Jul 2023
Weatherbys Super Sprint 2023: Queen Mary Runner-Up Relief Rally Heads 23-Strong Field
23 juveniles remain in contention for Saturday’s £250,000 Weatherbys Super Sprint Stakes at Newbury.
William Haggas’ exciting filly Relief Rally, who only failed by a nose to maintain her unbeaten record in the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot, will bid to give Haggas a third win in this race and his first for 15 years. The Newmarket trainer has previously won this race with two fillies; Superstar Leo in 2000 and Jargelle in 2008.
Eve Johnson Houghton looks set to have two strong contenders in the shape of Juniper Berries and Bobsleigh. Juniper Berries will once again renew her rivalry with Relief Rally having finished second to her at Salisbury and a close fourth in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot. There were four-lengths between the pair at Ascot, however Juniper Berries will receive 5lbs from her rival on Saturday. Bobsleigh, a winner of the Woodcote Stakes at Epsom’s Derby meeting in June, finished a creditable 6th in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot under Charlie Bishop.
The Richard Hannon yard has dominated this race since its inception in 1991. Richard Hannon Senior won the race a record seven times before retiring at the end of 2013, and his son Richard has been gaining ground on him ever since, having notched up his fourth victory in the Weatherbys Super Sprint in 2021.
Hannon looks set to have a strong hand in this year’s renewal with seven currently entered: The Camden Colt, Mr Baloo, Ziggy’s Phoenix, Liv My Life, Dapperling, Jolly Sailor and La Guarida.
Archie Watson and Hollie Doyle teamed up with Eddie’s Boy to win the 2022 renewal and Watson, who enjoyed a stellar Royal Ascot with three winners, has entered Heed The Call. Heed The Call, a winner at Hamilton on Saturday will carry a light weight of 8st 4lb.
There could be two Irish raiders in Saturday’s field. The Kieran Cotter-trained Son Of Corbalis won a Listed race at Tipperary on his most recent start. Jessica Harrington’s Supersonic Man got off the mark at Tipperary at the end of May before finishing down the field in the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Group 2 Railway Stakes at The Curragh.
Clerk of the Course, Keith Ottesen commented on the entries: “The Weatherbys Super Sprint is always a highly competitive race and this year’s renewal looks no different. There are some strong Royal Ascot formlines on offer and we saw with Eddie’s Boy last year how much these two-year-olds can improve from each run. Relief Rally looked an unlucky loser at Ascot and she will be a fascinating contender from the William Haggas yard if she lines up. Meanwhile, Eve Johnson Houghton’s two entries look interesting at the weights. Weatherbys first sponsored this race in 1993 meaning this is their 30th year of sponsorship and we are very grateful for their amazing support over the years.”
Full entries for the Weatherbys Super Sprint Stakes – Saturday 22 July
![](https://newburyracecourse.co.uk/documents/supersprintconfirmations_social-1-1-500x281.jpeg)
Entry | Weight | Trainer |
The Camden Colt (IRE) | 9 4 | Richard Hannon |
Instant Recall (GB) | 9 3 | Karl Burke |
Mr Baloo (IRE) | 9 1 | Richard Hannon |
Robbo (IRE) | 9 1 | Charles Hills |
Relief Rally (IRE) | 9 0 | William Haggas |
World of Darcy (IRE) | 9 0 | Karl Burke |
Ziggy’s Phoenix (IRE) | 9 0 | Richard Hannon |
Bobsleigh (IRE) | 8 13 | Eve Johnson Houghton |
Relentless Warrior (IRE) | 8 13 | Andrew Balding |
Liv My Life (IRE) | 8 12 | Richard Hannon |
Supersonic Man (GB) | 8 12 | Jessica Harrington |
Beenham (IRE) | 8 11 | Rod Millman |
Call Glory (IRE) | 8 11 | Charles Hills |
Dapperling (IRE) | 8 11 | Richard Hannon |
La Guarida (IRE) | 8 11 | Richard Hannon |
Payment In Kind (IRE) | 8 11 | Harry Eustace |
Rosario (IRE) | 8 11 | Roger Teal |
Jolly Sailor (GB) | 8 10 | Richard Hannon |
Son of Corballis (IRE) | 8 10 | Kieran Cotter |
Juniper Berries (GB) | 8 7 | Eve Johnson Houghton |
Crooked Crown (GB) | 8 4 | Rod Millman |
Heed The Call (IRE) | 8 4 | Archie Watson |
Fengari (GB) | 8 3 | Jack Jones |
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Lucy Swiers, JSC Comms
Mobile: 07517 477 502
Email: [email protected]
Notes to Editors
Newbury Racecourse, located in Berkshire, is one of the UK’s premier racecourses staging 31 racedays a year, including both flat and jump meetings. It is the home of the Coral Gold Cup and Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes as well as playing host to major music events with Sir Tom Jones and Olly Murs performing in 2023. The racecourse – which can accommodate a wide range of conferences, weddings and events – also boasts an on-site hotel, The Lodge, as well as the Rocking Horse Nursery. Newbury Racecourse has its own on-site rail station and offers free parking, so it couldn’t be easier to get to.