GEORGE BOUGHEY: Tommie Jakes Tribute, Weekend Preview & 2025 Recap

This week has been an incredibly difficult one for everyone at Craven House and across the wider racing community who knew and loved Tommie Jakes, writes GEORGE BOUGHEY.

The loss of Tommie has left us all heartbroken. Tommie was a huge part of our team who grew from a young boy into the kind, brilliant person and talented jockey that we all came to love. He will be seriously missed and certainly not forgotten by anyone that knew him.

Our thoughts are firmly with his parents, Jeremy and Tonie, and his brothers Mickie, Vinnie and Kyle, who have shown incredible strength this week.

Click here for Tommie Jakes’ GoFundMe page

---

FRIDAY

NEWCASTLE

AFTER LOVE – 4.00pm Newcastle

She’s been consistent since joining us and heads to the Mares’ sale in early December, so this looks a good opportunity before then. We thought seven furlongs was right for her, but I wanted to keep her against her own sex. She finally gets that trip and, if she repeats her recent form, I think she could go very close.

SATURDAY

WOLVERHAMPTON

EXOTIC BABY – 2.18pm Wolverhampton

This is his first time in a handicap after running very well under a penalty last time. He came out of that race so well that we were happy to give him one more go. Seven furlongs is probably at the bottom end of his stamina range, but he’s got plenty of pace, so this looks a perfect set up, and I couldn’t be happier with him.

ZIGHY – 3.25pm Wolverhampton

She’s been consistent for us this season. Jack Callan rides her on Saturday and hopefully she’ll pop up soon. She’s flattered to deceive a bit so far, but her time will come.

LAKE COMO – 4.30pm Wolverhampton

He’s a recent arrival from Ballydoyle. He’s not been with us long but he’s a good-looking horse who should give his new owner some fun. We’ll learn plenty from this run and see where we go next.

BRASIL POWER & INVITED – 6.30pm Wolverhampton

Brasil Power is lurking on a mark where he can be competitive. He ran a great race last time out but they went so slow, which didn’t suit him. This looks a more genuine pace, which should help. With Jack [Callan] taking five pounds off, he’s got a chance if things fall his way.

Invited has been a fantastic horse for us, winning three of his four starts on the all-weather. I was very keen to keep him, but Kia was having a clear-out, so I’m delighted that Middleham Park have taken him on. He’s drawn a fraction wider than ideal but he’s in fantastic shape. His record on the surface speaks for itself, and he should give his new owners plenty of fun this winter.

SATURDAY

DONCASTER

OLIVER SHOW – 2.35pm Doncaster

He ends his season back at Doncaster, where his two best runs have come this season. Billy [Loughnane] said he was unlucky not to win over six-and-a-half furlongs when last here and he ran okay in a funnily run race on Champions Day. I was very keen to bring him back to Doncaster before he heads to Bahrain. He looks in great form and should go well.

HOPEWELL ROCK – 3.45pm Doncaster

He’s been drawn one, which isn’t ideal, but he’s a confirmed stayer who handles slow ground well. He probably should have won here two runs ago, and if Billy [Loughnane] can get him into a nice slot, he should run a big race. We’ll look to be prominent – he does most of his work at home in front and I think he’ll enjoy rolling along.

BEST CHANCE: Hopewell Rock – a strong stayer who loves soft ground and looks ready to run a big race in the November Handicap.

Recap of 2025…

It’s been a long and at times testing year, but one we can look back on with real pride. To start the season with Believing winning a Group 1 in Dubai in the first month from our new yard was a huge moment for the team.

There were some tricky spells in the middle of the season, but everyone’s worked tirelessly to keep the show on the road, and we’re now closing in on 100 winners for the year with a strong strike rate of 17%. It’s been a year that’s shown what the team’s about and with some lovely horses heading into 2026, including a 2000 Guineas favourite, there’s a lot to look forward to.

⭐️ STARSPORTS.BET RACING MARKETS ⭐️ 

---

STAR PROMOTIONS