49th JOHN SMITH'S CUP IS HIGHLIGHT OF YORK'S TWO- DAY MEETING
The 49th running of The John Smith’s Cup – Britain’s longest continuous commercially- sponsored race – is the centre-piece of a quality seven-race programme at York on Saturday (July 12), the second day of the early July Meeting on the Knavesmire.
One of Europe’s most prestigious, competitive and valuable middle-distance handicap contests, Saturday’s renewal of The John Smith’s Cup is contested over the extended one mile and a quarter – and boasts a total prize fund of £150,000. The winning owner can look forward to receiving the specially-commissioned Wedgewood challenge trophy.
Fougalle was the first winner of this famous race back in1960, and since then there have been many dramatic moments over the years, with the race becoming a major betting heat of the summer. Last season’s race was a triumph for Malton trainer, Richard Fahey, who saddled the first two home – Charlie Tokyo and Flying Clarets; for good measure, fellow Malton trainer, Tim Easterby was responsible for the third placed horse, Collateral Damage.
It’s undoubtedly one of the big days of the year on the Knavesmire, with racing starting at 2.10 p.m. and racegoers are advised to arrive early from when the gates open at 11.15 a.m.
Saturday’s other race titles draw attention to the best-known brands of brewers, John Smith’s, such as The John Smith’s Extra Smooth Silver Cup Stakes (a £44,000 handicap and Listed contest for stayers over one mile and three-quarters), The John Smith’s Fence Gate Inn Handicap Stakes (one mile), The John Smith’s Extra Cold Handicap Stakes (six furlongs), The John Smith’s ‘Premier Club’ Stakes (a nursery handicap for two-year-olds over five furlongs), The John Smith’s Celebrating 250 years Maiden Stakes (two-year-olds – six furlongs) and The John Smith’s ‘No Nonsense Racing’ Maiden Fillies’ Stakes (three and four-year-olds – seven furlongs).
Racing on Friday (July 11) begins at 2.15 p.m. and features The Cuisine de France Summer Stakes, a Group 3 sprint contest over six furlongs for fillies and mares, offering record prize money of £65,000. This race forms the backdrop for the annual charity day in support of Caravan – the National Grocers Benevolent Fund which exists to provide financial aid for those people who have served in the grocery industry. The Yorkshire branch of the charity is once again responsible for Friday’s fund-raising activities, which also involves four other sponsored races – The Cadbury Cup (a handicap race over one mile and a half), The Mr. Kipling Exceedingly Good Stakes (a handicap contest for three-year-olds over one mile and three-quarters),The Hovis Maiden Stakes for two-year-olds over seven furlongs, while apprentice jockeys take part in the concluding race on Friday, The Warburtons, Bakers Born & Breed Handicap Stakes, a handicap contest for sprinters over the minimum distance of five furlongs.
The Hearthstead Homes Stakes (a handicap contest over seven furlongs) completes the line up for the day, sponsored by the Leeds-based local and national house builders who are regular supporters of racing at York.
Going into this meeting, there’s a three-way tie in the race to be the top trainer at York this year and secure The Minster Jaguar Trophy Local trainers, David Nicholls and Richard Fahey (the holder), along with Newmarket-based Sir Michael Stoute have each recorded three winners, while Ryan Moore and Jimmy Quinn have both ridden five winners on the Knavesmire so far this season and share the lead in the battle for the Global Live award for York’s top jockey.
A number of giant screens will enable racegoers to enjoy even more of the action on both days, along with the racing from Newmarket’s July Meeting on Friday, while the popular punter’s panel held prior to racing on the winners’ podium will preview the card on both days.
The stage is set for a pulsating early July Meeting at York.
