{"id":394705,"date":"2025-09-03T14:06:14","date_gmt":"2025-09-03T14:06:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/394705\/"},"modified":"2025-09-03T14:06:14","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T14:06:14","slug":"sky-majesty-the-haydock-hope-for-william-haggas-in-saturdays-sprint-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/394705\/","title":{"rendered":"Sky Majesty the Haydock hope for William Haggas in Saturday\u2019s Sprint Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"

The three-year-old Almeraq was a five-length winner of the Ayr Gold Cup Trial last time and with that big handicap later this month already ruled out, Haggas and owners Shadwell were deliberating making a swift leap to Group One level.<\/p>\n

However, a smaller step to Listed company is now the plan, with Almeraq to contest the Starman Garrowby Stakes at York the day after Sky Majesty lines up on Merseyside.<\/p>\n

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\ud83d\ude80 Impressive<\/p>\n

Almeraq is a facile winner of the Fergie & Myra Happel Ayr Gold Cup Trial Handicap pic.twitter.com\/TMDnx3is74<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ayr Racecourse (@ayrracecourse) July 21, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Haggas said: \u201cWe\u2019re just going to run Sky Majesty at Haydock and Almeraq will head to York on Sunday.<\/p>\n

\u201cAny rain is going to suit Sky Majesty well and she\u2019s heading there bang in form.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhether that form is good enough we will see, but she goes there fully entitled to take a shot.\u201d<\/p>\n

Owned by Brighton and Hove Albion supremo Tony Bloom alongside Ian McAleavy, Sky Majesty has really hit her stride of late with two impressive victories in Ireland which convinced connections to stump up the supplementary fee of \u00a320,000.<\/p>\n

The owners\u2019 racing manager Sean Graham added: \u201cHer best run last year was at Chantilly when she won on heavy ground.<\/p>\n

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@TomMarquand<\/a> and Sky Majesty pull clear of the field in the closing stages and land the feature Group 3 @HoStud<\/a> Irish EBF Ballyogan Stakes in fine style \ud83d\udc4f@WilliamHaggas<\/a> | @IrishEBF_<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/objzJJJ40R<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Naas Racecourse (@NaasRacecourse) August 24, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re very hopeful she will prove up to Group One level and if there\u2019s going to be plenty of runners you can often need a little luck in running and sometimes the draw can play a part, but we\u2019d be very happy she is heading there in good form and she\u2019s entitled to take her chance.\u201d<\/p>\n

With the ground currently described as good, good to soft in places on Merseyside, it could prove the ideal opportunity for the filly to step back up to the highest level while in peak condition.<\/p>\n

Sky Majesty also holds a Group One entry for the Qipco British Champions Sprint at Ascot on October 18, with Saturday\u2019s outing set to provide a guide for future targets.<\/p>\n

\"SkySky Majesty rafter winning at Ayr last season (Steve Welsh\/PA)<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t get too many chances to have a crack at a Group One when conditions are in your favour and also she holds an entry in the Group One at Ascot on British Champions Day,\u201d continued Graham.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo Saturday will tell us if she has a right to run in that or if we\u2019re flying a bit high and it will give us an idea where we\u2019re going to go for the rest of the season as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sky Majesty is currently a 10-1 chance with the sponsors for the Sprint Cup.<\/p>\n