9 July
JOCKEY Hayley Turner became only the second female jockey ever to win a Group 1 when steering Dream Ahead to an emphatic success in the Darley July Cup.
The David Simcock-trained colt bounced back to the form of last year’s wins in the Prix Morny and Middle Park Stakes to claim this prestigious prize.
Turner settled the 7/1 just off the leaders. He travelled strongly before bursting through runners to collar Bated Breath by half a length.
A thrilled Turner said: “It's massive. I'm just thrilled. It's really fantastic.
“I haven't sat on the horse before so I can't take much credit. Obviously David has done a fantastic job and thanks to the owners for having me on board.
“Steve (Drowne's) horse (Bated Breath) started to hang right and caused a bit of interference, but it's always the case when you're on a horse that travels so well that he gets you out of trouble.”
Simcock added: “This is important for the horse. He was joint-top rated two-year-old last season and I was very protective of his rating so this is more of a relief than anything.”
“He won the Prix Morny in a good in a fast time last year and I think the ground was faster than good that day. The plan next is the Prix Maurice de Gheest.”
Turner’s day got even better when she landed the Jaguar XF Nursery on the Paul Cole-trained Overpowered (8/1).
Red Duke provided trainer John Quinn with his biggest success to date at Newmarket when taking the 32Red.com Superlative Stakes under Kieren Fallon.
The son of Hard Spun, a 10/1 chance, stepped up markedly on his maiden win at Redcar to score in convincing fashion by neck.
Quinn said: “He is a nice horse and I knew he was a good one. He is a Group winner now so we will go home and have a think about where we go next.
“He got the seven furlongs well and he should get a mile too so hopefully he will be a Guineas horse. You have got to dream.”
Jockey Barry McHugh aboard Brae Hill (11/1) forged a solo path up the stands rail in the 32Red.com Bunbury Cup but it proved a winning move with the Richard Fahey-trained gelding coming out on top.
Having jumped smartly from the stalls McHugh raced in isolation and his rivals on the far side were never on terms.
Fahey said: “It was grand. He didn’t have a great draw but we walked the track and thought that if any horse can go it alone then he can.”
Albaasil (11/4F) looks a colt on the upgrade judging by his impressive success in the competitive 32Red Casino handicap under Richard Hills.
Hills completed a double aboard the Ed Dunlop-trained Tanfeeth in the finale on the card, the Egerton House Stables handicap.
The son of Dansili won his maiden at Yarmouth last time out and improved again to score easily by three lengths.
Godolphin look to have a strong hand of juvenile fillies this season and they unleashed another decent prospect in Desert Gazelle (7/2) who took the De La Warr Racing EBF maiden.
The daughter of Smart Strike, trained by Saeed bin Suroor and ridden by Frankie Dettori, powered up the stands side rail to win by four lengths.
Newmarket Nights resume next Friday (15 July) with James Blunt performing after racing.`
