3 minute read

Starman took out Saturday’s July Cup at Newmarket giving his trainer his first Group One winner 

Dutch Art (Medicean) sired his fourth Group One winner and 14th Group winner when Starman (4 c ex Northern Star by Montjeu) took out the July Cup (Gr 1, 6f) at Newmarket on Saturday. The victory also provided Ed Walker with his first Group One winner as a trainer. 

Starman defeated Dragon Symbol (Cable Bay) by one and quarter lengths with a further short head back to last year’s winner Oxted (Mayson) in third. 

Starman is raced by his breeder David Ward who also raced Starman’s dam Northern Star (Montjeu). He is now the winner of five of his six starts and was last seen when taking out the Duke Of York Stakes (Gr 2, 6f) at York in May. He was then withdrawn from the Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Gr 1, 6f) due to the soft ground and saved for today’s race. 

"It's great. It's taken its time, but better late than never as they say,” said Walker. 

"I always believed so much in this horse. I put a lot of pressure on myself and it's great that belief has been vindicated.

"His only blip was on bad ground at Ascot last season and we've been proved to have made the right call in missing the Royal meeting.

"I hoped he'd win a Group One and we dreamed that he'll be a sprinter of a generation.

"A horse that was going through the grades as quickly as he was, you have to dream."

While normally unwavering in his faith of his stable star, Walker admitted to having some pre-race doubts ahead of his latest assignment.

"He was so professional at York and today I was really negative before the race. He was messing around (in the pre-parade ring) and if you'd spoken to me then I'd have been pretty doom and gloom," the trainer added.

"You always dream with a horse like this. They're all champions when they walk into the yard, but this horse has never let us down."

Starman is one of two winners out of winning Montjeu (Sadler’s Wells) mare Northern Star who has also produced the stakes placed filly Sunday Star (Kodiac). His second dam produced six winners including the Grade Two winning colt King Guillermo (Uncle Mo). 

Dutch Art is based at Cheveley Park Stud in Newmarket where his 2021 fee was advertised as Private. 

A sprinting star is truly born!

Starman blasts home in the Darley July Cup in Group 1 glory for @TomMarquand and for @edwalkerracing, a biggest career success @DarleyStallions @NewmarketRace @dward997 pic.twitter.com/Sqe0CTMVaw

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 10, 2021