The Sprint Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Haydock Park over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in early September.

Sprint Cup
Group 1 race
LocationHaydock Park
Haydock, England
Inaugurated1966
Race typeFlat / Thoroughbred
SponsorBetfair
WebsiteHaydock Park
Race information
Distance6f (1,207 metres)
SurfaceTurf
TrackStraight
QualificationThree-years-old and up
Weight9 st 3 lb (3yo);
9 st 5 lb (4yo+)
Allowances
3 lb for fillies and mares
Purse£350,000 (2022)
1st: £198,485
Sprint Cup
2024
Red, yellow stars, black sleeves, yellow stars, black cap, yellow star Dark green, light blue sleeves and cap Red, white sash, royal blue cap
Montassib Kind Of Blue Unequal Love
Previous years
2023
Dark blue, white disc, light blue sleeves, white spots and cap Light blue, orange epaulets Light blue, dark blue armlets, dark blue cap
Regional Shouldvebeenaring Believing
2022
Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap Yellow, large black spots and spots on cap Maroon, black stripe, black sleeves, maroon armlets, black cap
Minzaal Emaraaty Ana Rohaan
2021
Yellow, large black spots and spots on cap Light blue, dark blue triple diamond ROYAL BLUE, WHITE hoop, WHITE sleeves, ROYAL BLUE stars, WHITE cap, ROYAL BLUE star
Emaraaty Ana Starman Chil Chil
2020-2011
2020
Royal blue, yellow chevron, yellow cap, royal blue spots Beige, dark blue armlets, dark blue cap Red, gold braid, white sleeves and cap with gold tassel
Dream Of Dreams Glen Shiel Golden Horde
2019
Royal blue, white striped sleeves, white cap Dark blue, maroon epaulets, striped sleeves Black, yellow braids, yellow sleeves, black cap
Hello Youmzain The Tin Man Waldpfad
2018
Dark blue, maroon epaulets, striped sleeves Yellow, purple and yellow halved sleeves, yellow and purple quartered cap Dark blue
The Tin Man Brando Gustav Klimt
2017
Royal blue Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap Dark blue, maroon epaulets, striped sleeves
Harry Angel Tasleet The Tin Man
2016
Yellow and white (quartered), yellow sleeves, white armlets, yellow cap Dark blue, maroon epaulets, striped sleeves Red, grey star, red sleeves, grey stars, red cap, grey star
Quiet Reflection The Tin Man Suedois
2015
White, emerald green stars, sleeves and stars on cap Claret, gold braid, claret sleeves, claret cap, gold tassel Navy blue, red and light blue hoop and armlets, white cap
Twilight Son Strath Burn Magical Memory
2014
Light blue, orange epaulets Red, white maltese cross, red cap White, emerald green stars, sleeves and stars on cap
G Force Gordon Lord Byron Music Master
2013
Red, white maltese cross, white cap White, red striped sleeves, check cap Pink, black cross belts, pink sleeves, black stars
Gordon Lord Byron Slade Power Hoof It
2012
Black, red, white and blue sash and hooped cap Royal blue and yellow (halved), sleeves reversed, red cap, yellow star Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves
Society Rock Gordon Lord Byron Bated Breath
2011
Pink, emerald green epaulets and armlets, hooped cap Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves Pink, black cross belts, pink sleeves, black stars
Dream Ahead Bated Breath Hoof It
2010-2001
2010
Dark blue, beige hoops and armlets Royal blue, white striped sleeves, white cap Purple, grey seams and sleeves, purple and grey check cap
Markab Lady Of The Desert Genki
2009
White, royal blue cross belts, check sleeves, white cap, royal blue spots Terracotta, grey epaulets White, purple hooped sleeves and cap
Regal Parade Fleeting Spirit High Standing
2008
Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves Emerald Green, Light Blue chevron, diamonds on sleeves, Light Blue cap Mauve, Black braces and cap
African Rose Assertive Utmost Respect
2007
Light blue and red diamonds, light blue sleeves, red cap, light blue diamond Orange, Light Blue disc, Orange sleeves and cap Lime green, white cap
Red Clubs Marchand D'or Balthazaar's Gift
2006
Grey, royal blue seams, sleeves and cap Royal blue, white cross of lorraine and armlets, check cap Pink, emerald green cross belts and armlets, spots on cap
Reverence Quito Amadeus Wolf
2005
Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star Gold and black check, pink sleeves and cap Royal Blue, Light Blue star, Light Blue and Royal Blue halved sleeves, White cap, Royal Blue star
Goodricke La Cucaracha Ashdown Express
2004
Black, yellow cap Dark blue, beige armlets Royal blue and white diamonds, white sleeves, royal blue armlets, quartered cap
Tante Rose Somnus Patavellian
2003
Dark blue, beige armlets Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves Grey, Green sleeves, Cerise cap
Somnus Oasis Dream Airwave
2002
Maroon, Grey epaulets Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap Royal blue
Invincible Spirit Malhub Three Points
2001
Light blue, dark blue seams, red cap, dark blue spots Dark green, beige diabolo on sleeves Pink, black diamonds on sleeves, diamond on cap
Nuclear Debate Mount Abu Monkston Point
2000-1991
2000
Light blue, emerald green sleeves, white cap Royal blue Royal blue, yellow sash
Pipalong Sampower Star Tomba
1999
Royal blue Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap
Diktat Bertolini Arkadian Hero
1998
Light blue, dark blue armlets, dark blue cap White, dark blue star, white sleeves, dark blue stars Royal blue, yellow sash
Tamarisk Bolshoi Tomba
1997
Royal blue, white chevron, light blue cap Royal blue, orange disc, striped sleeves and cap Royal blue, yellow sash
Royal Applause Danetime Tomba
1996
Royal blue, white chevron, light blue cap Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star RED, yellow cross of lorraine and armlet, red and dark blue striped cap
Iktamal Blue Duster Catch The Blues
1995
Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star White, light blue spots, white sleeves, light blue cap, white spots Yellow, Dark Blue cross belts and sleeves
Cherokee Rose Branston Abby Owington
1994
Brown and green stripes, brown sleeves and cap Green, red sash and star on cap Yellow, Dark Blue cross belts and sleeves
Lavinia Fontana Piccolo Owington
1993
Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star Purple, light blue chevron, light blue cap
Wolfhound Catrail Lochsong
1992
White, red hoop, striped sleeves, quartered cap Light blue, dark blue diamond and diamond on cap Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star
Sheikh Albadou Mr Brooks Wolfhound
1991
Purple, pink cross-belts, hooped sleeves, pink cap White, red hoop, striped sleeves, quartered cap Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap
Polar Falcon Sheikh Albadou Shadayid
1990-1981
1990
Royal blue, white epaulets, striped cap Green, orange sash, white cap Maroon, white sash, white sleeves, maroon armlets, checked cap
Dayjur Royal Academy Pharaoh's Delight
1989
Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves Grey, lemon sleeves, orange cap White, black star, green sleeves, white cap
Danehill Cricket Ball A Prayer For Wings
1988
Green, pink sash and cap, white sleeves White, Emerald green Hoop, White Sleeves, White Cap Yellow, dark blue sleeves, black cap
Dowsing Silver Fling Caerwent
1987
Maroon, white sleeves, maroon cap, white star Red, Light Green stripe Emerald green, royal blue sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots
Ajdal Sharp Romance Handsome Sailor
1986
Royal blue, white chevron, light blue cap Mauve, sky blue stripes and sleeves, mauve cap Gold, red hoop, light blue cap
Green Desert Hallgate Polykratis
1985
Emerald green, royal blue sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots Red, white sash, royal blue cap GREEN, red epaulettes, green cap
Orojoya Primo Dominie Dafayna
1984
Yellow, black chevron, check cap Light blue and black stripes, red sleeves and cap Scarlet, White hooped sleeves and cap with Black spots
Petong Habibti Never So Bold
1983
Light blue and black stripes, red sleeves and cap Purple, Emerald Green sash, Purple sleeves, White armlets, Emerald Green cap, White spots Green and red check, green sleeves
Habibti Soba On Stage
1982
Red, white sleeves, black and white hooped cap Grey, pink sleeves, pink cap, grey spots Royal blue, white sash, sleeves and spots on cap
Indian King Great Eastern Fearless Lad
1981
Blue and brown (quartered), green sleeves and cap Yellow, dark blue sleeves, black cap Yellow, red disc, blue sleeves, yellow and blue quartered cap
Runnett Marwell Sayyaf
1980-1978
1980
Royal blue and red (quartered), white sleeves, red cap Cherry, black sleeves and cap Mauve, light blue cross-belts
Moorestyle Kampala King of Spain
1979
Royal blue, red chevrons, royal blue cap Orange, black sleeves, quartered cap Emerald green, royal blue sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots
Double Form Ahonoora Devon Ditty
1978
Chocolate and cambridge blue (quartered), blue sleeves, emerald green cap Light blue, dark blue chevron, striped sleeves and cap Turquoise, white spots, turquoise and red quartered cap
Absalom Sanedtki Vaigly Great
 

History

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The event was established in 1966, and it was originally open to horses aged two or older. It was devised by Robert Sangster, the heir to the Vernons Pools business, who later became a leading racehorse owner/breeder. During the early part of its history the race was sponsored by Vernons and held in early November. It was initially contested on a course with a sharp left-hand bend.

The Vernons Sprint Cup was switched to September in 1979. It was transferred to Haydock's newly installed 6-furlong straight track in 1986. It was promoted to Group 1 status in 1988, the final year of Vernons' sponsorship. For a period the race was closed to two-year-olds, but it reopened in 1989. Juveniles were excluded again from 1994.

The Sprint Cup is currently sponsored by Betfair.

Records

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Most successful horse (2 wins):

  • Be Friendly – 1966, 1967

Leading jockey (3 wins):

  • Lester PiggottGreen God (1971), Abergwaun (1972), Moorestyle (1980)
  • Pat EdderyRecord Token (1976), Dowsing (1988), Danehill (1989)
  • Willie CarsonBoldboy (1977), Habibti (1983), Dayjur (1990)
  • Bruce RaymondRunnett (1981), Petong (1984), Sheikh Albadou (1992)

Leading trainer (4 wins):

  • John DunlopRunnett (1981), Habibti (1983), Lavinia Fontana (1994), Invincible Spirit (2002)

Leading owner (4 wins):

  • Sheikh MohammedAjdal (1987), Wolfhound (1993), Cherokee Rose (1995), Goodricke (2005)

Winners

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Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Time
1966 Be Friendly 2 Colin Williams Cyril Mitchell Peter O'Sullevan 1:16.40
1967 Be Friendly 3 Scobie Breasley Cyril Mitchell Peter O'Sullevan 1:18.00
1968 no race 1968 [a]
1969 Tudor Music 3 Frankie Durr Michael Jarvis David Robinson 1:14.80
1970 Golden Orange 4 Jimmy Lindley Ken Cundell Lady Clifden 1:15.60
1971 Green God 3 Lester Piggott Michael Jarvis David Robinson 1:15.90
1972 Abergwaun 4 Lester Piggott Vincent O'Brien Charles St George 1:16.16
1973 The Blues 2 Richard Marshall Bill Marshall G. van der Ploeg 1:17.10
1974 Princely Son 5 Johnny Seagrave Ken Cundell Wilfred Sherman 1:21.75
1975 Lianga 4 Yves Saint-Martin Angel Penna, Sr. Daniel Wildenstein 1:18.61
1976 Record Token 4 Pat Eddery Peter Walwyn Sir Herbert Ingram 1:19.50
1977 Boldboy 7 Willie Carson Dick Hern Lady Beaverbrook 1:19.21
1978 Absalom 3 Taffy Thomas Ryan Jarvis Mrs C. Alington 1:17.99
1979 Double Form 4 Geoff Lewis Fulke Johnson Houghton Baroness H. Thyssen 1:12.72
1980 Moorestyle 3 Lester Piggott Robert Armstrong Moores Furnishings Ltd 1:14.81
1981 Runnett 4 Bruce Raymond John Dunlop Miss V. Evans 1:14.14
1982 Indian King 4 Greville Starkey Guy Harwood J. Levy 1:12.51
1983 Habibti 3 Willie Carson John Dunlop Mohamed Mutawa 1:15.31
1984 Petong 4 Bruce Raymond Michael Jarvis Tom Warner 1:13.17
1985 Orojoya 3 Brent Thomson Jeremy Hindley Robert Sangster 1:16.24
1986 Green Desert 3 Walter Swinburn Michael Stoute Maktoum Al Maktoum 1:14.82
1987 Ajdal 3 Walter Swinburn Michael Stoute Sheikh Mohammed 1:14.87
1988 Dowsing 4 Pat Eddery Jeremy Tree Khalid Abdullah 1:17.24
1989 Danehill 3 Pat Eddery Jeremy Tree Khalid Abdullah 1:12.75
1990 Dayjur 3 Willie Carson Dick Hern Hamdan Al Maktoum 1:12.50
1991 Polar Falcon 4 Cash Asmussen John Hammond David Thompson 1:11.23
1992 Sheikh Albadou 4 Bruce Raymond Alex Scott Hilal Salem 1:14.17
1993 Wolfhound 4 Michael Roberts John Gosden Sheikh Mohammed 1:10.98
1994 Lavinia Fontana 5 Jason Weaver John Dunlop Cyril Humphris 1:11.42
1995 Cherokee Rose 4 Cash Asmussen John Hammond Sheikh Mohammed 1:13.74
1996 Iktamal 4 Willie Ryan Ed Dunlop Maktoum Al Maktoum 1:09.92
1997 Royal Applause 4 Michael Hills Barry Hills Maktoum Al Maktoum 1:14.46
1998 Tamarisk 3 Tim Sprake Roger Charlton Highclere Racing Ltd 1:11.30
1999 Diktat 4 Frankie Dettori Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin 1:11.04
2000 Pipalong 4 Kevin Darley Tim Easterby Tom Bennett 1:15.49
2001 Nuclear Debate 6 Gérald Mossé John Hammond Bob Chester 1:15.39
2002 Invincible Spirit 5 John Carroll John Dunlop Prince A. A. Faisal 1:12.44
2003 Somnus 3 Ted Durcan Tim Easterby Legard / Sidebottom / Sykes 1:13.49
2004 Tante Rose 4 Richard Hughes Roger Charlton Bjorn Nielsen 1:11.58
2005 Goodricke 3 Jamie Spencer David Loder Sheikh Mohammed 1:10.87
2006 Reverence 5 Kevin Darley Eric Alston G. & L. Middlebrook 1:15.78
2007 Red Clubs 4 Michael Hills Barry Hills Ronald Arculli 1:13.11
2008 African Rose [b] 3 Stéphane Pasquier Criquette Head-Maarek Khalid Abdullah 1:12.81
2009 Regal Parade 5 Adrian Nicholls David Nicholls Dab Hand Racing 1:13.74
2010 Markab 7 Pat Cosgrave Henry Candy Tight Lines Partnership 1:09.40
2011 Dream Ahead 3 William Buick David Simcock Khalifa Dasmal 1:10.36
2012 Society Rock 5 Kieren Fallon James Fanshawe Simon Gibson 1:10.20
2013 Gordon Lord Byron 5 Johnny Murtagh Tom Hogan C. Poonawalla & M. Cahalan 1:12.25
2014 G Force 3 Daniel Tudhope David O'Meara Middleham Park Racing XVIII et al. 1:12.95
2015 Twilight Son 3 Fergus Sweeney Henry Candy Godfrey Wilson & Cheveley Park Stud 1:12.86
2016 Quiet Reflection 3 Dougie Costello Karl Burke Ontoawinner, Strecker & Burke 1:13.45
2017 Harry Angel 3 Adam Kirby Clive Cox Godolphin 1:13.90
2018 The Tin Man 6 Oisin Murphy James Fanshawe Fred Archer Racing - Ormonde 1:14.13
2019 Hello Youmzain 3 James Doyle Kevin Ryan Jaber Abdullah 1:12.79
2020 Dream of Dreams 6 Oisin Murphy Sir Michael Stoute Saeed Suhail 1:14.07
2021 Emaraaty Ana 5 Andrea Atzeni Kevin Ryan Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum 1:09.10
2022 Minzaal 4 Jim Crowley Owen Burrows Shadwell Estate 1:08.44
2023 Regional 5 Callum Rodriguez Edward Bethell Future Champions Racing Regional 1:10.60
2024 Montassib 6 Cieren Fallon William Haggas The Montassib Partnership 1:10.31
  1. ^ The 1968 race was abandoned because of fog
  2. ^ The 2008 running took place at Doncaster

See also

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References

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  • Race Recordings (1980-2010) youtube.com
  • galopp-sieger.deSprint Cup.
  • horseracingintfed.comInternational Federation of Horseracing Authorities – Sprint Cup (2018).
  • pedigreequery.comSprint Cup – Haydock.
  • Abelson, Edward; John Tyrrel (1993). The Breedon Book of Horse Racing Records. Breedon Books. p. 163. ISBN 1-873626-15-0.
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