Raceday LIVE – Rockstar Icon
Kempton,
Wed 24 Sep 2025 19:40
Related horse(s):
Rockstar Icon
Rockstar Icon features at Kempton today for their Wednesday Evening meeting in the Class 6 Handicap (19:40) over seven furlongs.
Read our Raceday LIVE Preview below and join us ahead of the race for all the build-up and live updates from the track across our social channels on X (@CRCofficial) and Instagram (@coralofficial).
Raceday LIVE Preview
A return to the all-weather is exactly what we expected for Rockstar Icon following trainer Oliver Cole's post-race comments after his latest effort at Brighton which came just over a week ago. He finished a close fourth that day over seven furlongs in difficult conditions (soft ground and strong winds), and after looking slightly outpaced just after halfway, he continued to stay on in the closing stages which was something which pleased Oliver.
Kieran O'Neill onboard Rockstar Icon at Brighton last week
In his post-race interview last week, jockey Kieran O'Neill mentioned to Oliver that he thinks Rockstar Icon would benefit for a return to the all-weather with cheekpieces on next time and that's exactly what he's got today. Cheekpieces are soft strips of sheepskin attached to the bridle that run down either side of a horse's head, with their main role being to keep the horse’s vision directed ahead and to prevent distraction from peripheral movement.
Our four-year-old son of Sixties Icon has the services of Callum Rodriguez in the saddle today, and that could be a huge boost as the jockey very rarely makes the trip to the Surrey-based track, but when he does, he often means business. Check out our jockey statistics section below to find out more.
Today will be Rockstar Icon's first appearance at Kempton, but having ran on the all-weather three times previously, including his maiden victory back in December 2023, he shouldn't have any issues handling the track. He has a handy draw in stall 2, and will face 13 rivals in what looks a competitive enough contest despite being a Class 6 0-65 with plenty having won previously at Kempton and/or over the seven furlong trip.
Chris Dixon, Racing TV analyst, previews today's 19:40 Class 6 Handicap at Kempton
Rockstar Icon didn’t reproduce his best but took a step back in the right direction at Brighton last week. The form of the race has been boosted by the winner following up since and from a handicapping perspective it’s not hard to make an argument for Rockstar Icon at present. High draws are a clear disadvantage over 7f at Kempton, but in addition to that, the lowest two stalls hold a good statistical advantage over the rest so stall 2 looks a real plus point. Given the application of cheek pieces for the first time and his usual style of racing, I’d expect him to be fairly close to the pace under Callum Rodriguez with the likelihood he can sit in behind likely pace setter Zaltalla and Kracking who's drawn wide, making it look as though he’ll have a good position through the race. In order to take advanytage of that he will need to take another step forward but he might just be working his way back to winning form and one way or another I’d be hopeful he can be competitive tonight.
Spirit Lead Me is the early morning favourite for the race and he looks an interesting runner. His recent form doesn’t amount to much but there’s a good chance he’s a better horse on the AW so the return to this surface off a reduced handicap mark following a short break with cheek pieces on for the first time could make a real difference. Mbappe is also well handicapped and returned to form when third at Ffos Las last time out. He’s a course and distance winner with solid claims while Dollyana is holding her form well but doesn’t have the handicapping scope of those already mentioned.
Trainer and Jockey Statistics
Oliver Cole is still finding his feet since taking over the full operation at Whatcombe Stables, but he has hit the crossbar on two occasions from his last six runners, so hopefully Rockstar Icon can go close to getting him back in the winners' enclosure today.
Callum Rodriguez has been in very solid form over the past couple of weeks riding six winners from 36 rides (17%). The Yorkshire-based jockey has only made the trip to Kempton for six rides so far this year, but that has resulted in two winners and one second-place finish which is particularly eye-catching. Callum did ride Oliver Cole's latest runner, Sydney Rock, just a couple of days ago who went on to finish second at Leicester.
Rockstar Icon's Owners for the Day
As winners of the recent Owner for the Day competition, 10 lucky Coral Racing Club members have been given the chance to enjoy an exclusive owners experience for Rockstar Icon's run at Kempton this evening.
What's included in an Owner for the Day prize?
Read our Raceday LIVE Preview below and join us ahead of the race for all the build-up and live updates from the track across our social channels on X (@CRCofficial) and Instagram (@coralofficial).
Raceday LIVE Preview
A return to the all-weather is exactly what we expected for Rockstar Icon following trainer Oliver Cole's post-race comments after his latest effort at Brighton which came just over a week ago. He finished a close fourth that day over seven furlongs in difficult conditions (soft ground and strong winds), and after looking slightly outpaced just after halfway, he continued to stay on in the closing stages which was something which pleased Oliver.
Kieran O'Neill onboard Rockstar Icon at Brighton last week
In his post-race interview last week, jockey Kieran O'Neill mentioned to Oliver that he thinks Rockstar Icon would benefit for a return to the all-weather with cheekpieces on next time and that's exactly what he's got today. Cheekpieces are soft strips of sheepskin attached to the bridle that run down either side of a horse's head, with their main role being to keep the horse’s vision directed ahead and to prevent distraction from peripheral movement.
Our four-year-old son of Sixties Icon has the services of Callum Rodriguez in the saddle today, and that could be a huge boost as the jockey very rarely makes the trip to the Surrey-based track, but when he does, he often means business. Check out our jockey statistics section below to find out more.
Today will be Rockstar Icon's first appearance at Kempton, but having ran on the all-weather three times previously, including his maiden victory back in December 2023, he shouldn't have any issues handling the track. He has a handy draw in stall 2, and will face 13 rivals in what looks a competitive enough contest despite being a Class 6 0-65 with plenty having won previously at Kempton and/or over the seven furlong trip.
Chris Dixon, Racing TV analyst, previews today's 19:40 Class 6 Handicap at Kempton
Rockstar Icon didn’t reproduce his best but took a step back in the right direction at Brighton last week. The form of the race has been boosted by the winner following up since and from a handicapping perspective it’s not hard to make an argument for Rockstar Icon at present. High draws are a clear disadvantage over 7f at Kempton, but in addition to that, the lowest two stalls hold a good statistical advantage over the rest so stall 2 looks a real plus point. Given the application of cheek pieces for the first time and his usual style of racing, I’d expect him to be fairly close to the pace under Callum Rodriguez with the likelihood he can sit in behind likely pace setter Zaltalla and Kracking who's drawn wide, making it look as though he’ll have a good position through the race. In order to take advanytage of that he will need to take another step forward but he might just be working his way back to winning form and one way or another I’d be hopeful he can be competitive tonight.
Spirit Lead Me is the early morning favourite for the race and he looks an interesting runner. His recent form doesn’t amount to much but there’s a good chance he’s a better horse on the AW so the return to this surface off a reduced handicap mark following a short break with cheek pieces on for the first time could make a real difference. Mbappe is also well handicapped and returned to form when third at Ffos Las last time out. He’s a course and distance winner with solid claims while Dollyana is holding her form well but doesn’t have the handicapping scope of those already mentioned.
Trainer and Jockey Statistics
Oliver Cole is still finding his feet since taking over the full operation at Whatcombe Stables, but he has hit the crossbar on two occasions from his last six runners, so hopefully Rockstar Icon can go close to getting him back in the winners' enclosure today.
Callum Rodriguez has been in very solid form over the past couple of weeks riding six winners from 36 rides (17%). The Yorkshire-based jockey has only made the trip to Kempton for six rides so far this year, but that has resulted in two winners and one second-place finish which is particularly eye-catching. Callum did ride Oliver Cole's latest runner, Sydney Rock, just a couple of days ago who went on to finish second at Leicester.
Rockstar Icon's Owners for the Day
As winners of the recent Owner for the Day competition, 10 lucky Coral Racing Club members have been given the chance to enjoy an exclusive owners experience for Rockstar Icon's run at Kempton this evening.
What's included in an Owner for the Day prize?
- Free racecourse entry
- Access to the Owners & Trainers enclosure
- Access to the Parade Ring before the race
- Meet Rockstar Icon and the Oliver Cole team
- Take home a 10% share of any prize money he wins
Prize Money
Today's Class 6 contest is worth £6,000 in total, with the winner set to scoop a £3,140 for their lucky owners.
2nd: £1,473 | 3rd: £736 | 4th: £368 | 5th: £183
Pipped At The Post – Exclusive for Members
Get paid as a WINNER in CASH up to a stake of £/€10 if your horse finishes 2nd by a head or less behind the winner in today's 19:40 at Kempton – click here to find out more.
19:40 KEMPTON – LATEST ODDS
We hope you enjoyed reading today's Raceday LIVE Preview. Don't forget to tune in just before 19:40 to watch Rockstar Icon's next run for the club live on the Coral Sports app.
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