Thursday promises a packed 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 penultimate race at Yarmouth, the Sky Sports Virgin 519 Fillies' Handicap, a seven‑furlong contest featuring a field of eight talented fillies.
Among the runners, George Boughey will be aboard Zighy, a three‑year‑old who broke her maiden on her fifth start and followed up with a convincing all‑weather win at Southwell just fifteen days ago. Purchased as a yearling for 400,000 guineas (approximately £42,000), Zighy now returns to turf under the guidance of Billy Loughnane, who will be hoping the filly can complete a hat‑trick of victories. Also in the mix is "You’ll Think Of Me," ridden by David Egan.
The filly, a 500,000‑guinea (about £52,000) yearling, made a striking debut in December, winning at very short odds. Previously trained by Donnacha O'Brien, she never finished better than second in four starts for his yard.
After a 150‑day spell away from the track, she returns to turf for her first start under the Kevin Philippart‑De Foy operation, intent on extending her unbeaten record. Ed Walker and James Doyle join forces on Moonshine, a daughter of the sprinter Starman who has never finished outside the top three in her four career starts.
Moonshine recorded a career‑best performance last month when she broke her maiden, and she will now be tested again over seven furlongs at Yarmouth. Other notable entries include Brisky Symphony for Jonathan Portman and Here I Bow for Oli Rix, both of whom could prove to be strong finishers in a competitive field. Turning to Lingfield, the penultimate race of the day is the Sky Sports Racing Virgin 512 Handicap, also run over seven furlongs and contested by ten horses. John Butler and Luke Morris will ride Havana Touch, a horse that enjoyed a strong performance earlier this season with a third win at Kempton in early May.
Havana Touch is stepping back down to the seven‑furlong distance for the first time since that May victory. Bella Bisbee, trained by Scott Dixon and ridden by Kieran O'Neill, is another recent winner who captured a race over the same course and distance just 16 days ago.
She will be looking to add a fourth career win to her record. Craig Benton’s Bold Suitor, who was a length behind Bella Bisbee in their last encounter, carries three pounds less today, giving the horse a better chance on the return to Lingfield.
The Lingfield field also includes Jim Boyle’s Daisy Roots, Richard Hughes on Spirit Lead Me, and Virtue Patience, who will be racing in cheekpieces for the first time. These entries round out a diverse and competitive ten‑horse lineup.
Over at Southwell, eight runners will contest the Free Race Replays On attheraces.com Handicap over six furlongs. Roberto Caro, piloted by Adrian Keatley, is seeking his first win since a narrow neck‑victory in the Racing League at Chepstow in August. The five‑year‑old showed tenacity then but has not tasted the winner’s circle since.
Station X is another strong contender, having placed in four consecutive runs, including a performance that saw the horse beat Roberto Caro by nearly two lengths at Southwell over the same distance. In today’s race Station X will carry two pounds less than Roberto Caro, potentially giving an edge. Stanley Spencer, ridden by James Tate, has produced encouraging form since his last win in September and will be aiming for a fifth career victory, with Clifford Lee slated as a notable jockey booking. Additional horses to watch include Alondra for Scott Dixon and Tough Enough for Antony Brittain.
Beyond the individual races, Sky Sports Racing continues to deliver the latest horse racing news, in‑depth interviews, and feature stories, all accessible via mobile devices for fans who never want to miss a beat. The day’s race card also includes several other fixtures: at 2:20 p.m. the Brocklesby and Seathegulls contests at Lingfield will see strong support for Gary and Josh Moore. At 2:40 p.m.
Yarmouth will host the Novice Stakes featuring high‑priced purchases Night Shining and Venetian Sky. Later, at 3:03 p.m., the ParisLongchamp meeting will showcase entries in the Prix du Jockey Club, including Shalazi for the Aga Khan.
At 3:15 p.m. Yarmouth offers a Maiden race with Adamlyi, Alpine Culture and Fahidi, while the 3:38 p.m.
ParisLongchamp Maiden will feature Regal Chime, Place de l'Opera (targeting the French 1,000 Guineas) and Soda Zabeel (aimed at the Prix de Diane). The final Yarmouth action at 5:30 p.m.
sees Armstrong, a half‑brother to the US performer Excellent Truth, seeking his inaugural win. The Southwell card concludes at 5:52 p.m. with Arranmore and Roman Secret each looking for successive victories.
Overall, Thursday’s slate offers a blend of seasoned campaigners, promising newcomers, and a few horses returning from long spells, promising plenty of intrigue for punters and racing enthusiasts alike.