Azure Blue Sets Sights on Darley July Cup: Chasing Newmarket Glory

Azure Blue Targets Darley July Cup at Newmarket

Michael Dods’ new sprinting star, Azure Blue, is set to compete in the prestigious Darley July Cup at Newmarket. However, her participation will depend on the ground conditions being suitable for her.a

The four-year-old has been in remarkable form recently, winning four out of her last five races. Her most recent victory came in the Group Two 1895 Duke of York Stakes where she defeated Highfield Princess while carrying a 5lb weight advantage. The form looks strong as John Quinn’s mare performed well in both the King’s Stand and Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

“Azure Blue is currently entered for the July Cup and that is our plan, as long as the ground doesn’t firm up,” said Dods. “She is in excellent form and although it will be a challenging race, we are aiming to go to Newmarket with her. She has shown great success at both tracks on the Rowley Mile and July course.”

Dods explained that Azure Blue did not participate in Ascot due to entries closing too soon but revealed that they formulated their plan of targeting the July Cup instead. He further added that if there had been enough time for a run before entries closed at Ascot, they would have considered entering her.

The field for the Darley July Cup includes Commonwealth Cup one-two Shaquille and Little Big Bear along with older horses like Kinross and Art Power. Other contenders such as Lezoo and Meditate also remain in contention.

A total of 19 horses initially stood their ground for this race, but American-trained Big Invasion was subsequently scratched from the lineup leaving 18 contenders vying for glory.