Almeraq quickly left the disappointment of his Newmarket outing far behind, delivering a commanding performance in the Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock Park. The race began with last year’s champion, Big Mojo, bursting from the stalls and sharing the early lead with Marvelman. The pace remained brisk until the final two furlongs, when the true contest unfolded. Paborus had travelled smoothly and seemed poised to challenge, but the moment Almeraq, under the skilled hands of his regular rider Tom Marquand, began to assert himself, the outcome was clear.
The 9‑4 favourite switched on, accelerating with a burst of speed that left his rivals trailing. He surged ahead, extending his lead to a decisive four‑and‑a‑quarter lengths by the finish line.
This win marks a remarkable reversal of fortunes for the four‑year‑old trained by William Haggas. Just under a year earlier, Almeraq suffered a catastrophic fall in a sprint at York, an incident that effectively ended the riding career of jockey Jim Crowley. The horse required extensive veterinary care and rehabilitation, making his return to top‑class form all the more extraordinary. "He’s had a lot of patching up since that York fall, and to see him back in such fine form is phenomenal," Marquand said after the race.
Marquand had stepped in for Crowley when Almeraq captured the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. "Jim Crowley, who has now taken out a training licence, has opened a new chapter, and this horse has opened his own next chapter since returning at Salisbury in the spring.
That was impressive work. We all hoped the ground had been the factor that let him down at Newmarket in the July Cup, and he proved his class at Royal Ascot, but we’re still playing an opinions game." Marquand continued, "He is already a dual Group One winner and is only getting better. He’s a thrilling horse to ride 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 sketching out a program for the following season. "This was always his aim, and then hopefully Champions Day.
We’d love to keep him in training next year – who wouldn’t?" she said. She added, "Today’s performance was unbelievable, especially given his preference for firmer ground. At Royal Ascot he performed brilliantly on a surface he doesn’t usually favor, so now we have conditions that suit him and Tom knows him inside out – it’s exciting.
He’s a truly talented horse and Ascot is the logical next step." Haggas, who was also present at Ascot, echoed the optimism. "I was thrilled to bits. He won here on fast ground during the Royal meeting, but he looked equally impressive on today’s slower going. He settled nicely and accelerated beautifully.
He’ll be back for Champions Day," he said. Long‑time Shadwell racing manager Angus Gold also weighed in, noting the importance of the day’s conditions. "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’s beaten a couple of very good horses, proving that Newmarket was a false alarm. Everything unfolded as Tom wanted. He settled at the back, while at Newmarket he saw daylight and was too keen." Almeraq’s resurgence is a testament to modern equine rehabilitation, the dedication of his training team, and the skill of his jockeys. After a near‑career‑ending injury, the horse has not only returned to racing but has done so at the highest level, adding another Group One triumph to his record.
His ability to adapt to varying ground conditions – from the firm turf of Royal Ascot to the softer surface at Haydock – highlights his versatility and makes him a prime contender for future sprint championships. The Sprint Cup victory also underscores the strategic acumen of William Haggas’s stable.
By carefully managing Almeraq’s comeback, selecting suitable prep races, and pairing him with a jockey who understands his nuances, the team has maximised the horse’s potential. The partnership with Shadwell Racing has provided the resources and support necessary for a full recovery, and the results are now evident in the emphatic win.
Fans and industry insiders alike will be watching Almeraq’s next steps closely. The upcoming British Champions Sprint at Ascot offers a stage where the horse can further cement his status among the elite sprinters. If he continues his current trajectory, he could become a dominant force in sprinting for years to come, adding more prestigious victories to his résumé and enhancing the legacy of his connections. In summary, Almeraq’s dominant Sprint Cup performance not only wipes away the memory of his Newmarket setback but also signals a new chapter of sustained excellence.
With a seasoned trainer, a supportive ownership group, and a jockey who knows how to unleash his speed, the future looks bright for this remarkable four‑year‑old. The racing world will be eager to see how he fares next, especially when he returns to the famed Ascot track in October.