With two new expansion teams and more roster spots than ever before, it’s an historic year to be drafted into the WNBA.
Monday’s 2026 WNBA Draft saw 45 players drafted across three rounds. The Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire made their inaugural collegiate draft picks and Kiki Rice became the first player ever selected by an international team.
With the addition of at least 54 new player spots this season, the league’s roster size has jumped to 210, making 2026 the best year ever to enter the W. Combine those odds with a new CBA guaranteeing increased rookie salaries, and this draft class is joining the league at a transformative moment.
It was an eventful night in New York as UCLA became the first school to have six players selected at the same draft, we saw the most Canadians chosen since 2016 with three players with Canada Basketball experience selected, and Azzi Fudd reunited with Paige Bueckers in Dallas.
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Here’s what stands out amongst all the history made.
Fudd and Bueckers reunited
With two consecutive first-overall picks, the Dallas Wings selected a pair of UConn stars.
The move to take Fudd is as much a win for the entire Wings organization as it is for Bueckers. Fudd is an elite shooter who is as consistent from the three-point line (44.7 per cent) as most WNBA players are from the field (last year the league had a field-goal percentage of 43.9 per cent).
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Bueckers and Fudd as familiar with each other as you can get. Together, they led the Huskies to the national championship in 2025 where Fudd earned the Most Outstanding Player award.
In basketball they are a proven unstoppable duo but, since announcing their relationship in 2025, the two have shown how incredible their partnership is off the court as well.
After signing the co-Defensive Player of the Year, centre Alanna Smith, just two days ago, the Wings shifted the focus to acquiring a guard to support Bueckers. With Fudd and Olivia Miles — a true point guard from TCU who was close to averaging a triple double during March Madness — the best options in the draft, it only made sense for Dallas to lock down a rookie Bueckers has already had success with.
Kiki Rice becomes first player drafted by Tempo
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Toronto put a lot of weight on the sixth pick and according to Monica Wright Rogers, it paid off.
“We have an already established backcourt, but she’s going to be a piece that adds to that,” the Tempo general manager told media after the draft.
Rice’s scoring and floor control was a big element in the Bruins’ title run. She averaged 14.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting 39 per cent from three-point range. The 2025-2026 All-American selection will slot in well with the veteran guards Toronto has already acquired this month.
Plus, as she shared on draft night, her uncle, Ian Cameron, is Canadian!
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With the 22nd pick, Toronto selected Kentucky forward Teonni Key, before picking two Australians (Saffron Shiels and Charlise Dunn) to stash for the future. It seems like head coach Sandy Brondello is trying to turn Canada’s team into Australia’s team.
UCLA became the first school to see five players drafted in the first round and six selected in a single draft.
Centre Lauren Betts was the first to go at fourth overall to Washington, but guard Gabriela Jaquez was right behind, going to the Chicago Sky at fifth. Rice was the third Bruin to fall before forward Angela Dugalic was chosen to join Betts on the Mystics with the ninth pick. Round one ended with Gianna Kneepkens going to the Connecticut Sun. Guard Charlisse Leger-Walker was also selected by the Sun with the third pick in the second round.
It is typical for the national champions to garner extra attention on draft night, but with the number of seniors UCLA had available, the excitement around this team reached another level. And for good reason: In the Bruins’ Final Four win, the six drafted players combined to score 100 per cent of the team’s points.
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Over the last week, few teams have been as surprising as the Seattle Storm.
Seattle lost some big pieces in free agency — namely Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins, Brittney Sykes, and Gabby Williams — but used this draft as a true launch pad for its rebuild.
With the No. 3 pick, Seattle brought in a strong international big in Awa Fam to accompany last year’s No. 2 pick Dominique Malonga. Fam is a powerful, six-foot-four forward from Spain, while Malonga is of a similar calibre at six-foot-six. The France native is one of the few W players who can dunk.
The Storm brought some havoc to the start of the second round after a surprising trade with the Golden State Valkyries moved freshly drafted Marta Suárez (No. 16) and a 2028 second-round pick to the Bay Area in exchange for 2026 No. 8 selection Flau’Jae Johnson. Johnson is a national champion from LSU with a budding rap career and an even more impressive stat sheet.
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Canada forging a way in the WNBA
Three players with Canada Basketball ties were selected in a single WNBA draft for the first time in 10 years.
The Mystics started it off with Notre Dame guard Cassandre Prosper at 19th overall. The Montreal native decided to bet on herself and declare for the draft even though she had one more year of college eligibility remaining. It could be tough for her to crack the Mystics’ roster given how much young talent they’ve added in the last two years, but after averaging 13.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.6 steals, 1.6 assists and 1.1 blocks in her senior year she has a good shot at becoming a solid depth piece.
Two picks later, the Chicago Sky selected Latasha Lattimore with the 21st pick. The Ole Miss forward is a reliable shot-maker who averaged 10.9 points a game this season.
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Serah Williams, who went to high school in Canada and played for teams in Toronto and Niagara Falls Ont., was selected by the Sun with the 33rd pick and reportedly traded to the Fire following the draft. Williams has experience repping Canada on the national stage, including at the GLOBL JAM under-23 tournament in 2025.
Italy’s Jannik Sinner celebrates with the trophy after winning the Monte Carlo ATP Masters Series Tournament final tennis match against Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz on Court Rainier III at the Monte-Carlo Country Club in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, south-eastern France on April 12, 2026. (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP via Getty Images)
Jannik Sinner is back at world No. 1 after winning the Monte Carlo title, overtaking Carlos Alcaraz in the latest ATP rankings.
The Italian now has 13,350 ranking points, the first time he has crossed the 13,000 mark in his career. Alcaraz follows closely behind with 13,240 points.
Between them, Sinner and Alcaraz now have more ranking points than the rest of the ATP Top 8 combined.
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Sinner’s return to the top also marks his 67th career week as world No. 1, moving him ahead of Alcaraz in the all-time list.
Valentin Vacherot has also broken into the Top 20 for the first time after his run in Monte Carlo.
On the women’s side, Lilli Tagger also made a breakthrough, reaching the Top 100 after her run in Linz.
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Right now, it’s Sinner and Alcaraz, then everyone else.
Dave McGinnis, a former Arizona Cardinals head coach and Tennessee Titans assistant coach, died on Monday. He was 74.
The Titans announced the death of McGinnis, who died after being hospitalized for an illness in early March. The Titans’ news release said that he passed away at Ascension St. Thomas Midtown Hospital with his family by his side.
“My heart aches with the loss of Coach Mac, who was so much more than a coach and broadcaster – he was family,” Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk said in a statement.
Head coach Dave McGinnis of the Arizona Cardinals watches from the sideline during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Nov. 9, 2003. The Steelers defeated the Cardinals, 28-15.(George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
Cardinals owner Michael Bidwell also released a statement on McGinnis.
“As Dave often said, he was a ‘ball coach’ through and through, and no one ever filled that role with more passion, enthusiasm and charisma,” Bidwell said. “Coach Mac truly loved the game and everything – and everyone – associated with it, especially his players. He was one of a kind and will be greatly missed.”
McGinnis found himself in an interim head coaching role during the 2000 season with the Cardinals, the team for which he served as defensive coordinator in 1996. He was retained in the head coaching post from 2001-03.
In 57 career games, McGinnis went 17-40 with the Cardinals, ultimately being fired after a 4-12 season in 2003.
After he was fired, McGinnis landed with the Titans as a linebackers coach under head coach Jeff Fisher. He would become a mainstay in Nashville, holding that role and eventually being promoted to assistant head coach until 2011.
Coach Dave McGinnis of the Arizona Cardinals walks the sideline against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio, on Nov. 16, 2003. The Browns won the game, 40-6.(Tom Pidgeon/Getty Images)
“Coach Mac gave so much of himself to this organization over the years, and his passion, loyalty and love for the Titans never wavered,” Strunk added. “He cared deeply about the people around him, and that kindness and authenticity left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him. He held a very special place in our family, and his presence in our lives and within this franchise will never be forgotten. We will miss him dearly, and we will always be grateful for the legacy he leaves behind.”
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McGinnis’s coaching career began in 1973 when he was an assistant with TCU. He also held posts with Indiana State, Missouri and Kansas State until the 1986 season when he broke into the NFL with the Chicago Bears.
McGinnis served as linebackers coach for Chicago from 1986-95 before getting a promotion with the Cardinals. He also held roles with the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams before leaving coach after the 2016 campaign.
McGinnis returned to Nashville to join Titans Radio in 2017, where he served as a color announcer for games.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Dave McGinnis stands on the sideline during a game against the Oakland Raiders at Network Associates Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Dec. 2, 2001.(Jed Jacobsohn/Allsport)
“I love Dave McGinnis, and I don’t know that I’ve met anybody who was created for football, and a football life, more than Coach Mac,” said Burke Nihill, president and CEO of the Titans. “He just loved the game. Obviously, he played it for a long time and coached it for longer, and with everything he has done for us over the years as color commentator and a Titans personality. He lived such a special football life. He was such a special guy.
Optus Stadium will play host to Saturday’s
Round 6 NRL game between Cronulla Sharks and
Sydney Roosters. The game kicks off at 5:30 pm with Sydney Roosters heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Cronulla Sharks vs.
Sydney Roosters
game and give you our free tips and bets.
Cronulla enters this contest with renewed confidence after back-to-back wins, pushing back into finals contention. Nicho Hynes continues to steer a dangerous attack, while the Sharks’ recent success against the Roosters — including a finals victory — offers further encouragement. Sydney, however, returns refreshed from a bye and boasts a formidable spine led by James Tedesco and Sam Walker. With both sides evenly matched, this shapes as one of the round’s most intriguing contests, likely to be decided by execution in key moments.
Just like Michael O’Neill, McArdle will be based in Scotland during his tenure as Northern Ireland manager.
McArdle, who took charge of Scotland for four matches last year on an interim basis, will remain in Glasgow – a decision he believes will help NI.
“The benefit is because a lot of girls are playing in the domestic game in the UK, I am in a good position to stay in Scotland and watch some of the girls play,” McArdle said.
17 players of the last NI squad play their football in England or Scotland with just five based in Northern Ireland, four from Glentoran and one from Linfield.
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However, he added he will also make effort to watch those who play in the Irish Premiership as well.
“I’ll be around NIFL [Women’s Premiership] quite a lot on a Friday evenings, and also speaking to players a lot in between camps as well.”
The athletic Duck was featured within a recent ESPN update. The premise of the article involves highlighting the “draft risers.” Jeff Legwold, the author, writes, “With the 2026 NFL draft less than two weeks away, we identified seven players who have gained the most ground since the beginning of the 2025 season.” Coming in quite high is the defensive back who boasts insane speed.
ESPN Update: Dillon Thieneman Generating Hype & is Rising
To begin, there’s some clarity about how Thieneman has ascended.
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The assessment from Legwold: “There are a few players in every draft with an extensive enough body of work to make league evaluators comfortable. Then there are the players who shake things up a bit at the Senior Bowl or the combine, forcing evaluators to take another look. Thieneman fits into the latter bucket and has likely moved from a mid-to-late Day 2 pick into the first round as part of a sturdy safety class.”
Jan 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders running back J’Koby Williams (20) is tackled by Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) during the second half of the 2025 Orange Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Despite playing plenty of football, a situation that allows for ample room to assess the safety’s abilities, Thieneman’s testing prompted NFL people to reconsider what had previously been thought: “he uncorked a 4.37-second 40-yard dash and a 41-inch vertical at the combine at 6-foot, 201 pounds. That makes folks circle back.”
Not too long afterwards, there’s commentary on Dillon Thieneman having “excellent instincts” alongside being someone who boasts “plus-level athleticism.”
If he had been a sleeper, Thieneman is no longer someone who could be described in those terms.
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Sitting at No. 18, the Vikings appear likely to offer Brian Flores a new player to work with from 2026 onward. Basically all levels of the defense could use an infusion of young talent, but few would quibble with opting for a corner or safety. The days of Mike Zimmer’s elite 2017 secondary feels like a very long time ago.
Thieneman looks like somebody who could get worked into the mix quite easily. He’s not huge but is wicked fast, is only 21, and coming out of a major college program. Most commonly, Thieneman has either been a deep safety or a box safety, meaning he blends some of Camryn Bynum with some of Harrison Smith.
Nov 29, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) intercepts a pass against the Washington Huskies during the second half at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Connecting the dots between Dillon Thieneman and the Vikings isn’t very difficult. Simply note that missing on another 1st-Round selection would be a brutal gut punch for a franchise that is desperate for draft success.
The concern is twofold.
Maybe Thieneman is good but not great, bumped up late in the process even though he didn’t fully deserve it. That’s not a catastrophic scenario since he’s still a good player, but he would bring back memories of Garrett Bradbury. Once upon a time, a highly-athletic center got looped into the Minnesota mocks so commonly that anyone and everyone could predict the future. Close to a decade later, the pick looks average or below average. He, too, got drafted at No. 18.
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Worse yet, there could be another Lewis Cine scenario. A young, physical, and highly-athletic safety coming out of a major college program would be perfect, especially with Harrison Smith on the cusp of retirement. Does that rationale sound at all familiar?
Add it all together and the argument isn’t that Dillon Thieneman is a bust waiting to happen. Nor, for that matter, is the argument that he doesn’t deserve the hype that has arrived late in the evaluation process. Rather, the idea is to take a sober look at what’s taking place. Doing so helps us to understand that the spotlight is shining brightly on the Oregon defender but that it’s not a foregone conclusion that he will become a success story.
Former Minnesota Vikings tight end Stu Voigt announces the team’s third-round selection at the NFL Draft, with Apr. 25, 2025 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin capturing the on-stage moment as fans reacted to the No. 102 pick during the second night of draft festivities. Mandatory Credit: Tork Mason-USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Everyone will get clarity on how things unfold in less than two weeks. Reality will arrive, allowing the rumor and speculation to cease. Afterwards, analysis will take place to assess how the Vikings (and the league more broadly) did in the high-stakes event.
Opting for Dillon Thieneman appears quite likely at No. 18; seeing him morph from a Duck into a Viking has plenty of common sense appeal. Whether all of the late hype has been justified remains to be seen.
Following a defeat to Shakur Stevenson back in July, Teofimo Lopez looked set to move up to the welterweight division and land a world title fight upon his debut.
Lopez famously dethroned Vasyl Lomachenko to become the unified lightweight world champion back in 2020, but he lost all three of his titles upon his next outing in a shock defeat to George Kambosos Jnr.
Speaking to The Ring on Saturday night, Lopez confirmed that there have been talks for that fight and that he is ready and willing to face Garcia without a fight at 147lbs to his name.
“There has been talks, for sure, but that’s the thing. If Shakur and these other guys don’t want to take the risk, we are willing to do it and step up to the plate. That is what we are all about, it’s why we talk about making boxing great again, for that reason.
“You never know, maybe [it happens] in the summer.”
However, Conor Benn’s victory over Regis Prograis looks to have spoiled those plans, with Benn being the mandatory challenger for Garcia’s belt and publicly demanding the fight during the aftermath of his win.
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As a result, Benn could take Lopez’s place, especially if the WBC opt to strictly mandate the fight. As a final option, Garcia could push for a rematch against old rival and current WBO champion Devin Haney, with the sanctioning bodies often approving unifications ahead of mandatories.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Myles Price (31) returns a kickoff against the New England Patriots during fourth-quarter action at U.S. Bank Stadium, Aug. 16, 2025, accelerating upfield with open space while showcasing his burst and vision as a dynamic special teams weapon pushing for a larger offensive role in the preseason. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
It felt like the Minnesota Vikings found a revelation in 2025 with return man Myles Price. But did you ever wonder why the speedster barely played on offense? Well, Price wants to change that.
Minnesota still needs WR depth, and Price has at least earned a longer look.
Needing more WR oomph in 2026, Minnesota may look in-house for reinforcements.
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The Case for Expanding Price’s Offensive Workload
Why Price as a WR4, huh?
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Myles Price (31) celebrates late in the game after contributing to a strong finish, showing energy and confidence in a preseason setting. Aug 9, 2025 captured the moment at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, where Price flashed his playmaking ability against the Houston Texans in the fourth quarter. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
Price Clip Makes the Rounds on Social Media
Take this with a grain of salt because the footage came from a renowned aggregator, but Price has evidently been putting in the work this offseason to be a contributor on offense.
Of course, it takes much more than a single video clip to earn an enhanced role in an offense, but the clue is there nevertheless, suggesting that Price’s contribution as a pass-catcher could be elevated this summer. His desire is there.
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The 2025 Rookie Performance
Price played 17 snaps on offense as a rookie, which averages to an even one per game. In short, it’s safe to say he was not used at all as an offensive playmaker, despite speed that kills.
As a returner, the guy turned into an undrafted gem for the 2025 Vikings. Price earned both punt and kick return duties during training camp and the preseason, carrying that momentum into the regular season. Although several impressive returns were called back due to penalties, his potential was clear. Minnesota may have found its return specialist for years to come.
Price also received one All-Pro vote, which no one envisioned at all during 2025 training camp. Best of all, they acquired him as an undrafted free agent. All told, he averaged 9.9 yards per punt return and 25.9 on each kickoff.
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Vikings’ Need for WR Playmaking Talent
The Vikings have shown considerable interest in Day Two wide receiver prospects in the upcoming draft, a trend that often signals their intentions. Leading up to the draft, the Vikings have met with Antonio Williams (Clemson), Ted Hurst (Georgia State), and De’Zhaun Stribling (Ole Miss), pointing at a clear strategy to address the position.
The roster composition supports the theory. Jalen Nailor’s departure to Las Vegas in March left the WR3 position vacant, and while Tai Felton is another option, his limited playing time as a rookie last season creates uncertainty.
Considering head coach Kevin O’Connell’s offensive preferences, it would be surprising if Minnesota does not select a wide receiver by the end of Round 4 later this month.
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Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Myles Price (4) reacts after a dynamic kickoff return, bringing life to the sideline during an international showcase. Sep 28, 2025 featured action at Croke Park in Dublin, where Price’s burst and vision stood out against the Steelers in front of an energized crowd. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
The wildcard here is Price, at least in theory. If his social media montage translates into regular season reality, well, the Vikings wouldn’t urgently need a WR3 or WR4. They have Felton and Price as in-house options.
Generally speaking, Price’s plan to achieve WR snaps is fantastic in spirit, but some guys are just better as returners.
The Viking Age‘sNik Edlund noted on Price last month, “Myles Price is another pass catcher on Minnesota’s roster who could provide that depth. The undrafted rookie proved to be a dynamic punt returner who sparked the Vikings plenty of times in 2025 with his ability to bust off a long return. It’s a little surprising that Minnesota didn’t work him into the receiver rotation, but the poor quarterback play could’ve been a reason.”
“Price isn’t the biggest guy out there, standing just 5-foot-9 and weighing 183 pounds, but he’s quick, shifty, and much tougher than his frame would appear. He also has shown up when the lights are on him. He is someone who could battle to be that third option in the passing game, and the Vikings would be wise to see what he can bring to the table.”
The College Production and Scouting Report
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At Texas Tech and Indiana, Price posted these numbers from 2020 to 2025:
So, he was at least trusted a little bit in college as a pass-catcher, a decent omen.
Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Myles Price (4) celebrates in the end zone after a scoring play, highlighting his impact as a playmaker during a Big Ten matchup. Oct 19, 2024 showed the scene at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, where Price delivered a key touchdown against Nebraska in the second quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images.
Price said at his Pro Day before last year’s draft: “I put on a show and just did me. I know I made the play. Running great routes and catching the ball, that’s what I do for a living. I’m a smaller guy. I punt return, kick return, kickoff, whatever you want me to do. I can kick the ball if that’s what you want. That’s who I am. I can do everything. Whatever the task is, Myles Price can do it.”
The guy very obviously wants to be a factor on offense; maybe the Vikings will let it happen. He’s got the speed.
Although Tony McEvoy acknowledges the daunting opposition for Half Yours in the upcoming Group 1 All Aged Stakes at Randwick this Saturday, the trainer is thoroughly pleased with the condition of his prominent stable runner ahead of the comeback.
The five-year-old makes his racing return since claiming the Caulfield Cup/Melbourne Cup double on November 4 at Flemington, lining up versus names like Jimmysstar, Giga Kick, Fangirl, Briasa and Angel Capital in the 1400-metre $1.5 million showdown.
It represents Half Yours’ first outing at the distance since March 19 of the previous year, when he fell short to Tumbling in Sandown’s benchmark 64, but the end of 2025 saw him emerge as a top stayer, and McEvoy indicated the work has targeted a snappy initial run.
“We’re training him a bit different at the moment; we’re keeping him really sharp to run in this 1400-metre race,” McEvoy said on Monday morning.
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“He’s telling us that he’s loving it. He’s bouncing off the track, he’s eating maximum feed and I think he looks very, very well.
“He had his second trial under Jamie Melham at Flemington last week and we were all pretty with him and Jamie said he felt great.
“We’re really pleased. He’s travelled up to Sydney and he’s settled into Rosehill really well. He’s just going to have a sharp little piece of work tomorrow and then he’s going to run in the All Aged.
“It’s probably a hurdle too far for him to win that race if you look at who’s running, but it’s good kick off for him and it sets him up nicely.”
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Next after the All Aged Stakes comes the $500,000 Group 2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) on May 9 for Half Yours, with the $1m Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) a couple of weeks later and $1.2 million Group 2 Q22 (2200m) on June 13.
As a weight-for-age program, McEvoy and son Calvin, the co-trainer, want to gauge his prowess in such races, potentially en route to Melbourne Cup repeat via the 2040m Cox Plate at Flemington this year.
“That’s where he has to be now, weight-for-age, and he’s got to prove to us that he’s a weight-for-age horse,” McEvoy said.
“But, I must say, his run in the Turnbull was pretty good, finishing alongside Via Sistina, and from that moment I thought this horse is going to be able to handle himself at weight-for-age level.”
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Half Yours is listed in 19 acceptors for the All Aged Stakes, paired with the $1m Champagne Stakes (1600m) as Randwick’s dual Group 1s this Saturday, starring ATC Sires’ winner Campione D’Italia.
Discover leading betting sites offering racing odds for the All Aged Stakes.
Punchestown Festival 2026 race times confirmed as schedule takes shape
The schedule for the 2026 Punchestown Festival is beginning to take shape, with racegoers given a clearer picture of start times for one of Ireland’s biggest racing events.
The five-day festival, which runs from April 28 to May 2, will once again deliver a packed programme of top-class National Hunt racing at Punchestown Racecourse.
Organisers are expected to stick with a familiar structure for race times across the week, with the first race typically going off at 2:30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Friday — traditionally the busiest day of the festival — will feature a later start time, with the opening race scheduled for approximately 3:40pm to accommodate increased attendance and demand.
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Each race day is expected to feature between three-and-a-half and four hours of live racing, giving fans a full afternoon of action across the festival.
The Punchestown Festival remains one of the highlights of the Irish racing calendar, drawing huge crowds and showcasing many of the top horses from the Cheltenham Festival and beyond.
Among the standout races expected across the week are the William Hill Champion Chase, the Punchestown Gold Cup, and the Boodles Champion Hurdle — all of which traditionally attract elite-level runners and provide thrilling finishes.
With consistent start times and a proven format, the 2026 edition is shaping up to deliver another memorable week for racing fans.
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Racegoers are advised to check official channels closer to the event for confirmed racecards and any potential changes to the schedule.
A sharp pain in my abdomen stopped me in my tracks on Amen Corner. A pain that I am all too familiar with. With each step I tried to take, it jolted through the rest of my body to the point of immobilizing me. A volunteer at Augusta National spotted my struggle and asked if I was OK. I was not. The kind man, with his warm, southern drawl — whose name I regret not getting — offered to seek assistance to get me off the course.
Crohn’s Disease, which has been a part of my life for the past 20 years, showed its ugly head at golf’s most beautiful corner. I’ve been poked, prodded and cut open enough times in my life to understand exactly what was happening last April. Tests in the following weeks confirmed what I already knew: I would have to go under the knife again — and the result of that procedure called for another several months later. Between surgeries, I was on a heavy drug regimen that required 10 to 12 hours of IV treatments daily.
One day, you’re freely roaming Amen Corner, and the next, you feel like you’re on house arrest with an IV pole playing the role of an ankle monitor. I was a prisoner in my own body for most of the last year.
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“Gut It Out” are words I’ve learned to live by. Yes, there’s a literal component to it after having guts literally ripped out of me on several occasions. Yes, I have Crohn’s disease, but I refuse to let it have me. Whether I’m feeling great or in the middle of a flare up, I attack everything with a “gut it out” mentality. I refuse the notion of not being able to get through whatever obstacle life puts in front of me, and last year’s hellacious experience was no different.
I ARRIVED AT AUGUSTA THIS YEAR with last year’s experience on my mind. In the lead up to the Masters, whenever I saw highlights of Rory McIlroy’s 2025 victory, the first thought I had was a dark one. I was taken back to that day at Amen Corner, and to all the hard days and thoughts that followed.
But in the last two months, I’ve felt more like myself than I did in all of 2025. I was looking forward to a healthy return to Amen Corner. Early on Tuesday morning, I did just that. I took a solo walk out to the exact location where things went awry for me. I stood there for a moment of stoic silence. I didn’t want to talk to anyone or acknowledge the significance to anyone but myself. A quiet goal I set for myself was to get back to this spot in good health. A clear mind replaced those dark-clouded thoughts beneath blue skies.
A few days later, the Masters communication team put out a video that struck a chord with me. I watched it on repeat and let these words sink in:
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“In a world that’s louder than ever, there’s power in a place of calm. Beautiful moments that don’t last forever. We all leave this week feeling different. Lighter. Closer to those we love. Feeling empowered to feel this way as long as we can. That’s the power of being present.”
I felt this to my core. The calm I found in the beauty of Amen Corner this year is something I won’t forget. I left the week feeling different. I know how fast good days can turn to bad, but in that moment, that didn’t matter. I reflected on those I love and how they supported me. After spending so much time feeling powerless, the morning sun beaming through those tall Georgia pines gave my body a solar-powered charge. I was present, and I maintained that present mentality every time I stepped foot on the course for the rest of the week.
The Masters is known for its rich history of traditions, but you won’t find mine anywhere on their social feeds. As Tuesday was winding down, I took a stroll with Josh Berhow, GOLF’s managing editor. We’ve taken a “calm before the storm” walk around Amen Corner with a drink in hand every year that we’ve attended the Masters together.
What he doesn’t know is how much that stroll took out of me last year, and how much it meant to do it again this year. But it’s these rituals that feel like a return to normalcy for me.
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I knew what Amen Corner meant to me this year, and by being present the rest of the week, I was able to soak it in — better than I ever have before — and even see how much it meant to those around me. On Wednesday, I chatted with a Chinese couple and their 8-year-old boy, who was anxiously waiting for a glimpse of Haotong Li. They were thrilled to see him at Augusta. I walked the 13th with a pair of lifelong friends from the English countryside, who were there to cheer on Justin Rose. And after I finished a Friday morning sweet tea on the 11th fairway, I offered my empty cup to a woman who added them to her stack, which her nearby grandson was taking back to his fraternity house next week. (Grandma gave him an old bacon-collared Masters polo from his grandfather to wear, and he happily obliged.)
On Saturday, I spent a few hours with Maureen Farrell, a close friend and GOLF Top 100 Teacher to Watch, and her father, Tom. Maureen had surprised her dad with tickets on Monday. Snagging seats in the grandstands behind the 12th tee as the final groups come through is among the best seats in the house. That’s what we did, and that’s where reflection started to sink in once again.
Amen Corner brought these people together. In theory, you can lock your phone away anywhere to spend quality time with loved ones. And in theory, that sounds simple enough. But you simply can’t match the unexplainable feeling and aura that exists at Amen Corner.
It’s the closest thing to a spiritual setting in golf. I used to scoff at the mention of that. We’re talking about a golf course in the middle of Georgia? But after my moments of reflective solitude, reliving first-time experiences with strangers and witnessing a father-daughter dream fulfilled, I finally understood.
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Amen Corner is a special place, and it was ironically the setting I needed for my closure. But it doesn’t need to be yours. Whatever you’re going through, gut it out and find your inner peace.
It’s the ups and downs in life that help shape the people we become. For me, I’ve always learned more on the way down this rollercoaster ride. But last week was a reminder that I’m on my way back up. I like this view better.
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