The Darley July Cup and the Global Sprint Challenge
Feel the excitement…the Darley July Cup is coming!
Make A note in your diary: Friday July 11 will see many of the world’s fastest thoroughbreds descend on Newmarket’s July Course for the Darley July Cup.
Speed, intensity and adrenalin - all are component parts of this thrilling £400,000 event, which for the first time will be staged under the Global Sprint Challenge banner.
The July Course is renowned for its laidback style and sense of fashion. But when the gates click back for Europe’s premier sprint, the focus is solely on the action on the track as one of racing’s greatest spectacles unfolds. It is a must-see event for all sports enthusiasts.
The race’s history underlines what an international event it has become and its roll of honour is packed full of champions and heroes. This year’s Darley July Cup forms the fourth leg of the Global Sprint Challenge with Apache Cat having won the opener of the eight-race series, the Lightning Stakes at Flemington, Australia.
The emphasis shifts to England over the early part of the summer with two legs (the King’s Stand and the Golden Jubilee Stakes) being staged at Royal Ascot before all eyes turn to the Group 1 on The July Course on July 11.
Southern-hemisphere sprint aces Takeover Target and Seachange are intended runners, while last year’s brilliant winner Sakhee’s Secret will bid to defend his crown. Other exciting entries include speedball filly Fleeting Spirit, Benbaun and both stanjamesuk.com Guineas stars Henrythenavigator and Natagora.
Newmarket Racecourses Director of Racing, Michael Prosser, said: "We are delighted to be a part of the enormously successful Global Sprint Challenge.
“The Darley July Cup winner so often goes on to be crowned champion sprinter and it is fitting that a race with such a strong heritage has now been incorporated into the global competition.”
It is sure to be a magnificent occasion and is the star attraction on the track at Newmarket’s fabulous three-day Ritz Club July Festival (July 9-11, incl).
To book your ticket for one of the highlights of the European racing calendar