The Darley July Cup - 2009 Review
Class, bravery and spine-tingling speed – it must be the Darley July Cup
Fleeting Spirit races to glory in the 2009 Darley July Cup. Picture: Chris Bourchier
FLEETING SPIRIT added her name to the illustrious Darley July Cup roll of honour with a scintillating display on the July Course.
The third and final British leg of the Global Sprint Challenge was a ‘home win’ as the Newmarket-trained flying filly burned off her rivals.
It was a triumph for trainer Jeremy Noseda as the daughter of Invincible Spirit grabbed the lion’s share of the £400,000 pot.
Not that the renowned Group 1 wasn’t without drama. Fleeting Spirit, under Tom Queally, jinked right inside the final furlong after hitting the front to cause significant interference with the eventual runner-up, Main Aim, and also King’s Apostle.
But after a stewards’ enquiry that had connections sweating, Fleeting Spirit was confirmed the 12/1 winner.
Noseda said: “This a great race - and a great prize - to win. These are the moments that you do the job for and we will try to enjoy it.
“When Tom went to the front, I said ‘no’, you are going too soon as Fleeting Spirit likes to idle. But he has ridden a great race and it has all worked out in the end. She is a tough and talented filly and we are absolutely delighted.”
It was a terrific result, too, for Tom Queally. The jockey was also successful in the second British leg of the Global Sprint Challenge, the Golden Jubilee Stakes, after being given a spare ride on Art Connoisseur.
In similar circumstances, Queally found himself given the leg up on Fleeting Spirit for the first time - and the increasingly popular rider cemented his 'super-sub' status.
He said: "My association with Henry Cecil has lifted my profile no end and put me in a position to come in for spare rides like this. I've been very lucky and you do need luck in this job."