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25-Year-Old Charlie Pike Targets Historic Guineas Win to Eclipse Aidan O’Brien Milestone

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The youngest licensed trainer in Britain, Charlie Pike, is aiming to make racing history this weekend as his colt Padraig Dawn lines up in the £525, 000 Group One Betfred 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

At just 25, Pike could achieve something even the legendary Aidan O’Brien did not—win a Classic at a younger age. O’Brien was 28 when he landed his first Guineas with King Of Kings in 1998. Pike, who only received his licence from the British Horseracing Authority in December 2025, now has a chance to become the youngest Classic-winning trainer in modern times.

There is history behind him too. Pike trains out of Danebury Place in Hampshire, a yard steeped in tradition. It produced three 2000 Guineas winners in the 19th century under John Barham Day—Grey Momus (1838), Crucifix (1840) and The Ugly Buck (1844).

“There’s a great buzz around the yard this week,” Pike said during a Jockey Club media call. “I haven’t really slept—just excitement more than nerves. I’m sure those will come closer to Saturday.”

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A Horse on the Rise

Padraig Dawn has rapidly climbed the ranks. A son of Saxon Warrior, the colt is out of Termagant, a Group One winner of the Moyglare Stud Stakes.

Bought for 30,000 guineas as a foal, he made an immediate impression by winning on debut over seven furlongs at Southwell in February. He followed that with a strong second—beaten just a neck—in the Listed Burradon Stakes at Newcastle on Good Friday.

“That Newcastle run is when I realised we might have something special,” Pike admitted. “Everything went wrong for him, but the way he finished… I was very, very happy. He’s improved again since.”

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Connections were quick to act, paying £30,000 to supplement the colt into Saturday’s Classic. Currently priced at 33-1 by sponsors Betfred, a top-four finish would recoup that fee.

‘A Pinch Me Moment’

For Pike, Saturday is about more than just results—it’s about belonging at the top table.

“To be in the parade ring with Aidan O’Brien and Charlie Appleby is a privilege,” he said. “They’re the people everyone looks up to. Just being there is a pinch-me moment.”

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Despite his youth, Pike is not lacking confidence.

“I’d like to sit in the first four—we’re capable of that. Obviously, everyone wants to win.”

Built for the Big Stage

Pike believes a strong mile—or even stepping up to 10 furlongs—will bring out the best in his colt.

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“He’s so laid back, nothing bothers him. If you could design a racehorse’s temperament, it would be him,” Pike said. “He’s professional, takes everything in his stride, and even has his routine—half eleven every day he’s asleep waiting for lunch.”

Although both runs have come on the All-Weather, Pike has no concerns about switching to turf.

“We’ve done plenty on grass at home. If anything, he looks more of a turf horse.”

Strong Team Behind the Scenes

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Regular rider Eddie Greatrex takes the mount, continuing a long-standing relationship with Pike.

“We’ve known each other years, going back to riding out together at Richard Hannon’s. We’re honest with each other—no sugarcoating—and that helps.”

Pike’s rise has been swift. After a short riding career, he seized the opportunity to train at just 24, backed by owner Gary Gillies.

“If you’re given a chance like that, you have to take it. If I’d said it was too soon, it might never have come again.”

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Youth Driving the Game Forward

Now firmly established at Danebury Place, Pike is beginning to attract new owners and build momentum.

“We’ve got some nice horses coming through, and things are starting to pick up. It’s exciting.”

He also believes his emergence is part of a broader positive trend in racing.

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“Youth in the game can only be a good thing. A few new faces—it freshens everything up.”

History Beckons

Whether Padraig Dawn can deliver on Saturday remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Charlie Pike has already shaken up the narrative.

And if the 25-year-old can pull off a Guineas shock, he won’t just win a Classic—he’ll rewrite the record books.

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Wigan end losing streak by beating Bradford

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Betfred Super League

Wigan (26) 38

Tries: Eckersley, Field 2, Hodkinson 3, O’Neill Goals: Keighran 4, Farrimond

Bradford (6) 14

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Tries: Fulton, Ryan 2 Goal: Atkin

Noah Hodkinson scored a hat-trick as Wigan Warriors ended a four-match losing streak with a comfortable Super League win over struggling Bradford Bulls.

The 20-year-old winger added to two tries from Jai Field and others from Zach Eckersley and Brad O’Neill as Wigan dominated to remain in the play-off places.

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Bradford have been badly hit by multiple injury problems, and had shipped 100 points in their previous two games, against Hull KR and Wakefield Trinity.

George Marsden, making his debut in the halves at the age of 17, was behind much of Wigan’s best work, while Zac Fulton and Ethan Ryan (2) replied for Bulls.

Wigan had responded to their latest injury issues by including Hodkinson for Liam Marshall, out for three months with a hamstring problem, while Marsden formed a half-back pairing with 20-year-old Jack Farrimond which was their youngest since Shaun Edwards and Mike Ford first teamed up 41 years ago.

Marsden made an instant impact, lifting a high ball which created chaos in the Bulls’ ranks and led to Eckersley’s try, courtesy of a looping pass over the top from O’Neill.

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Field supported Adam Keighran’s break to add another and when Bulls winger Greg Eden missed with an interception attempt, Jake Wardle was free to range down the left flank and feed Hodkinson for his first.

Hodkinson then teed up Field for another, before the beleaguered Bulls finally posed a threat and Fulton went over to get them on the scoreboard.

Patrick Mago drew in four defenders and released O’Neill to restore the 20-point gap at half-time, and Hodkinson was first to Farrimond’s neat kick to claim the first try of the second half.

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With the game won, Wigan eased off but Bulls continued to fight hard and Ryan grabbed two tries either side of Hodkinson’s hat-trick finish.

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‘Certainly beats losing’ – Peet reaction

Wigan coach Matt Peet told BBC Radio Manchester:

“It certainly beats losing! It was nice to get two points and keep tabs on the Super League table. It’s not the be-all and end-all but you don’t want to be drifting too far away.

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“The performance was decent in large parts. The second half lacked a bit of intensity but credit to Bradford, they do continue to throw a bit at you.

[On debutants] “I was trying to get people back in their natural positions a bit. It meant hanging our hat on a very, very young, part-time half-back so we decided to go in that direction and young George [Marsden] delivered.

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“We’ve lacked a bit of flow and cohesion for a while and I take responsibility for that, so maybe I’ve learnt a little bit there.”

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Wigan: Field; Eckersley, Keighran, Wardle, Hodkinson; Farrimond, Marsden; Havard, O’Neill, Thompson, Nsemba, Farrell, Partington.

Interchanges: Ellis, Mago, Eseh, Cartwright.

Bradford: Aekins; Eden, Chamberlain, Armitage, Ryan; Atkin, McNamara; Douglas, Souter, Lewis, Russell, Fulton, Gardiner.

Interchanges: Ackers, Hallas, Gill, Peposhi.

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Referee: Aaron Moore.

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Borussia Monchengladbach vs Borussia Dortmund Prediction and Betting Tips

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Borussia Monchengladbach will entertain Borussia Dortmund at Borussia-Park in the Bundesliga on Sunday. Dortmund are second in the standings and have a five-point lead over third-placed RB Leipzig. The hosts are 12th with 32 points and have slim odds of securing a top-10 finish.

Die Fohlen have endured a poor run of form and are winless in their last five league games. They have drawn their last two games and were held to a scoreless stalemate by Wolfsburg last week.

Die Schwarzgelben returned to winning ways after two consecutive defeats last week, recording a 4-0 home triumph over Freiburg. Maximilian Beier, Serhou Guirassy, and Ramy Bensebaini were on the scoresheet in the first half, while Fábio Silva added a goal after the break.

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Borussia Monchengladbach vs Borussia Dortmund Head-to-Head and Key Numbers

  • The two teams have met 135 times in all competitions. Dortmund have been the better side in these meetings, recording 62 wins. Monchengladbach have 37 wins, and 36 games have ended in draws.
  • Die Schwarzgelben registered a 2-0 home win in the reverse fixture in December, extending their unbeaten run against the hosts to six games.
  • Borussia Dortmund have scored two goals each in four of their last six away games in all competitions.
  • Borussia Monchengladbach have failed to score in two of their last three league games.
  • Six of the last eight meetings between them have produced over 2.5 goals.
  • Die Fohlen are unbeaten in their last five home games, playing three draws.
  • The hosts have drawn the most games (11) in the Bundesliga this season.
  • Dortmund have suffered just two defeats on their travels in the league this season.

Borussia Monchengladbach vs Borussia Dortmund Prediction

Die Fohlen have drawn four of their last five league games, scoring six goals in that period. They have failed to score in just one home game in 2026 and will look to find the back of the net here.

Kevin Diks is back in training and will undergo a late fitness test here. Tiago Pereira Cardoso has also resumed training and should be on the bench. Jens Castrop has been given a three-match suspension and won’t play again this season.

Die Schwarzgelben have seen decisive outcomes in their last nine games across all competitions, recording five wins. They have scored in each of their 15 Bundesliga away games this season and will look to build on that form.

Emre Can, Niklas Süle, Karim Adeyemi, Felix Nmecha, and Ramy Bensebaini are sidelined for Niko Kovač. Yan Couto and Jobe Bellingham should be available despite being ill earlier this week.

Dortmund have an impressive record against the hosts and should be able to secure a win.

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Prediction: Borussia Monchengladbach 1-2 Borussia Dortmund


Borussia Monchengladbach vs Borussia Dortmund Betting Tips

Tip 1: Result – Borussia Dortmund to win

Tip 2: Goals – Over/Under 2.5 Goals – Over 2.5 goals

Tip 3: Both teams to score – Yes

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Tip 4: At least one goal to be scored in the second half – Yes