Category: Sports News

Worldwide Sports News

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Milton Harris stripped of training licence after ‘bullying’ and ‘inappropriate behaviour’

  • BHA panel states trainer is ‘not a fit and proper person’
  • Evidence of WhatsApp messages to former employees

The turbulent career of Milton ­Harris appeared to reach an abject conclusion on Wednesday when the Grade One-winning trainer’s licence was removed indefinitely by the ­British Horseracing Authority’s Licensing Committee, due to multiple breaches of its conditions ­including significant financial mismanagement, initiating a campaign of bullying and intimidation against fellow trainer Simon Earle, who shared some of his facilities, and serious concerns around safeguarding issues at his yard.

The panel’s decision that Harris is “not a fit and proper person” to hold a licence marks the end of his second spell as a trainer. The first, between 2000 and 2011, ended when he was made bankrupt over an unpaid tax bill, and he spent seven years out of the sport until the BHA, which had turned down two applications in the intervening period, finally agreed to reissue his licence in 2018, subject to a number of conditions.

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Talking Horses: Sunday night races may result in serious jockey burnout

A winning rider saying ‘I wish I wasn’t here’ told its own story about the sport’s latest money-spinning exercise

A winning jockey’s post-race comments after picking up a decent prize rarely stray beyond gratitude to the horse’s owner and trainer, and how much they are looking forward to being aboard next time up. “I wish I wasn’t here” is unusual, to say the least.

But that was the gist of Callum Shepherd’s comments after his win aboard Charlie’s Choice in the 5pm race at Wolverhampton on Sunday, the opener on the first of six “trial” cards over the next few weeks, which will explore the potential of Sunday evening racing to expand the sport’s audience and boost betting turnover.

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The Spin | Men’s Test cricket team of the year: from Joe Root to Mitchell Starc

Our special board of selectors announces the picks for the best men’s Test XI of the past 12 months

After 32 Tests, 33,408 runs, 1,016 wickets, it’s time at last for the Guardian’s tenth annual men’s Test XI of the year. This year’s selectors were Vic Marks, Ali Martin, Rob Smyth, Tanya Aldred, Taha Hashim, Geoff Lemon, Adam Collins, Emma John, Tim de Lisle, Daniel Gallan and Andy Bull. Depressingly, some teams (South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh) played so little this year that it was hard to pick any of their players, which feels like a worrying sign of the way the game is going, but for now …

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Rugby Australia won’t rule out hiring Michael Cheika for second stint as Wallabies coach

  • Cheika quits as Argentina coach after reaching World Cup semis
  • Phil Waugh says RA ‘interested in anyone’ to replace Eddie Jones

Rugby Australia chief executive, Phil Waugh, isn’t ruling out going back to the well once more and hiring Michael Cheika as Wallabies coach for a second stint.

Cheika on Tuesday announced he had parted company with Argentina, two months after guiding the Pumas to the Rugby World Cup semi-finals in France.

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