Wednesday evening promises an exciting night of all‑weather racing at Southwell, with the action being broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. The highlight of the programme is the Come Racing For Free 18th June Novice Stakes, a race that will see three previously untried colts clash for the first time.
Each of these three youngsters brings a different background and a distinct set of expectations, making the contest a true test of early talent. First up is Goldinthesea, a colt who has recently changed hands, moving from the stable of Joseph O'Brien to the care of Ed Bethell.
The horse first caught attention with a solid performance at Dundalk in January, and his form has only been bolstered by a third‑place finish in a subsequent outing. As a son of the prolific sprinter No Nay Never, Goldinthesea carries a pedigree that suggests speed and versatility. His recent switch in training could provide the extra edge needed to unlock his full potential, and connections are hopeful that he will deliver a productive start to his new chapter. The second contender, Penny Time, is a highly promising filly in the stable of Hugo Plumer.
She burst onto the scene at Southwell last month, where she out‑finished a previous winner and secured a convincing second‑place finish. Penny Time has now won each of her three starts, and her connections will be eager to see if she can maintain that perfect record.
Her rapid improvement and ability to handle the all‑weather surface make her a serious threat in this novice event. The third runner, Sassicaia, is trained by Owen Burrows and has only visited Southwell once before, winning a race at Wolverhampton in December.
Like the other two horses, Sassicaia remains largely an unknown quantity, but his early success suggests he could be a dark horse capable of upsetting the odds. Adding further intrigue to the race is debutant Shadow Boxer, a colt purchased for €520,000 and representing the Victorious Forever ownership group.
While the market will ultimately decide his valuation, the substantial price tag indicates that his connections see significant upside in his future prospects. For fans who want to stay up‑to‑date with the latest racing news, interviews and feature stories, Sky Sports Racing offers a dedicated mobile platform that delivers breaking updates straight to your phone. The evening’s programme does not end with the novice stakes.
Later, the Ladies Day Sunday 16th August Fillies' Handicap will see three fillies, each returning from a break, go head‑to‑head. Cool Molly steps up three pounds after her recent victory in the All‑Weather Vase Fillies' Handicap at Lingfield, a win that marked the third triumph of her career and her second win in her last three starts.
Her consistency and proven ability over similar distances make her a filly to watch. Representing the colours of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, Vencedora offers a contrasting profile. Lightly raced and still largely unexposed, she is trained by Karl Burke and makes her seasonal debut after securing her first win in a three‑horse race at Newmarket in September. Her limited experience means she could be a surprise factor if she has progressed well over the winter.
Rogue Citation, owned by The Rogues Gallery, mirrors Vencedora’s background, having only two starts to date, with a win coming in her most recent outing at Southwell in October. The filly’s development over the winter months will be a key factor in determining whether she can challenge the more seasoned Cool Molly. The final feature of the night is the Summer Socials At Southwell Racecourse Fillies' Handicap, where Seven Fires will attempt to secure a third consecutive victory on just her fifth career start.
Her two previous wins came at Newcastle, showcasing her adaptability: she debuted over five furlongs in February and later came from behind to win at the same venue a month later. Today she will be stretched to six furlongs, a step up that should test her stamina but also highlight her versatility. Also in the mix is Barefoot Beach, a top‑rated filly who has only raced twice.
After a narrow defeat at Kempton in her most recent start, she demonstrated considerable promise in her debut win over the same track and distance last September. Her connections will be looking for a return to winning ways, hoping the extra experience will translate into a stronger performance.
Zighy, trained by George Boughey, has yet to break out of a third‑place finish despite five starts to date. The filly’s consistency suggests she is on the cusp of improvement, and a better run could see her climb the rankings quickly. The card continues with a 6.30 pm race at Southwell featuring Betelgeuse, who will be seeking another victory over a new course and distance, adding another layer of intrigue for bettors.
Across the globe, the Happy Valley meeting will see top jockeys Zac Purton, Harry Bentley, Hugh Bowman and Andrea Atzeni all taking rides, underscoring the international appeal of the sport. Overall, Wednesday’s all‑weather program offers a blend of emerging talent, seasoned campaigners, and high‑stakes betting action, ensuring that fans of horse racing have plenty to discuss and anticipate as the season progresses.