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List of County GAA Twitter Pages – Ranked by Division

Where does your county rank among the GAA Twitter pages? Twitter has become the go-to place for GAA fans looking to keep up to date with their team. When it comes to live scores, news, club activity, and whatever else there is to know, fans can likely find the information on Twitter. However, some counties are better at being on the ball. Here’s how each county stands for its Gaa Twitter pages if they were divided into divisions.

Division 4

Armagh: Mostly retweets. Does keep up to date. But, sold out big time to Domino’s and the ads are unavoidable. ‘Our Ma’ outshines the official account.  https://twitter.com/ArmaghLGFA  https://twitter.com/Armagh_GAA

Galway: Allows other pages like ‘Galway Bay FM’ to do the heavy lifting. The Ladies Football twitter page makes up for this somewhat. Also, camogie is a big deal and they are proud of it. The obvious choice for promotion. https://twitter.com/GalwayLgfa  https://twitter.com/GalwayCamogie96  https://twitter.com/Galway_GAA

Kildare: Good for updates. Yet, tries to do more and just doesn’t. For emphasis, 35.3k followers doesn’t reflect the population. https://twitter.com/KildareGAA

Laois: Liable to be dormant Monday to Friday. Business only kind of page.  https://twitter.com/CLGLaois

Limerick: Good for club notes, competitions, and scores. This is the problem though as it perhaps overdoes it. Meanwhile, the camogie page is purely for updates.  https://twitter.com/LimerickCLG  https://twitter.com/LimCamogie

Longford: Good for updates. On the other hand, ‘Longford Coaching and Games’ is your page for the personal touch. https://twitter.com/OfficialLDGAA

Roscommon: They’re currently running a raffle for a house in London. But I’m sure you already heard about that. https://twitter.com/RoscommonGAA

Westmeath: Another official county page that has a better alternative. For example, ‘Westmeath Coaching and Games for Life’ does the job. The camogie Twitter page saves some of the damage. https://twitter.com/WestmeathCamogi  https://twitter.com/westmeath_gaa

Division 3 

Cavan: Bland. Good updates. It does cover lottos, etc. In fairness, it does what it says in the bio: ‘Used for the purposes of releasing team news, giving match updates, fixtures & results etc.’. https://twitter.com/CavanCoBoardGaa  https://twitter.com/CavanLGFA

Cork: As a fact, Cork GAA has 97.1k people to keep entertained. As a result, it perhaps tries too hard. This is a very community-based page. So much so that a separate page just for scores and game updates wouldn’t be a bad idea. The LGFA page adds much-needed points for being far more sport-focused. https://twitter.com/CorkCamogie  https://twitter.com/CorkLGFA   https://twitter.com/OfficialCorkGAA

Derry: Another page that has an association with Domino’s adverts. However, they are much cuter about it. Not afraid to retweet fans’ opinions. Offers well-balanced content. https://twitter.com/Doiregaa

Kilkenny: Has a very admin feel to it. Specifically, it is a centralised place for club updates. At least the camogie page has a sense of by the people, for the people.  https://twitter.com/KilkennyCLG  https://twitter.com/KilkennyCamogie

Leitrim: This page does try to get fans in on the action. You may as well follow ‘Leitrim Daily’ though. https://twitter.com/LeitrimGAA

Mayo: Mayo GAA has over 73k followers to keep happy across all its Twitter pages. Neither the centralised page nor the LGFA page misses a beat. But, the reason for its low ranking is its failure to compete with the competition from ‘Ah Ref’. https://twitter.com/Mayo_LGFA  https://twitter.com/MayoGAA

Monaghan: Smooth page. Run of the mill job. Nice and steady.  https://twitter.com/MonaghanLGFA  https://twitter.com/monaghangaa

Offaly: A county proud of their GAA and this is contagious. Could be competitive in Division 2.  https://twitter.com/OffalyCamogie  https://twitter.com/Offaly_GAA

Division 2

Carlow: Has a good followers:following ratio. Good updates, active about its clubs, inclusive page for all the county’s games. However, maybe a little reliant on IT Carlow’s popularity. https://twitter.com/Carlow_GAA

Dublin: 98.4k followers. This would be a daunting challenge for most. Nonetheless, Dublin GAA’s twitter admins are on the ball. Both the ‘Dublin GAA Official’ and ‘Dublin LGFA’ pages are impressive. They are not afraid to give their clubs the spotlight. For pages with a lot to cover, they do a great job. https://twitter.com/CamogieDublin  https://twitter.com/dublinladiesg  https://twitter.com/DubGAAOfficial

Fermanagh: Great for keeping everyone in the loop. A proud county and this reflects in its Twitter activity. A good sight to see. https://twitter.com/FermanaghGAA

Sligo: Follows 299 people. Also, keeps people up to date on the underage sport in the county. Solid performer. https://twitter.com/sligogaa

Tipperary: A page with a lot to cover. Yet, they go above and beyond. Has a sense of personality which is refreshing. Has separate pages for men’s, camogie, and Ladies’ Football which means it’s easy to find what you’re looking for. As well, earns major points for the use of emojis. https://twitter.com/TipperaryGAA  https://twitter.com/TippLadiesFB  https://twitter.com/camogietipp

Tyrone: An account that doesn’t overdo it. Sticks to updates but does so in a neat and tidy manner. The use of animations is a trendy addition and easy on the eye.  https://twitter.com/TyroneLGFA  https://twitter.com/TyroneGAALive

Waterford: The ‘Official Waterford GAA Page’ has a kind of proud aunt feeling to it. Which is nice, if it’s your aunt. The LGFA page is where the county competes. The bio says ‘all age levels’, and delivers on this promise which is more than some do. Furthermore, the camogie page has 4781 tweets. That’s more than its 3,515 followers. Good work rate.  https://twitter.com/WaterfordLGFA  https://twitter.com/deisecamogie  https://twitter.com/WaterfordGAA

Wexford: Follows 701 people which is a lot more than most. The updates have a bit of life to them. On the whole, it’s easy to see why TV cameras end up there so often. If this page was a player, it would be a flashy corner forward. https://twitter.com/wexfordcamogie  https://twitter.com/OfficialWexGAA

Division 1

Antrim: Firstly, very active. Secondly, humorous. Then, there are polls, highlights, interviews, and live scores. Finally, they follow 1,317 people back. So refreshing. Class. https://twitter.com/AontroimGAA

Clare: If you want to watch a game. Clare GAA will ensure you know where the live stream is available. Besides, if you miss it, they’ll offer highlights and replays. Moreover, they offer previews for minor games. An overall quality county on the Twitter scene for men’s and women’s games. Similar to a manager who’ll call you up when you miss training. https://twitter.com/GaaClare https://twitter.com/ClareCamogie

Donegal: As one of the counties with Gaeltacht areas, it embraces its Irish speakers. All pages are great for updates. In addition, these updates have detail and personality. Fits on well on the big stage. Imagine the accent when you’re reading the tweets to get the full experience. https://twitter.com/officialdonegal  https://twitter.com/DonegalLGFA

Down: If this page sets the standard, everyone else falls short. Puts the focus on updates and nails it. It does this by including stats, graphs, and all the details that hardcore fans can pore over. Knows its purpose, and perfects it. Probably studied Sports Science in college. https://twitter.com/OfficialDownGAA

Kerry: These GAA Twitter pages don’t miss much. To begin, ‘Kerry Official’ is happy to share the voice of the supporters. A quality championship is backed up by quality updates. Next, the LGFA page has a link to its Instagram page in its bio. Top drawer move. Wears white boots and tapes their socks. A brave move, but can pull it off.   https://twitter.com/kerryladiesfoot  https://twitter.com/Kerry_Official

Louth: Smooth operator. Good balance between updates, admin, etc. Not clustered to look at. A no-nonsense full-back who is probably the captain. Will play into their 40s. https://twitter.com/louthgaa

Meath: These guys are on the ball. A smooth page that hypes up its clubs. Good interviews make this page a good visit. Moreover, the use of good microphones goes a long way. It wouldn’t be a surprise to discover Meath GAA was the first-ever Twitter member.  https://twitter.com/MeathGAA

Wicklow: With just 17k followers, the pressure is off for this page. In contrary to this, the work rate is not absent. The presence of cool animations put this page among the best. Shows up ten minutes before kick-off and still comes out the man of the match.  https://twitter.com/wicklowgaa

 

3 GAA Twitter Pages to Check out

Antrim: A real feel-good experience.

Donegal: Bit of Irish, some sponsors, good for updates. Something for everyone here.

Down: Just to appreciate the work being put into this one.

https://3.249.64.60/gaa/sporting-calendar-list-of-the-main-sports-events-in-november-2020/

https://twitter.com/AontroimGAA/status/1305925976820518914

https://twitter.com/My_Ticket_App/status/1305553533291376646

https://twitter.com/CorkCamogie/status/1305838259730288643

https://twitter.com/gbfmsports/status/1306489653189582848

Four Players You Should Look To Move On Ahead Of Gameweek 30

We’re heading into a crucial period of the Premier League season, and it’s one that could prove to be make or break for Fantasy Football players who are battling it out to secure top-spot in their respective leagues. We’re going to look at four players who you should consider moving on ahead of gameweek 30.  

 

David Raya – Brentford 

 

This might come as a slight surprise, but now could be the ideal time to move Raya on ahead of the final eight gameweeks of the fantasy football season. The Brentford shot-stopper is one of the highest-scoring goalkeepers in fantasy football this term, and has caught the eye with many a strong performance for Thomas Frank’s side, who continue to go from strength to strength. 

 

However, Brentford have a tricky run of fixtures in the top-flight to come, which includes hosting Newcastle United this weekend, before taking on relegation-threatened Wolves away from home, which could prove to be a busy afternoon for the Bees goalkeeper. Raya has been brilliant this season, but if you’re looking to potentially fire yourself into top-spot in your own personal leagues, then making this bold call could be the perfect opportunity to add a timely boost to your points total. 

 

Pervis Estupinan – Brighton & Hove Albion 

 

Brighton have been brilliant this season, and many FPL managers have been adding Seagulls players to their squads as this year’s league campaign has progressed. One of those to be in popular demand is Pervis Estupinan. He’s owned by over 10% of players this season, and it’s clear to see why, with the full-back scoring plenty of points in a Brighton team that have kept plenty of clean sheets this term. 

 

Now could be the time to move him on though, with Brighton taking on Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea in their next two matches, which could result in them conceding goals, which is far from ideal for any defender. Not only that though, Brighton aren’t playing in gameweek 32. So there isn’t a better reason for moving the 25-year-old out of your teams for the time being, as Brighton could struggle for clean sheets. They’re likely to still be in the mix for a top-four finish in the Premier League this season, and it’ll be interesting to see if the Seagulls can force themselves into the picture in the near future. 

 

Experts at My Betting Sites have revealed that Brighton are priced at 9/2 on Betfred to finish in the top-four, whilst the likes of Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, and Liverpool being a shorter price. Below, you’ll find the betting odds for Brighton to finish in the top-four with other betting sites. 

 

  • Betfair @ 4/1
  • Paddy Power @ 4/1
  • Sky Bet @ 4/1
  • BetUK @ 9/2
  • Unibet @ 9/2

 

Odds displayed are correct as of 3:45 pm, Wednesday 29th March, 2023. Odds are subject to change. 

 

Kieran Trippier – Newcastle United

 

Newcastle have caught the eye with some hugely impressive showings in this year’s league campaign which has given Eddie Howe’s side a serious chance of finishing in the top-four in the Premier League. Trippier made a blistering start to the 2022/23 season with the Magpies in terms of points scoring on fantasy football, but he has struggled to maintain that consistency in recent weeks. 

 

Newcastle haven’t got the easiest run of fixtures coming up, with away trips to Brentford and Aston Villa being followed by hosting Tottenham Hotspur in gameweek 32, which is far from a routine win. Trippier will be tested defensively, and it wouldn’t come as much of a surprise to see him add to his yellow card tally, which currently stands at five. There are much more cost-effective options available to fantasy football fanatics heading into the final few weeks of the Premier League season, and taking Trippier out of your team could prove to be a bold but shrewd decision. 

 

Leandro Trossard – Arsenal 

 

Trossard has hit the ground running with Arsenal, since completing a move to the Emirates Stadium from Brighton and Hove Albion. The Belgian playmaker was on hand to provide three assists for his Gunners team-mates in a comfortable win over London rivals Fulham earlier this year, and he’s been a strong player to rely on for Mikel Arteta when called upon. 

 

However, with Gabriel Jesus returning to the first-team picture, it’s likely that Trossard will see reduced game-time, especially with a tough run of fixtures coming up. They take on Liverpool, West Ham, and Southampton, before facing title-chasing rivals Manchester City, where Arsenal’s attacking threat is likely to be nullified by Pep Guardiola’s side. 




Frankie Dettori to lead The East in Racing League 2023

Preparations for Racing League move up a gear this week with the announcement of the seven team managers ahead of the jockey draft at Doncaster on Saturday morning, April 1.

Frankie Dettori is an eye-catching addition to the roster of seven managers attempting to win this year’s competition. He leads a strong East team who will be one of the favourites to wrestle the title from last year’s winners, Jamie Osborne’s Wales & The West.

Matt Chapman’s London & The South will be hoping to go one better after leading up until the final day.

Mick Quinn and Leonna Mayor have last year’s top trainers, Richard Fahey and Tim Easterby, to spearhead their respective challenges for The North and Yorkshire.

Ireland and Scotland, who will again be managed by Kevin Blake and Linda Perratt, both look set to field stronger teams, helping ensure a wide-open competition.

Dettori said: “Racing League brings something different into racing and I’ve really enjoyed being part of it for the last two years.

“The format adds a fun element while still being ultra-competitive. I will be doing everything I can to be the first player-manager to win it!”

Dettori after riding a winner for Wales & The West in 2022 (credit: Grossick Racing Photography)

The seven team managers are:

Ireland – Kevin Blake

London & The South – Matt Chapman

Scotland – Linda Perratt

The East – Frankie Dettori

The North – Mick Quinn

Wales & The West – Jamie Osborne

Yorkshire – Leonna Mayor

Racing League kicks off the school holidays at Yarmouth on July 27 and takes in summer evenings at Chepstow, Windsor, Newcastle and Wolverhampton before concluding at Southwell on September 13. All six fixtures will be shown live on ITV Racing and Sky Sports Racing.

Over £2m in prize money will be up for grabs, with an additional £50,000 for the winning team, a £35,000 prize pool for the winning team’s jockeys and £20,000 to the jockey who scores the most individual points over the competition.

Each team manager will select seven jockeys via the draft and may add a wildcard selection at any time during the competition.

Among the 108 riders to have signed up for the draft are last year’s leading jockeys Saffie Osborne and Sean Levey, with Oisin Murphy a noteworthy addition.

A total of 135 yards have registered to compete, up from 125 in 2022. Among those set to have their first Racing League runners this year are Sir Michael Stoute, joining Frankie’s ranks in The East, Michael & David Easterby extending their family ties in Yorkshire and Hughie Morrison adding strength to Scotland.

Jeremy Wray, CEO of Racing League, said: “We first spoke with Frankie after last year’s competition, before he announced that this would be his last year riding, so we are obviously thrilled that he has taken up the challenge of managing The East. Once again, we are delighted to have so many trainers involved which will make for another fiercely competitive and exciting spectacle.”

The complete list of team trainers can be found here.

A Guide to Scotland’s Most Exciting Racecourses

Do you have a need for speed and an adventurous spirit? Are you on the hunt for some of the best race courses worldwide? Look no further – Scotland is home to some of the most thrilling racecourses in the world.

For centuries, intrepid drivers from all over the globe have raced around these iconic tracks, with each turn offering adrenaline-pumping action and history-in-the-making moments. So, look at our guide to Scotland’s best racecourses and experience the excitement!

Introducing Scotland’s Five Major Racecourses

Horse racing is an incredibly popular spectator sport in Scotland that has a history that dates back almost 900 years. At this point, there are currently five racecourses that operate within the country of Scotland.

Of these five race courses, one is exclusively used for flat racing, two for jump racing, and the last for mixed races. Across all five of these major racecourses, there was a total of over 100 races held each year since 2014.

Horse racing has flourished over the years and has become more than just a sport that royals and high-class citizens watch. Today, modern horse racing has a strong local attendance and is visited by thousands.

Kelso Racecourse

Undoubtedly, the Kelso racecourse is one of the most picturesque racecourses in all of Britain. It also has a reputation for being the friendliest racecourse in Britain, although this title may be self-bestowed. As explained at British Racecourses, the Kelso racecourse was built in 1822 and unfortunately suffered from an arson attack which led to its shutdown temporarily. However, they have been back in action for a while. Typically, the races on this race course are run from September to May, which are the summer months.

Exploring Ayr Racecourse

This racecourse is home to the Scottish Grand National and could be claimed as Scotland’s best love racecourse. This racecourse hosts flat and national hunting races, including the Scottish Grand National, every April.

This beautiful racecourse is located near the West Coast of Scotland, which is great for providing the racecourse with the natural sandy ground needed for its races. It also has the perfect climate to allow for horse racing practically year-round. This race course opened in 1907 and moved locations in 1996. Since then, it has maintained its name and popularity.

Musselburgh Racecourse

The next race course to look at is Scotland’s oldest racecourse, the Musselburgh racecourse. Musselburgh racecourse is located just outside Edinburgh and is the second biggest of all of Scotland’s race courses.

It is the host of the sensational six, which are races considered to be the most prestigious in Scotland. When it comes to Musselburgh racecourse, there is typically no formal dress code. Musselburgh racecourse has been open since 1777, and despite going through difficult times and threats of closing, it is still growing strong today.

Perth Racecourse

Next up on our list, we have Perth racecourse. If you are looking for a fun day out with the family, this is definitely a racecourse to consider. This racecourse is located in northern Scotland and is an excellent race course for jumping events that are typically over a mile long.

The history of this racecourse dates back to the 17th century. This racecourse hosts one of the most popular events in June and in August, which is the Gold Cup. It also hosts the summer carnival race day, bringing in much more attention.

Hamilton Park Racecourse

Last but not least, the final racecourse that we will look at is the Hamilton park racecourse. If you are looking for racing at its finest, the Hamilton park racecourse is home to some of the most spectacular flat racing. The course is located near Glasgow, which typically means it is very well-attended. There aren’t many big races here; however, you can attend and watch plenty of entertaining races.

Pete Wilkins adds John Muldoon to the coaching team at Connacht

Pete Wilkins has added John Muldoon to the coaching team at Connacht Rugby, Muldoon signed a two year deal.

Muldoon will have responsibility for the lineout and maul, working in conjunction with Colm Tucker who will remain in charge of the scrum and breakdown.

John Muldoon made an unrivalled contribution to Connacht Rugby over a 15 year career, playing a record 327 times for the club and captaining the side to the historic PRO12 Championship in 2016.

Since his retirement in 2018 Muldoon has gained extensive coaching experience in a 5-year period with Bristol Bears. He was first appointed as defence coach before taking on responsibility for the forwards, helping the side win a Challenge Cup in 2020 and then a 1st place finish in the 2020/21 Gallagher Premiership league table.

Head Coach Pete Wilkins says:

“John Muldoon needs no introduction, but it’s worth stressing that first and foremost he’s an excellent coach, who has clearly made a huge contribution in his 5 years at Bristol. I worked with John during his last season at Connacht – and my first – and it was clear at that stage he had all the attributes to become a top-class coach. It’s been great to see that early potential realised over the last few seasons and I look forward to him bringing that experience back to Connacht Rugby

Secondly, very few people understand the culture and values of Connacht Rugby like John does. He’s experienced first-hand all the highs and lows, and has a connection with this place that cannot be overstated. That passion and knowledge will be a benefit to all of us, and I know everyone who has an interest in Connacht Rugby will be delighted to see him back in the West.”

John Muldoon says:

“I’m very excited to be coming back to Connacht Rugby. It’s hard to believe it’s been 5 years and I’m really looking forward to moving back to Galway and getting to work with the boys.

There’s some familiar faces but a lot of new ones too, since my time there. In that regard I am excited by the blend of young talent coming through within the squad, coupled with the quality and experience of some of the more experienced guys. Dewald’s done an exceptional job the last two years and I want to build on that over the coming seasons.

I’ve obviously been watching Connacht from afar and its clear the team have been building momentum throughout the season. From speaking to Pete these last couple of weeks I’m excited about his vision for where he hopes to take the team and I am delighted to be able to play my part on that journey and deliver on the level of ambition that everyone with an interest or involvement in Connacht Rugby is striving to achieve.”

Roscommon secure division one status after beating Donegal

The match between Roscommon GAA and Donegal GAA in the Allianz Football League Division 1 ended in a convincing victory for Roscommon with a final score of 0-21 (21) to 0-9 (9) for Donegal. The game was held at Dr. Hyde Park on March 26, 2023, and it was an impressive performance by the home team, Roscommon.

In the first half, both teams played well, and the game was evenly matched. Roscommon’s Niall Daly opened the scoring with the first point of the second half. Donie Smith replaced Ben O’Carroll at half-time. From then on, Roscommon took control of the game, and they dominated the second half, outscoring Donegal by 0-9 points to 0-2 points in the first 15 minutes of the second half.

Roscommon’s Keith Doyle was impressive, scoring twice in the first half and once in the second half. Conor Cox, Ciaráin Murtagh, and Diarmuid contributed with points from play. Cian Connolly, who replaced Cox, also scored a point. McKeon, who replaced Niall Kilroy, scored the first point of the second half. In total, Roscommon scored 21 points from 14 different players, highlighting their depth in attack.

Donegal’s Michael Langan was their top scorer with three points. However, it was a disappointing performance from Donegal, who failed to register a score for the first 15 minutes of the second half. They struggled to break down Roscommon’s defense and lacked penetration in the final third.

Overall, it was an excellent performance by Roscommon, who secured a comprehensive victory and maintained their unbeaten record in the league. They will be looking to carry this form into their next game, while Donegal will have to regroup and improve before their next fixture.

Galway beat Kerry to reach league final against Mayo

Galway earned a satisfying victory in their Allianz Football League Division One match against Kerry, securing a place in the upcoming final against Mayo.

The Galway team displayed resilience and resourcefulness throughout the game, with their full back line of Johnny McGrath, Seán Fitzgerald, and captain Seán Kelly contributing handsomely to their success. Galway’s efficiency in the second half was critical, as they converted six points from eight attempts when the game was delicately poised.

Galway departed at halftime with a 1-7 to 0-7 lead, primarily due to Paul Conroy’s fortuitous goal in the 33rd minute. Although Kerry posed stern questions, Galway continued to be an industrious and influential team throughout the game, with Kelly playing a particularly important role. Kerry was wasteful in attack, only registering 0-14 from 28 shots, while Galway nailed 1-7 from 13.

In the second half, Seán O’Shea brought Kerry within one point of Galway, but Galway responded with goals from Cathal Sweeney and substitute Damien Comer. Kerry’s late attempts to score were thwarted by Galway’s defense, with Bernard Power making a crucial save to deny O’Shea. With this victory, Galway advances to the league final against Mayo, which promises to be a passionate and closely watched fixture.

Rory McIlroy qualifies for WGC semi-finals

Rory McIlroy reacts after making birdie on the 15th green during day four of the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play at Austin Country Club on March 25, 2023 in Austin, Texas. Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images. Provided by European Tour Group Communications.

Rory McIlroy holed a crucial birdie putt at the 18th to edge a thrilling quarter-final clash against Xander Schauffele and book his place in the last four of the 2023 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play.McIlroy had come through two very close matches on Saturday, holding off Lucas Herbert in the last 16 before facing a very different challenge against Schauffele.The 33-year-old Irish golfer never trailed against Herbert but was unable to relax, with the Australian staying in touch with his opponent throughout the contest. The Co Down native overcame a late scare to close out a two-hole victory.It was all very different against Schauffele, however, as McIlroy did not lead until his clutch putt from around 12 feet on the 18th green earned him a memorable one-hole win.World Number Three McIlroy, who made 17 birdies across his two matches on day four, will meet Cameron Young in the semis at Austin Country Club. Young held off a stunning fightback attempt to beat debutant Kurt Kitayama by one hole.

Commenting on his performance, Rory McIlroy said:

“I putted well all day. I felt yesterday against Keegan (Bradley) I found something or I got a feel, and then putted really well this morning against Lucas, and then continued that this afternoon.“I think winning the Match Play is always a massive accomplishment because of what you have to go through. It’s seven rounds and – especially this week, I feel like a lot of my matches have been really, really close, so to be able to pull them out when I’ve needed to has been very gratifying.”Defending champion Scottie Scheffler came from behind to beat Jason Day 2&1, while Sam Burns saw off Mackenzie Hughes 3&2 in their quarter-final.The World Number One found himself three down in the early stages before winning three holes without reply to level things up after 12 holes.He then won the 13th and 14th to go 2UP before almost making an ace at the 17th, with a birdie there clinching his tenth consecutive match win at this event.

VIDEO: Ushba Tesoto wins Dubai World Cup

Ushba Tesoro wins the Dubai World Cup. Credit: Dubai Racing Club.

Ushba Tesoro capped a  memorable night for Japan by finishing strongest in the 27th Dubai World Cup (2000m) at Meydan on Saturday.

The six-year-old son of Orfevre scored by a widening two-and-three-quarter lengths from local hope Algiers and Saudi Arabian-trained Emblem Road in third.

Ushba Tesoro is trained by Noboru Takagi for Ryotokuji Kenji Holdings and was ridden by Yuga Kawada.

It was a race where the picture changed markedly in the final two furlongs. As the field turned into the home stretch, Algiers was travelling with ease and as he assumed the lead with a furlong and a half to race.

However, about five lengths further back, jockey Yuga Kawada was unfurling a lethal burst from Ushba Tesoro who he had settled at the rear of the field before making his move out wide with 3 furlongs to race. The winner had actually trailed the field in rear by 15 lengths in the very early stages of the race.

Winning trainer Takagi said the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, still the one race Japan has yet to conquer and the one it covets most, will come under consideration later in the year, all going well.

The draw for the Dubai World Cup had placed three of the main fancies – Country Grammer, Algiers and Panthalassa – out wide and the latter could never dominate the way he did when landing the Saudi Cup a month ago. He tired to finish well beaten in 10th. Last year’s hero Country Grammer was always a bit laboured and ran seventh.

Despite the dominance by Japan in the world’s biggest races in recent years, it was their only success in the $12 million feature since Victoire Pisa broke through in 2011. It was also their first on dirt, with Victoire Pisa’s success coming on the synthetic Tapeta surface.

VIDEO: Irish trainer Jerry O’Dwyer’s Sibelius wins Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen

Irishman Jerry O'Dwyer accepting his prize for winning the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen with Sibelius. Credit: Dubai Racing Club.

Sibelius gave US-based Irishman Jerry O’Dwyer the biggest win of his career when winning the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen at Meydan on Saturday.

The US born, bred and trained Sibelius, under jockey Ryan Moore, got the better of last year’s winner Switzerland at the line by a nose.

Deep into the straight it looked as if the finish would be an all-American one, fought out between Frankie Dettori on Hopkins and Tyler Gaffalione on Gunite.

But the race changed at the 200 metre pole, with Switzerland launched down the outside by Irish jockey Tadhg O’Shea and Ryan Moore moving up on the rail.

Jerry O’Dwyer said of his biggest training success to date:

“The race worked out quite the way I had predicted. You know you can read these races a hundred times but it will never go the same way. To be honest, he just sat back in the gates and was a bit slow but when you have a master rider like Ryan Moore, he gets you out of trouble.

“It really is a proud moment for us. I am grateful to the owners. They let me do what is best with the horse every step of the way and never interfere.

“He trains like a good horse, he acts like a good horse, he rides like a good horse.

Winning jockey Ryan Moore, who had earlier won the Dubai Gold Cup aboard Broome for Aidan O’Brien, spoke of his Group 1 delight with Sibelius:

“I was very lucky to pick up the ride. He actually stepped a little slowly, I was a half-length further behind than I wanted to be. We had a charmed run, they just drifted off which meant we didn’t have to change lanes and the horse dug in really deep. He showed a lot of courage and heart to get there.

“He has form over a little bit further which I think really helped too.”

 

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