This week, the latest summertime racing highlight gets underway at Newmarket. Following another excellent edition of the Guineas Festival in May, the action switches to the suitably named July Course for a three-day feast of entertainment.
Kicking off on Thursday and concluding on Saturday, the Newmarket July Festival lays on 21 cracking contests. Several enthralling races lie in wait among the Group class highlights, including the following belters.
Ballydoyle vs Godolphin in July Stakes
Having claimed the 2005, 2019, and 2024 editions, Aidan O’Brien has more July Stakes wins than his five rival trainers combined. Bidding to improve that record – and edge O’Brien closer to all-time leader Frank Butters (seven wins) – is the Wootton Bassett colt Brussels. An impressive winner on debut at the back end of May, this strapping colt is a serious contender for Ballydoyle.
Despite the promise shown on debut and his powerful connections, Brussels sits only second in the market. Leading the way is the Godolphin colt, Maximised. Sired by 2016 July Stakes winner Mehmas, this promising sort looks the part on paper and has backed that up at the track. Two from two in his career to date, he skipped Royal Ascot to wait for this assignment and is well fancied to hand Charlie Appleby his first July Stakes triumph.
£2 Million Purchase Tops Princess Of Wales’s Market
Kia Joorabchian continues to make waves at the sales. Shelling out millions on yearlings and proven performers, the Amo Racing supremo is among the sport’s biggest spenders.
One of the latest additions to the Amo squadron is the Clive Cox-trained Ghostwriter. Formerly owned by Jeff Smith, this son of Invincible Spirit was snapped up by Amo for a cool £2 million on the opening day of Royal Ascot 2025. Twice third in Group 1 company last season, he filled that same position in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes on his first outing in the Amo silks.
Sticking to the same grade for his July Festival assignment, he is well fancied to go a couple of places better. The £1.4m horse Palladium and Dante Stakes third Wimbledon Hawkeye feature among the opposition.
Albany Heroine Goes for Duchess of Cambridge Gold
The fillies hog the limelight on Day 2 at the meeting, with the two Group class contests restricted to the fairer sex. First up, a field of speedy juveniles tackles the 6f trip in the Group 2 Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes.
Ballydoyle, Godolphin, and Amo Racing feature on the early list of entries. However, a filly who carries the colours of Brighton & Hove Albion supremo Tony Bloom tops the market.
The subject of glowing reports ahead of the 2025 Albany Stakes, Venetian Sun delivered on the hype in fine style. If repeating that level of performance, the mount of Clifford Lee could be hard to beat. However, if any chinks in her armour emerge, Aidan O’Brien’s Composing and Queen Mary Stakes runner-up Flowerhead will hope to take advantage.
Royal Rematch in Falmouth Stakes
Hot on the heels of the Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes, the Classic generation of fillies tackle their elders in the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes.
With six wins in the past 10 years, the three-year-olds have edged this battle of late. Leading the charge for the younger runners in 2025 are the Aidan O’Brien duo of Bedtime Story and January. The former landed the 2024 Chesham Stakes by an incredible nine lengths and suggested she may be ready to peak when second at Chantilly last time out. January is held in high regard by Ryan Moore and arrives on the back of an excellent third in the Coronation Stakes.
Despite that three-year-old challenge, the market suggests this may be fought out by a pair of four-year-olds. Going in the Godolphin blue, Cinderella’s Dream finished 1¾l behind Crimson Advocate in the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes last time. She’s 3lb better off at the weights here, but will that be enough to repel the blistering late burst of the Wathnan Racing runner?
Notable Late Entry in July Cup Feature
One of the premier 6f events of the season takes centre stage on Day 3. With the hattrick-seeking Symbol Of Honour, Jubilee Stakes runner-up Flora Of Bermuda, and 2024 July Stakes champ Whistlejacket amongst the market leaders, the race didn’t need a shot in the arm. However, in the days leading up to the race, the hype has significantly increased thanks to a late supplementary entry.
The horse in question is none other than the 2024 2000 Guineas hero Notable Speech – last sighted finishing a slightly unlucky fourth in the Queen Anne Stakes. Undoubtedly top-class over 1m, connections have decided that now is the time to display his speed as a sprinter. Can he become the first Classic winner to lift the July Cup since Tetratema in 1920? The market suggests he has every chance, with the mount of William Buick immediately installed as the clear favourite for the race at odds as short as 5/2.
