For Sakshi Chaudhary, the road to Commonwealth Games gold was built on far more than one successful night in the boxing ring.

The 25-year-old Indian boxer had endured injuries, missed major international events and made a significant change in weight category before finally getting her opportunity at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. When that moment arrived, Chaudhary delivered, defeating England’s Ruby White 5-0 in the women’s 51kg final to secure a historic gold medal.

After her triumph, however, Chaudhary was also quick to acknowledge the role played by former India captain Virat Kohli, who supported her career through the Virat Kohli Foundation.

“He has been my sponsor. So I would like to thank him too,” Chaudhary said, while also revealing that Kohli’s advice had helped her deal with the pressure surrounding the Games.

Kohli’s Support Went Beyond Financial Backing

Kohli’s association with Chaudhary dates back several years. According to the information shared by the Virat Kohli Foundation, the boxer was inducted into its athlete support programme in 2019, when she was still working towards establishing herself on the international circuit.

For an athlete competing in a sport that does not command the same commercial ecosystem as cricket, sustained financial support can be crucial. Training, equipment, coaching, travel and participation in international competitions can place considerable demands on athletes and their families.

Chaudhary’s comments suggest that Kohli’s involvement was not limited to sponsorship. She said the former India captain encouraged her to avoid dwelling on the pressure of the occasion and instead concentrate on her performance inside the ring.

A Comeback Built Through Setbacks

Chaudhary’s Commonwealth Games triumph came after a difficult period in her career.

Injuries forced her to miss the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham as well as the 2023 Asian Games. She had also narrowly missed out on qualification for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

Instead of allowing those setbacks to derail her career, Chaudhary made another major decision. She moved down from the 54kg category to 51kg, beginning another fight to establish herself in a highly competitive weight class.

Her selection for the Commonwealth Games was ultimately secured after she defeated two leading domestic contenders — world champion Nikhat Zareen and Asian champion Minakshi Hooda, in the selection trials.

By the time she reached Glasgow, Chaudhary had already fought through several hurdles simply to earn her place on the Indian team.

The Final That Delivered Gold

The biggest test came in the final against England’s Ruby White.

Chaudhary produced a commanding performance to win the bout unanimously, with all five judges scoring the contest in her favour.

The 5-0 victory gave her her maiden Commonwealth Games gold medal and completed a remarkable turnaround after the injuries and selection disappointments that had defined parts of her career.

Her achievement was also part of a historic performance by India’s boxing contingent, which collected a record seven gold medals at the Games.

For Chaudhary, however, the medal represented something more personal: proof that the setbacks that once threatened to derail her career had not defined it.

The Role of the Virat Kohli Foundation

The Virat Kohli Foundation has supported athletes across disciplines, including sportspersons from boxing, athletics, tennis, swimming and para-sports.

Its stated approach has included supporting promising athletes before they become household names, when access to consistent resources can make a significant difference to their development.

Chaudhary’s association with the foundation began in 2019, years before her Commonwealth Games breakthrough.

That timeline is significant. Support for athletes is often most valuable before they reach the biggest stages, when they are still attempting to establish themselves and may not yet have access to substantial commercial opportunities.

In Chaudhary’s case, that backing came during a period in which she was still building her career. Her eventual Commonwealth Games gold provides a striking example of how long-term athlete support can intersect with talent, coaching, determination and competitive opportunity.

More Than a Celebrity-Athlete Connection

The story of Chaudhary and Kohli also points to a broader issue within Indian sport.

Cricket continues to dominate India’s sporting landscape commercially, while athletes in disciplines such as boxing often have to navigate a very different financial environment. For many of them, support from foundations, sponsors and government-backed programmes can determine how consistently they can train and compete.

Chaudhary’s journey illustrates why such support matters.

Kohli’s backing did not win the Commonwealth Games final for her. The gold medal came after years of training, recovering from injuries, changing weight categories and beating some of India’s leading boxers to earn selection.

But having financial and motivational support during the difficult stages of that journey can give an athlete the space to keep pursuing the goal.

For Chaudhary, that journey has now culminated in a Commonwealth Games gold medal — and she has made sure to acknowledge one of the people who helped her stay on that path.

Her Glasgow triumph is therefore not simply the story of a boxer winning a gold medal. It is the story of an athlete who kept rebuilding after setbacks, found support before achieving mainstream recognition and ultimately reached the biggest stage to deliver when it mattered most.

Ninja proved himself the class act in Sydney’s first stakes race of the 2026 season, the Group 2 $300,000 Missile Stakes (1200m), outclassing a small but select field.

The Michael Freedman-trained sprinter clocked a blistering race record of 1 minute 08.28 seconds, a time that would have been highly competitive in many renewals of The Everest.

Adding intrigue to his Everest prospects, Ninja is part-owned by John Camilleri, who holds a slot in the lucrative race through his Fairway Thoroughbreds banner.

“Any trainer with a half-decent sprinter dreams of going to The Everest at this time of year and why not!” Freedman commented. “He seems to have come back in great order and his form has been so consistent. If he continues to take the next step then we have got to dream big.”

Under jockey Tommy Berry, Ninja ($5) overcame a wide run to settle outside the leader, Way To The Stars, before launching a decisive finishing burst in the straight to defeat Napoleonic ($9) by just over a length. The favourite, Angel Capital ($2.20), finished third.

Berry, who achieved his third Missile Stakes win, equalling the race riding record, expressed his admiration for the horse’s potential.

“I thought he was very impressive today,” Berry said. “I was trying to get cover early but it didn’t quite work out so I sat on him, waited until the speed came out of it and I was able to get across. He relaxed really well, he came back under me, and he was travelling coming up the rise. He’s very talented and he’s in for a good preparation.”

Following the dominant performance, TAB Fixed Odds dramatically shortened Ninja’s price for The TAB Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 17, moving him from $26 to $15. The current $1.60 favourite is Hong Kong’s Ka Ying Rising.

The Missile Stakes has a proven track record as an Everest launchpad, notably with Alizee in 2019.

Alizee, a multiple Group 1 winner, took out the Missile Stakes as the $1.30 favourite before running seventh in The Everest behind Yes Yes Yes.

Eduardo captured his first stakes victory in nearly two years in the 2020 Missile Stakes and went on to contest three Everests without success. He finished third to Nature Strip in 2021.

I Am Me, raced by Dean Watt’s Dynamic Syndications, won the Missile Stakes in 2023 but missed an Everest start that spring, instead winning the Sydney Stakes on Everest day.

She later earned an Everest selection the following year after winning the Concorde Stakes and The Shorts, ultimately finishing unplaced in the world’s richest turf race.

Ninja was noticeably blowing after the Missile Stakes, indicating he has significant improvement left in the tank with over two months until The Everest.

Freedman stated that he would assess Ninja’s recovery before considering a run in the Group 1 $1 million Winx Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick in two weeks, where he would likely face the highly-rated Autumn Glow.

“He is having a decent blow after the race but he had to do it a bit harder than what we were anticipating,” Freedman explained. “But to his credit he is a very exciting horse. I told John (Camilleri) early in the week that this horse is going really well. He wasn’t screwed right down for today but he looks to have a good spring ahead. In the back of my mind, depending on how he goes in this race and more importantly how he pulls up, I’ve been thinking of going to the Winx Stakes. I think we can pick our way a little bit now, there’s also a couple of nice races in Melbourne, too.”

With Ninja now firmly in the mix, the betting markets for The Everest are sure to be dynamic, offering exciting opportunities for online bookmakers.

A decade on from Jose Mourinho’s brutal summer clear-out at Manchester United, we take a look at where the 15 players he axed have ended up

Jose Mourinho made an immediate impact when he took over at Manchester United in the summer of 2016. Following Louis van Gaal’s exit, the Portuguese manager quickly assessed the squad he inherited and sought to reshape the dressing room to fit his own preference.

He was backed heavily in his first transfer window, spending around £145million on four high-profile signings: Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Eric Bailly. To make space for the new additions and trim down the squad, Mourinho also oversaw a major clear-out.

A total of 15 players were shown the door – either sold, released at the end of their contracts or sent out on loan moves that effectively ended their time at the club. A decade on from that busy summer, The Manchester Evening News looks at what happened to all the players Mourinho moved on for a combined £8.5m.

George Dorrington

The young goalkeeper was released by United in the summer of 2016 at the end of his contract. He immediately signed for Huddersfield Town after a successful trial but never managed to make the grade at the highest level. Now 29, Dorrington has largely fallen into footballing obscurity, with his last known involvement in the game coming for non-league side Mangotsfield United.

Nick Powell

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Once tipped for greatness by Sir Alex Ferguson, Powell was allowed to leave for Wigan Athletic on a free transfer upon the expiration of his contract. He rebuilt his career in the EFL, spending four years at Stoke City before moving to Stockport County, where he helped them win the League Two title in 2023/24. Now 32, the attacking midfielder is currently playing for Bradford City in League One.

Oliver Rathbone

Rathbone left the United academy on a free transfer to join Rochdale, where he quickly established himself. His performances earned him a move up the football pyramid to Rotherham United, where he became a fan favourite. Today, the 29-year-old is a well-respected midfielder, currently playing for promotion hopefuls Wrexham in the Championship.

Joe Rothwell

The academy graduate left Old Trafford on a free transfer to join Oxford United after failing to make a senior appearance for the Reds. He climbed the EFL ladder with impressive spells at Blackburn Rovers and Bournemouth, earning a taste of Premier League football before enjoying promotion-winning loan spells at Southampton and Leeds. Rothwell, now 31, plays for Sheffield United.

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Guillermo Varela

Mourinho sent the Uruguayan right-back on loan to Eintracht Frankfurt for the 2016/17 season, though the move ended sourly when he was suspended by the German club for getting an unauthorised tattoo.

He left United permanently for Penarol in 2017, where he won two league titles, and later had stints with FC Copenhagen and Dynamo Moscow. Now 33, Varela is playing in Brazil with Flamengo and recently represented Uruguay at the World Cup.

Victor Valdes

The legendary former Barcelona goalkeeper was famously frozen out by Louis van Gaal and was released by the club in the summer of 2016 upon the expiration of his contract. Valdes spent one season at Middlesbrough, making 28 Premier League appearances, before Boro were relegated. He announced his retirement in the summer of 2017 and has since moved into coaching.

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Donald Love

Love was sold to Sunderland in a £5.5m joint deal alongside Paddy McNair just weeks into Mourinho’s reign. His time in the North East was hampered by relegation, leading to spells at Shrewsbury Town, Salford City and Morecambe. Now 31, the defender has carved out a solid career in the lower tiers of the Football League and currently lines up for Accrington Stanley in League Two.

Paddy McNair

McNair was shipped off to Sunderland in that same £5.5m double deal. He fared much better after leaving Wearside, enjoying a long, successful stint at Middlesbrough, where he made just shy of 200 league appearances.

The Northern Ireland international recently had a brief stint in MLS with San Diego FC before returning to England to join Hull City in January 2026, winning the EFL Championship play-offs and earning promotion to the Premier League.

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Cameron Borthwick-Jackson

Despite showing initial promise under Van Gaal, Mourinho immediately loaned the left-back to Wolves, which sparked a series of underwhelming loan moves. He was eventually released in 2020 and spent time bouncing around the lower leagues with clubs like Oldham Athletic and Burton Albion. Aged 29, his fall down the football pyramid has seen him land at Macclesfield FC.

James Wilson

The striker was loaned out to Derby County by Mourinho in August 2016, but a serious knee injury cut his spell short. He eventually left Old Trafford for good to join Aberdeen, before dropping into the English lower leagues to turn out for Salford City, Port Vale and Northampton Town. Aged 30, Wilson is currently a free agent.

Tyler Blackett

Blackett was sold to Reading by Mourinho in August 2016, linking up with former United defender Jaap Stam on a permanent deal. The defender later spent time at Nottingham Forest, FC Cincinnati and Rotherham United before becoming a free agent. At 32, he recently restarted his career in the US by signing for USL Championship side New Mexico United.

Andreas Pereira

Pereira was loaned out to Spanish side Granada during Mourinho’s first window, kicking off a series of loans that later included Valencia, Lazio and Flamengo. He finally cut ties with United in 2022 to join Fulham, where he spent three impressive seasons as a Premier League starter. Now 30, Pereira returned to Brazil to sign for Palmeiras, having earned a total of 10 caps for the Selecao.

Will Keane

After serious injuries derailed his United career, Keane was sold to Hull City for around £3m in the summer of 2016. He had to drop down to League One with Wigan Athletic to rebuild his confidence in 2020, winning the 2021/22 League One golden boot award. The 33-year-old led the line for Preston North End before spending time on loan at Reading last season. He is currently without a club.

James Weir

Weir made just one senior appearance for United, sharing a debut against Arsenal with Marcus Rashford, before being sold to Hull City for an undisclosed fee on deadline day in 2016. Unfortunately, a run of injuries severely hindered his progress, leading to a brief stint at Bolton Wanderers before he opted to rebuild his career abroad in Slovakia and Hungary.

The 31-year-old midfielder hung up his boots in 2024, completed a university degree and swapped the pitch for a completely new career path as an independent travel agent.

Dean Henderson

Perhaps the most successful player on this list since his move, Henderson was sent out on loan to League Two side Grimsby Town during this window, beginning what would be a meticulous development path.

He rose through the ranks via loans at Shrewsbury and Sheffield United to eventually challenge David de Gea for the United number one jersey. Henderson, 29, left Old Trafford permanently in 2023 for Crystal Palace, where he has won the FA Cup and the 2025/26 UEFA Conference League and was included in the England squad that secured a bronze medal at the 2026 World Cup.

Taty Castellanos scored twice in an emphatic comeback win as West Ham beat Portsmouth 3-1 in front of the largest-ever crowd at a Carabao Cup first-round match.

The Argentinian’s brace helped get the Hammers’ season off to a winning start and propelled them through to the second round, two months after suffering Premier League relegation.

It also gave their rowdy fans something to cheer about on a day when under-fire West Ham co-owner David Sullivan sat in the stands, despite being advised not to attend by London Stadium operators amid an ongoing investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct – which he strongly denies.

The Hammers’ pedestrian start was punished by Pompey in the 33rd minute when Adrian Segecic controlled Maximilian Kilman’s clearance and let fly with a left-footed shot which rebounded off the West Ham defender and into the bottom corner.

West Ham jolted into life shortly before the interval and drew level when Mohamadou Kante’s simple cut-back was directed into the far corner by Castellanos.

Captain Jarrod Bowen put the hosts in front two minutes later after latching on to Pablo’s mis-controlled pass and sending Nicolas Schmid the wrong way with a deflected effort from range.

The victory, in front of 53,369 fans, was sealed when Castellanos nodded in Bowen’s cross following good work from Kyle Walker-Peters to start the attack.

Sullivan’s attendance came against the advice of the London Stadium’s landlord following allegations of sexual misconduct.

Sullivan was accused of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour by seven women during a joint investigation by the BBC’s Panorama and The Times into the 77-year-old businessman.

He has strongly denied all accusations and stood down as joint club chairman shortly before the investigation was broadcast in June, saying he wanted to focus on fighting what he called “factually incorrect and entirely false, decades-old allegations concerning my personal life”.

London Stadium issued a statement on Tuesday saying safeguarding issues were behind their advice, but Sullivan opted not to stay away.

London Stadium said: “Following media reports at the end of the season regarding a safeguarding matter being managed by the club, London Stadium sought further information to ensure it could fulfil its own safeguarding responsibilities.

“Based on the information provided by the club, we understand the matter was investigated and that the club does not consider there to be an ongoing safeguarding risk associated with Mr Sullivan attending the stadium.

“However, given the potential for demonstrations and anti-social behaviour by some spectators, we have recommended to the club that he does not attend.

“We have also requested advance notice of any planned attendance so that appropriate safety and operational measures can be put in place.”

There were no reports of any unrest among fans before or after the game kicked off against Portsmouth, whose 9,000-strong travelling fans helped swell the attendance to a first-round record.

West Ham go into Monday’s draw for the second round, where they will be joined by the Premier League teams not involved in European competition.

Millwall goalkeeper Lukas Jensen, meanwhile, saved all four QPR spot-kicks as the Lions won on penalties at Loftus Road to secure a place in the second round.

The visitors prevailed 2-0 in the shootout after a late own goal by Mark Sykes cancelled out Luke Cundle’s second-half opener in a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes.

Jensen superbly kept out efforts from Ilias Chair, Harvey Vale and Koki Saito before his save from Kwame Poku sealed the victory.

Camiel Neghli and Tairyk Arconte had their penalties saved by Pierce Charles, but Jake Cooper and Sykes scoring was enough to take the south London side through.

After a goalless first half, an error by keeper Charles gifted Millwall the lead in the 53rd minute.

Charles, making his competitive debut following a loan move from Manchester City, fumbled Neghli’s left-wing cross and enabled Cundle to tap in from close range.

The R’s equalised when Jimmy Dunne’s header from Chair’s 86th-minute corner went in off the unfortunate Sykes.

That gave Charles a chance to redeem himself in the shootout and he produced two impressive stops, but his team-mates could not find a way past an inspired Jensen.

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Sachin Tendulkar and Brett Lee (Image: Cricket Australia)

Sachin Tendulkar is widely regarded as one of the greatest batters in cricket history, with many fans and experts even calling him the ‘God of Cricket’. However, former Australia fast bowler Brett Lee has placed another legend ahead of Tendulkar when it comes to identifying the greatest cricketer overall.Speaking on the BeerBiceps podcast, Lee drew a clear distinction between being the best batter and being the best all-round cricketer. While he had no hesitation in naming Tendulkar as the greatest batter he had seen, the Australian picked former South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis as his choice for the best cricketer.

‘Best Batsman Is Sachin Tendulkar, Best Cricketer Is Jacques Kallis’

Lee acknowledged Tendulkar’s extraordinary batting legacy but argued that Kallis’ ability to contribute with both bat and ball puts him in a different category.“I’ve always said that I think that the best batsman to ever play the game is Sachin Tendulkar. But the best cricketer is Jacques Kallis. He’s got the best numbers in the world. If you look at his stats, the stats don’t lie. He’s incredible,” Brett Lee said.

Lee admired Kallis’ calm approach

Lee’s admiration for Kallis also came from watching the South African closely during their time as opponents and later as teammates in the IPL. Kallis represented Kolkata Knight Riders from 2011 to 2014, while Lee played for the franchise between 2011 and 2013. Their time together gave Lee an opportunity to observe Kallis away from the international spotlight.The former Australia pacer was particularly impressed by Kallis’ remarkably relaxed approach before matches.“But to be alongside as a teammate and to watch him prepare for a game, his heart rate was about 30 beats a minute before going out to bat as he was chilled out. So relaxed,” Lee added.

Kallis’ numbers back Lee’s argument

Kallis’ record provides a strong statistical case for Lee’s assessment. In Test cricket, Kallis amassed 13,289 runs at an average of 55.37, including 45 centuries, while also taking 292 wickets at 32.65 and completing 200 catches. His ODI record was equally impressive. He scored 11,579 runs at an average of 44.36, including 17 centuries, and claimed 273 wickets at 31.79.

(L/R) McLaren’s Australian driver Oscar Piastri shakes hands with teammate and British driver Lando Norris after Norris won the pole position during Sprint qualifying ahead of the 2026 F1 Miami Grand Prix at Miami International Autodrome in Miami Gardens, Florida, on May 1, 2026. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP)

McLaren boss Andrea Stella is proud of the way F1 world champion Lando Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri have conducted themselves following last season’s battle for the drivers’ championship.

British driver Norris eventually overcame the Australian in a three-way fight, also involving Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, to clinch his maiden world title, even though Piastri had held a 34-point lead with nine races remaining.

There were several occasions where McLaren’s wish to ensure both Norris and Piastri raced on even terms were put to the test but relations between the pair remained cordial.

READ: F1: Norris-Piastri clash overshadows McLaren title win

McLaren has been off the pace so far under new regulations for the 2026 season, with Mercedes leading the way from Ferrari.

But Stella has been pleased by the professionalism of his drivers.

“It wasn’t a given that, after last year –- when they found themselves battling for the world title right up to the final race -– the harmony they’d built would remain intact: yet not only has this not changed, but the relationship between them and with the team has actually become even stronger,” team principal Stella said in a McLaren Q&A.

“And whilst this might, in a sense, have been expected of Lando –- given that he was ultimately the one to become champion –- it was not quite so predictable for Oscar, who, instead, has relied even more heavily on the team to accelerate his development, both on and off the track.”

READ: F1 tension builds as Oscar Piastri, Lando Norries resume title fight

Mercedes teenage rising star Kimi Antonelli is 50 points clear of Ferrari’s seven-time former world champion Lewis Hamilton at the top of the 2026 drivers’ standings, with fifth-placed Norris a huge 91 points off the lead.

Norris, however, did win his first race of the season in Hungary before the current summer break and an optimistic Stella added: “If we can continue the season as we did in Budapest, I think we can still achieve a great deal.

“To do so, we must keep pushing with the development and ensure we outpace our rivals –- who certainly aren’t standing still.

“There are still 12 races left on the calendar, so there are plenty of opportunities given that 546 points are up for grabs.”

Women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka suffered a surprise defeat in the Canadian Open weeks before she begins her US Open title defence, while Britain’s Cameron Norrie also bowed out in the last 16.

Sabalenka lost 7-6 (7-3) 4-6 6-4 to Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova in a match lasting almost two and a half hours in Toronto.

The Belarusian recovered from a set down to force a decider, but a double fault when serving to stay in the match handed the number 16 seed victory.

It is the latest defeat in what has been a difficult summer for Sabalenka, who was knocked out in the quarter-finals and last 16 of the French Open and Wimbledon respectively.

“I just tried to play every single point as if it was the last one because with her, you don’t [get] a lot of chances during the match,” Alexandrova said.

“I’m super happy that I could win because after the second set, I thought [the chance] was already past me.”

The Russian will face Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina for a place in the semi-finals, after she defeated American eighth seed Amanda Anisimova 6-2 6-4.

Third seed Jessica Pegula suffered a first career loss to Diana Shnaider, as the 22-year-old finished both sets strongly to win 6-3 6-3.

The Russian will face Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals, after the seventh seed overcame opening set service troubles to defeat 10th seed Marta Kostyuk 3-6 6-1 6-2.

The six-time Grand Slam winner retired to the locker room after Kostyuk broke her serve four times during a shambolic a 39-minute opening set, but looked much improved when she returned.

In the men’s event in Montreal, British number two Cameron Norrie spurned two set-point opportunities as he was defeated 6-2 7-6 (10-8) by 18th seed Arthur Fils.

Norrie saved three match points in the second set to force a tie-break, but the Frenchman broke his serve to win in one hour and 43 minutes.

Fils will meet Spanish teenager Rafael Jodar in the quarter-finals, after the 19-year-old upset eighth seed Jiri Lehecka 6-3 6-3.

Brandon Nakashima and Luciano Darderi also progressed to the next round with gruelling three-set victories over Arthur Rinderknech and Nuno Borges respectively.

Italian Darderi used a mid-match changeover to enjoy an espresso as he battled to a 4-6 6-3 7-5 win.

Amy Hunt has always done things a little differently. As well as Olympic ambitions on the track, the University of Cambridge graduate has plans to return to academia.

First though, she intends to be one of the stars of the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, which take place between 10-16 August.

Lining up over 100m and 200m, as well as in a pair of relays at the Alexander Stadium, Hunt will be in constant action at her second Europeans, having won a gold medal as part of the women’s 4x100m relay in Rome two years ago.

That came a matter of weeks before she won Olympic silver in the same relay in Paris, before her true breakthrough last September when she won World Championship silver over 200m in Tokyo.

Add in a 100m silver in Glasgow at the Commonwealth Games and the 24-year-old now has medals at every major championships, at a time when many of her GB teammates chose to skip the trip north.

She may well be Britain’s busiest athlete, but, after a quadriceps rupture that threatened to derail her career altogether, it’s little wonder Hunt is desperate to take advantage of every medal opportunity that comes her way.

She said: “I don’t want to go on my Wikipedia page in 30 years’ time and just see one or two medals. I want to see lots of medals. That’s really important to me.

“We don’t get much representation in terms of media. We’re not NBA players who are on TV three times a week and everyone’s seeing our faces.”

Hunt competed in just the shorter of her two sprint events in Glasgow, with her priority being Birmingham, where she will be much busier.

That includes being part of the first ever mixed 4x100m relay at European level, a race that she believes can be “iconic”.

Working out her schedule is not always easy, but when it came to the chance to compete in Birmingham, it was a straightforward decision.

She said: “One of the great things about being a versatile sprinter is that I can compete over both the 100m and 200m. The downside is there are lots of opportunities, so sometimes it’s difficult to say no.

“Our No 1 priority is the European Championships. It’s the first time they’ve been held in the UK, so we’re aiming to compete in the full programme there: the 100m, 200m, women’s 4x100m and the new mixed 4x100m, because that would be really iconic.

“I’ll be doing everything, so you’ll probably be seeing a lot of me every day.”

Living in Italy, where she trains under Marco Airale in Padua, Hunt spends her downtime visiting nearby Venice each weekend.

That thirst for knowledge and culture is a throwback to her degree in English literature from the University of Cambridge, with Hunt keen to step outside of the athletics bubble when she can.

She added: “I’ve always said I’d like to do a master’s degree at some point. That hasn’t happened yet, partly because I now live in a country where I’m still not fluent in the language. But I’d definitely like to return to academia one day because I really enjoy it.

“I’m a human being before I’m an athlete. I want to experience the world, keep learning, grow intellectually, and be inspired by things outside my own little sporting bubble.

“I think it’s healthy to live as broad a life as possible. Athletes, particularly women, are increasingly showing that our lives can be much broader than just track. We can study, have careers alongside athletics and pursue different interests. Life is much bigger than the nine lanes out there.”

Finding that balance between athletics and the wider world is crucial for Hunt and will arguably be just as crucial in the long term as her balance while sprinting on the track at the Alexander Stadium over the next week.

Novuna is the Official Finance Partner of British Athletics and proud sponsor of the GB & NI Athletics Team. From everyday goals to world-class dreams, Novuna backs the ambition of millions across the UK — from supporting British businesses and individuals’ plans, to powering British Athletics on the global stage. Find out more at novuna.co.uk

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US businessman John Stewart experienced a high-profile bidding war two years ago for a daughter of Winx, but he was ultimately successful in acquiring another blueblood from that year’s Inglis Easter Sale. After finishing as the underbidder on the $10 million Winx filly to the champion’s owner, Debbie Kepitis, Stewart secured another six yearlings. Among these was an I Am Invincible filly out of Group 1 winner Booker, purchased for $3 million.

Named Ernaux, the filly took seven starts to break her maiden in midweek company. It took another ten races for her to achieve success in Saturday metropolitan grade, which she did in spectacular fashion at Randwick.

Settling back in the field under Tyler Schiller, Ernaux ($4.20 fav) had to weave between runners in the straight before powering through a late gap to score by 1-3/4 lengths over the fast-finishing Mareth ($4.60).

“It was hold-your-breath stuff at the top of the straight,” trainer Chris Waller said. “Tyler, he knew what he was doing. He knew what he had under him, and she really exploded late.”

Waller further elaborated on the mare’s performance, stating, “Her form has been terrible on wet tracks. As soon as she had a better track last start, and again today, she’s a different horse. There is certainly something there. She’s very well bred, so we’ll see what’s around the corner.”

Despite Ernaux’s significant price tag, Waller confirmed there had been no pressure from her ownership group, which includes Stewart’s Resolute Racing and Coolmore. Her win in Saturday’s Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1200m) gives the four-year-old a valuable Saturday win and may also keep her in training for another season.

“They’re fantastic to train for, and it’s good to see she’s won a good Saturday race for them,” Waller commented. “It was getting borderline whether we breed from her. That will give us a bit of confidence.”

The Winx filly by Pierro, named Quinceanera, was retired to stud unraced.

Explore the latest racing odds for the next big event at the Randwick track.