Keir Starmer watches Chancellor come a cropper: Sir Keir and wife Victoria see race favourite pull out as they enjoy a day at the races
Sir Keir Starmer and his wife were spotted in the crowd at Doncaster Racecourse today as they watched Chancellor, the horse favoured to win, pull out.
Sir Keir Starmer and his wife were spotted in the crowd at Doncaster Racecourse today as they watched Chancellor, the horse favoured to win, pull out.
Chancellor was strongly fancied to win the Betfred Champagne Stakes but was forced to withdraw after prematurely bursting open his stall and suffering a cut to his mouth.
The Prime Minister was pictured smiling with his wife Lady Victoria Starmer - who is a big horse racing fan - on the balcony at the Betfred St Leger meeting.
Sir Keir said: There arent many better days out than the races in the sunshine, so its a pleasure to be back in Doncaster for the historic St Leger this year.
My wife has a close connection with the racecourse so the thrill of the St Leger is no stranger to us.
Sir Keir Starmer and his wife were spotted in the crowd at Doncaster Racecourse today as they watched Chancellor, the horse favoured to win, pull out
The Prime Minister was pictured smiling with his wife Lady Victoria Starmer - who is a big horse racing fan - on the balcony at the Betfred St Leger meeting
Lady Starmer is a big horse racing fan and her mother lived in Doncaster
Sir Keir said: My wife has a close connection with the racecourse so the thrill of the St Leger is no stranger to us
Victoria Starmer on day three of the Betfred St Leger Festival at Doncaster Racecourse
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer pictured with his wife Victoria at Doncaster Racecourse today
Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria disembark from their plane at Joint Base Andrews in Washington to attend a Nato summit in July
Good luck to all those involved and to the thousands of racegoers enjoying their day out.
Sir Keirs trip to the races came just hours after he arrived home from Washington DC where he met with Biden to discuss the crises in Ukraine and the Middle East.
The pair sat in the Blue Room at the White House on Friday as the Prime Minister spoke of how the UK and US are strategically aligned in their attempts to resolve the war in Ukraine.
The Prime Minister emerged after their meeting to tell reporters it had been very productive - though he gave no details about any new policy agreements including on whether to let Ukraine use US-provided Army Tactical Missile Systems for attacks on Russia.
Asked if he had managed to persuade Mr Biden to allow Ukraine to fire missiles into Russian territory, the PM said: Well, weve had a long and productive discussion on a number of problems, including Ukraine, as youd expect, the Middle East, and the Indo Pacific, talking strategically about tactical decisions.
This isnt about a particular decision but well obviously pick up again in UNGA (UN General Assembly) in just a few days time with a wider group of individuals, but this was a really important invitation from the President to have this level of discussion about those critical issues.
He added that the quickest way to end the war in Ukraine lies through what Putin actually does.
Joe Biden and Sir Keir Starmer posed together as they held talks on Ukraine and the Middle East at the White House
Sir Keir Starmer has said the next few weeks and months will be crucial in Ukraine following a meeting with US president Joe Biden
He had earlier told Mr Biden at the White House: Historically, weve shown the strength of our relationship.
We are strategically aligned and we have a common cause on these global issues.
Mr Biden thanked Sir Keir for his leadership; during the Ukraine conflict, adding: The United States is committed to standing with you to help Ukraine as it defends against Russias onslaught of aggression.
Its clear that Putin will not prevail in this war. The people of Ukraine will prevail.
Amid important talks with world leaders, domestic political difficulties over the squeeze on winter fuel payments and with looming tough decisions in Octobers budget, Sir Keir will hope that problems for the horse called Chancellor are not an omen.
