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Will the Fastest Horse in Britain be crowned in the July Cup?
The July Cup, which takes place on Saturday at Newmarket’s July Course, is one of the most prestigious sprint races in the world. First run in 1876, the six furlong dash has seen many of its winners crowned champion sprinter in Europe. The race also has a royal connection with the first two July Cups going the way of Springfield, who was bred by Queen Victoria at her Hampton Court Stud.
Fifteen runners are due to try and secure their place against some illustrious past winners of this fourth race of the QIPCO British Champions Series sprint section, including last year’s runner-up Bated Breath, recent Royal Ascot winner Dandy Boy and Australian mare Ortensia.
The jockeys aboard the fifteen runners have some way to go to match the leading jockey in the race’s history though, as Lester Piggott clocked up a remarkable ten winners in the race between 1957 and 1992. Charles Morton (at the start of last century) and Vincent O’Brien are currently tied as the most successful trainers in the race with five winners, though Aidan O’Brien would be snapping at their heels if Reply took him to four this year.
Aidan broke his July Cup duck when Stravinsky broke the course record in 1999 – and it’s highly doubtful that record will be smashed on Saturday given how much the recent rain has affected the ground!
Last year Hayley Turner became the first female jockey to win a Group One race outright in this country on the David Simcock-trained Dream Ahead. To watch Hayley making history, CLICK HERE.
If you would like to see history in the making and the world's top sprinters hurtling down Newmarket's picturesque July Course for a great summer day out, CLICK HERE to book tickets.
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