The feature race of Newmarket’s July meeting went the way of Comanche Brave on Saturday. Donnacha O’Brien‘s sprinter won the July Cup, giving Billy Loughnane another top level triumph. Group 1 honours were also earned by Thesecretadversary in Sunday’s Prix Jean Prat.
Here is today’s racing news, rounding up all that occurred over the weekend.
Comanche Brave dominates July Cup
The sprinting division was shaken up yet again on Saturday. As many expected Almeraq, Mission Central or Venetian Sun, three Group 1 winners at Royal Ascot, to come to the fore, it was Comanche Brave who instead proved too strong in the July Cup. Donnacha O’Brien’s charge was only seventh in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at the royal meeting. However, he recaptured the promise of his previous Group 2 win at the Curragh to win well under Billy Loughnane. (Thoroughbred Daily News)
Thesecretadversary makes Group 1 breakthrough
A Royal Ascot winner who did take another step froward was Thesecretadversary for Fozzy Stack. Fifth in the 2000 Guineas at the start of the season, the son of St Mark’s Basilica has progressed since being dropped back to 7f. He won the Jersey Stakes last month before the Prix Jean Prat on Sunday. The Deauville Group 1 featured 1000 Guineas heroine True Love and French 2000 Guineas winner Rayif. However, Thesecretadversary fended them all off from the front under Christophe Soumillon. (Sky Sports)
Al Hudaiba maintains de facto unbeaten record
Three wins in four starts may not seem like an unbeaten record, but it will feel like it to Charlie Appleby and Godolphin. Their juvenile produced a very late burst to deny Abraham Lincoln and win the Group 2 Superlative Stakes on Saturday. The 7f two-year-old race has been a profitable one for connections in recent seasons. Al Hudaiba’s only defeat came when stumbling and unseating in the final furlong of a Yarmouth novice event. (Sporting Life)
William Haggas & Ralph Beckett targeting prizes with Classic contenders
William Haggas is aiming Maltese Cross at the Grand Prix de Paris this weekend. The Sea The Stars colt finished second in the Epsom Derby in gruelling conditions at the start of June. That was a thoroughly respectable effort form the Lingfield trial winner, who will now test his mettle in Group 1 company in France. Earth Shot, another for the Haggas yard, will contest a top level prize this week too. The Ribblesdale Stakes heroine will run in the Irish Oaks. (Racing Post)
A subsequent flop after running in the Derby, Bay Of Brilliance has the Great Voltigeur Stakes on his radar. The Epsom fourth, trained by Ralph Beckett, was a hugely disappointing favourite in the German Derby. However, his trainer has reported him fit and healthy afterwards. The Great Voltigeur Stakes takes place during York’s Ebor meeting in the final two weeks of August. (Racing Post)