The late supplementary entry of Notable Speech caused a significant shake-up in the 2025 July Cup betting. A Group 1 star over a mile, how would the 2024 2,000 Guineas winner fare over this six-furlong trip? Charlie Appleby had every confidence his runner would go well. As did the market, with Notable Speech starting as the clear favourite.
Godolphin’s second-string Symbol Of Honour lacked the class of his stablemate. However, unlike Notable Speech, he had no concerns about the trip, having claimed the Listed Carnarvon Stakes and Group 3 Sandy Lane Stakes in 2025. The mount of Oisin Murphy started second favourite following strong support on the day. Jersey Stakes runner-up Spy Chief completed a three-pronged attack for the boys in blue.
Five-time winning trainer Aidan O’Brien sent two into battle. With Ides Of March needing to improve on his recent outings, Ryan Moore opted to ride Whistlejacket. Proven over the course and distance, having landed the July Stakes in 2024, he arrived on the back of a luckless outing in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.
Of the others, a pair of fillies appeared likely to run well. The consistent Believing looked to sign off on a high before retiring to deliver her Frankel foal. Flora Of Bermuda, meanwhile, had headed the ante-post market only to drift on the day despite finishing a fine third in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes last time out.
With the sprint division lacking a genuine star, Group 1 contests were tough to call in 2025. One of the finest examples of this unpredictable nature arrived in the 2025 July Cup…
Result
- 1st – No Half Measures 66/1, Jockey: Neil Callan, Trainer: Richard Hughes
- 2nd – Big Mojo 12/1, Jockey: Tom Marquand, Trainer: Michael Appleby
- 3rd – Run To Freedom 40/1, Jockey: Trevor Whelan, Trainer: Henry Candy
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £372,584.70
- 2nd – £141,255
- 3rd – £70,693.20
- 4th – £35,215.20
- 5th – £17,673.30
- 6th – £8,869.50
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £67
- Tote Places – 1st – £9.70, 2nd – £3.10, 3rd – £12.40
- Exacta – £539.70
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £708.04
- Trifecta – £5,356.60
- Tricast – £27,674.69
Recap
Flora Of Bermuda fared the worst when the stalls opened, with a tardy start immediately putting the filly on the back foot. Fellow Wathnan Racing runner Night Raider broke swiftly to blaze a trail up the stands rail, with Spy Chief leading the way towards the far side, tracked by outsiders No Half Measures and Run To Freedom. Ides Of March and Symbol Of Honour raced prominently in the centre, while market leader Notable Speech sat fourth in the stands side group.
Passing the halfway mark, Night Raider’s electric early pace saw the Karl Burke runner stretch around four lengths clear of the field. Notable Speech switched off the rail to launch his challenge at the two-furlong pole, with Big Mojo emerging as the biggest threat down the middle. Over on the far side, No Half Measures and Run To Freedom forged past the weakening Spy Chief.
Night Raider’s petrol tank ran out just past the furlong pole, with Notable Speech, Big Mojo, and No Half Measures moving past in a wave of three. Looking further back, Believing began to pick up for Billy Loughnane, with Jasour charging from further back.
Notable Speech was the first of the leading trio to crack, seeing Big Mojo and No Half Measures battle it out on the run to the line. Inside the final 100 yards, the unheralded No Half Measures forged into a narrow advantage, which he held to score by a neck. The gallant Big Mojo took second, with Run To Freedom running a huge race to grab third.
At 66/1, No Half Measures became the biggest-priced winner in July Cup history. Richard Hughes was the man in the saddle when Oasis Dream claimed the 2003 July Cup and picked up his first Group 1 victory as a trainer. It was also a first July Cup for a delighted Neil Callan.
Runners
- 1. Inisherin – Non-runner
- 2. Jasour – SP: 20/1, Trainer: Clive Cox, Jockey: Saffie Osborne
- 3. Night Raider – SP: 28/1, Trainer: Karl Burke, Jockey: Sam James
- 4. Notable Speech – SP: 85/40F, Trainer: Charlie Appleby, Jockey: William Buick
- 5. Rogue Lightning – SP: 100/1, Trainer: Tom Clover, Jockey: Richard Kingscote
- 6. Run To Freedom – SP: 40/1, Trainer: Henry Candy, Jockey: Trevor Whelan
- 7. Twilight Calls – SP: 150/1, Trainer: Richard Spencer, Jockey: George Wood
- 8. Believing – SP: 9/1, Trainer: George Boughey, Jockey: Billy Loughnane
- 9. Flora Of Bermuda – SP: 13/2, Trainer: Andrew Balding, Jockey: James Doyle
- 10. No Half Measures – SP: 66/1, Trainer: Richard Hughes, Jockey: Neil Callan
- 11. Big Mojo – SP: 12/1, Trainer: Michael Appleby, Jockey: Tom Marquand
- 12. Ides Of March – SP: 16/1, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Wayne Lordan
- 13. Spy Chief – SP: 22/1, Trainer: John & Thady Gosden, Jockey: Robert Havlin
- 14. Symbol Of Honour – SP: 4/1, Trainer: Charlie Appleby, Jockey: Oisin Murphy
- 15. Whistlejacket – SP: 13/2, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Ryan Moore
Non-Runners
Inisherin (withdrawn, vet’s advice)