Updated: November 2019

The 2018 Moet & Chandon July Festival – Newmarket

10 January 2019

The 2018 Moet & Chandon July Festival – Newmarket 12th – 14th July

The second week of July see’s one of the biggest flat race meetings of the year taking place at the stunning “July Course” in Newmarket, when horses, jockeys and trainers from across the globe will be pitching up to claim victory at the 2018 Moet & Chandon July Festival run at Newmarket’s picturesque July course. Just Saturday alone sees nearly £800,000 in prize money up for grabs.

The racing is of the highest quality with a mix of handicap, listed and group races to suit every horse racing fans appetite.

In this post we want to pinpoint some of the key players this week, but before we get to that we wanted to give you an insight into Newmarket the town, and what other attractions you can enjoy on your racing day out. Racing starts at 1.50pm on Thursday and Friday with an earlier 1.05pm start on July Cup day which is Saturday.

A day at the races is always fun so why not plan your day a bit earlier and take in one or two of Newmarket’s other attractions to make it a day to remember.

The 2018 Moet & Chandon July Festival – Things to do in Newmarket
1. The National Stud – https://www.nationalstud.co.uk/

The National Stud is the sole commercial stud farm based in the UK to allow racing fans the opportunity to witness behind the scenes of a working Thoroughbred stud farm. Tours of The National Stud are run by Discover Newmarket and a visit gives a full tour in just 90 minutes. This is perfect for the ardent racing fan. You can travel the night before and stay in one of the hotels in or close to Newmarket, have a late breakfast and then a tour to The National Stud before enjoying an afternoons racing at the 2018 July Meeting.

Seeing how a breeding operation works is a real eye opener as you get to see how a stallion and mare are prepared, and of course their will be all the lovely foals to look at and photograph.

2. Spa and Wellness at Bedford Lodge Hotel – https://www.bedfordlodgehotelspa.co.uk/

The Bedford Lodge Hotel is one of those places that you go to for that “special treat” and their spa centre is renowned as one of the finest luxury spa and wellness centres in Suffolk. The spa itself is highly acclaimed and has been recognised by the Good Spa Guide with their highest rating.

They have an amazing hydrotherapy pool that allows you to relax the body before one of the many spa and beauty treatments.

Just some of the wide range of treatments include:

Massage Treatments
Manicures and Pedicures
Facials
Meditation

They also provide a special “Race Day Spa Package”

3. Wild Tracks Go Karting – http://www.wildtracksltd.co.uk/

Staying with the theme of racing, how about getting in the swing of things with a session of speed and thrills at the “Wild Tracks” Go Karting venue.

This is a bigger outdoor track and ideal for groups. We found when researching this list of things to do in and around Newmarket, that the reviews for this venue were very good indeed and the response to reviews is quick. It strikes us that customer service is important at this venue.

Fast and furious and sitting only inches above the track, this outdoor go karting experience offers an adrenaline filled morning or afternoon of entertainment, and brings out the competitive side in everyone. Their 700m tarmac circuit is wide, allowing you and your guests plenty of room for overtaking, it makes for a unique experience and adds a competitive edge to a group trip.

4. The National Horseracing Museum

This is one venue that is ideal for couples and or families.

The museum is an educational dream for horse racing lovers everywhere! It tells a complete story from its origins with the royal family to the amazing story of the legendary Lester Piggott and onto the modern day hero jockey Frankie Dettori, plus many more modern sports stars.

The museum is a signatory and charter member to the Kids in Museums Manifesto and makes sure there’s plenty to see and do for the young budding racing fan. Their “junior tour” makes learning about racing fun and cool in this state-of-the-art museum. Trot past original artworks in the Fred Packard Galleries of British Sporting Art, or go a bit quicker and canter on down to the Practical Gallery for a spot of mimicking, dressing up and play.

Racing fanatics will jump at the chance to meet actual horses and watch as they’re retrained for the track. Then, for a spot of lunch, go to the “Tack Room Restaurant” where you’ll find more than just oats and hay.

The 2018 Moet & Chandon July Festival – Racecards
Thursday 12th July

13:50 Bahrain Trophy Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1, 1m 5f, 16 runners)

14:25 Arqana July Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1, 6f, 21 runners)

15:00 bet365 Handicap (Class 2, 6f, 31 runners)

15:35 Princess Of Wales’s Arqana Racing Club Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1, 1m 4f, 10 runners)

16:10 British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes (Plus 10) (Class 2, 6f, 27 runners)

16:45 Edmondson Hall Solicitors Sir Henry Cecil Stakes (Listed) (Class 1, 1m, 18 runners)

17:20 Saeed Suhail Saeed Handicap (Class 2, 5f, 16 runners)

Friday 13th July

13:50 bet365 Handicap (Silver Bunbury Cup) (Class 2, 7f, 65 runners)

14:25 Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes (sponsored By bet365) (Fillies’ Group 2) (Class 1, 6f, 17 runners)

15:00 bet365 Handicap (Class 2, 1m 2f, 23 runners)

15:35 Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes (Fillies’ Group 1) (Class 1, 1m, 16 runners)

16:10 Weatherbys British EBF Maiden Stakes (Plus 10) (Class 3, 7f, 32 runners)

16:45 discovernewmarket.co.uk Handicap (Class 2, 1m 6f, 15 runners)

17:20 Saeed Suhail Saeed Handicap (Class 3, 1m, 21 runners)

Saturday 14th July

13:05 Bet365 Superlative Stakes (Class 1, 7f, 17 runners)

13:40 Bet365 Bunbury Cup Handicap (Class 2, 7f, 51 runners)

14:15 Darley July Cup Stakes (Class 1, 6f, 19 runners)

14:50 Rossdales British Ebf Maiden Fillies’ Stakes (plus 10 Race) (Class 3, 7f, 26 runners)

15:20 Bet365 Mile Handicap (Class 2, 1m, 24 runners)

15:55 Spa At Bedford Lodge Hotel British Ebf Fillies’ Handicap (Class 2, 7f, 12 runners)

16:30 Saeed Suhail Saeed Handicap (Class 3, 1m 4f, 16 runners)

N.B. Please note that these are not the final declarations but full entries.

The 2018 Moet & Chandon July Festival – Race Analysis and Betting Tips
Thursday

There are three group races on day one, headlined by the Group 2 “Princess Of Wales’s Arqana Racing Club Stakes” where we normally see some of the better older horses going up against the classic 3 year old crop. This year is no different and it could pay to look at the three year old’s this year with Derby placed Dee Ex Bee representing Mark Johnstone and Aidan O’Brien represented by Lucius Tiberius, leading British trainer John Gosden is represented by Raa Atoll and the five year old Muntahaa.

Dee Ex Bee was disappointing last time out but can be expected to bounce back here on a track that should suit. The latter pair of three year old’s are still unexposed and look likely to improve.

Thursday also see’s the July Stakes for 2 year olds, and Sergei Prokofiev looks a likely winner for the all conquering Ballydoyle stable of Aiden O’Brien.

A very solid third at Royal Ascot when still looking in need of the experience, we can expect this one to come on for that race.

Friday

The Group 1 Falmouth Stakes for fillies is the highlight of day two and everybody will be wanting to see the Jessica Harrington trained and victorious Ascot winner Alpha Centauri take her place in the line up. The filly fulfilled earlier promise when bounding clear at Royal Ascot and their was no more impressive winner over the course of the week, and this will be a red hot favorite.

The other group race on the card (The Duchess of Cambridge Stakes) is for two year old fillies and a fascinating encounter awaits.

The Mark Johnstone trained Royal Ascot Winner Main Edition looks set to renew rivalry with Pelosa and Fairyland who finished just behind at Royal Ascot, but it could be the less fashionable Pretty Pollyanna who could spring a surprise after finishing a never nearer fifth in that same race and should be a working mans price.

Saturday

Saturday sees the feature of the week, the 6 furlong July Cup.

Blue Point from the Godolphin yard is likely to be sent off favorite after winning the 5 furlong Kings Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot and the additional furlong here should be no problem. Eqtidaar and Sands of Mali who finished first and second in the Commonwealth Cup at the royal meeting pose major threats to the Godolphin runner, but it could be forgotten horse Limato who trounces all of them.

Only rated 3lbs inferior to Blue Point, the horse has just not fired this season and it is interesting that trainer Henry Candy has another crack at the race this horse won so impressively back in 2016, as well as finishing runner up last year. This is the horses time of year and ground conditions should be fine. Sure to be a big price here and represents some value.

The other big race on Saturday is the Bunbury Cup, the big handicap of the week. Always an open affair we will add a full right up on this on Friday once the declarations are made. At present the three at the top of the market are:

Gilgamesh 7/1

Society Power 8/1

Mubtasim 12/1

Good luck with your bets this week and feel free to share this article with your racing friends. Enjoy the racing.