Group 1 firsts for Oxted, Teal and Fallon in the Newmarket July Cup

There is a long way to go to catch up with the number of Group 1 victories his dad rode but the apple clearly hasn’t fallen too far from the tree with Cieren Fallon. A win in the Group 1 Darley July Cup this afternoon at Newmarket is the first in the career of the young Fallon as he sets off in pursuit of his father’s total.

Teal is the colour

Roger Teal’s yard has been in great form of late. Oxted landed his fifth winner in this last eleven runners and was the first Group 1 winner of his career as well. The Rowley Mile saw Teal come closest to breaking that duck in the past, Tip Two Win runner-up to Saxon Warrior in the 2018 renewal of the 2000 Guineas.

A Fallon masterclass

For a young man who only rode his first winner in 2018, Cieren Fallon has quickly turned into a master in the saddle. The champion apprentice last season, he has built on that foundation through 2019 and into this season.

That was winner number 77 in his short career thus far, still 18 away from losing his claim. Losing his apprentice tag will be in the back of his mind for later in the season. Further Group 1 glory on this fast improving sprinter will be next on the agenda and it’s not hard to see that happening.

Oxted

A Group 3 winner in the Abernant Stakes to kick off this season, he took the step up in class in his stride. The drying ground was a big plus for him, tanking through the contest but able to find enough up the final hill to repel Sceptical and Golden Horde who both ran huge races as they did at Royal Ascot.