Europe’s sprinting division has struggled to produce star performers in recent years and this season's July Cup appears to be another wide-open renewal.
However, we’re looking back at a time when outstanding speedsters appeared at regular intervals and h ere are five of the best July Cup winners to grace Newmarket’s hallowed turf , ranked in reverse order:
Green Desert
5. GREEN DESERT (1986)
Sir Michael Stoute’s charge proved frustrating to follow after finishing second to Dancing Brave in the 2000 Guineas but a switch to sprinting did the trick. Walter Swinburn controlled proceedings from the front and only had to push his mount out with hands and heels to see off Grey Desire , Last Tycoon and defending champion Habibti .
Starspangledbanner
4. STARSPANGLEDBANNER (2010)
Aidan O’Brien had already sent over two impressive winners in Stravinsky and Mozart and later struck with US Navy Flag and Ten Sovereigns , but it is this Australian import who gets our vote as the best of the Ballydoyle victors.
Starspangledbanner made all when bolting up in the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot but this time left it late before reeling in dual King’s Stand hero Equiano in a strong renewal which also featured the likes of Kingsgate Native and past July Cup winners Fleeting Spirit and Marchand d’Or .
Soviet Star
3. SOVIET STAR (1988)
Andre Fabre’s classy colt was a multiple Group One winner over a mile, winning the French 2000 Guineas , the Sussex Stakes and beating the mighty Miesque in the Prix du Moulin .
However, the turn of foot which served him so well at that trip proved just as decisive at six furlongs, as Soviet Star came with a silky-smooth run under Cash Asmussen before sprinting clear of his rivals.
Betting Odds
2026 July Cup Betting Odds
Result | Odds | Chance |
|---|---|---|
Venetian Sun | 11/4 | 26.7% |
Almeraq | 9/2 | 18.2% |
Satono Reve | 9/2 | 18.2% |
Mission Central | 5/1 | 16.7% |
BAR | 8/1 | 11.1% |
*Odds are correct at the time of writing, but subject to change.
Oasis Dream
2. OASIS DREAM (2003)
After landing the Middle Park in fine style as a juvenile, John Gosden’s speedster made a belated return at three when finishing third in the King’s Stand behind crack Australian raider Choisi r, who doubled up in the Golden Jubilee.
Their rematch at Newmarket turned into a cracker, with Richard Hughes keeping tabs on the trailblazing Choisir early on before Oasis Dream was asked to challenge a furlong and a half out and then gradually got on top for a convincing victory.
Chief Singer
1. CHIEF SINGER (1984)
Ron Sheather’s striking colt had finished well clear of the rest when second to El Gran Senor in the 2000 Guineas and then romped home by eight lengths in the St James's Palace Stak es at Royal Ascot before dropping down in distance at HQ.
Despite facing a strong line-up over the shorter trip, Ray Cochrane still oozed confidence at the rear of the field before weaving through horses to beat defending champion Never So Bold by a length and a half.
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