Three-year-old blows away strong international field

Sakhee's Secret (Sakhee - Palace Street, by Secreto) won the Group One Darley July Cup over six furlongs in impressive fashion on Friday, beating a talented field of 18 runners from around the world.

South African challenger Drayton set a good early pace, and at the furlong marker a number of horses had chances but it was Sakhee's Secret, trained by Hughie Morrison, who kicked clear having travelled well and burst clear of the pack. Fellow three-year-old Dutch Art gave chase, but couldn't show quite the same explosive speed as the winner, who was half a length to the good at the line. Red Clubs was third for the Barry Hills stable and French raider Marchand D'Or ran on well from an unpromising position to finish fourth.

Sakhee's Secret was a decent juvenile last term but has blossomed this season, blowing away his opponents in a Newmarket handicap in April before taking Listed contests at Newbury and Salisbury in style.

Sakhee's Secret is owned and bred by Bridget Swire, who campaigned the dam Palace Street, a dual Listed winner for Toby Balding, and has produced talented offspring including Palace Affair, Duke Of Modena and King's Caprice.

"It is quite a performance to go up four grades"

Morrison said: "You can never quite believe that they are that good when they have only won at Listed race level. It is quite a performance to go up four grades. Steve (Drowne) said he had to take a pull after 100 yards – the horse has got much so much toe. Then 100 yards out, he was worried before the horse ran on again.

"It is a fantastic team effort. Everyone has worked incredibly hard. Bob Mottram rides him out every day. He also rode Dayjur and Pastoral Pursuits and is incredibly dedicated.

"The horse is in everything – the Nunthorpe and he will be put in the Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock. The speed he shows you would not be frightened coming back to five. I would not be frightened about going seven furlongs. I need to watch the race again properly. But he has had a very hard race and perhaps we ought to give him a holiday.

"There will come a point when the horse goes to stud. He is an exceptional horse with a great temperament and is good looking. He has speed and stamina in his pedigree – a great mix for people. I suppose the phone won't stop ringing."

"The owner Miss Swire is a big supporter of British racing. She has been half-paralysed since she was very young and finds it hard to get out and about. But she was watching at home with Toby Balding. This is a brilliant result for her."

Hatta Fort takes Superlative Stakes

Hatta Fort (Cape Cross - Oshiponga, by Barathea) won the Group Two Weatherbys Superlative Stakes over seven furlongs, picking up from the rear of the field of ten with a strong run on the stands side. He got to Epsom winner Declaration Of War and the pair drew clear, but Hatta Fort ground out a half length advantage at the line, breaking a run of 60 losing rides for jockey Hugh Bowman.

This was Hatta Fort's fourth start and second win. His debut win came at Windsor in June, where he beat Swiss Franc by a length - that horse was beaten a length and a half by Winker Watson yesterday. His dam is a half sister to the useful Sir George Turner and is from the family of Inchinor.

Trainer Mick Channon said: "We have always thought a lot of Hatta Fort. At Royal Ascot, we thought he could win but the five furlongs was probably a bit too short for him.

"The two-year-old form from Royal Ascot has stood up well this week so we thought it was worth a shot today.

"The ground has been the other big difference today - it's nice to get some decent ground rather than the bogs we've been racing on this year.

"We will see where we go from here - he has a Group Two penalty now. I would like to think he we carry on with him in good races over seven furlongs."