Last Saturday saw the 2024 edition of the Cambridgeshire Festival draw to a close at Newmarket. Much of the betting interest centred around the big field battle over 1m1f in the Cambridgeshire Handicap, whilst elsewhere on the card, a trio of juvenile Group class contests left punters looking ahead to the 2025 Classic campaign.
Inaugurated in 1866, 1899, and 1946 respectively, the Middle Park Stakes, Cheveley Park Stakes, and Royal Lodge Stakes have become staples of the late-season offering at HQ, and each boasts an illustrious roll of honour. Here, we look at the stars who came out on top in 2024 and their prospects for next year.
Wimbledon Hawkeye – Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes, Group 2, 7f
- Trainer – James Owen
- Sire – Kameko
Newmarket-based James Owen enjoyed a productive meeting at his local track. Having broken his duck on the Rowley Mile on Friday afternoon, courtesy of Burdett Road’s runaway success in the Listed Godolphin Stakes, Owen promptly grabbed a first career Group 2 with the impressive Wimbledon Hawkeye.
Kicking his career off with a narrow success in a Novice event at Kempton, this son of Kameko then came up just short when third in the Group 2 Superlative Stakes and second in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes. However, this was the day it all came together, with the mount of James Doyle travelling ominously well throughout before powering 1½l clear inside the final furlong – with the highly regarded duo of Royal Playwright and Angelo Buonarroti in behind.
With his sire having landed the 2020 edition of the 2000 Guineas, a return to this track in May looks like the obvious long-term aim for this colt, who shortened in to 25/1 for the Newmarket Classic on the back of this display. However things pan out in the Guineas, owners The Gredley Family may also be keen to have a crack at the Derby, having come so close with Ambiente Friendly this season. Wimbledon Hawkeye is a best price of 40/1 for that Blue Riband event.
Lake Victoria – Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes, Group 1, 6f
- Trainer – Aidan O’Brien
- Sire – Frankel
There were no surprises in the feature event of the meeting for the fillies, which fell to Aidan O’Brien for the fifth time since 2016 – making the Ballydoyle supremo the most successful trainer in Cheveley Park history.
Lake Victoria was the 2024 star of the show, as the daughter of Frankel turned an eye-catching head-to-head clash with the unbeaten Babouche into a one-horse race. Arriving at Newmarket with a perfect three from three record, Lake Victoria had a couple of questions to answer as she experienced soft ground for the first and stepped down in trip from 7f. She answered them with aplomb – surging clear to score 3l from French raider Daylight.
O’Brien’s four previous winners of the Cheveley Park failed to make an impact in the following year’s Classics, but, with the possible exception of the Galileo filly Clemmie, none were as beautifully bred as the 2024 heroine. The layers are taking few chances with Lake Victoria, who is a best price of just 7/2 for the 1000 Guineas and 12/1 favourite for The Oaks.
Shadow Of Light – Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes, Group 1, 6f
- Trainer – Charlie Appleby
- Sire – Lope De Vega
Hot on the heels of Coolmore’s big race success, perennial rivals Godolphin took their turn in the spotlight. Sent off at just 4/5, punters expected Whistlejacket to hand O’Brien back-to-back wins in the Group 1 events, but he and the rest played second fiddle to the highly impressive Shadow Of Light.
A perfect two-from-two to begin his career, this son of Lope De Vega came up just short on his first crack in Pattern company when a running-on second to Cool Hoof Luke in the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes at York. His finishing effort on the good ground that day suggested he may enjoy the sterner test provided by the soft ground at Newmarket, and so it proved. Prominent throughout, Shadow Of Light sauntered clear once asked to quicken by William Buick – leaving previous Group 1 winner Whistlejacket trailing in his wake.
In handing Appleby a second Middle Park success, Shadow Of Light followed in the hoofprints of half-brother Earthlight, who came home in front in the 2019 edition. He’s in to 25/1 for the 2025 2000 Guineas but, given the speed shown here, the Commonwealth Cup (best price of 8/1) may be the more likely target.
