Harry Angel storms to victory in Darley July Cup

Harry Angel gained a breakthrough first G1 success with an impressive display in the Darley July Cup over six furlongs at Newmarket, UK, on Saturday, July 15.

The three-year-old colt, who had been narrowly denied by Caravaggio after racing freely in the G1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, was smartly into his stride and soon tracked Intelligence Cross in second of the 10 runners.

Harry Angel was asked to win his race by Adam Kirby passing the two-furlong pole and the Clive Cox-trained son of Dark Angel powered clear inside the final furlong, running on strongly to beat Limato by a length and a quarter in 1m 11.25s on good to firm ground.

Brando took third, half a length in arrears, with a short-head back to Caravaggio in fourth.

Clive Cox commented: “Harry Angel has always been special and it has just taken kid gloves to get him going. We always hoped that he would be G1 material and he has shown it today.

“I am so thrilled for the whole team and very pleased to get Sheikh Mohammed a winner on his birthday.

“Although he was beaten at Ascot, the look in Harry Angel’s eye after he came off the track that day was almost like – ‘OK, I am getting the hang of this’ – and I was very confident in his whole demeanour coming here today.

“He has won his G1 and further progress in the department now looks on the cards, probably starting at Haydock with the Sprint Cup (G1, 6f, September 9). He is very versatile ground wise so we are lucky in that respect.

“I have not needed an alarm clock since I have had Harry Angel and it is a joy to be involved with top-flight horses. It is great for Adam, who has been with us for a long time, and I am over the moon.”

Adam Kirby said: “I have always had it in my mind that Harry Angel is the best. He would have won in the Commonwealth Cup but was a little bit unfortunate with the way the race turned out.

“To be fair to the horse, that race has brought Harry Angel forward and he has gone from being a boy to a man. Today couldn’t have gone any better and, when he quickened, he showed how good he was.

“Thank you to everyone for letting me keep the ride on Harry Angel, it means a lot to me.”