As the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale looms at the Gold Coast, Aviatress’ owners had mapped out back-to-back Group 1 tests in Adelaide.

But a setback on the brink of her opening mission, the Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on April 25, scuttled plans for The Goodwood (1200m) on Saturday.

Aviatress turns to the Group 3 Proud Miss Stakes (1200m) this Saturday for her parting run with trainers Richard and Chantelle Jolly and owner David Price.

Barrier 17 was drawn for Aviatress in the Robert Sangster, not the best draw, but an abscess that developed forced her withdrawal.

“She pulled up sore in a foot after galloping on the Tuesday before the Sangster,” Richard Jolly said.

“She had a tiny little abscess rear its head but after three or four days she got over it.

“We galloped her on Saturday morning and we decided not to pursue The Goodwood and instead go to the softer option of the Proud Miss.

“After that she heads up to the Gold Coast to go through the mare’s sale.”

Over 22 outings, Aviatress has notched seven wins alongside six runner-up or third placings, banking almost $570,000.

Her top achievement as a repeated Stakes conqueror was the 2024 Group 3 Northwood Plume Stakes (1200m) within the Caulfield Cup Carnival.

Jolly revealed the mare is homebred by Price, who holds a Rich Enuff colt by the dam Twin Star Rocket, currently in foal to Smart Missile again.

“There will be a full sister or brother to Aviatress coming up,” Jolly said.

Saturday signals the stable’s final race with her, though Jolly feels she could continue racing under new ownership if desired.

“Saturday will be her last run for us, and she will be sold,” Jolly said.

“It will be up to the new owners to decide what they want to do as she’s still got racing in her if they want to go that way.”

Discover leading racing odds on sports betting sites for the Proud Miss Stakes.

Victor Osimhen has faced criticism following Galatasaray’s heavy 4-1 defeat to Samsunspor in the Turkish Super Lig.

The Super Eagles striker started brightly in the match and provided the assist for Yunus Akgün’s opening goal after only nine minutes.

However, Samsunspor quickly fought back as Marius Mouandilmadji scored twice in the first half to give the home side the lead.

Cherif Ndiaye later added two more goals to complete an impressive victory for Samsunspor.

Osimhen was also involved in the moment that led to goalkeeper Günay Güvenç being sent off late in the game.

The Nigerian striker attempted to pass the ball back to his goalkeeper after controlling a long pass, but the ball was poorly played and forced Güvenç to handle it outside the penalty area.

Former Besiktas player and coach Sinan Engin was unhappy with Osimhen’s reaction and attitude during the match.

“Osimhen is not bigger than Galatasaray. He played brilliantly during his loan spell and I admired him, but now he is arguing with the referee and his teammates,” Engin said.

“He is playing very carelessly. How can he pass the ball like that to the centre-back? What kind of mistake is that?” he added.

Engin also admitted that Galatasaray’s defence struggled during the game and said the team’s setup left them exposed.

Despite the defeat, Galatasaray still remain top of the Turkish Super Lig table with a four-point lead over Fenerbahçe.

The government will consider the possibility of bidding to host the Olympics and Paralympics in the 2040s as part of a new strategy to bring more major sporting events to the United Kingdom.

Plans unveiled by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) aim to make the UK the “go-to destination” over the next two decades having previously announced plans to bid for the 2035 Fifa Women’s World Cup.

The Ryder Cup, last hosted in the UK in 2014, has been identified as a key target by UK Sport with the 2035 venue yet to be decided, with a bid from Bolton among a number to express interest. Possible support for a bid for the Solheim Cup, which will be held in the Netherlands this year, is also under consideration.

The government intends to look at legislation that will make it a criminal offence to resell tickets for specific major sporting events without authorisation, and set out a new framework to make bidding for sporting events more straightforward.

That could open the door to a return for the Olympic and Paralympic Games three decades on from London 2012.

It comes as England, Wales and Scotland prepare to co-host Euro 2028 with the Republic of Ireland, and with the Women’s T20 World Cup, European Athletics Championships and Commonwealth Games among the major sporting events in the UK this summer.

“Sport brings our country together like nothing else – and never more so than when we welcome the world’s biggest major events,” Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary, said.

“From London 2012 right through to the record-breaking Women’s Rugby World Cup we hosted last summer, we’ve proven ourselves to be outstanding hosts time and time again.

“This Government is committed and ambitious. We want to continue attracting the most prestigious events in sport so that people all over the country can enjoy the whole range of economic and social benefits they bring for generations to come, showing the best of Britain to the world.”

Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) dunks over Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade (32) and center Jarrett Allen, right, during the second half in Game 1 of a second-round NBA playoffs basketball series Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

DETROIT — Jalen Duren delivered for the Detroit Pistons when they needed him most, making plays at both ends of the court against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Duren had three dunks, two rebounds and a block in a 67-second stretch to break open a tie game and Detroit went on to beat Cleveland 111-101 on Tuesday night in Game 1 of their second-round series.

“I’m not a one-dimensional player,” said Duren, who finished with 11 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and two blocks. “I add so many different things to this team. My main job is to protect the rim and dominate the paint.

READ: NBA Playoffs: Pistons defeat Cavaliers in Game 1

DUREN DUNK.DUREN DUNK.DUREN DUNK.

Pistons up 7 with under 2 to play in Game 1! pic.twitter.com/NCrMjAy4z7

— NBA (@NBA) May 6, 2026

“I try to do that night in, night out.”

In the first round against Orlando, he came up short of his goals until Game 7.

Duren averaged nearly 20 points and 10-plus rebounds during the regular season as a first-time All-Star, but didn’t score more than 12 points or reach double digits in rebounds until the elimination game.

To close a comeback from a 3-1 deficit, he had 15 points and 15 rebounds to send the Magic home and help the Pistons advance in the NBA playoffs for the first time since 2008.

Duren acknowledged he learned a lot in the previous series.

“My value is on the defensive end,” he said. “My value is crashing the glass. It doesn’t always have to be scoring for me.”

READ: NBA Playoffs: Cavaliers-Pistons look to quickly regroup

James Harden’s scoring helped the Cavs rally from an 18-point deficit in the first quarter to pull into a 93-all tie with 5:28 remaining.

Harden had a chance to put Cleveland ahead for the first time since the opening minutes, but his 8-foot floater was blocked by Duren, who corralled the rebound.

He dunked on the next three possessions — each off Cade Cunningham’s assists — and another defensive rebound and the win was sealed with a 12-3 run.

“I thought he was awesome,” Pistons guard Duncan Robinson said. “People obviously want to get caught up in that last line of the box score (points) with him. He does so much for us, and he’s really the anchor of our identity.”

Duren played a part in limiting Cleveland center Jarrett Allen to two points and three rebounds, after he had 22 points and 19 rebounds in Game 7 against Toronto.

“If our frontcourt continues to outplay their frontcourt, we’ll be in a good spot in the series,” Duren said.

Game 2 is Thursday night in Detroit.

American Conference Commissioner Tim Pernetti recently spoke about the opportunity to create a G6 Playoff.

The move could work, but his suggestions need one major tweak.

On today’s episode of Locked On College Football, Spencer McLaughlin discusses ASU getting a $10 million donation for Kenny Dillingham and the Sun Devils’ Football program.

There is a lesson in this news for any program in the country.

Washington played the last P4 Spring Game in the country last weekend, following a tumultuous offseason.

What is there to follow for Jedd Fisch’s team besides the Demond Williams saga?

00:00 Tim Pernetti on playoff proposal
05:03 Discussing a group of six playoff
08:17 Discussing soccer promotion structure
12:34 Moving up to Mountain West
15:06 Arizona State coaching stability
17:48 Recruiting Talent for Arizona State
21:46 Improved offensive and defensive lines
26:19 Discussing the off-season situation
27:51 Rasheed Williams’ injury setbacks

/ @lockedoncollegefootball  

Because Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Caleb Banks was theorized as a 2nd-Round pick, but Minnesota selected him in Round 1, many national pundits haven’t been shy about skewering the club’s draft decision-making. Bleacher Report was the latest, calling the Vikings’ draft class “baffling.”

Minnesota bet big on defense, but the 1st-Round value debate is still following the class.

It’s the latest in a string of mediocre and bad reviews.

Banks Remains the Flashpoint in Minnesota’s Draft Debate

Were you wholly baffled by the Vikings’ draft class?

BR: Vikings’ Draft Was Baffling

BR’s Kristopher Knox assigned one word to each team’s rookie class last week, and for the Vikings, that term was “baffling.”

Knox wrote, “Ironically, it’s fair to wonder what the Minnesota Vikings were thinking at the top of the draft while simultaneously knowing exactly what they were thinking. After parting with defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave earlier in the offseason, the Vikings clearly decided that they needed to reload along their defensive front.”

“Still, using the 18th overall pick on Florida’s Caleb Banks was a massive reach. Banks was the 60th-ranked overall prospect on the B/R board, and he’s dealt with alarming foot issues over the past year.”

Banks was a consensus 1st-Rounder before the broken foot bone at the Combine.

Knox added, “He suffered a broken foot in 2025 that limited him to three games, and he broke the same foot again at the scouting combine. While banks has the potential to be a great player, Minnesota’s decision to take him where it did is baffling.”

To Recap: The Haul

As a refresher, this is the Vikings’ full draft class for 2026:

• R1: Caleb Banks (DT) | Pick 18
• R2: Jake Golday (LB) | Pick 51
• R3: Domonique Orange (DT) | Pick 82
• R3: Caleb Tiernan (OT) | Pick 97
• R3: Jakobe Thomas (SAF) | Pick 98
• R5: Max Bredeson (TE) | Pick 159
• R5: Charles Demmings (CB) | Pick 163
• R6: Demond Claiborne (RB) | Pick 198
• R7: Gavin Gerhardt (OL) | Pick 235

The event was remarkably defense-heavy, with head coach Kevin O’Connell and interim general manager Rob Brzezinski saying afterward that’s just how the board fell to them.

Baffling Is Just Fine if the Class Hits

Generally speaking, it does not matter if Knox was baffled by Minnesota’s draft class. It just doesn’t. Everyone’s confusion about the Vikings’ draft arrived on the first night of the event, mainly because the entire NFL viewing audience expected Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman to be the pick. There was no hard evidence linking Thieneman to Minnesota; it’s just that 90% of mock drafts predicted as much because Minnesota might need a safety, and Thieneman kinda-sorta looks like Harrison Smith.

When Thieneman was not the pick, and the Vikings “reached” for Banks, folks were stunned — why would they draft a Round 2 guy in Round 1?

Some reporting suggested afterward that multiple teams had their eyes on Banks in Round 1, so the Vikings taking the plunge wasn’t that weird at all.

Daily Norseman‘s Warren Ludford noted on Banks’s injury last week, “It is easy to understand why NFL teams would be spooked by Banks’ injury history and that would cause him to fall in their draft assessments of him due to injury risk.”

“At the same time, it is also understandable why the Vikings felt that after having their doctors do their due diligence on Banks’ foot injuries that they were not concerned about their impact on his ability to play football. All indications are that he has fully recovered from the more severe Jones fracture and that the subsequent fourth metatarsal injury is a relatively minor one and he is on track to a full recovery by early June.”

For the Most Part, It’s All on Banks

This draft class boils down to one man, and — you guessed it — his name is Caleb Banks. If the Gator morphs into a Pro Bowl or All-Pro performer, nobody will care one iota that Minnesota drafted him in Round 1. The grievance will be an afterthought.

However, if he succumbs to foot problems, a vast faction of draft pundits will say “I told you so,” and the Vikings will need players like Golday, Orange, Tiernan, and Thomas to pan out to make up for the would-be Banks gaffe.

Minnesota, too, could have big plans for Round 6 running back Demond Claiborne. The Vikings haven’t drafted an RB1 since Dalvin Cook, and that was nine years ago.

It’s all up to Banks and his foot to determine if Knox’s baffled reactions mean anything. He’s the Vikings’ big ticket in the aftermath of the 2026 draft.

Brad Rea gave a titanic effort, even flooring his man in the second round, but was ultimately denied a European title triumph over Lyndon Arthur in November.

‘The Sting’ had previously elevated his career by claiming the EBU title, unanimously outpointing Shakan Pitters with an assertive performance last June.

In his light-heavyweight encounter with Arthur, though, Rea was eventually forced to suffer a majority decision defeat, despite producing one of his career-best displays.

Since then, the 28-year-old has come to terms with his second professional blemish, but tells Boxing News that it was far from an easy process.

“It’s always disappointing when a fight doesn’t go your way. For me, the most important thing is winning.

“Every boxer knows the stuff that goes through your head after a loss. Looking back, I’m like, ‘What was I thinking?’ But you do doubt yourself, doubt whether you’re in the right game and doubt whether you’re good enough to get to the level you want to get to.

“I took a risk against Lyndon and it didn’t quite work out, but I’ve shown I can mix it at that level.

“I’d love to get back in there and give it another crack. The way the first fight went, I think the fans would love to see it again – I think Manchester would love to see it again – but there’s so many obstacles in the way; we’ve both got a job to do before we can even think about [a rematch].”

Advertisement

Perhaps a rematch can be explored down the line but, until then, both Rea and Arthur must remain intensely focused on their respective outings against Liam Cameron and Lewis Edmondson.

Viewing this as an opportunity to showcase his full capabilities, Rea is more than happy with his opponent on May 9.

Having become a father since his narrow defeat to Arthur, there is also an added incentive to get back to winning ways and create more opportunities for himself.

“I think Liam’s up there with the best light-heavyweights in the country. But, for me, it’s the perfect fight to show what I can do.

“I know it’s not going to be an easy night’s work, but they’re the fights I want to be in. I want to be in entertaining fights.”

Advertisement

In a separate interview with Boxing News, Cameron effectively accused Rea of being too brave for his own good, often neglecting his defence while trading in the pocket.

In response, the Lancashire man has admitted to sometimes being guilty of getting too carried away, while wondering whether Cameron can perform two roles at once when they collide at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena, featuring on the undercard of Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois.

“He’s probably right – maybe we could do with having him in the corner, telling me to move my head!

“Sometimes I can get a bit excited and get drawn [into a war], but that’s what the fans want to see at the end of the day.”

Even after becoming a European champion, Rea has no interest in skipping past the domestic scene at 175lbs.

And this is just as well, really, because, at Queensberry Promotions, he is quite simply spoilt for choice when it comes to potential opponents.