Hughes relives July Cup glory, Godolphin finds mixed fortunes at Newmarket
In a stunning twist to the final day of Newmarket's prestigious July Festival, Hughes saddled No Half Measures, a rank outsider, to victory in the prestigious six-furlong sprint, a race steeped in tradition and long considered the ultimate test of speed in British racing.
Under a tactically astute ride from Irish ace Neil Callan, the 66/1 shot stormed down the famed July Course to claim the spoils, triggering emotional scenes and memories of 2003 when Hughes partnered Oasis Dream to victory for the late Prince Khalid Abdullah and John Gosden.
'This means the world,' Hughes said post-race. 'Riding a July Cup winner was special, training one feels even more rewarding.'
For Godolphin, the Dubai-owned global racing powerhouse, the day brought a blend of disappointment and promise. Notable Speech, the stable's high-profile runner and winner of the 2,000 Guineas Stakes at Newmarket, failed to make an impact in the feature, finishing sixth despite high expectations.
However, the blue silks did not leave Newmarket empty-handed on Saturday.
Godolphin's Next Star Emerges
In the Group 2 Superlative Stakes, juvenile Saba Desert delivered a gritty and mature performance to claim victory in a race that has launched the careers of multiple Godolphin champions like Dubawi ( 2004), Master of The Seas (2020) and Native Trail (2021).
Despite an awkward start, where he reared as the stalls opened, the colt recovered smartly under William Buick, taking the seven-furlong contest with authority in the closing stages.
It marked the eighth win in the race for Godolphin.
Trainer Charlie Appleby praised both Saba Desert and stablemate Wild Desert, who ran third despite a troubled passage:
'Saba Desert did everything we hoped for and more. It wasn't a straightforward race, but he showed heart and class - signs of a serious horse in the making,' said Appleby.
Buick echoed the sentiment, calling it 'a scrappy race but a real test,' and adding that the colt had "plenty of improvement" still to come.
With a possible tilt at the G1 National Stakes or even the Dewhurst on the horizon, Saba Desert could yet be Godolphin's next headline act.
While Richard Hughes basked in a career-defining win in one of Europe's most prestigious sprints, Godolphin will leave Newmarket with reasons to reflect and to look ahead with cautious optimism, having once again left their mark on one of the sport's most reputed stages.
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