HOPE. That’s what we all need.
And for those battling the superpowers in the world of horse racing hope is everything.
What it means
An emotional Richard Hughes speaks @MCYeeehaaa after his group one success with No Half Measures
pic.twitter.com/kDoyNTpvNR
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) July 12, 2025
The good news is this season there is hope emerging on many different levels.
Most recently, of course, Richard Hughes banged in Saturday’s Group 1 July Cup at Newmarket.
That will have given Hughes hope, and many other trainers will be thinking ‘it could be me next’.
But it’s been a Flat season where Hughes – who was in tears during an emotional interview with me moments after his biggest win – is not the only one to have hit the jackpot.
Docklands banged in the Group 1 Queen Anne at Royal Ascot for Harry Eustace.
That’s massive for the young up-and-coming handler, and while the horse is owned by a group with plenty of cash to splash, it still gives everyone hope.
Eustace, of course, doubled up in Group 1s by also banging in the Commonwealth Cup with Time for Sandals.
And don’t forget old Scotsman Jim Goldie, who was responsible for American Affair taking the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes, also at Royal Ascot.
Don’t also forget the Irish raider Cercene, who took the Coronation Stakes and a first Group 1 for both trainer Joe Murphy and jockey Gary Carroll.
Why is this so important? After all sport is just about finding out who is best of the best, it’s not about who is actually taking the prizes.
Well it’s crucial because, as I have said, everyone needs hope.
Other than those I have mentioned, group 1 races in the UK so far in 2025 have gone to Ruling Court, Desert Flower, Lead Artist, Jan Brueghel, Minnie Hawk, Lambourn, Field of Gold, Ombudsman, Trawlerman, Lazzat, Delacroix and Cinderella’s Dream.
The owners of that lot are some of the richest people in the world in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Ireland and Qatar.
Godolphin, Juddmonte, Coolmore and Wathnan Racing cough up more money than most for horses.
For most people matching them is the stuff of dreams.
But there is not only hope in what has happened in Group 1 races this term.
Eve Johnson Houghton is also giving people hope, as is Jonny Portman, who is having a fantastic season headed by horses like Rumstar and had a terrific treble at Newbury the other day.
He’s trading at 20 per cent with a massive 28 victories this season.
Since he started training in 1998 the most victors he has ever had in a campaign has been 33. Portman is on fire.
Eve landed the Group 2 Kingdom of Bahrain July Stakes with Zavateri and also enjoyed success at Royal Ascot thanks to Havana Hurricane in the Listed Havana Hurricane.
Superpowers are needed in every sport to inject cash.
But for the people just below the mega players hope is so important.
And this is a Flat season of hope for all.
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