As Richard Kingscote crossed the line aboard Bragbor, he raised his whip, tapped the gelding’s neck, and allowed himself a rare smile. It wasn’t just a win — it was the moment London & The South tightened its stranglehold on the Racing League 2025 title race.
On a charged night under the lights at Newcastle, Matt Chapman’s team turned a commanding lead into an imposing one, extending their advantage to 125 points over nearest challengers The East heading into next week’s grand finale at Southwell.
Kingscote’s Farewell Ride Delivers Gold
The highlight of the evening came in Race 31, where Bragbor, trained by George Scott, powered home to secure a vital victory. Kingscote, on his final ride of the competition, delivered a polished performance despite a sluggish start, timing his run to perfection.
“They went a bit too slow for us, and I would’ve liked a stronger gallop,” Kingscote admitted afterward, still flushed from the effort. “He was a length further back than I’d have liked, but when the other horse came to him, Bragbor responded really well.”
The victory came on the back of Chapman’s strategic masterstroke, playing his team’s final joker to bank a mammoth 74 points. Telepathic’s fourth-place finish added further gloss to the haul, putting London & The South in pole position to lift the Racing League trophy.
Top Jockey Title All But Sealed
Kingscote’s brilliance has not gone unnoticed — his tally now stands at 299 points, leaving him with an almost unassailable lead in the race for the £20,000 top jockey award.
“It’s been a fantastic few weeks,” he said, reflecting on his remarkable consistency. “I didn’t even know there was prize money for the jockeys at first! But Matt’s kept me busy, the horses have been spot-on, and the Kublers, George Scott, and the whole team have helped me along. It’s been great.”
Daniel Muscutt, riding for The East, sits second on 205 points, needing a miracle across his remaining four rides to close the gap.
The East, Ireland, and The North Strike Back
While London & The South dominated the headlines, other teams had their moments.
For The East, Tom Clover’s Crack On Boys extended his unbeaten Newcastle record, storming home under Jack Mitchell in Race 34. Despite being drawn awkwardly in stall one, Mitchell’s patience paid off when the race opened up inside the final furlong.
“He’s still raw and will be better as a four-year-old,” Mitchell noted. “Once the pace collapsed, he found his rhythm and quickened beautifully.”
The North, bottom of the table coming into the night, produced the shock of the evening in Race 33 when Brian Ellison’s Northern Spirit and stablemate South Parade delivered first and third. Manager Mick Quinn’s perfectly timed joker doubled the return to 80 points.
Ireland also enjoyed a night to remember. Ollie Sangster’s Tuco Salamanca, bred by Aidan and Anne Marie O’Brien, sliced through the field in Race 35 under Cieren Fallon to claim his second Racing League success of the season.
“Tuco’s quirky but talented,” Fallon said. “These races aren’t easy to win, and I think he’s only going to get better.”
Circus Of Rome and Sax Appeal Shine
Ireland’s night began with a commanding win in Race 30 as Richard Hughes’ Circus Of Rome made a winning return after a short break. Hughes confirmed that the three-year-old now heads to a £100,000 contest at Haydock next.
Meanwhile, Scotland maintained third place on the leaderboard thanks to Sax Appeal, trained by Charlie Johnston and delivered beautifully by apprentice Archie Young in Race 29.
“It was a very cute ride from Archie,” said team manager Alex Steedman. “He judged the pace perfectly and took his chance on the big stage.”
Racing League 2025 Standings After Week Five
| Team | Points |
|---|---|
| London & The South | 738 |
| The East | 613 |
| Scotland | 552 |
| Wales & The West | 505 |
| Yorkshire | 494 |
| Ireland | 473 |
| The North | 423 |
All Eyes on Southwell
With just one week to go, London & The South hold the upper hand, but the Racing League’s unpredictable nature ensures that nothing is guaranteed. As Chapman’s squad prepares for Southwell, the chase is still alive — though Kingscote’s brilliance has made their grip on the Racing League trophy feel almost unshakable.
Check more Racing League 2025 coverage on RaceBuzz.
For complete standings, fixtures, and team updates, visit the Racing League Official Website.
