The Pertemps Network July Cup: Trends, statistics and history

The Pertemps Network July Cup: Trends, statistics and history

By Andy Stephens
Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023
When and where? 4.10pm at Newmarket on July 15. Live in HD on Racing TV, Sky Channel 424.
What Grade? Group One.
Which Course? Adnams July Course.
What Distance? Six furlongs
What Prize-money? £600,000, with £340,260 for first place.
Ages: for three-year-olds and upwards.
Sponsor: Pertemps Network.
Weights & Allowances: three-year-olds 9st 2lb; four-year-olds and upwards 9st 8lb. Fillies and mares get a 3lb allowance.
STATS & TRENDS:
Three-year-olds or older horses?:
Nineteen three-year-olds have triumphed since 1980, even though they are routinely outnumbered. Up-and-coming sprinters getting weight from their older rivals take some stopping and the introduction of the Commonwealth Cup, in 2015, may have given them an additional advantage.
Indeed, half of the past eight winners have either won or made the frame in the Commonwealth Cup beforehand.
The dice is loaded against contenders that are older than four - there have been only nine since 1962, the latest being Slade Power in 2014.
Australian challengers:
Australian sprinters have often shone at Royal Ascot but they've never won a July Cup, despite them having numerous well-fancied runners in recent years such as Scenic Blast and Brazen Beau.
Their fancied runners have all run big races beforehand at Royal Ascot. Last year year, Artorius was a leading fancy for them after finishing a staying-on third at the Royal Meeting. He filled the same position.
Horses dropping back in trip:
The July Cup often features horses who have been tried over longer trips.
The most recent has been US Navy Flag, who won in 2018 for Aidan O'Brien after running in the St James's Palace Stakes the previous month. Stravinsky and Mozart had also previously run at up to a mile that year before flashing home for O’Brien, while last year's winner, Alcohol Free, had begun the year running in the bet365 Mile and Lockinge.
Limato won well after finishing fourth in the Lockinge, while Dream Ahead had also run in the St James’s Palace Stakes immediately beforehand. And in 2019 the first four home had all run in a Classic earlier in the season.
Famously, Ajdal won in 1987 having run in the Derby beforehand.
The majority of winners have been in action in the previous month, with Limato being a rare exception.
Horses stepping up in trip:
Again, it is no barrier to success. Agnes World (2000), Oasis Deam (2003) and Frizzante (2004) all ran in the King's Stand Stakes en route to victory - finishing second, third and third respectively.
Other factors:
Eleven of the past 17 winners have been in the top three in the betting, with four of the past seven returned at 9-2. In the past 25 years, 19 winners had run at Royal Ascot on their previous start.
Previous Group One winning form is handy but not vital. Seven of the past 14 winners had not previously struck at the highest level - including recent winners Starman, Oxted and Harry Angel. Sakhee’s Secret (2007) had not won a Group race of any description beforehand.
History of the race:
The Darley July Cup has long been established as one of Britain's most valuable and prestigious sprint races, with many of its winners subsequently being crowned as the champion sprinter in Europe.
It was first run in 1876, with the first two renewals won by Springfield, a colt bred by Queen Victoria. Initially classed at Group Two contest, it was elevated to Group One status in 1978 and forms part of the Qipco British Champions Series.
These days it is staged on the final day of Newmarket's three-day Boodles July Festival meeting.

THE PAST FIFTEEN WINNERS

2022 ALCOHOL FREE (14-1)
Rob Hornby’s dream July Festival continued as he partnered Alcohol Free to victory. Hornby had never won a Group One on home soil until steering Prosperous Voyage to capsize Inspiral the previous day – but doubled his tally in the space of barely 24 hours as the daughter of No Nay Never ran out a convincing winner.
It was Platinum Jubilee Stakes winner Naval Crown who made most of the running towards the far side and that proved the place to be as the winner swooped past entering the final furlong and Charlie Appleby’s four-year-old had no option but to raise the white flag, with Alcohol Free drawing a length and a half clear at the line.
Trained by Andrew Balding for owner Jeff Smith, the daughter of No Nay Never was winning at the top-level winner for the third successive season, having won the Cheveley Park Stakes as a juvenile, plus the Coronation and Sussex Stakes at three.
A delighted Hornby said: "The thinking is that in this race her stamina would kick in up the hill, she'd see it out really well and that is what happened. This was always going to be her race over six, then the ground started to get quick but it just goes to show her guts and bravery and how tough she is and she's got form on all ground now."
2021 STARMAN (9-2)
Starman powered to victory for Ed Walker and Tom Marquand. Always held in the highest regard by his trainer – who reluctantly skipped a run in the Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot when the heavens opened – the Duke of York Stakes winner went off 9-2 and looked like he had a bit to do over a furlong out.
But once meeting the highest ground, Marquand’s mount found overdrive to beat favourite Dragon Symbol and defending champion Oxted by a length and a quarter and a short head.
Walker, saddling his first Group One winner, said: “It’s great. It’s taken its time, but better late than never as they say. I always believed so much in this horse. I put a lot of pressure on myself and it’s great that belief has been vindicated.
“His only blip was on bad ground at Ascot last season and we’ve been proved to have made the right call in missing the Royal meeting. I hoped he’d win a Group One and we dreamed that he’ll be a sprinter of a generation. A horse that was going through the grades as quickly as he was, you have to dream.”
2020 OXTED (12-1)
Cieren Fallon claimed a landmark first Group One success aboard Oxted. Fallon, son of former champion Kieren, was the leading apprentice last season and was having just his second ride at the highest level aboard the Roger Teal-trained victor.
He made a bold move over two furlongs from home on the four-year-old, and had a length and a quarter to spare over the field. His father famously never won the Group One and neither has Frankie Dettori, who chased him home on Denis Hogan’s Irish raider Sceptical.
Fallon said: "I was just a passenger on a very good horse today. Mr Teal and his team have done a very good job with him. I can't believe I'm a Group One-winning jockey as an apprentice, never mind such a young age. I owe Roger so much for keeping faith with me.
Teal added: "It's no surprise at all. We worked him last week and the lad who rode him said 'he wins the July Cup'. I said to Cieren to keep it simple as there had been winners coming down the middle the last couple of races.
"We knew Golden Horde would go forward and I said to just take a lead off him and attack him up the hill. He put the race to bed and won it nicely."
2019 TEN SOVEREIGNS (9-2)
Ten Sovereigns landed a gamble as he registered a stylish success. He was the subject of some strong support and was sent off a 9-2 chance as Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore altered tactics on last year's Middle Park Stakes winner.
Having run respectably when fifth in the 2000 Guineas, he was ultimately disappointing in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot when a well-beaten fourth behind Advertise.
Back on a sound surface, though, he had no trouble in turning that form around as his Ascot conqueror gave vain chase, but could only get within two and three-quarter lengths - despite the best efforts of Frankie Dettori.
Having won the race with a three-year-old last year in US Navy Flag, the first four home all ran in a Classic earlier in the season. Moore said: "Aidan had him in tip-top shape, he liked the faster ground and was just a bit rusty at Ascot. He jumped, travelled nicely and when I gave him a squeeze, he picked up well.
2018 US NAVY FLAG (8-1)
US Navy Flag bounced back to his very best form when dropped down to six furlongs. A dual Group One winner as a two-year-old, US Navy Flag had taken in the English and Irish 2000 Guineas, finishing second in the latter, without finding the winner's enclosure.
But reverted to sprinting, the Aidan O'Brien-trained colt showed his class on his first start against older horses. Ryan Moore had US Navy Flag in front from the start and the son of War Front kept up the gallop to land a convincing success, in the process giving the jockey his first July Cup win.
Brando, who delayed the start as he had to be re-plated, went one place better than 12 months ago in second, with Fleet Review also third for the O'Brien team.
O'Brien said: "He had tough races in the Classics and had a very tough race in the Curragh. We thought it might leave his mark. He went to Ascot and Ryan said to come back in distance with him. We've seen what's happened. He's a very good horse, to be able to do it that as a three-year-old"
2017: HARRY ANGEL (9-2)
Only ten went to post - the smallest July Cup field since 2000 - with the presence of Caravaggio, the Commonwealth Cup winner, no doubt a factor.
Aidan O’Brien’s much touted speedster, unbeaten in his previous six starts, went off 10-11 favourite but he was in trouble a little way out and was a never-nearer fourth under Ryan Moore. Instead, the finish was all about Harry Angel, who had chased him home at the Royal Meeting.
He was in control throughout the final furlong with Limato, defending his crown, coming out of the pack to chase him home. Cox said: "He is pretty special. Lethal Force [his 2013 winner] was exceptional, breaking the track record. To have one this good is very special again. I am proud of him.”
2016: LIMATO (9-2 fav)
Limato had begun the season by finishing fourth over a mile in the Lockinge but the drop back to six furlongs, eight weeks later, showed him in his best light.
He was simply much too quick for the opposition on the prevailing fast ground - the only anxious moment for jockey Harry Bentley being when his mount jinked late on.
Suedois chased Limato home with Quiet Reflection, who had won the Commonwealth Cup on his previous start, third, and Profitable, who had landed the King’s Stand, fourth.
Henry Candy afterwards toyed with running Limato in the Sussex Stakes but resisted the urge.
"It would be rather fun if he ran in the Sussex," the trainer said. "I wouldn't rule it out totally - it's a thought. I thought he ran a cracking race in the Lockinge and I thought he settled very well.
"My horses weren't right at the time and I thought he got the mile that day. I've been training him pretty much to stay."
2015: MUHAARAR (2-1 jt-fav)
Two horses dominated the betting, with Muhaarar and Brazen Beau going off the 2-1 joint-favourites and nothing else being shorter than 9-1.
It was Muhaarar who came out on top but only just, the Commonwealth Cup victor needing every inch of the trip to collar front-running Tropics and win by a nose. The winner, ridden by Paul Hanagan, traded at 64-1 in-running on Betfair with the seven-year-old runner-up, who had also finished second a year earlier, almost touching 1-5.
Eastern Impact grabbed third prize at 50-1, with Aussie challenger Brazen Beau not at his best and trailing home tenth.
"He didn't really handle the track or the dip and I could only really move on him when he hit the rising ground," Hanagan said.
Muhaarar went on to extend his winning sequence in Group One races to four before being retired to stud as champion sprinter.
2014: SLADE POWER (7-4 fav)
The five-year-old was a well-backed market leader after winning the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot and his backers never really had a moment’s concern as he breezed home under Wayne Lordan.
Tropics and Gregorian chased home home, with American raider Undrafted fourth. Ed Lynam immediately set his sights on travelling to Australia and beating the best they had to offer.
“If he retires to stud as champion European sprinter, it’s fine but let’s give him the chance to be champion world sprinter,” he said. “Let’s bring him to where they have the best sprinters in the world and hopefully kick their ass.”
But Slade Power was well beaten Down Under, finishing lame.
2013: LETHAL FORCE (9-2)
In stark contrast to the previous year, the ground was rattling quick and officially firm.
That was always going to play to the strengths of the rapid Lethal Force, who jumped out and made all under Adam Kirby in a course record time. It had been a similar story for the grey, trained by Clive Cox, when he made all in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot on his previous start.
“The course record time is something I will cherish," Cox said. “Lethal Force deserves the plaudits today after all the reports that Adam rode them to sleep to win the race at Ascot.”
Four “S Horses” - Society Rock, Slade Power, Shea Shea, the 3-1 favourite, and Sole Power - gave vain chase.
Lethal Force lost his two subsequent races before being retired.
2012: MAYSON (20-1)
It seemed like it would never stop raining at Newmarket and as a consequence this was a rare heavy ground renewal of the famous sprint.
Mayson relished the conditions and, having led after a furlong, the four-year-old had things in the bag a long way from home. He won by five lengths from mud-loving The Cheka, with Society Rock, the 7-2 favourite, third. He was 20-1.
For both trainer Richard Fahey and two-time champion jockey Paul Hanagan it was a first British Group One triumph.
"I’ve been champion twice but it's great to get up there and win the top races,” Hanagain said. “That was like riding my first winner again and to do it for a man without whom I wouldn't be standing here today is very special.”
Mayson ran once more, when runner-up in the Prix de l’Abbaye at Longchamp.
2011: DREAM AHEAD (7-1)
A historic day with the outstanding Dream Ahead, having only his sixth race, providing Hayley Turner with a first Group One triumph. In the process, she also became only the first female jockey to win outright at the highest level - Alex Greaves having dead-heated in the 1997 Nunthorpe on Ya Malak.
Turner never really had an anxious moment - cruising through the race on David Simcock’s star and beating Bated Breath by half a length, with Hitchens another length and a half back in third.
"It’s massive, really fantastic,” Turner said. "I haven’t sat on the horse before so I can’t take much credit. David has done a fantastic job and thanks to the owners for having me on board.”
Star Witness started 4-1 favourite after being placed in the King’s Stand and Diamond Jubilee Stakes by the Aussie challenger failed to make an impact, finishing tenth.
2010: STARSPANGLEDBANNER (2-1 fav)
The four-year-old had already established himself as one of Australia’s finest sprinters before being switched to the yard of Aidan O’Brien.
He started 2-1 favourite under Johnny Murtagh, having previously landed the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, but had to work hard to overhaul dual King's Stand winner Equiano with Australian challenger Alverta belying odds of 66-1 to finish a close third.
Murtagh also picked up a six-day ban for careless riding.
"He's got some courage and great pace,” O’Brien said of the winner. “Very few horses have that much courage when they are so fast.”
Starspangledbanner finished runner-up to Sole Power in the Nunthorpe on his next start but subsequently went backwards and never won again.
2009: FLEETING SPIRIT (12-1)
The best sprinting filly since Lochsong?
Few were in the mood to argue after Jeremy Noseda’s four-year-old had tanked along and won with authority from Main Aim, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, and J J The Jet Plane, the challenger from South Africa.
Fleeting Spirit had previously beaten all bar star Australian sprinter Scenic Blast in the King’s Stand Stakes. Many expected him to follow up, reflected in him starting 11-8 favourite, but he surrendered tamely and trailed home a disappointing tenth.
“It’s good to send the Australians home packing,” Noseda said. “I am all for international runners in these big races but I don’t think they should be subsidised when they come over here. This is the sort of moment you do this job for.”
It seemed unlikely at the time, but Fleeting Spirit never won again - her fifth in the 2010 July Cup being her final run.
2008: MARCHAND D’OR (5-2 fav)
Freddy Head had guided Anabaa to success in the 1996 July Cup and returned a dozen years later, as a trainer, to strike with five-year-old gelding Marchand D’Or. No other French-trained horse had won in the interim - and none have won since.
The dual Maurice de Gheest winner, ridden with great nerve by Davy Bonilla, had finished a close fourth 12 months earlier behind Sakhee’s Spirit.
A tricky customer, routinely led to post at a walk, he won by a head from Aidan O’Brien’s US Ranger, having still been well in rear two out.
“It was quite frightening, but Davy rode him extremely well,” Head said when asked about his jockey’s tactics. “I thought we’d be fourth at best (two out).”
James Eustace’s War Artist another half-length back in third. Astronomer Royal, another O’Brien challenger, was fourth.
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