Alverta (Flying Spur - Grilse) third by 3/4 of a length in the G1 July Cup, Newmarket, England

Alverta ran the race of her life last night at Newmarket, to finish third in the six-furlong Group 1 July Cup, behind fellow Australian-bred sprinter Starspangledbanner and Equiano, two Group 1 winners from the recent Royal Ascot carnival.

Before the race Alverta, ridden by young Australian jockey Tye Angland, paraded in tremendous order, and jumped smartly from barrier 14 to roll strongly onto the speed, although left out on her own in the middle of the track, while Starspangledbanner tracked immediately to the far side rail, with Equiano taking up the early lead.

As this pair powered on in front, Alverta found the pace and courage to keep in touch with them, and stayed on strongly for third, while Starspangledbanner finally got the better of Equiano to complete the Golden Jubilee-July Cup double. The margins were a neck and three-quarters of a length, and the time 1:09.81.

Paul Messara has commented that he “couldn’t be more proud of her, she has run the race of her career” and from this result she will go on to compete in the Prix Maurice de Gheest G1 over 1300 metres at Deauville on Sunday 9 August.

Paul’s parents John and Kris Messara were at Newmarket to cheer Alverta home and John commented with a smile that he was ‘delighted to see Arrowfield breeding competing at such a high level’ – that being the horse and Paul of course!

Congratulations go to Alverta’s owners John Messara, John Leaver and Alan Jones. All made the trip to Royal Ascot recently and as a stable we are so happy to get this result for them. She is truly a remarkable mare.

AM