Almeraq quickly put the disappointment of his recent off‑day at Newmarket behind him, delivering a commanding performance in the Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock Park. The race opened with last year’s champion, Big Mojo, exploding out of the stalls and sharing the early lead with Marvelman.
The pace remained brisk, but the true drama unfolded two furlongs from the finish. Paborus had travelled smoothly and looked poised to make a move, yet the moment Almeraq, under the skilled hands of his regular rider Tom Marquand, began to assert himself, the outcome was all but decided. The 9‑4 favourite surged forward with a burst of speed that left his rivals scrambling.
Almeraq powered away, extending his lead to a decisive four‑and‑a‑quarter‑length margin at the line. This win marked a remarkable turnaround for the four‑year‑old trained by William Haggas. Just a year earlier, Almeraq suffered 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 rehabilitation, yet he has returned to top‑class form in spectacular fashion. "He’s been through a great deal of patch‑up work after that York fall, and to see him back in this condition, capable of pulling off a performance like this, is absolutely phenomenal," Marquand said. Marquand had stepped in for Crowley when Almeraq captured the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, and his comments reflected both admiration for the horse and gratitude for Crowley’s resilience.
Crowley, who has since taken out a training licence, is embarking on a new chapter in his career. "Jim has opened his next chapter, which is incredibly exciting, and this horse opened his next chapter when he returned at Salisbury in the spring. That was impressive work," Marquand added.
The connections had hoped that the firm ground at Newmarket’s July Cup had been a factor in Almeraq’s lackluster showing there, and they were pleased to see the horse thrive on the softer surface at Haydock. The victory was praised by several figures in the racing community. Hollie Doyle, speaking about another race, highlighted Owen Burrows’ filly’s success at the Park Hill, while Daryz’s sparkling performance in an Arc rehearsal was also noted on Sky Sports Racing.
Francis‑Henri Graffard discussed his stable’s stars, and Friendly Soul’s triumph in the Prix Vermeille was celebrated, underscoring the depth of talent across the sport. Returning to Almeraq, Marquand summed up the horse’s rising stature: "He is now 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." Looking ahead, all signs point toward the Qatar Racing British Champions Sprint at Ascot on 17 October as Almeraq’s next target. Maureen Haggas, the trainer’s wife, hinted that the team may already be mapping out a programme for the following season.
"This was always his goal, and then hopefully Champions Day, but we’d love to keep him in training next year – who wouldn’t want that?" she said. She continued, "What he did today was unbelievable, especially because he prefers firmer ground.
His Royal Ascot run on softer ground was already phenomenal, so now we have conditions that suit him, and Tom knows him inside out – it’s thrilling. He’s a truly talented horse, and Ascot is the natural next step." William Haggas, present at Ascot, echoed the enthusiasm: "I was over the moon. He won here on fast ground during the Royal meeting, but today he looked brilliant on slower ground.
He settled well and accelerated beautifully. He’ll be back for Champions Day." Long‑standing Shadwell racing manager Angus Gold also offered his perspective: "Touch wood everything went well – he got the cover and the ground suited him.
The gap opened at the perfect moment and he took off. He beat several top‑class horses, proving that the Newmarket run was an anomaly. Everything unfolded as Tom wanted. He settled at the back, then at Newmarket he saw daylight and got too keen." Almeraq’s resurgence is a testament to the resilience of both horse and team.
From a near‑career‑ending tumble to a dominant Sprint Cup win, the four‑year‑old has demonstrated that with careful rehabilitation, expert training, and a jockey who understands his quirks, a horse can return to the pinnacle of sprint racing. Fans and industry insiders alike will be watching closely as Almeraq prepares for his next challenge at Ascot, where his blend of speed, stamina, and tenacity could well add another Group One triumph to his growing résumé. The story also underscores the broader narrative of recovery and renewal within the sport, reminding everyone that setbacks can be the prelude to even greater achievements.