WATCH: Pop Star gets edged out in enthralling finish at Hamilton | Raceday Highlights
30 May 2025
Pop Star made his second start for the Coral Racing Club the space of just 11 days at Hamilton on Wednesday, putting in a fantastic performance to finish second in a photo finish at the Lanarkshire track.
Pop Star was drawn in stall eight, which left him tight to the rail from the get go, which worked out well for him as it kept him perfectly straight and focused. He broke well and was prominent early on in the contest, taking on the early pacesetter, Digital, for the first couple of furlongs.
Jockey Kieran O'Neill had to start encouraging Pop Star along probably a little earlier than he'd have liked, and at this point it looked as though Pop Star might have been fading slightly. However, he responded strongly to Kieran's urgings and continued to battle on stoutly.
Pop Star eventually kicked on into the lead when inside the final half furlong and looked the likeliest winner of the trio that had gone to the front. However, not long after he'd gone past Oriental Prince, Parisiac came sweeping down the outside of the group and just managed to get his nose in front with the final stride of the race, dropping Pop Star into an agonising second place.
WATCH: Kieran O'Neill tells us how the race went from his point of view
We caught up with Alice Haynes the morning after the race to find out how Pop Star was getting on, and to see what her plans were with our gelding next:
"Hi guys, Pop Star has come out of yesterday's run at Hamilton fine. It was frustrating to not get the nod in the photo-finish, but it was also a nice step back to form which was really pleasing.
He liked the ground and we'll look for something similar in a couple of weeks time."
Even in defeat, Pop Star's 10 lucky owners for the day got to share £2,086 in prize money, with each of them getting to take home a 10% split, so it certainly wasn't a bad day at the office for them as they also got to enjoy an owners experience at Hamilton.
Stay tuned to find out where Alice Haynes is looking to send him next and keep an eye out for the next Owner for the Day competition for your chance to head to the races as one of his lucky owners.
Pop Star was drawn in stall eight, which left him tight to the rail from the get go, which worked out well for him as it kept him perfectly straight and focused. He broke well and was prominent early on in the contest, taking on the early pacesetter, Digital, for the first couple of furlongs.
Jockey Kieran O'Neill had to start encouraging Pop Star along probably a little earlier than he'd have liked, and at this point it looked as though Pop Star might have been fading slightly. However, he responded strongly to Kieran's urgings and continued to battle on stoutly.
Pop Star eventually kicked on into the lead when inside the final half furlong and looked the likeliest winner of the trio that had gone to the front. However, not long after he'd gone past Oriental Prince, Parisiac came sweeping down the outside of the group and just managed to get his nose in front with the final stride of the race, dropping Pop Star into an agonising second place.
WATCH: Kieran O'Neill tells us how the race went from his point of view
We caught up with Alice Haynes the morning after the race to find out how Pop Star was getting on, and to see what her plans were with our gelding next:
"Hi guys, Pop Star has come out of yesterday's run at Hamilton fine. It was frustrating to not get the nod in the photo-finish, but it was also a nice step back to form which was really pleasing.
He liked the ground and we'll look for something similar in a couple of weeks time."
Even in defeat, Pop Star's 10 lucky owners for the day got to share £2,086 in prize money, with each of them getting to take home a 10% split, so it certainly wasn't a bad day at the office for them as they also got to enjoy an owners experience at Hamilton.
Stay tuned to find out where Alice Haynes is looking to send him next and keep an eye out for the next Owner for the Day competition for your chance to head to the races as one of his lucky owners.
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