July 11 / 14.25 Newmarket (July)

14.25

Good To Firm

Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes (Sponsored By bet365) (Group 2) (Fillies)

  • Prize money: £56710
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 6 runners
ITV
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Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes (Sponsored By bet365) (Group 2) (Fillies)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

8/15 (Won)

  • Win: £1.40
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 11 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Starman filly who cost 240,000gns as a yearling and is very highly regarded by her connections; two from two, having beaten the solid Argentine Tango at Carlisle (5f) and then enhanced her reputation in the Albany at Royal Ascot (6f, good to firm); trainer's only other Albany winner followed up in this race; much respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

(3)

23rd May 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

14:58 Haydock

Venetian Sun

8st 13lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Top 6f 2yo, completing a notable hat-trick with wins in Group 3 at Royal Ascot, Group 2 at Newmarket (July) and Group 1 at Deauville (all good/good to firm); seemed fine at 7f (ran on after meeting trouble) when third in the Moyglare at the Curragh (yielding) on her final start but shaped like a non-stayer when stepped up to 1m for 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket on reappearance; remains open to progress back at 6f; leading claims.

9/4

11th

19

(1)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Newmarket

Venetian Sun

9st 2lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Absent since finishing third to Precise in the Moyglare Stud Stakes when upped to 7f at the Curragh, losing her unbeaten record but far from disgraced and sticking on in a manner that suggests she'll stay 1m this year; 4-4 previously and completed a notable 6f hat-trick with wins in Group 3 at Royal Ascot, Group 2 at Newmarket (July) and Group 1 at Deauville; may well rate higher still and add to an already impressive tally; pleased her trainer in a racecourse gallop last month; highly respected.

9/2

7

(1)

14th Sep 2025

Yielding

0m 7f 0y

14:40 Curragh

Venetian Sun

9st 2lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

A revelation since a debut success at Carlisle, climbing the Pattern level at a rapid rate; landed the Group 3 Albany Stakes and the Group 2 Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes (beating the subsequent Lowther winner Royal Fixation); gamely resisted the Coventry winner Gstaad in the Prix Morny; tough and talented, hard to be sure she will stay 7f at this stage.

13/8

OUR TIP

11/1

  • Place: £4.60

Form: 1 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Palace Pier filly who cost 180,000gns as a yearling; had more in hand than the winning margin suggests at Thirsk (6f, good to firm) having travelled strongly then needed only hands and heels once hitting the front; goes into deeper waters but is open to progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

11

(5)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:10 Newbury

Royal Fixation

8st 11lb

J: Shane Foley

T: K R Burke

Progressive filly over 6f on good to firm ground last year for Ed Walker, acquitting herself well at Group level after debut win; prevailed in the Lowther at York on penultimate start, then ran well in Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes that was won by the subsequent 1,000 Guineas winner; respected at the weights on debut for new connections.

9/4

3rd

8

(9)

27th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

14:25 Newmarket

Royal Fixation

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: Ed Walker

All three runs at 6f on good to firm; went close in the Group 2 Duchess of Cambridge on the July course and she looked a high-class juvenile when quickening well to beat America Queen by 1l in the Group 2 Lowther at York last month; seems highly regarded and could be anything; probably the one to beat.

2/1

1st

7

(11)

21st Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

13:50 York

Royal Fixation

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: Ed Walker

Strong in the betting when winning on debut at Thirsk (6f, good to firm) in June and built on that in a big way to go close in the Group 2 Duchess of Cambridge at Newmarket (6f, good to firm) last month, when clear with unbeaten Royal Ascot winner Venetian Sun; highly regarded by her trainer, who won this last year, and she holds leading claims.

5/4

Form: 21211 CD

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Scrambled home in a bunched finish for the Empress Stakes over C&D (good to firm; Listed) but took her record to 21211 and continues to be a solid performer; closely matched with Venetian Sun on Carlisle form, albeit with that rival bringing a higher rating after Royal Ascot success.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

13

(2)

23rd May 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:30 Haydock

Argentine Tango

8st 9lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Tim Easterby

2yo Listed winner at Newmarket last June and has run well when fourth in Group 3/Listed races on her two starts this spring, but she would be a shock winner today.

50/1

4th

1

(5)

2nd May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

13:30 Goodwood

Argentine Tango

9st 2lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Scored three times at 2yrs (including in 6f Listed event at Newmarket in June) and also runner-up in the Molecomb here; returned with a good fourth of 13 in Group 3 at Chantilly (5.5f, good) 18 days ago so must enter calculations.

8/1

6

(5)

10th Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

13:15 Newmarket

Argentine Tango

9st 0lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Tim Easterby

Useful filly over 5f and 6f; Listed winner on the July course; respectable third in the Two Year Old Trophy at Redcar (good to soft) most recently; reached her ceiling a while back, however.

20/1

Form: 36

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
£160,000 breeze-up purchase who belied her 100-1 odds with close sixth in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot (5f, good to firm) last time, improving markedly on debut effort and shaping as if this extra furlong will suit; possibilities with another step forward plausible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

13

(4)

5th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 10y

Class 1

15:10 Bath

Shine On Me

8st 12lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Highly tried as a 2yo, placed in Listed/Group 3 company before taking advantage of a straightforward opportunity at Wolverhampton 160 days ago (unimpressive at odds of 1-10); cheekpieces return for her seasonal debut.

7/1

3

(4)

27th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

17:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Shine On Me

9st 2lb

J: James Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Yet to win from six attempts but she's run some good races in classy company, including when runner-up in a Group 3 in France (5f, very soft) on her penultimate run; sets a high standard back in much calmer waters and should be hard to beat on this switch to AW.

1/4

1st

3

(4)

27th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

17:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Shine On Me

9st 2lb

J: James Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Yet to win from six attempts but she's run some good races in classy company, including when runner-up in a Group 3 in France (5f, very soft) on her penultimate run; sets a high standard back in much calmer waters and should be hard to beat on this switch to AW.

1/4

Form: 10

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Won well at Newmarket (good to firm) on 1,000 Guineas day for a promising debut; only midfield (behind Shine On Me) in the Queen Mary kept to 5f but pedigree suggests she should still do better, being out of a Listed scorer for her stable; by no means written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

(7)

23rd May 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

14:58 Haydock

Spicy Marg

8st 13lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Michael Bell

Proved a useful sprinter last season, notably winning over 5f at Glorious Goodwood in the summer and over 6f at Newmarket (good-ground Listed contest) final outing; finished in front of Venetian Sun when creditable eighth in the 1,000 Guineas on her reappearance; while she shouldn't be inconvenienced by the drop back to 6f it remains to be seen whether she can confirm that superiority over Karl Burke's filly at the shorter distance.

12/1

8th

12

(18)

3rd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Newmarket

Spicy Marg

9st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Michael Bell

Proved a useful sprinter last season, notably winning over 5f at Glorious Goodwood in the summer and over 6f at Newmarket (beat Azleet in good-ground Listed contest) final outing; not an obvious 1,000 Guineas player, with doubts over the new trip and the deeper waters (she's a stone below the standard required).

40/1

15

(8)

31st Oct 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

14:12 Newmarket

Spicy Marg

9st 2lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Michael Bell

Won at this track (5f, good to firm) on debut in May and was also successful in a conditions event at Glorious Goodwood; found things tough in the Nunthorpe in August but she really kicked on again with her eyecatching fourth in a Group 3 here (5f, good) three weeks ago; was strong at the finish in that race and she sets the standard on this step back up in trip.

7/2

12/1

Form: 21 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 2lb

2 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Twice-raced filly; well on top at the finish, despite still seeming green, in C&D novice event (good to firm) last time; from a family that includes a few 2yo Group winners for her owner and brings major potential to this suitable next step; interesting contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

(1)

10th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Newmarket

Mood Queen

9st 2lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Richard Hughes

Limitations have been rather exposed over 6f, notwithstanding a respectable effort in the Lowther on penultimate start; new trip needs to have positive effect.

25/1

12

(1)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Ayr

Mood Queen

9st 2lb

J: James Doyle

T: Richard Hughes

Won at Newmarket (6f, good to firm) in June on second start; has come up short in Group 2 races on her two starts since (6f, good to firm) but this isn't as hot as the Lowther last time, in which she was fifth, and perhaps she'll be sharper now in first-time cheekpieces; not discounted.

10/1

5th

5

(9)

21st Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

13:50 York

Mood Queen

9st 2lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Richard Hughes

Built upon the promise of her debut second at Kempton (6f, AW) to win in good style at Newmarket (6f, good to firm); however, she's since been well beaten behind two of these in the Group 2 Duchess of Cambridge at Newmarket (6f, good to firm) and has plenty to prove on the back of that.

66/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £6.90
Straight Forecast £7.40
Trifecta £23.30

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Venetian Sun

NEWMARKET:

Spicy Marg

SPOTLIGHT:

Mood Queen

TOPSPEED:

Argentine Tango

LAMBOURN:

Mood Queen

POSTDATA:

Venetian Sun

The Times:

Venetian Sun

The Guardian:

Venetian Sun

D Express:

Venetian Sun

Daily Mirror:

Venetian Sun

The Sun:

Venetian Sun

The Star:

Venetian Sun

Daily Record:

Venetian Sun

Telegraph:

Spicy Marg

Daily Mail:

Spicy Marg