Comanche Brave won the Darley July Cup at Newmarket on Saturday afternoon. The Irish-bred sprinter, trained by Donnacha O’Brien and ridden by Billy Loughnane, went off at 11/1 and beat Venetian Sun by a length. Satono Reve finished third, a nose behind the second.
The market had not called it that way.
The Race
Comanche Brave’s performance was direct. The Racing Post noted the winner “travelled strongly, led over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, ran on.” There was no drama to the victory itself. The drama was in the odds. At 11/1, Comanche Brave was not the market’s selection in a Group 1 field that included multiple Royal Ascot winners.
Venetian Sun, the Commonwealth Cup winner at Royal Ascot, was second. Satono Reve, winner of the QE2 Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, finished third. The two highest-profile Ascot performers in the field were beaten by an 11/1 shot who led them through the final furlong and held on.
Comanche Brave has now beaten two of the leading sprinters in European racing at the highest level.
Billy Loughnane
Loughnane’s record in major sprint races continues to build. A Group 1 July Cup victory at Newmarket is a significant addition to his CV. The partnership with Donnacha O’Brien has now delivered at the top level of flat racing.
What Comes Next
A July Cup winner in midsummer with a clean trip and a strong finish from 1f out is a natural candidate for the Haydock Sprint Cup in September and the Champions Sprint at Ascot on Champions Day in October. European sprint rankings will be adjusted after Saturday’s result.
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