Key Races at Newmarket this Saturday

Run over 7 furlongs, the Boodles Superlative Stakes race features a field of nine runners competing for a lucrative winner’s prize of £70,888.

Among the leading contenders is Abraham Lincoln, Aidan O'Brien's exciting two-year-old colt, who arrives at Newmarket with an unbeaten record and a growing reputation.

Abraham Lincoln made an immediate impact on his racecourse debut at the Curragh on 26 June 2026. Ridden by Ryan Moore, he landed the Keadeen Hotel Irish EBF Maiden over 6f by 1¾ lengths, providing the opening winner on the first day of the three-day Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby weekend.

While his debut suggested he possesses plenty of natural ability, this represents a notable step up in class against a deeper and more competitive field. The key question is whether he can confirm himself as one of the leading juveniles of the season.

Another colt with an unbeaten record to protect is Al Hudaiba, who represents the powerful Charlie Appleby-Godolphin combination.

Al Hudaiba made a winning debut in the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes at Lingfield on 1 June 2026 before adding a second victory at Newmarket, giving him valuable experience on the July Course. That previous success at the track could prove a significant asset, with the course's demanding uphill finish often favouring horses that have already shown they can handle its unique challenge.

Attention then turns to the day's feature event, the Group 1 sprint for three-year-olds and upwards, one of the most prestigious six-furlong contests of the Flat season.

One of the most compelling contenders in the July Cup is Venetian Sun, the three-year-old filly who arrives at Newmarket with an outstanding record and the confidence of recent Group 1 success. Trained by Karl Burke and owned by Tony Bloom and Ian McAleavy, she has developed into one of the leading sprinters of her generation, boasting six victories from just eight career starts.

By Starman out of the Iffraaj mare Johara, Venetian Sun possesses a pedigree well suited to top-class sprinting, and her performances have more than lived up to that promise. She enjoyed a breakthrough campaign in 2026, claiming a Group 2 success over 6f at Haydock on 23 May before confirming her elite status with victory in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot – a win that CopyBet predicted in the Royal Ascot Day 4 Preview.

The four-year-old Almeraq arrives at Newmarket with an impressive record of four wins from just seven career starts and heads into the July Cup with arguably the strongest recent Group 1 form in the field after his memorable victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. This triumph was made all the more remarkable given that he was returning from a serious fall at York the previous season, highlighting his resilience.

Having already shown he can prevail under intense pressure against the very best sprinters, Almeraq looks set to be one of the principal contenders as he bids to add another prestigious Group 1 title to his résumé.