Thursday promises a full programme of flat racing across three venues – Lingfield, Southwell and Yarmouth – all streamed live on Sky Sports Racing. The day’s highlight will be the Sky Sports Virgin 519 Fillies' Handicap at Yarmouth, a seven-furlong contest that will feature eight runners battling for a valuable purse.
Among the entrants, Zighy stands out as the most talked‑about filly. Ridden by George Boughey, Zighy broke her maiden on her fifth start and then followed up with a convincing all‑weather victory at Southwell just fifteen days later. The three‑year‑old was bought as a yearling for 400,000 guineas (approximately £42,000) and is now back on turf with Billy Loughnane in the saddle.
With two wins already to her name, Zighy is eyeing a hat‑trick and will be keen to prove that her early promise can translate to consistent success on grass. Also in the field is You’ll Think Of Me, a David Egan‑ridden filly who surprised the betting public by winning on her stable debut in December at very short odds.
The horse, a 500,000‑guinea yearling (about £52,000), was previously trained by Donnacha O'Brien but never managed better than second in four outings for that yard. After a 150‑day spell away from the track, she returns to turf for her first start since that break, hoping to extend her unbeaten record for trainer Kevin Philippart‑De Foy. Moonshine, partnered with Ed Walker and James Doyle, offers another strong prospect.
The daughter of Starman has never finished outside the first three in four career starts. She recorded a career‑best performance last month when she finally broke her duck, and today she will step up again over the same seven‑furlong distance at Yarmouth. Other notable entries include Brisky Symphony, trained by Jonathan Portman, and Here I Bow, under the guidance of Oli Rix. Both horses have shown promise in recent outings and could be in contention if the race unfolds favorably.
Moving to Lingfield, the penultimate race of the day is the Sky Sports Racing Virgin 512 Handicap, also over seven furlongs, with a ten‑horse field. John Butler and Luke Morris will team up on Havana Touch, a horse that recorded its best performance of the year with a third win at Kempton earlier in the month.
Havana Touch now drops back to seven furlongs for the first time since a May victory at Kempton, making this a test of whether the horse can adapt to the slightly shorter trip. Bella Bisbee, trained by Scott Dixon and ridden by Kieran O'Neill, is another recent winner.
She claimed a victory over the same course and distance just 16 days ago and will be looking to add a fourth career win to her résumé. Craig Benton’s Bold Suitor, who was a length second to Bella Bisbee in their last meeting, carries three pounds less today, giving the horse a potentially advantageous weight advantage on its return to Lingfield. The Lingfield field also features Jim Boyle’s Daisy Roots, Richard Hughes aboard Spirit Lead Me, and Virtue Patience, who will be wearing cheekpieces for the first time. These horses round out a competitive lineup that should provide plenty of tactical intrigue for punters and fans alike.
At Southwell, the Free Race Replays On attheraces.com Handicap over six furlongs will see eight runners line up. Roberto Caro, ridden by Adrian Keatley, is hunting for his first win since a narrow neck‑victory in the Racing League at Chepstow in August. The five‑year‑old showed great determination then but has not yet replicated that form.
Station X, another regular in the field, has been in consistent form with four consecutive placed finishes, including a performance that saw it beat Roberto Caro by almost two lengths at Southwell over the same distance. However, Roberto Caro enjoys a two‑pound weight advantage this time, which could tip the scales in his favour.
Stanley Spencer, partnered with James Tate, is also worth watching. Spencer has produced several encouraging runs since his last win in September and will be aiming for a fifth career victory, with Clifford Lee booked as the jockey.
Additional runners include Alondra for Scott Dixon and Tough Enough for Antony Brittain, both of whom could surprise if the pace unfolds to suit their running styles. Beyond the individual races, Sky Sports Racing continues to deliver the latest horse‑racing news, in‑depth interviews and feature stories, ensuring fans stay informed about the sport’s biggest headlines and hidden gems.
The day's schedule also includes a series of international fixtures. At 2:20 pm, Lingfield will host a well‑backed Brocklesby feature with Seathegulls for Gary and Josh Moore. At 2:40 pm, Yarmouth will showcase expensive yearling purchases Night Shining and Venetian Sky in a Novice Stakes.
Later, at 3:03 pm, the ParisLongchamp meeting will see several entries in the Prix du Jockey Club, including Shalazi for the Aga Khan. At 3:15 pm, Yarmouth returns with a Maiden featuring Adamlyi, Alpine Culture and Fahidi. The ParisLongchamp programme continues at 3:38 pm with a Maiden that includes Regal Chime, Place de l'Opera (targeting the French 1,000 Guineas) and Soda Zabeel (aimed at the Prix de Diane).
The afternoon wraps up with Yarmouth’s 5:30 pm race where Armstrong, a half‑brother to the U.S. performer Excellent Truth, seeks his first win. Finally, at 5:52 pm, Southwell will host a race featuring Arranmore and Roman Secret, both looking to secure successive victories. For those who never want to miss a story, Sky Sports Racing offers a mobile-friendly platform delivering the latest racing news, exclusive interviews and feature pieces straight to your phone.
Stay connected, stay informed, and enjoy a day packed with high‑quality flat racing action across the UK and beyond.