As ever, the highlight of the Newmarket July Festival provided racing fans with a fascinating clash of the generations as the three-year-olds tackled their elders over the six-furlong trip.
The betting suggested the youngsters would hold sway in 2024. The heavily backed Inisherin was out on his own at the head of the market following his impressive win in the Commonwealth Cup. Vandeek came next; one of the sprinting stars of 2023, he had disappointed in the Sandy Lane Stakes but was well-fancied to bounce back. Aidan O’Brien’s down-in-trip River Tiber and Commonwealth Cup third Mill Stream rounded out the three-year-old challenge.
Turning to the older horses, Khadeem was overlooked in the market once more despite a second successive win in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes. Swingalong, Mill Stream, and Vadream finished second, third and fifth to Khadeem at Ascot and renewed the rivalry. Meanwhile, connections hoped for better from Mitbaahy, who blew his chance at the start of that contest. Of the others, Art Power arrived as a Group 1 winner over this trip and seven-furlong specialist Kinross returned for another crack having finished third in the 2023 edition.
Result
- 1st – Mill Stream 11/1, Jockey: William Buick, Trainer: Jane Chapple-Hyam
- 2nd – Swingalong 22/1, Jockey: Clifford Lee, Trainer: Karl Burke
- 3rd – Vandeek 4/1, Jockey: James Doyle, Trainer: Simon & ed Crisford
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £340,260
- 2nd – £129,000
- 3rd – £64,560
- 4th – £32,160
- 5th – £16,140
- 6th – £8,100
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £12
- Tote Places – 1st – £2.50, 2nd – £3.60, 3rd – £1.90
- Exacta – £154.10
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £227.86
- Trifecta – £787.70
- Tricast – £1,160.86
Recap
Art Power grabbed the overall lead towards the far side when the stalls opened, Swingalong blazed her usual trail up the centre of the track, and River Tiber held the edge on the stands side. The hot favourite Inisherin gained a nice early position just off the pace, with Mill Stream slipstreaming behind Art Power. Jasour appeared to be racing far too keenly, and Mitbaahy again didn’t cover himself in glory at the start.
Approaching halfway, Swingalong had moved upside Art Power and travelled best of the leaders; River Tiber began to find the pace too hot, whilst Jim Crowley had lost the argument with Jasour, whose exuberance took him into third. It was at this point that favourite backers may have begun to worry, with Inisherin not moving as well as he had at Ascot. Vandeek and Mill Stream travelled within themselves just off the pace and looked like the main dangers amongst those held together for a late run.
Clifford Lee kicked Swingalong into the lead at the two-furlong pole, moving a length clear of the field. Inisherin could find only the one pace when asked to quicken, and Jasour’s early exertions began to tell, but Vandeek was building up a head of steam against the stands rail, and Mill Stream was in the clear and charging home on the wide outside.
Inside the final furlong, Vandeek couldn’t quite live with Swingalong and Mill Stream – not being helped by racing alone to the near side. A hammer and tongs battle ensued close home, with the gallant Swingalong going out on her shield as Mill Stream got up to score by a neck.
A third career Group 1 for Jane Chapple-Hyam and a first July Cup success. William Buick was also winning this race for the first time.
Runners
- 1. Art Power – SP: 33/1, Trainer: Tim Easterby, Jockey: David Allan
- 2. Khaadem – SP: 25/1, Trainer: Charles Hills, Jockey: Billy Loughnane
- 3. Kinross – SP: 8/1, Trainer: Ralph Beckett, Jockey: Rossa Ryan
- 4. Mill Stream – SP: 11/1, Trainer: Jane Chapple-Hyam, Jockey: William Buick
- 5. Mitbaahy – SP: 33/1, Trainer: Charles Hills, Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa
- 6. Regional – Non-runner
- 7. Swingalong – SP: 7/1, Trainer: Karl Burke, Jockey: Clifford Lee
- 8. Vadream – SP: 100/1, Trainer: Charlie Fellowes, Jockey: Kieran Shoemark
- 9. Inisherin – SP: 11/8F, Trainer: Kevin Ryan, Jockey: Tom Eaves
- 10. Jasour – SP: 12/1, Trainer: Clive Cox, Jockey: Jim Crowley
- 11. River Tiber – SP: 7/1, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Ryan Moore
- 12. Vandeek – SP: 4/1, Trainer: Simon & Ed Crisford, Jockey: James Doyle
Non-Runners
Regional (unsuitable ground)