Blake Shinn has made a triumphant return to race riding, achieving a victory with his initial mount after being sidelined by injury.
Back at Flemington for the first time since his significant fall on Melbourne Cup Day last year, Shinn guided Nearco Frod, trained by Tony and Calvin McEvoy, to a win in the TAB We’re On (2500m).
The $2.50 favourite, Nearco Frod, surged under Shinn to secure a 1¾ length victory over Urban Outlook ($21), with Our Chief ($2.70) securing third place.
“The legs have pulled up a little but sore which is a understandable but it is such a great feeling,” an emotional Shinn said.
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“It has been a bit of a journey, but it is nice to be coming home a winner and not in the back of an ambulance.
“To get the support of all the leading trainers and owners and I’ve had to ensure that I’m ready for today with a great team who have helped me in the recovery.
“First ride back a winner so it is special. Hopefully it is the start of a great season.”
The five-year-old’s strong finish over the 2500 metres has the McEvoy stable considering a run in the Archer Stakes scheduled for September 12.
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Shinn also playfully attributed some of the success to Craig Williams.
“I’ll have to thank my great mate Craig Williams for going on holidays,” Shinn stated, having filled in for the jockey who has won 10 Melbourne premierships.
“He’s a promising horse and was adaptable on the dry today.”
This marks Nearco Frod’s third consecutive win, having previously recorded back-to-back successes at Sandown before Saturday’s Flemington triumph.
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“When he arrived with us he was a young horse,” Calvin McEvoy remarked.
“We have a nice preparation with him but he has really come on. He had to tick the Good track box as that was the query for me as he’d been winning on heavy nines.
“He was dynamic there on a Good 4.
“To win three in town is a good effort and it is lovely to provide Blake Shinn with his first winner.”
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Brandon Aiyuk’s unresolved status remained one of the lingering questions as the San Francisco 49ers opened training camp, with the team offering no update and the next move seemingly left to the wide receiver.
Aiyuk remains in limbo on the reserve/left squad list, where he has been since the end of 2025. After missing all of last season amid a lengthy standoff with the Niners, the All-Pro wide receiver would likely need to apply to the NFL for reinstatement to begin a potential return in 2026.
He could also move the process forward by reporting to training camp or informing the 49ers that he plans to report. Aiyuk’s situation with the 49ers has been strained for roughly a year.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) walks off the field after an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on Oct. 10, 2024, in Seattle, Washington.(Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
The dispute appeared to reach a boiling point last July, when San Francisco voided the remaining guaranteed money in his contract after he failed to participate in rehab work for the torn ACL, MCL and meniscus in his right knee.
Aiyuk has appeared to reference the uncertainty around his future with the 49ers in multiple social media posts, only adding to the chatter surrounding the matter. Former NFL wide receiver Roddy White is among the latest sports figures to weigh in.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White (84) warms up before an NFL game against Baltimore Ravens at Georgia Dome on Sept. 3, 2015, in Atlanta, Georgia.(Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
White argued the 49ers mishandled Aiyuk’s path back from injury and may have complicated any potential effort to move him.
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“I think this situation has been handled wrongly by the 49ers,” White told Hard Rock Bet. “They should’ve been more patient with Aiyuk and his situation. They should have done all they could to get him back on the field to give him an opportunity to show he can still play football. When you have a guy who is angry and just wants to leave, it’s hard to get any compensation for him.”
White finished his 11-year career with the Atlanta Falcons with 10,863 regular-season receiving yards.
The 49ers’ decision last week to bring back Deebo Samuel appeared to draw a cryptic response from Aiyuk, who wrote on Instagram, “San Fran wanna see a real reunion?”
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His posts have not been limited to San Francisco, though, as the receiver has also taking aim at the NFL Players Association. And while Aiyuk has expressed interest in joining the Commanders, that possibility has reportedly cooled off after he called out Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) celebrates after a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Oct. 16, 2022.(Brett Davis / USA TODAY Sports)
Daniels downplayed any possible lingering tension last week, telling reporters that he and Aiyuk had “handled everything privately.”
Aiyuk and Daniels were teammates in 2019 when they both played college football at Arizona State.
Late last month, general manager John Lynch made clear the 49ers were keeping their focus on the players already in camp. “I’m personally, and we as an organization, are going to focus on the players who are here,” Lynch told reporters on July 25. “We wish him well, we wish his family well.”
Ricky Pearsall entered camp looking like a potential breakout piece for the 49ers’ offense after injuries limited him to 20 games over his first two seasons. Instead, San Francisco’s wide receiver corps absorbed an early setback when swelling returned in the PCL of Pearsall’s right knee. He was moved to injured reserve on Aug. 1.
Aiyuk appeared in seven games in 2024 before being sidelined by injury. One year earlier, he put together the best season of his career, recording 1,342 receiving yards and earning second-team All-Pro honors.
Man Utd are close to agreeing their second sale of the summer transfer window, with a goalkeeper set to depart
Manchester United are close to agreeing a sale of Radek Vitek to Championship club Middlesbrough. Vitek spent last season on loan in the second tier with Bristol City and informed United of his desire to play senior football at the beginning of the summer.
United are set to grant the goalkeeper his wish and cash in, with a buy-back clause inserted into the deal. Vitek will become United’s second senior sale of the summer following Tyler Fredricson’s exit.
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Leicester City’s signing of Mads Hermanse (£7.5m) and Southampton’s signing of Daniel Peretz (£6m) are the Championship’s record signings of goalkeepers.
Vitek spent 2024/2025 on loan with Austrian club FC Blau-Weiß Linz. He started every league game except three due to injury, and his time playing in Europe was a resounding success.
He subsequently signed for Bristol City last season, where he took his form to another level.
The 22-year-old discussed his dream of breaking into United’s first-team during his stint at Ashton Gate, but Senne Lammens is the first choice at Old Trafford.
After United’s opening pre-season friendly of the summer against Wrexham, Vitek discussed his future with reporters.
“I feel great and ready to go again somewhere to be, hopefully, number one, so we will see. We will see what is going to happen,” Vitek said.
“At the moment, I am still here, but we will see. I hope so. I hope there will be some interest. I think you will know when things are more concrete.”
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Asked if he wanted to leave on loan or was happy to consider a permanent exit from United, Vitek said: “I am ready for both, to be fair. Depends what the club wants and also depends on the options. We will see.
“There have been a few interests on the table. But we hope to get the best one and hopefully it will happen soon.”
Vitek has two years remaining on his contract at United.
Multiple US cities that hosted World Cup matches are seeking millions of dollars they believe world soccer’s governing body FIFA promised them, The Athletic reported on Tuesday.
Four executives from World Cup cities, speaking anonymously, told the outlet that FIFA management told them they would each receive $1 million in “legacy” funds to build football-related infrastructure and support “social projects”.
The Athletic reported that officials from the cities had requested the payments after Gianni Infantino, head of global football’s governing body, announced such payments to host cities of the 2025 Club World Cup in the United States.
“According to four executives at US host city committees, all of whom asked to remain anonymous to protect relationships, FIFA management repeatedly assured the cities they would receive the same $1 million contribution towards legacy, despite no public statement ever being made by the organization,” The Athletic wrote.
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“The four executives said this promise was made verbally by members of FIFA’s senior management, and reiterated to cities in meetings, but it has not been paid, meaning several cities are now asking FIFA staff for updates on the payments.”
The US cities of Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, Kansas City, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Miami, Boston and New York/New Jersey were among the host venues for the World Cup held in the US, Canada and Mexico.
The 39-day tournament, expanded to 48 teams for the first time, has contributed to record FIFA revenues reportedly hitting $15 billion for the revenue cycle of 2023-26.
Feb 25, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; New York Yankees infielder George Lombard Jr (96) hits a two-RBI double during the fifth inning against the Washington Nationals at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
George Lombard Jr. signed a major league contract on Tuesday, and the New York Yankees’ top prospect will make his MLB debut at home against the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Yankees also added outfielder Heliot Ramos to the active roster one day after acquiring him from the San Francisco Giants at the trade deadline, and they recalled right-hander Yerry de los Santos from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Lombard will start at shortstop and bat eighth in the order against the Cardinals. Ramos will play left field and bat cleanup.
Lombard, 21, was the Yankees’ first-round draft pick in 2023. It was apparent he was on his way to the majors after the Yankees didn’t acquire a shortstop at the deadline, then optioned Anthony Volpe to Triple-A.
Lombard reached Triple-A for the first time this season. In 56 games at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, he batted .268 with six home runs, 16 doubles, 21 RBIs and 10 stolen bases.
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His father, George Lombard Sr., played for the Atlanta Braves (1998-2000), Detroit Tigers (2002), Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2003) and Washington Nationals (2006) and is now the Tigers’ bench coach.
The younger Lombard now gets his first crack at one of the most scrutinized positions in sports, shortstop for the Yankees.
“It was always a goal (to be called up),” he said Tuesday. “I didn’t really have like a timeline set in my mind. My main focus was just getting ready for whatever was in front of me that day, that game, wherever I was put. Focus on my preparation, focus on my work and then whatever happened, happened.
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“It’s a hard game. You’re gonna struggle. There’ll be ups and downs. Who knows what the future is gonna look like, obviously that’s unpredictable, but the biggest thing is just taking everything day by day and being the same person.”
Volpe, 25, won a Gold Glove as a rookie in 2023 and was an everyday player for New York for three years before sharing the role with Jose Caballero this year. He slashed .240/.325/.322 with one homer and 19 RBIs in 56 games in 2026.
As for Ramos, he slots in for the injured Cody Bellinger in left field following the trade. Ramos, 26, was an All-Star in 2024 and was batting .264 with nine homers and 34 RBIs in 74 games for the Giants this year.
de los Santos, 28, appeared in five games for New York earlier this season and allowed just one earned run in 8 2/3 innings for a 1.04 ERA. This is his fourth big-league season and second in New York.
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To make room for Ramos and de los Santos, the Yankees optioned outfielder Jasson Dominguez and right-handed reliever Angel Chivilli following Monday’s game, a 13-7 loss to St. Louis.
Former England captain Ben Stokes has said he would like to coach the England team after retiring from the game. The former all-rounder said he is already working towards his coaching qualifications and wants to stay involved in cricket once his playing days are over.Stokes retired from international cricket in June during England’s Test series against New Zealand. The 35-year-old had an outstanding career, playing a key role in England’s 2019 ODI World Cup triumph and producing his unforgettable match-winning innings in the Ashes Test at Headingley later that year.After Stokes retired, Joe Root returned as England’s Test captain, while former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming was appointed as the team’s head coach.
‘I want to be a coach’
Stokes said he has already started preparing for life after cricket by taking up a coaching course.“I’m doing my Level 3 coaching now while I’m still playing, because I want, when the day comes that I’m not playing any more, I’d love to be able to have all that stuff signed off and done.”He said coaching is the path he wants to follow after retirement.“I want to be a coach. I know what I want to do in terms of staying within the game, which is to be a coach. And would I love to be coach of England one day? Absolutely.”The former England skipper believes his experience of leading the national side has prepared him for a coaching role.“I would do a pretty good job at it because now I have an understanding of responsibility on the shoulders. I don’t actually mind making big decisions.”Stokes captained England’s Test team from 2022 before stepping away from the position.
Stokes questions decision over Harry Brook
Stokes also praised England’s white-ball captain Harry Brook, calling him a highly talented cricketer. He said he was surprised that Brook was not asked to lead the Test side when Stokes missed a match against New Zealand.“If you think someone is going to be a good captain or a good leader, then just give them (the opportunity).”He recalled his reaction at the time.“Brook was made vice-captain. Even when I missed that Test match (against New Zealand), I was like, ‘Why is Brook vice-captain?’”While Stokes understood the thinking behind the decision, he felt it sent the wrong signal.“I understood the reasoning behind it, but I was still thinking, what message does that send to him? He’s vice-captain, and the captain isn’t playing, but he’s still not captain. What does that say?”
Maybe Kevin O’Connell will be a fullback guy by the time it’s all said and done.
Upon arriving in the Twin Cities in 2022, Coach O’Connell was an 11-personnel assassin who had to grow into using a fullback. C.J. Ham, second to none in leadership and ruggedness, had become a Vikings mainstay before many Minnesotans even knew who Kevin O’Connell was.
So, there was an adjustment period.
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Over the years, the pass-first skipper figured out more ways to lean on Mr. Ham. Oftentimes, the plan involved using the bowling ball of a man to help in pass pro. Sometimes the approach was so obvious he would line up directly behind the interior of the offensive line; no disguise needed, apparently. Or, at times, he would chip a defensive end trying to fly off the line of scrimmage. Moreover, Ham was always an underrated athlete, somebody who could catch better than most at his position.
Ham opted for retirement following the most recent season. Minnesota’s pivot was toward Max Bredeson, much to the delight of J.J. McCarthy. O’Connell thinks that the new add has been doing well, especially once the players were allowed to increase the physicality.
Kevin O’Connell Thinks Max Bredeson is Doing Well
Ham was a bowling ball. Bredeson looks like a sledgehammer.
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A touch taller than his predecessor, Bredeson stands at 6’2″ and is listed as weighing 252 pounds. The rookie should be more athletic than the retired FB. Quite possibly, he’ll arrive with increased ability to get shuffled around.
A lot of the time, Bredeson played tight end while with the Wolverines. His college career featured 12 catches for 132 yards, good for a reasonably explosive 11.0 yards-per-catch average. Not too shabby, at least in terms of the average yardage per catch.
Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) and tight end Max Bredeson (44) during the first half against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2024 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
“Max Bredeson is off to a really, really good start,” O’Connell explained, “I felt his pads popping yesterday with some contact at the point of attack.” High praise.
If you’re not familiar with the football lingo, fret not. What O’Connell is referring to is the sound that Bredeson’s pads make when he blocks a defender. There’s a distinct sound in football that coaches love to hear. Think of the sound that the bat makes in baseball when the contact is just right. Or, perhaps, the sound of the net in basketball when the perfect 3-point shot falls through without once touching the rim.
A fullback getting that audible pop when blocking somebody is what coaches love to hear.
Part of what makes the Bredeson add sensible is that he doesn’t need to touch the ball a lot to make an impact. He magnifies the guys around him by doing the dirty work rather than requiring the spotlight. That’s a vital detail from within the context of Minnesota Vikings football since guys like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and the rest of the skill is going to demand a pile of attention.
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Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Davison Igbinosun (1) locks up with Michigan Wolverines tight end Max Bredeson (44) during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. Michigan won 13-10. – Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
In all likelihood, the Vikings will continue featuring the pass prominently. However, the wise approach would be to turn down how lopsided the play calling is. The 5th-Round rookie might help.
Either Kyler Murray or J.J. McCarthy is going to claim the Vikings’ QB1 spot. Regardless of who wins, the Vikings will benefit from a head coach who at least pretends to prioritize the run. Max Bredeson is a fullback who can function as a pass catcher. Quite possibly, that will lead to some pre-snap uncertainty between the run/pass that will prove fruitful for the team more broadly.
Regardless of whether he’s blocking for the run or pass, Bredeson needs to keep bringing the pop that’s impressing O’Connell.
Carlos Alcaraz’s comeback has been delayed after the Spaniard withdrew from the Cincinnati Open due to an “ongoing” wrist injury.
The seven-time grand slam champion has been sidelined since suffering the problem during the Barcelona Open, missing the defence of his French Open title and Wimbledon.
In the lead-up to the tournament, Alcaraz posted videos of himself making a tentative return to the court.
But on Tuesday, organisers announced on X that the 2025 champion would be missing the tournament: “Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open.
“Wishing all the best to our 2025 champion in his recovery process. Can’t wait to welcome you next year!”
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Tournament director Bob Moran said in a statement provided to the BBC the 23-year-old was suffering from an “ongoing wrist injury”.
“We know Carlos is doing everything he can to get back to playing tournaments as soon as possible,” he said.
“We wish him the best with his recovery and look forward to welcoming him back to Cincinnati in the future.”
The PGA Tour’s slow rollout of tournaments that will make up the top tier of the PGA Tour’s new schedule continues.
On Tuesday, the Tour announced the Cadillac Championship as a Championship Series event, increasing the total to five confirmed events beyond the majors, Players Championship and FedEx Cup Playoffs.
The Cadillac Championship, played at Trump National Doral outside of Miami, returned to Doral in 2026 after a 10-year absence. Played in May this past year, Cameron Young went wire to wire and beat Scottie Scheffler by six in a runaway victory. President Donald Trump was on hand for the final round.
The Cadillac joins four other tournaments that were confirmed as Championship Series events just last week: The Sentry (now at Torrey Pines), Arnold Palmer Invitational, Travelers Championship and Sompo, which will take over the Napa, Calif., event in 2027 before it owns a Championship Series event in 2028 at a to-be-announced venue and location.
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PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp officially announced the new PGA Tour competitive structure last month, which, beginning in 2028, will feature a Championship Series track as well as a Challenger Series. The Championship Series events will feature the top players in the league and offer purses of $20 million versus $4 million on the Challenger Series. That means sponsors will have to pay big bucks for the Tour to host a Championship Series event, and while many of the announced tournaments have been somewhat predictable, there have still been some surprises (like the Sompo) and there could potentially be more.
We likely won’t know them until the next 2028 schedule drop, though. Until then, Rolapp plans to announce the complete tournament rundown in early 2027.
Alex Eala of the Philippines returns a shot during a women’s singles match against Naomi Osaka of Japan on day six of the Mubadala DC Open 2026 at William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center on August 01, 2026 in Washington, DC. Emilee Chinn/Getty Images/AFP
MANILA, Philippines — Fresh off winning her first WTA Tour title, Alex Eala seeks to carry her momentum into the Canadian Open.
Eala is riding high after claiming the biggest title of her career at the DC Open on Tuesday and she looks to continue her winning ways against American Alycia Parks in the round of 64 in Toronto on Thursday, 8:10 a.m. (Manila time), at Center Court.
The 21-year-old Eala, however, is playing her best tennis yet this season with a historic run at Wimbledon and a maiden WTA 500 crown in Washington when she stunned American World No. 3 Jessica Pegula in the final.
The Filipino trailblazer, who is now the World No. 20, dazzled in DC, rallying past Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen, defending champion Leylah Fernandez in the first two rounds and sweeping second seed Elina Svitolina, and four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka in the quarterfinal and semifinal, respectively, before defeating Pegula, 4-6, 6-4, 6-0, in the title round.
Joey Cantillo and the Cleveland Guardians took the field against the New York Mets, the day after a successful trade deadline. The pieces have been moved and the Guardians got a first look at the rest of the season.
Unfortunately for Joey, the Mets were on their better game. Joey looked like he was struggling with control, pitching a bit wild, and a throwing error in the second wasn’t helpful. With two outs, Gabriel Arias made a throwing error to first that allowed Marcus Semien to reach. The next batter walked and the batter after him hit a three-run home run on a 90.9 mph four seamer down the middle. Cantillo ended the night having gone 5.0 innings. He allowed five runs, two earned, on seven hits and two walks and struck out five.
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Slade Cecconi came on in the sixth in his new role in the bullpen. Slade went 2.2 innings, allowing a solo home run, two hits, and striking out four batters. Tim Herrin finished the eighth and closed the game, only walking one batter.
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Recent acquisition Jo Adell went 2-for-4 with a run and a walk. He also reached on a error. In the bottom of the third Adell doubled to lead off the inning. Chase DeLauter drew a walk and, with one out, Angel Martínez slapped a double to left that bounced off of the foul line on the walk to score Adell from second.
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With one out in the bottom of the fifth, Chase DeLauter singled on a sharp liner to left. Angel Martínez, with now two outs, drew a walk. Travis Bazzana hit a RBI single up the center, through both defenders to score CDL for the Guards’ final run of the night.
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On a night where there are a lot of frustrating little mistakes and issues that piled up to a loss, there were some positives. Jo Adell looks to be a good addition that the team needed. Chase DeLauter is an on base machine, going 1-for-2 with three walks. Steven Kwan is one of the best defensive outfielders in the game.
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These two teams will face off again tomorrow at 6:40PM EDT. It will be a righty face off with Christian Scott and Tanner Bibee starting for their teams.
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