Tonight’s All‑Weather programme at Southwell promises a lively display of competitive racing, all broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. The centerpiece of the evening is the Come Racing For Free 18th June Novice Stakes, a race that will see three untried colts clash for the first time on the track. First up is Goldinthesea, a colt who has recently moved from the stable of Joseph O'Brien to the care of Ed Bethell.
The young horse made a notable impression at Dundalk in January, and his recent form has been further enhanced by a third‑place finish that turned into a win. As a son of the prolific sire No Nay Never, Goldinthesea carries the promise of a productive future, especially now that he has found a new training base. The change in environment could unlock additional potential, and bettors will be watching closely to see if he can translate his early promise into a winning performance on his Southwell debut.
Next in the line‑up is Penny Time, a colt who has generated a great deal of excitement among trainer Hugo Plamer’s camp. Penny Time burst onto the scene at Southwell just a month ago, where he out‑finished a previous race winner and secured second place.
That run suggests he has the speed and stamina to contend for the top spot, and he will be aiming for his third consecutive win in three starts. If he can repeat his strong showing, he could quickly become a fan favourite at the venue. The third contender, Sassicaia, is trained by Owen Burrows and has only visited Southwell once before, winning a race at Wolverhampton back in December.
Like the other two colts, Sassicaia remains something of an enigma, with limited race data to assess his capabilities. However, his previous victory indicates he possesses the talent to compete, and the race could serve as a platform for him to reveal further ability. Adding to the intrigue is debutant Shadow Boxer, a colt purchased for €520,000 and representing the Victorious Forever ownership group. While his racing résumé is currently blank, the price tag and the backing of a high‑profile operation suggest that expectations are high.
The market will provide clues about how the betting public values this newcomer, and his performance could either confirm his lofty price or highlight the challenges of stepping straight into a competitive Novice Stakes. Beyond the Novice Stakes, the evening also features a Ladies’ Day race scheduled for Sunday, 16 August – the Fillies’ Handicap, where three fillies returning from a break will meet. Cool Molly, who is carrying three pounds extra after winning the All‑Weather Vase Fillies’ Handicap at Lingfield twelve days ago, is the one to watch. That victory marked her third career win and her second success in her last three outings, underscoring a rising form that commands respect.
Representing the famous Sheikh Mohammed Obaid colours is Vencedora, a lightly raced filly who is still largely unexposed. Trained by Karl Burke, Vencedora is making her season debut after securing her first win in a three‑horse contest at Newmarket in September. Her limited experience means she could be a dark horse, but the quality of her connections suggests she may rise to the occasion.
Rogue Citation, part of The Rogues Gallery stable, mirrors Vencedora’s profile with only two starts to her name, the most recent being a win at Southwell in October. Both fillies will be tested on how they have handled the winter break and whether they can match the fitness and race‑ready condition of the seasoned Cool Molly. The final feature of the night is the Summer Socials at Southwell Racecourse Fillies’ Handicap, where Seven Fires will look to secure a third consecutive victory on just her fifth start.
Her two previous wins came at Newcastle, where she demonstrated versatility by leading from the front on debut in February and then coming from behind to win over five furlongs last month. Today she steps up to six furlongs, and her proven adaptability suggests she will be a tough competitor to beat.
Also in the field is Barefoot Beach, a top‑rated filly who has only raced twice. After finishing a close second at Kempton in her most recent outing, she is eager to bounce back to winning ways.
Her debut win at the same track and distance last September showed considerable promise, and she will be looking to replicate that performance. Zighy, another contender, made a promising start when last seen and is trained by George Boughey. Although she has not yet broken out of a three‑place finish in any of her five starts, she has shown consistency that could translate into a breakthrough performance tonight.
Later in the program, at 6.30pm, Betelgeuse will take to the Southwell track seeking another triumph over a new distance and course configuration, while the Happy Valley card will feature top jockeys Zac Purton, Harry Bentley, Hugh Bowman and Andrea Atzeni all in action. The evening’s diverse lineup offers plenty of storylines for racing enthusiasts, from emerging talent and seasoned campaigners to high‑priced newcomers eager to make their mark. Stay tuned for live updates, in‑depth analysis, and post‑race interviews that will bring you closer to the sport you love.