For the uninitiated, the apprentice jockeys championship is decided on the number of winners ridden on the Flat, on turf and synthetic surfaces, between the Guineas Festival at Newmarket in early May and British Champions Day at Ascot in October. The champion apprentice jockey in 2022 was Benoit De La Sayette who, tellingly, became the first ‘claimer’ employed by Newmarket trainer John Gosden for 29 years.
De La Sayette had his first ride in public on Bosphorus, trained by Gosden, at Chelmsford on November 23, 2020; the Godolphin-owned colt ran green throughout and finished last of nine, beaten 14½ lengths. However, the rising star rode his first winner, Hint of Stars, trained by Kevin Philippart De Foy, at Newcastle on December 28, 2020 and went on to ride five more from his first 16 rides.
After such a stellar start to his career, it would be fair to say that De La Sayette may well have become champion apprentice in 2021, but for a six-month ban – albeit backdated – imposed by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) Disciplinary Panel after he tested positive for metabolites of cocaine and admitted to taking the drug ‘three or four times’. However, he returned to the saddle on October 17, 2021 and, for much of the 2022 season, was neck-and-neck with his nearest pursuer, Harry Davies, in the apprentice jockeys championship.
De La Sayette finally sealed the deal with victory on Running Lion, trained by Gosden, at Chelmsford on October 13, 2022 giving him an unassailable, six-winner lead over Davies heading to British Champions Day at Ascot two days later. All told, he rode 61 winners from 341 rides, at a strike rate of 18%, and won £735,945 in prize money. After officially collecting the champion apprentice trophy, De La Sayette paid tribute to his employer, saying, ‘I’m especially grateful to John and Thady Gosden, as well as the whole Clarehaven team. I have learnt so much from the amazing team there.’
In a year brimming with fierce competition and golfing excellence, Scottie Scheffler emerged as the undisputed titan, clinching the most victories on the esteemed PGA Tour in 2023. With an astonishing tally of four triumphs, Scheffler etched his name in the annals of golfing lore, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.
Scheffler’s remarkable journey began with a resounding victory at the WM Phoenix Open, where his unwavering determination and impeccable shot-making propelled him to glory. Fuelled by this initial success, he carried his momentum to the Arnold Palmer Invitational, captivating fans with a display of unrivalled skill that earned him another well-deserved triumph.
The PLAYERS Championship bore witness to Scheffler’s unwavering brilliance as he conquered the challenging TPC Sawgrass course, leaving his competitors in his wake. With each swing, he defied the odds and etched his name onto the revered list of champions.
However, Scheffler’s conquests did not cease there. The pinnacle of his extraordinary season came at the Tour Championship, where he once again showcased his mettle and sheer golfing prowess. The culmination of a year filled with victories, this triumph solidified his status as the FedExCup champion, standing tall amongst the finest in the sport.
Scheffler’s reign extended far beyond his tournament wins. He demonstrated remarkable consistency and tenacity, finishing within the top 10 in an astounding 19 out of 23 starts. Each event bore witness to his unwavering commitment, as he battled valiantly, leaving an indelible mark on the leaderboard and capturing the hearts of fans around the globe.
As the sun set on the PGA Tour’s 2023 season, Scottie Scheffler emerged as a symbol of excellence and determination. His four tournament victories served as a testament to his unwavering spirit and relentless pursuit of greatness. In the tapestry of golfing history, his name will forever be woven alongside the legends who left an indelible mark on the sport.
The short answer is three, although it would be fair to say that none of them created a lasting impression and even dyed-in-the-wool Gunners may be hard pressed to remember all three. The first of them, chronologically, was right-back Nelson Vivas, who was signed from FC Lugano and made his debut for Arsenal when replacing Patrick Viera after 84 minutes during a 0-0 draw with Liverpool at Anfield on August 22, 1998. Initially signed as cover for established full-backs Lee Dixon and Nigel Winterburn, Vivas went on to make 40 Premier League appearances for Arsenal, mainly as a substitute. Having spent the second half of the 1999/00 season on loan to Spanish club Celta Vigo, he was unable to force himslef into Arsène Wenger’s back four and subsequently left Arsenal to join Inter Milan at the end of the 2000/01 season.
Next up for the Gunners was striker Néstor Fabián Caballero, a.k.a Tyson, who moved to Highbury on loan from Paraguayan Primera División outfit Cerro Porteño on October 29, 1998. Caballero made his one and only Premier League appearance for Arsenal on November 29, 1998, replacing
Freddie Ljungberg after 74 minutes during a 1-1 draw with Middlebrough at Highbury. Arsenal opted against signing him permanently and, at the end of the 1998/99 season, he returned to his parent club.
Last, but by no means least, came goalkeeper Damián Emiliano Martínez – not to be confused with Uruguayan midfielder Emiliano Martínez Toranza – who had been registered as an Arsenal player since 2010, but did not make his Premier League debut until November 22, 2014. On that occasion, he replaced the injured Wojciech Szczęsny after 59 minutes during a 2-1 defeat by Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium. All told, Martinez would make 15 Premier League appearances for the Gunners, breaking into the first team in June, 2020, following injury to first-choice goalkeeper Bernd Leno, before being transferred to Aston Villa in September that year.
For readers unfamiliar with the name, Francina Elsje Blankers-Koen, better known as ‘Fanny’ Blankers-Koen, was a versayile Dutch athlete who competed at three Summer Olympic Games, in Berlin in 1936, London in 1948 and Helsinki in 1952. Born in Lage Vuursche, near Baarn, in the central Netherlands on April 26, 1918, she made her Olympic debut as an 18-year-old, finishing co-fifth in the high jump and fifth, and last, in the 4 x 100 metres relay, after Germany, who had set a world record in the heats, were disqualified. The Summer Olympic scheduled for Tokyo, and then Helsinki, in 1940 and for London in 1944 were, of course, cancelled due to World War II.
By the time the Games returned, in London in 1948, Blankers-Koen had already set world records in the 80 metres hurdles, high jump and long jump and equalled the world record in the individual 100 metres and was the outstanding female athlete in her native country. Limited, by Olympic rules of the day, to no more than three individual events, she elected to compete in the 100 metres, 200 metres and 80 metres hurdles, plus the 4 x 100 metres relay.
Despite contesting eleven heats in just over a week, the 30-year-old mother-of-two won gold medals in all four events, earning herself the nickname ‘The Flying Housewife’. Victory, by a comfortable margin, in her opening event, the 100 metres, made her the first Dutchwoman to win an Olympic gold medal in athletics and she subsequently became the first woman, of any nationality, to win four gold medals at a single Olympic Games.
Blankers-Koen also competed at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, qualifying for the semi-final of the 100 metres, but withdrawing at that stage, and failing to finish in the final of the 80 metres hurdles, in what turned out to be her last competitive race. Nevertheless, in 1999, she was chosen as ‘Female Athlete of the the 20th Century’ by the Council of the International Athletic Foundation.
Mage, the 3-year-old colt trained by Gustavo Delgado and ridden by Javier Castellano, emerged as the triumphant winner of the 2023 Kentucky Derby. In a stunning display of skill and determination, Mage defied the odds and clinched victory by a length over Two Phil’s, capturing the hearts of spectators and enthusiasts alike. Bred in Kentucky by OGMA Investments, Ramiro Restrepo, Sterling Racing, and CMNWLTH, Mage showcased his exceptional abilities on the grand stage of Churchill Downs.
Despite having only three prior starts, Mage had already proven his mettle by securing victories in two of his races. As the longest shot in the field, carrying 15-1 odds, Mage entered the Kentucky Derby with a sense of anticipation and the desire to exceed expectations.
The race took place on a fast track, with Mage breaking from the eighth post position.
During the race he was found sitting at the back of the pack but this was as though he was waiting for his perfect moment. As the final stretch arrived, Mage opened his legs and with a burst of pace and agility, he pushed up the pack.
With a burst of energy, Mage swiftly overtook Two Phil’s and Angel of Empire, galloping towards the finish line with unyielding determination. Crossing the wire with a length to spare, Mage secured a remarkable victory, surprising many and solidifying his status as a rising star in the world of horse racing.
Mage’s triumph was a testament to the tireless efforts and meticulous training of his dedicated connections. Their unwavering belief in his abilities, coupled with his own natural talent, propelled Mage to this remarkable achievement. The 2023 Kentucky Derby will forever be etched in the history books as the moment when Mage defied expectations and emerged as a deserving champion.