The favourite coming into the race was Advertise, ridden by Frankie Dettori, but finished in runners-up position. The top three was rounded out by Fairyland, another O’Brien horse. It was a great race by the winner, who stayed in a central position and stormed to win by two-and-three-quarter lengths.
Ryan Moore, the jockey riding him said after the race:
Aidan had him in tip-top shape, he liked the faster ground and was just a bit rusty at Ascot. The other side were ahead of me, he was a bit babyish and I could have done with some help, but he quickened very well. He’s very nice. – Ryan Moore, Jockey
One of the fancied horses coming into the race was Dream of Dreams, but they never really got going and did not threaten before eventually finishing in 10th.
The July Cup
The July Cup is a Group 1 flat horse racing event, for horses three years or above. It is noted as one of the most valuable and prestigious sprint races in Britain, due to only being six furlongs in length. The winners are often seen as the best sprinters in Europe.
Now that Blue Point has been retired, it seems as though Ten Sovereigns has that crown all to himself. With a purse of £500,000 it is also a valuable race to win, and with 1st place receiving £283,550, Aidan O’Brien has had a decent time of it lately.
The race is held as part of Newmarket’s three-day July Festival and takes place on the final day of the three-day event. No trainer has ever won three in a row, and next year that will be the aim of the O’Brien led horses. He is truly a legend of the sport, and we wouldn’t put it past him to add to it next time out too.
