Hot on the heels of the Coral-Eclipse Stakes, one of the most anticipated fixtures of the summer months soon goes under starter’s orders at Newmarket. Beginning on Thursday and concluding on Saturday, the July Festival offers 21 contests for punters to enjoy – including nine events at Listed level or above.
The big highlight arrives on the third and final day with the 2025 edition of the July Cup Stakes. Since first appearing in 1876, this 6f contest has grown to become one of the most coveted domestic sprint prizes of the season. Regularly attracting the best of the speedballs from Britain, Ireland and beyond, the early entries suggest the latest renewal will be well up to scratch.
Runners from France and Japan have claimed the top spot since the turn of the century. However, the 2025 edition looks set to present a classic Britain vs Ireland tussle. Unlike many Group 1s on the flat racing calendar, the market suggests the hosts hold the edge, with the first five in the market hailing from a British yard. Amongst those leading the way is a filly representing the rising force that is Wathnan Racing.
Sweet Smell of Success for Flora?
Current market second favourite, Flora Of Bermuda, represents Andrew Balding, who claimed the 2022 edition of this with fellow filly Alcohol Free. While yet to strike in Group 1 company, the daughter of Dark Angel has hinted it is only a matter of time before she claims a first top-level success.
In four Group 1 outings over this six-furlong trip, the regular mount of Oisin Murphy boasts form figures of 4533, her latest effort seeing her finish third behind French superstar Lazzat in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.
Having suffered interference at a crucial stage, she may have finished closer with a clear passage. With Lazzat heading elsewhere for his next assignment, Flora Of Bermuda looks set to go well on her second start for Wathnan Racing.
Speech or Symbol to Strike for Godolphin?
The brilliant Harry Angel provided Godolphin with their only July Cup success in 2017. Charlie Appleby, meanwhile, has yet to land this prize, coming closest when Naval Crown finished second in 2022.
A surprise announcement from Godolphin on Monday was that last year’s 2000 Guineas Champion, Notable speech, was to be supplemented for the race at Newmarket on Saturday. Yet to run at any distance other than 1m, the four-year-old has become favourite with most firms to become the first Guineas winner to lift the July Cup in over 100 years.
🇬🇧 Update from Moulton Paddocks: Following a very pleasing piece of work over the weekend, the decision has been made to supplement Dubawi’s 2,000 Guineas hero Notable Speech for the G1 July Cup @NewmarketRace pic.twitter.com/pPIA1MoBuW
— Godolphin (@godolphin) July 7, 2025
Symbol Of Honour may also be the horse to double his owner’s tally and hand his trainer a debut victory in the event. Having won only one of five outings at two, this son of Havana Grey has exploded into life as a three-year-old. Five outings in 2025 have yielded four wins, including the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock in May. Well worth this first crack at Group 1 company, he is the third favourite in most betting lists.
Inisherin Returns for a Second Crack at the Prize
Unlike Flora Of Bermuda and Symbol Of Honour, the Kevin Ryan-trained Inisherin has already struck in Group 1 company, when an excellent winner of the 2024 Commonwealth Cup.
That effort at the Royal Meeting saw the Shamardal colt sent off as the clear 11/8 favourite in this event, only to finish a never-threatening fifth. He gave three pounds and a beating to Flora Of Bermuda on his seasonal return in the 1865 Duke Of York Clipper Stakes but finished two and a half lengths behind that rival at Ascot. If at his best, he should go close here, but he is becoming increasingly difficult to predict.
Whistlejacket
The 2019 victory of Ten Sovereigns saw Aidan O’Brien draw level with Charles Morton and Vincent O’Brien as the most successful trainers in July Cup history. Leading the O’Brien charge in 2025 is the No Nay Never colt Whistlejacket, who showed a liking for this course and distance when shooting clear in the 2024 July Stakes.
Enjoying no luck in running when sixth in the Commonwealth Cup last time, it will be no surprise if he fares significantly better here.
Believing
Another runner who earns a tick in the Group 1 winner box is the George Boughey-trained Believing. Having twice finished second at the highest level, his breakthrough victory finally arrived in the 2025 edition of the Al Quoz Sprint out in Meydan. Dropping back to five furlongs may have contributed to his lacklustre effort in the King Charles III Stakes, and he could be dangerous back over his favoured distance.
The evergreen Kinross, Commonwealth Cup runner-up Arizona Blaze, and course-and-distance winner Jasour are others to note in a compelling renewal.