The roar of the crowd at Haydock Park on Saturday, 6th September, greeted a memorable afternoon of racing, with the famous yellow and black silks of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum once again in the winner’s circle. The owner’s horses opened the Sprint Cup Day with two thrilling victories that left trainers, jockeys, and punters smiling alike.
Highlights from Haydock Park Sprint Cup Day
The day’s excitement began in the Group Three Best Odds On The Exchange Superior Mile, where Zeus Olympios (11-4 Favourite) secured a comfortable two-length win, marking his third victory from as many starts. The three-year-old Night Of Thunder colt, who had won at Kempton Park in January before returning after a seven-month break at Thirsk last month, impressed with his poise and finishing power.
Trainer Karl Burke was full of praise after the race:
“I thought it was a very good performance, very smooth. He’s got a great mind and took everything in his stride. William (Buick, jockey) said he knew a furlong after he jumped that he was on a good horse. He gave him a lovely feel and did it very well.
He is only going to improve this horse, and at this time of year there is a lack of black type races over this trip. I didn’t really want to throw him in this deep today, but he has done that very nicely. We’ll see what’s available over a mile, though options are limited.”
The yellow and black silks were back in action shortly after in the Ascendant Stakes, as Bow Echo (5-6 Favourite) edged out Publish by a length. The two-year-old Night Of Thunder colt, ridden by Billy Loughnane, remains unbeaten following a debut victory at Newbury last month.
Assistant to winning trainer George Boughey, Harry Middleton, highlighted the colt’s promise:
“We always knew he was talented at home. George has trained enough good horses to know there is no point wasting time going for another novice. He was never the earliest or sharpest, but he’s coming into himself now.
It was only a Listed race today, but you have to think of the Guineas for him now. He’s a gorgeous horse to train, very professional and has a bit about him.”
The afternoon also saw a pair of £100,000 handicaps dominated by Newmarket handler William Haggas. Valiancy (Saffie Osborne, 4-1) triumphed in the Plays In A Different League Handicap over three-year-olds, while The Reverend (Tom Marquand, 7-2 Favourite) led home a 1-2 finish with Dramatic Star (Jason Hart, 7-1) in the Exchange Old Borough Cup, winning by a neck.
The performances at Haydock Park on Sprint Cup Day underscored the skill of the trainers and the class of the horses, with the Obaid Al Maktoum silks taking centre stage once more.
Read the full Haydock Park Sprint Cup Day report and stay tuned to RaceBuzz for more such updates.
