Shadwell opt for Listed race at York on Sunday for Almeraq over Sprint Cup and Ayr Gold Cup

Almeraq will run in the Listed Sky Bet Starman Garrowby Stakes on Sunday after connections opted to step the classy three-year-old into stakes company for the first time.

Owned and bred by Shadwell Estates, Almeraq had been under consideration for the Group 1 Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock on Saturday and the Ladbrokes Ayr Gold Cup, but York was selected as the best option.

Trained by William Haggas, Almeraq had been the 5-1 ante-post favourite for Ayr on September 20 with the race sponsor, but connections are keen to step into stakes company following his five-length success at the Scottish course last time.

With rain due at York, and a preference for easier ground conditions, Almeraq will step out of handicap company for the first time in the Garrowby Stakes, which will be broadcast on ITV4 and was won by leading first season sire Starman in 2020.

Angus Gold, racing manager for Shadwell Estates, said: “He goes to York on Sunday. It had always been the plan to go to Haydock, but on reflection it makes sense to try and make him a stakes winner by going to York and then, if that went well, to look at Ascot for Champions Day.

William Haggas: trainer of AlmeraqCredit: Edward Whitaker

“He’s had very little racing and we do think he’s a smart horse, and a horse we’re keen to keep in training next year, so it would be very nice to make him a stakes winner this year.

“We’ve lost time with him this year and while it would be lovely to go to Ayr to try to win the Ayr Gold Cup, we think he’s a stakes horse and it would be good to go to that level with him now.”

Almeraq was a general 8-1 shot for Saturday's Sprint Cup, the same price as Group 1 winners Time For Sandals and No Half Measures. The market is headed by Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes winner Lazzat.

Almeraq's trainer William Haggas landed the Sprint Cup last year with Montassib, who went on to finish fifth in the Champions Sprint at Ascot. Almeraq was cut to 9-1 (from 16) on Wednesday for next month's Group 1 contest.

Betfair Sprint Cup (Haydock, Saturday)
Betfair: 2 Lazzat, 8 Kind Of Blue, No Half Measures, Sayidah Dariyan, Time For Sandals, 10 Sky Majesty, 14 Big Mojo, Flora Of Bermuda, 16 bar.

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