Almeraq quickly put the disappointment of his off‑day at Newmarket behind him with a commanding performance in the Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock Park. The four‑year‑old, trained by William Haggas, turned the tables on his rivals and delivered a display that will be remembered for its sheer dominance. The race began with last year’s champion, Big Mojo, bursting out of the stalls and sharing the early lead with Marvelman. For the first few furlongs the pace was honest, but the real drama unfolded when the field entered the final two furlongs.
It was then that Almeraq, under the steady hands of his regular jockey Tom Marquand, began to assert himself. The 9‑4 favourite switched on, accelerating away from the pack and eventually pulling clear to win by four and a quarter lengths. The margin underscored just how far ahead he was on the day.
This victory marks a dramatic reversal of fortunes for the Haggas‑trained colt. Not long before this race, Almeraq endured a terrifying fall in a sprint at York, an incident that effectively ended the riding career of his then‑jockey Jim Crowley. The horse required extensive veterinary care and a long rehabilitation period.
To see him back in top form, delivering a performance of this magnitude, is nothing short of extraordinary. "He’s had a lot of patch‑up work since that fall at York, but to have him back to this level is phenomenal," Marquand said after the race. Marquand had stepped in for Crowley when Almeraq previously claimed the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.
He added, "Jim Crowley has taken out a training licence and is starting a new chapter, which is incredibly exciting. This horse helped him kick off that new chapter when he returned at Salisbury in the spring. That was impressive work." Marquand reflected on the horse’s earlier form, noting that many had wondered whether the ground at Newmarket had been a factor in his lackluster July Cup performance. "We all hoped the ground was what let him down at Newmarket, and he proved that at Royal Ascot," he said, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of racing opinions.
Almeraq’s resume now includes two Group One victories, and his connections are eager to build on that momentum. "He’s already a dual Group One winner and is only getting stronger. He’s an incredibly exciting horse to partner with and a fantastic asset for the Shadwell operation," Marquand enthused. Looking ahead, the logical next target is the Qatar Racing British Champions Sprint at Ascot on 17 October.
Maureen Haggas, the trainer’s wife, hinted that the team may already be plotting a schedule for the following season. "This was always his goal, and then hopefully Champions Day. We’d love to keep him in training next year – who wouldn’t?" she said.
She praised Almeraq’s adaptability, noting his preference for faster ground but also his ability to handle the softer conditions at Haydock. "What he did at Royal Ascot on ground he doesn’t usually enjoy was phenomenal, so now we have conditions that suit him and Tom knows him inside out.
It’s an exciting prospect," she added. William Haggas, who was present at Ascot, echoed the optimism. "I was thrilled to bits. He won here on fast ground during the Royal meeting, but today he looked a good horse on slower ground.
He settled well and accelerated beautifully. He’ll be back for Champions Day," he confirmed.
Shadwell racing manager Angus Gold also weighed in, expressing confidence in the horse’s future. "Touch wood everything goes well. He got the cover and the ground was to his liking.
The gap came at the right time and off he went. He’s beaten a couple of very good horses and it proves Newmarket was too bad to be true. Everything went as Tom wanted it to.
He settled at the back, while at Newmarket he saw daylight and was too keen," Gold explained. Almeraq’s journey from a near‑career‑ending fall to a dominant Sprint Cup win illustrates the resilience of both horse and connections. The combination of expert training, meticulous rehabilitation, and a jockey who understands the colt’s temperament has produced a champion capable of delivering under varied conditions.
As the season progresses, fans will be watching closely to see whether he can add more Group One accolades to his record, perhaps culminating in a showdown at Ascot’s Champions Day. The narrative of recovery, perseverance, and triumph continues to unfold, and Almeraq stands at the forefront of that story, poised for further success.