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      in Soccer

      How ex-England striker Mick Channon has made millions as a horse trainer after brother told him to ‘get off his a***’

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      MICK CHANNON was hooked when he won £100 from a £6 bet and the bookies didn’t have enough cash to pay him out.That moment sparked a lifelong love affair for the former England striker.
      Mick Channon scored 21 goals for England and has made millions as a racehorse trainer in his second careerCredit: Rex Features
      Channon, 72, always had a love of horses but his passion turned into a money-making machine when he took up training seriouslyCredit: Rex Features
      Mick is used to dealing with sums in the millions rather than hundreds these days.
      The 72-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable second career as a horse trainer since hanging up his boots.
      Southampton’s record goalscorer, who netted 21 times in 46 England appearances, was famed for his windmill celebration.
      Fans saw it enough times during his 22-year career, which included spells at Manchester City, Newcastle and Norwich.
      He scored 236 times in all and was part of the Saints side that delivered one of the biggest FA Cup upsets ever when they stunned Manchester United 1-0 at Wembley in 1976.
      But always lingering in the background was a passion for horses.
      It never escaped. Mick would ask commentators for the results at half-time.
      He bought his first horse for £440 in 1973 and watched her win three races.
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      Channon remains Southampton’s record goalscorer – a record that has stood since 1982Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      That horse, Cathy Jane, lit a flame and her son, Man On The Run, was co-owned by Mick and Kevin Keegan.
      Although Keegan didn’t have the golden touch like Mick did, the pair enjoyed days out at the track together.
      Mick recalled: “I got him along to the races. Our horse came stone last, so we got drunk on champagne.”
      But soon things turned more serious and when Mick retired from football in 1987 he turned his full attention to racing.
      That came after some stern words from brother Phil and friends, who, according to Mick, told him to ‘get off his a**e and stop feeling sorry for himself’.
      The tough love worked.
      Soon he was scoring far more frequently on the track than he ever was on the pitch.
      By the early 2000s he was one of the top trainers in England.
      Channon, right, achieved a lifelong goal when he saddled Classic winner Samitar to victory in the Irish 1000 Guineas in 2012Credit: PA:Press Association
      At one point he had enjoyed more winners than the late Sir Henry Cecil and John Gosden – whose horse Mishriff won the world’s richest race earlier this year.
      By the time he was established at West Ilsley stables near Newbury – once owned by The Queen – he had nearly 200 horses under his watch.
      In 2002 he saddled 123 winners. The prize money was racking up and up and up.
      Then came Youmzain.
      Bought for £33k, he went on to win almost £4m, finishing runner up three times in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe from 2007 to 2009 and twice second best in the the King George Stakes at Ascot.
      The forward made 46 appearances for EnglandCredit: PA:Press Association
      Channon was so into racing he would ask commentators for the results at half-time of gamesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The horse cemented straight-talking Channon’s position as one of the best trainers in the business.
      And he provided joy during an awful time in 2008 when Mick was involved in a car crash that tragically took the life of his friend Tim Corby.
      The footballer-turned-trainer achieved a lifelong goal when he won a Classic race with Samitar in the Irish 1000 Guineas in 2012.
      But that was not to be the end of it all.
      Mick remains as busy as ever now, with more than £2.6m won from his horses in the past five seasons.
      Certain Lad has been one of the standouts recently, with Hollie Doyle riding him to York success and a £28,355 prize last August.
      So even if Channon stopped the windmill celebration long ago, that doesn’t mean punters can’t when winning from his horses.
      Channon has been one of racing’s top trainers for 20 yearsCredit: PA:Press Association
      Listen to commentator’s hilarious horse race call as he moans ‘I literally cannot see a thing’ during huge downpour More

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      in Athletics

      Horse racing free bets: Get £60 in FREE BETS for Haydock on Friday

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      PUNTERS can get £60 in free bets at Haydock on Friday when they sign up to Betfair and bet £10.The offer is available for new customers who sign up and bet £10 on the first race at Haydock.
      Punters can get £60 in free bets for Haydock
      BETFAIR GET £60 IN FREE BETS FOR HAYDOCK*
      They will then be awarded six £10 free bets for the remaining races of the day.
      The day gets underway at 1pm at Haydock with seven races on the card.
      With fans back at the courses in the UK it should be a lively weekend of racing.
      And if you don’t know who to back Templegate has you covered with his picks.
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      Haydock tips
      1.00 Cozone – holding his form well and now back to his optimum trip
      1.30 Wild Beauty – well-bred and well-backed on debut, should step forward
      2.05 Dandalla – Group 2 winner last year and big chance now returned to 6f
      2.40 Madame Ambassador – lots to like on paper and yard can ready a newcomer
      3.15 Strawberri – improved on debut fifth when given too much to do at Chelmsford 
      3.50 Hoodwinker – cosy winner at Wolves in December and looks well-treated
      4.25 Poet’s King – should come into his own over this trip on handicap debut
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      Watch ride that landed jockey a ‘ridiculous’ seven-day ban as punters turn on stewards for ‘shocking’ punishment More

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      in Soccer

      Will the Grand National and Premier League be postponed after Prince Philip’s death?

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      SPORT is a place to pay respects and reflects on the lives of those who have passed, before witnessing those athletes in the prime of life and at the peak of their powers.But after a national bereavement, sometimes sport has to pause altogether to honour those who have been lost.
      The Premier League has a full set of fixtures on this weekendCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      The Grand National is set to take place on Saturday, April 10Credit: AP
      After the sad death of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, at 99, the Premier League and organisers of the Grand National will have a difficult decision to make.
      Do they pause their fixtures for the weekend out of respect for the husband of Queen Elizabeth?
      SunSport has a look at what is next for the sporting world.
      Will the Grand National be suspended after the Duke of Edinburgh’s death?
      As of Friday afternoon, there are no plans to suspend the Grand National out of respect for Prince Philip.
      The Aintree organisers could change their mind after government advice.
      Prince Philip was an honorary patron of the Jockey Club.
      But ITV have already moved the racing from ITV 1 to ITV 4.

      Will the Premier League fixtures go ahead?
      There are currently no plans to suspend the Premier League.
      However, it should be noted that after the death of Princess Diana in 1997, all sport was suspended in the UK and top flight football fixtures were paused.

      The shock of Diana’s death rocked the whole of Britain and the feeling around the country that pausing sport was appropriate. More

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      in Soccer

      Ex-Premier League ace Kevin Doyle spends double his old transfer fee on horse after buying another off Alan Shearer

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      FORMER Premier League forward Kevin Doyle has splurged £170,000 on a racehorse – after buying another off Alan Shearer.SunSport told you how the ex-Wolves and Reading ace is eyeing Cheltenham glory following a move into racing.
      Kevin Doyle splashed £170,000 on a new horse – after buying another one from Alan Shearer
      Doyle, who has 62 Ireland caps, breeds horses at home in Wexford.
      Running Slaney River Stud on the family’s 50-acre farm, Doyle lives across a field from his parents where he has five horses – including Altior’s half-brother from Camelot, which he paid a whopping £140,000 for.
      But he smashed his own horse transfer record in January with the £170,000 purchase of La Bague Au Roi.
      For context, that’s more than double the £78,000 Reading paid to sign him from Cork City in 2005.
      La Bague Au Roi, a Grade One-winning mare, triumphed 14 times for trainer Warren Greatrex.
      Doyle teamed up to buy the ten-year-old with pal Peter Nolan.
      The big-money purchase comes two years after he swooped for England legend Shearer’s old horse Augusta Kate.
      Shearer was part of The Masters Syndicate, along with Lee Westwood and TV presenters Ant and Dec, who owned the mare.
      Speaking of the new purchase, Nolan said: “We said we’d try to get her bought before deciding which stallion she’s go to.
      Alan Shearer previously owned Augusta Kate with golfer WestwoodCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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      “Kevin bought Augusta Kate a couple of years ago and has a couple of lower-grad mares.
      “He wants to get a nice band of mares together.”
      Doyle went onto join Wolves from Reading for £6.5million in 2009 – a club-record fee at the time.
      Purchases of that amount look confined to the past for now, but there’s no doubt Doyle has some big plans.
      He told SunSport: “I always planned on moving home when I finished.
      “It’s not my full-time job but it is more than a hobby as it’s a bit of work every day and it’s been fantastic for me coming home and getting stuck in.
      “It gives me a buzz. My dad has bred National Hunt horses for years and it is my day today.
      Doyle has turned to breeding racehorses since hanging up his bootsCredit: Getty – Contributor
      “I have always been interested in it and that is what I turn my time to now.
      “I have done some coaching with Ireland’s U17s too… but right now, I think I prefer working with horses to footballers!
      “The family has done it for years and my dad bred a horse called Hollywell, which was favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2015, and he won a good few times there too.
      “He didn’t win the big one but hopefully there are plenty more to come from us.
      “Football is over now and I got what I wanted from it.
      “I don’t wake up every morning pining to put my boots on and train – 5-a-side once a week is enough to feed that habit.
      “I had a pony when I was growing up and for a year or two I was keen on riding him, but then soccer took over – and thankfully so!”
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      Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
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      Ex-Reading and Wolves ace Kevin Doyle eyeing Cheltenham glory as he runs family racehorse stable following retirement

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      KEVIN DOYLE has swapped goals for foals.
      The ex-Ireland, Reading and Wolverhampton Wanderers striker now breeds horses back home in Wexford.

      Kevin Doyle has swapped goals for foals by running his family stable

      The former striker earned 64 caps for the Republic of IrelandCredit: Getty – Contributor

      Running Slaney River Stud on the family’s 50-acre farm, Doyle lives across a field from his parents where he has five horses – including Altior’s half-brother from Camelot, which he paid a whopping £140,000 for.
      After playing 64 times for his country Doyle has also coached Ireland’s Under-17s, but has no plans in getting saddled with anything bigger than that in football.
      The 37-year-old was famously signed by Reading for just £78,000 from Cork City in 2005 and told SunSport: “I always planned on moving home when I finished.
      “It’s not my full-time job but it is more than a hobby as it’s a bit of work every day and it’s been fantastic for me coming home and getting stuck in.

      “It gives me a buzz. My dad has bred National Hunt horses for years and it is my day today.
      “I have always been interested in it and that is what I turn my time to now.
      “I have done some coaching with Ireland’s U17s too… but right now, I think I prefer working with horses to footballers!
      “The family has done it for years and my dad bred a horse called Hollywell, which was favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2015, and he won a good few times there too.

      “He didn’t win the big one but hopefully there are plenty more to come from us.
      “Football is over now and I got what I wanted from it.
      “I don’t wake up every morning pining to put my boots on and train – 5-a-side once a week is enough to feed that habit.
      “I had a pony when I was growing up and for a year or two I was keen on riding him, but then soccer took over – and thankfully so!”
      If Doyle’s career at the stud takes off as well as it did in football then he will be raising plenty of Grand National and Cheltenham Gold Cup winners in no time at all.
      In just his first season in English football, Doyle scored the goal to send Reading into the Premier League.
      They won the 2005-06 Championship season in record-breaking style, picking up 106 points and scoring 99 goals on a shoestring budget under Steve Coppell.
      Looking back, Doyle said: “We had a really small squad at Reading and probably had better odds to get relegated than promoted.
      RACING CLEAR
      “We were lucky. It was unique. It was dreamland for all of us. The play-offs were our aim I suppose, try and nip in there.
      “We lost that first game of the season though at home to Plymouth and there was talk about Steve being under pressure as they finished the season before badly and we needed a win quickly.
      “I was new to it, so I wasn’t in total doom and gloom, I think I was just happy to be there. You could never foretell what would happen.”
      Doyle finished his career at Colorado Rapids in the MLS.
      But it was at Reading and Wolves, who he joined in a record £6.5million Mad Stad sale, where he enjoyed the best times of his career.
      Recalling the blueprint for success in Berkshire, Doyle puts it down to having to graft it out and working out of Portakabins at their humble Hogwood Park base.
      He added: “We had a really good team behind the scenes. We had a director of football before most other teams in England.
      “We had Wally Downes and Kevin Dillon – Dills was the official assistant manager and took the attacking players, Wally the defence. Steve didn’t really take any sessions.

      We were ahead of our time in how we trained and how the club was run
      Kevin Doyle on Reading under Steve Coppell

      “But you always knew he was watching you. He was the type of manager that would wander around and keep an eye on everything.
      “I think we were ahead of our time in how we trained and how the club was run.
      “Video analysis wasn’t really in yet but we would watch other teams on VHS tapes that Steve would play us the day before games in one of our Portakabins.
      “We had another Portakabin where Jon Fearn, the physio, would treat us – just one bed in there. So I laugh now when players moan about facilities.
      “We didn’t have the best facilities, but we had enough to work with and made the most of what we had.
      “If you have the right people you can make anything work – and we did.

      Doyle scored the goal which sealed Reading’s promotion to the Premier League in 2006Credit: PA:Press Association

      He moved to Wolves for £6.5million and made 179 appearances for the club before finishing his career at Colorado RapidsCredit: Action Images – Reuters

      The Irishman paid £140,000 for Altior’s half-brother CamelotCredit: PA:Press Association
      “It worked perfectly. Steve wanted us attacking and would constantly encourage me to run at people, to take them on, keep running, keep going, keep trying to excite.
      “He wanted to be excited watching us. Later on in my career I had managers who were all about holding it, keeping it, lay it off… pretty boring stuff.
      “Steve was a fantastic player and I think he wanted to see players do what he did.
      “It was exciting to play in and I presume it was exciting to watch – it didn’t matter who we played, we thought we would win.
      “I’ve never felt that other than those two years. We had a ball.”
      Now Doyle is looking to bring a bit of that magic stardust to racing.

      Walking some of the foals for sale next week,this one is a big Pour Moi colt of of a beneficial mare (shuil a steffi) lot number 384 pic.twitter.com/D46z0h6ePa
      — Slaney River Stud (@SlaneyRiverStud) December 1, 2020

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      in Soccer

      Government’s £300m sport bailout revealed with £135m to rugby union, £40m to horse racing and £9m to Championship clubs

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      THE Government has announced the full details of its £300m sports bail out.
      Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston outlined the ‘winter survival package’ in a Commons statement that provides much-needed security for sports peering into the financial abyss as a result of the Covid crisis.

      Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston has outlined his ‘winter survival package’Credit: PA:Press Association

      As expected, rugby union was granted the biggest share of the loans made available, with a £135m fund.
      Of that, £44m will go straight to the RFU, facing a £120m shortfall with no fans allowed inside Twickenham since March.
      Premiership rugby clubs will get a share of £59m, with £9m available to clubs in the Championship and a further £23m to those clubs further down the pyramid.
      Horse racing gets the next biggest share, with courses splitting £40m between them.

      Football’s lowest reaches will receive £28m, including the pre-announced £10m Lottery funding for the National League.
      Steps 3-6 of the pyramid, from the tier below National Leagues North and South to regional leagues, will be able to claim part of the £14m on offer, with £3m available to the upper two levels of the women’s game.
      Other money will go to rugby league (£12m), motorsport – with Silverstone, Goodwood, the British Automobile Racing Club, and MotorSport Vision sharing £6 million – while the Lawn Tennis Association has been offered £5m.
      Netball, basketball and elite ice hockey will each get £4m, badminton £2m and greyhound racing £1m.

      Premiership rugby clubs will get a share of £59mCredit: Reuters

      Huddleston said: “Over the past few weeks we have worked tirelessly with sport governing bodies and clubs across the country to fully assess what support is needed, as a result of the decision to postpone the return of fans. 
      “We know the vast majority of sports – many of which operate on tight financial margins – have been making serious cost reductions, such as locking down grounds, taking up the furlough scheme for many staff and halting excess payments. 

      Sports clubs are the beating hearts of their communities, and this £300 million boost will help them survive this difficult winter period
      Oliver Dowden

      “It is absolutely right that we now intervene to protect entire sports, and the communities they support, as we navigate this pandemic.”
      Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden added: “Sports clubs are the beating hearts of their communities, and this £300 million boost will help them survive this difficult winter period.”
      And Sport England chief executive Tim Hollingsworth said: “These are unprecedented times for our sector, and those sports and leagues that rely so heavily on spectators for their income that have been especially impacted by the pandemic. 
      “The role they play in their local communities is vital and this package of support from Government will be hugely welcomed.”

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      in Soccer

      Chelmsford tips: Sir Alex Ferguson conquered everything at Man Utd and now has racing trophies in sight once again

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      SIR ALEX FERGUSON has conquered everything in football – and now he’s got racing’s trophies in his sights once again.
      The Manchester United legend will be watching closely as his improving filly Florence Street lines up in the 4.25 at Chelmsford this afternoon.

      2

      Sir Alex Ferguson will be delighted if his two-year-old lands the odds this afternoonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Carrying the famous colours of the Red Devils, Fergie’s pride and joy is having her third start at the Essex track – and will be widely expected to hit the back of the net.
      The synthetic surface of Chelmsford is a far cry from the turf of Old Trafford, but Ferguson knows what it takes to score in the sport of kings.
      His racing silverware would challenge his Manchester trophy cabinet, with victories in the 2000 Guineas and the Aintree Bowl standing out above the rest.
      And now a horse he’s scouted himself is likely to take all the beating later today, showing his skill at unearthing talent is as strong as ever.

      Bookmakers rarely took chances on United and Ladbrokes rate Florence Street short enough too, with the 4-1 on offer likely to be snapped up near kick-off.
      Fergie might be more used to collecting Champions Leagues but you can be sure if his two-year-old lands the odds this afternoon, the victory will feel just as sweet.
      The Scot spent 26 years in charge of Manchester United between 1986 and 2013.
      He incredibly guided the club to 13 league titles, five FA Cups and two European Cups.

      2

      Florence Street will race in the 4.25 at Chelmsford this afternoonCredit: Rex Features

      SUN RACING VERDICT
      Florence Street was a fine third at Kempton last time out behind some smart rivals and should improve again on just her third start.
      Oisin Murphy is a fine jockey booking and conditions are perfect for her to produce a big run.
      She’s landed a nice draw and if getting a good position early doors, will be bang there at the finish for her in-form trainer.

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      in Boxing

      Tyson Fury to take on the Hearns on race track with horses battling it out in Doncaster’s St Leger this weekend

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      BARRY Hearn and Tyson Fury are no strangers to conflict in the boxing world.
      But on Saturday they will go toe-to-toe on the racecourse in the St Leger at Doncaster.

      4

      Subjectivist has a wealth of experience compared to Tyson FuryCredit: PA:Press Association

      4

      Rank outsider Tyson Fury has been named after the WBC championCredit: PA:Press Association

      Legendary promoter Hearn – father of Eddie – bred the 14-1 shot Subjectivist, who is trained by the most successful trainer in British racing history in Mark Johnston.
      In the opposite corner is rank outsider Tyson Fury, trained by youngster Richard Spencer and named in honour of the heavyweight champ.
      Hearn is back for a second crack at the historic race, which is the oldest Classic in the world.
      He also bred Sir Ron Priestley, Subjectivist’s older brother who was second to Logician and Frankie Dettori in the Leger 12 months ago.

      The siblings were born and raised at Mascalls Stud in Essex, which is run by Hearn’s wife of 50 years Susan.
      Subjectivist has a wealth of experience, but Tyson Fury is the polar opposite with just one run under his belt.
      But he left his rivals on the canvas with a stunning debut win over a mile and a half at Doncaster in July.
      His owners have decided to roll the dice and throw him in at the deep end.

      4

      Tyson Fury and the Hearn family are rivals in the world of boxingCredit: Rex Features

      RING KING DEAD
      Brit boxing icon Alan Minter dies aged 69 after long battle with cancer

      KING OF THE ROAD
      Mike Tyson stuns fan by training on side of the road ahead of his comeback

      PUL OUT?
      AJ ‘contemplating’ skipping Pulev fight but Bulgarian’s team threaten to SUE Hearn

      SIX MAD
      AJ names six boxers he wants to fight including Fury, Wilder… and Kownacki

      NO JOSHING
      AJ will beat Fury in second fight after first ends in a DRAW, predicts Hopkins

      VERDICT
      On the evidence of his debut win at Doncaster earlier in the summer, the exciting Tyson Fury looks as though he packs a decent punch – but he is a flyweight taking on some proven heavyweights here.
      Subjectivist isn’t without a chance.
      He is as hard as nails and won easily last time, so he is worth a quid each-way in the big one.

      4

      Barry Hearn pictured alongside son Eddie in 2018Credit: Getty – Contributor

      Tyson Fury enjoys slap up meal at Gleneagles with Scots gangster Robert Kelbie and brother Tommy
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