start for Aruba, who grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 23rd through Jaydon Dania, who tapped in a cross from Benjamin Maria.
Aruba kept their foot on the gas, and doubled the advantage before halftime and it came in sensational fashion, as Rovien Ostiana launched a shot from over 50 yards out that sailed over the head of USVI's goalkeeper Dylan Ramos to make it 2-0 at the break.
USVI came out strong on the resumption and pulled one back in the 47th when Quinn Farrell headed in a weighted free kick from Zahmyre Harris.
Aruba restored their two-goal cushion in the 52nd, with Maria once again playing provider for Ostiana, who applied a tidy finish.
Maria then took one of his own when he converted from the penalty spot to cap the win and the three points for Aruba.
Jamaican 400m runner Christopher Taylor has been suspended for 30 months by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), SportsMax.tv has learned.
Earlier this year, Taylor was charged by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for violating the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) Anti-Doping Code Article 2.3, after a six-month investigation determined that the 23-year-old evaded a doping test in November 2022.
WADA Anti-Doping Code Article 2.3 states: "Evading, Refusing or Failing to Submit to Sample Collection. The Evading Sample collection, or without compelling justification, refusing or failing to submit to Sample collection after notification as authorised in applicable anti-doping rules."
Taylor was reportedly contacted in November 2022 by anti-doping officials who had turned up to conduct a test at the location that he had indicated on his whereabouts form.
However, when the officials arrived, Taylor was not at the listed location and had not updated his whereabouts information. Instead, Taylor was at the Norman Manley International Airport, waiting to catch a flight that had previously been booked on his behalf.
Athletes who are a part of the registered testing pool are required to provide certain information, which is used by anti-doping organisations to locate athletes for out-of-competition testing.
If an athlete is deemed to have violated WADA Anti-Doping Code Article 2.3 which speaks to "Evading, Refusing or Failing to Submit to Sample Collection", a two or four-year ban is mandatory.
One year of the 30-month suspension has already elapsed.
Taylor, a finalist at the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo and the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, will be eligible to compete again as on May 2025.
He last competed in August 2022.
Broward County Stadium in Florida is ready to host matches in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in June 2024, marking a historic moment as West Indies and the USA present the largest cricket World Cup ever. Cricket West Indies (CWI) President Dr. Kishore Shallow held meetings in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on 6 and 7 November, 2023, to discuss the progress and opportunities surrounding this global calendar event.
While the primary focus of the discussions centred on the forthcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup, parallel considerations of future plans were also tabled. This encompasses collaborative efforts to enhance cricket in both the West Indies and the USA. In addition, the prospect of sustaining a partnership with Worldwide Sports Enterprise (WSE) garnered a favorable reception from officials. President Shallow expressed, “I am heartened by the enthusiasm displayed by key stakeholders in the USA. Broward County and the City of Lauderhill are fully committed, and collective endeavours are underway to ensure the resounding success of this monumental event.”
He also acknowledged the pivotal role played by WSE in realizing this opportunity, commending their critical partnership in fostering cricket's growth in Broward Count Broward County Commissioner Hazelle Roger eagerly anticipates hosting the World Cup, stating, “I am excited at the opportunity to showcase Broward excellence and hospitality to the world, as we work towards being World Cup ready!
We are eagerly awaiting the announcements of the scheduled games to be played at Broward Central Regional Park.” Mayor Ken Thurston of the City of Lauderhill echoed similar sentiments, expressing, “The City Of Lauderhill has been envisioning this day for well over two decades. We are honored the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is coming to the United States and especially to Central Broward Park and Stadium in Lauderhill. We look forward to all the matches and festivities surrounding this spectacular tournament. In addition, we look forward to creating unforgettable memories with the guests, players, families, and friends that will make the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup one of the most memorable of all time.”
In addition to President Shallow, Commissioner Rogers, and Mayor Thurston, participants at the meetings included Jeff Miller from WSE, senior management of Visit Lauderdale, and senior officials from Broward County Parks and Recreation. In August 2023, a multitude of spectators experienced the climax of a thrilling T20I series at Broward County Stadium, where West Indies emerged triumphant over India. The matches were co-hosted by CWI and WSE. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 match schedule is expected to be announced in the coming weeks, following the ICC board meetings in India in November 2023.
Shanikie Osbourne, the coach at the centre of the dispute with Olympic champion Elaine Thompson Herah's management, strongly refuted statements made by the management regarding her compensation for preparing Thompson Herah for the Olympics in Paris. In a detailed account, Osbourne denied asking for unreasonable levels of compensation and emphasized that she was open to negotiation.
Osbourne was hired in July following Thompson-Herah’s poor performance at the Jamaica national championships where she finished fifth in the 100m finals in 11.06s. The coach’s impact was almost immediate with the five-time Olympic gold medalist producing five consecutive season-bests – 11.00, 10.92, 10.84 and 10.79 for a third-place finish in the season-ending Diamond League final in Eugene, Oregon.
Things seemed to be going well up late September or early October when negotiations began for a new longer-term arrangement between Thompson-Herah and the coach, who helped her resurrect her 2023 season.
However, on Wednesday, Thompson-Herah’s agents Andi Sports Management released a statement informing about the end of the relationship between the athlete and Coach Osbourne.
“The professional separation came about due to a breakdown in negotiations on a compensation package for the services that would be provided by Coach Osbourne,” the agent asserted in the statement. “The package proposed by the former coach, by any measure of what is the norm for such services, was extremely excessive and without any flexibility to negotiate by the other party. Collectively, we had no choice but to seek the services of another coach.”
“What Marvin (Andi Sports Management) put out saying we gave them no room to negotiate is a big lie!” said Osbourne, who spoke with Sportsmax.TV.
Osbourne revealed that the problem started when Thompson-Herah’s husband sent her what she described as a ‘garbage contract’, which she rejected. Elaine then reached out to her in a series of messages and voice notes after which they agreed to sit down for a meeting.
"At the end of her message for a meeting, I said to her, I've read her messages and asked her what time would be available for the meeting, and so I'll meet with her." During the meeting, Osbourne brought up the 15 per cent, and Thompson-Herah did not express an inability to afford it.
“I approached her with the same 15 per cent. She did not say she cannot afford the 15 per cent. She said to me, ‘Okay, since I have all my equipment, I have a gym, I have my equipment and everything, do I still have to say for the 15 percent?’”
“I remember her standing up and she said to me, ‘Okay, you said 15 per cent and that's it.’ And I said yes, that's it and she said ‘okay’ and the meeting finished.
Osbourne said she came away from the meeting with the understanding that Thompson-Herah was agreeing with what she was asking. However, just over a week later, the athlete’s husband Derron Herah contacted her.
“I thought everything was okay, Deron messaged me saying we need to sort this out,’ which she said left her perplexed. “I asked him what we needed to sort out and he said we need to sort out payment.
“He asked for a meeting and we met and he came with the same sort of foolishness and I maintained my 15 per cent. I am not charging more than that.”
During the meeting, Deron Herah repeatedly asked her to provide a figure. "All he's saying to me right is give me a figure. Give me a figure that I’m comfortable with. He can’t make those kinds of contracts with a percentage on it because that will cause them to breach their contract with PUMA.”
She expressed frustration, stating that she didn't need to know the details of Elaine’s contract, only that a fair and honest calculation of her percentage be made.
“I am just asking for a percentage. I explained to them, I do not need to know Elaine’s contract, that is not my concern. What I want is when pay time comes and I go in my account I must see that I get paid. I am not going to sit down and calculate anything.
“All I said to him and I said it to Elaine too, is just be fair, calculate the percentage and pay me, that’s all.”
During the national championships in July, it was an acquaintance of the Herahs, Damia Russell, who approached Osbourne about coaching Elaine as he was disappointed with her performance at the national championships. Given the impasse, he attempted to mediate.
Russell, is an assistant track and field coach at the University of New Mexico Highlands and was once a compliance officer at MVP Track Club during 2017-2018 season and for seven years’ prior, was the manager of the University of Technology Men and Women Track and Field teams.
“He normally guides Elaine, he went and spoke to the husband and then he took me to him,” Osbourne said explaining that she decided to leave the negotiations to him to see if they could arrive be a mutually acceptable agreement.
Russell, Osbourne disclosed, said he would assist and even suggested that since the Herahs were fearful of breaching the terms of Elaine’s contract, they could simply have Osbourne sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement.
Russell declined to comment without first speaking to Osbourne when Sportsmax.TV reached out to him on Thursday.
According to Osbourne, Russell spoke with Deron and listened to his concerns and then decided to send Elaine’s husband a figure. “He said to me, what he is going to do is do a calculation of what he believes he would negotiate for Elaine. He did that and sent the figure to him and Deron started to curse and said they were trying to extort him.”
She said she didn’t expect Herah’s reaction. “You ask for a figure and you get a figure, you negotiate, you don’t cuss and quarrel and talk about extortion. So you come and we say ‘X’ and you can’t pay ‘X’ then you pay ‘X’-1, that’s how it should go.”
The coach then discussed her decision to withdraw her services temporarily, stating, "I sent a message to Elaine and said,’ Listen, I have to withdraw my service until this is sorted out."
As it turns out, the athlete and her management decided to end the relationship.
Calabar High School alum and former track & field athlete Michael McIntosh is giving back to his alma mater through the formation of the new Winston Davis Academic Athletic Scholarship set to be awarded to a number of students annually.
McIntosh, former senior advisor to American Olympic gold medalist Harrison Dillard and co-author of “Bones: The Life and Times of Harrison Dillard,” made the announcement in a ceremony held at the school’s chapel on Thursday.
He told SportsMax.tv what it means to him to be able to give back to the school.
“It means the world to me because when you come from an institution that nurtured you with teachers who you have great and fond memories of and knowing that a lot of students need help, it means the world to me,” he said. “It’s something that I always learned from my parents; always give back. Thank the Lord that I have that opportunity,” he added.
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, McIntosh migrated to Toronto, Canada, in 1970.
His connection with Calabar High School runs deep, having competed in track and field under the mentorship of Jamaican Olympian Herb McKinley. His accomplishments in the sport span over five decades, making him a key figure in the global athletics community.
McIntosh’s achievements in track and field are illustrious. In August 1972, he clinched the gold medal as part of the record-breaking Canadian team in the 4x400m relay and secured the silver medal in the 800m at the Canadian National Junior Championships.
His commitment to the sport continued as he became a member of the Canadian National Junior team coaching staff in 1983, contributing to the development of athletes who represented Canada at the international level.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, McIntosh played a pivotal role in assisting numerous US colleges in recruiting track-and-field athletes, showcasing his dedication to nurturing talent in the field. As a senior advisor and coauthor, he has maintained a friendship with Harrison Dillard for over 35 years prior to Dillard’s passing in November 2019.
The man who the scholarship is being named after, Winston Davis who taught McIntosh at Calabar, was also in attendance on Thursday and McIntosh spoke about the reason why he chose to dedicate the scholarship to him.
“Well, he taught me Spanish, History and was my form teacher so I looked up to him and being that we’ve formed a friendship over the last ten years, it rekindled some fond memories from years ago and for a man who has always given back to the school and to his country, I thought if was fitting to be named after him,” he told SportsMax.tv.
This was a total surprise to Davis as his family and friends kept quiet from him .
McIntosh says he has managed to raise JMD$640,000 so far with more funds coming in.
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