'It won't be an alcohol-free weekend' - Rob Hornby revels in another Group 1

Saturday: Darley July Cup, Newmarket

Rob Hornby belongs at the top table. Prosperous Voyage’s surprise win in the Falmouth was a polite reminder not to forget him and then, little more than 24 hours later, Alcohol Free’s blitz in the July Cup was an emphatic, chest-beating, proud declaration of his talents. Hornby, simply, is very good.

Last month he was in danger of becoming typecast as a jockey you replaced if you were fortunate enough to have a really good horse.

Juddmonte gave him the chance in the Derby and Westover met trouble en route to being beaten. Replaced by Colin Keane, Westover won the Irish Derby by seven lengths.

And yet, for all that Hornby said the right things and took it on the chin, he was not ready to accept that fate. His career has been a slow burn, a product of the Andrew Balding academy. He was not one of its superstar alumni – until now.

Hornby knew this weekend was important if he was to change that perception before it was too late. Earlier this week he told his mother excitedly he had two Group 1 rides in two days, and they both had chances. He took both of them.

“It won’t be an alcohol-free weekend,” he quipped when asked how he would celebrate.

Rob Hornby celebrates crossing the line after a brilliant performance from Alcohol FreeCredit: Edward Whitaker

Riding in the famous Jeff Smith silks for the trainer he joined as a 16-year-old “because I wasn’t very good at school”, Hornby produced the sort of ride which meant that in a six-furlong Group 1 filled with some of the best sprinters from around the world, he could stand up in his irons and punch the air fully three or four strides before the line.

This was not Mickael Barzalona flamboyance on Pour Moi when he won the 2011 Derby. Hornby had categorically put the race to bed. It was a pure celebration of an achievement and he very much knew its significance.

After Prosperous Voyage’s win, Hornby was asked multiple times about the Westover saga. It is a mark of how well he spoke, not to mention the degree to which his riding had done the talking, that here it was all about him.

Not that the rider saw it that way. Asked to sum up taking his career Group 1 tally from one to three in little more than 24 hours he said: “It’s crazy really; it’s amazing; I’m speechless. Yesterday was amazing but to have two Group 1 rides in two days is fantastic let alone two winners.

“Alcohol Free is a three-, now a four-time, Group 1 winner. These rides are huge to get and I’m very thankful to Mr Balding and Mr Smith, and the whole team need credit.

Rob Hornby with the July CupCredit: Edward Whitaker

"She’s a fiery character and there’s a lot that goes on at home behind the scenes to manage her. Rachel, who looks after her, certainly has a few more scars now.”

Coming into the race, sprinting had been the big question mark. Alcohol Free had won the Group 1 Cheveley Park over six furlongs at two, but since then her Group 1 wins have come over a mile in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

“I think we’ll stick to six furlongs now,” Hornby said before elaborating. "I was unsure at half-way. She got a bit unorganised and I wasn’t sure if she was feeling the ground but once I got her into top gear and she hit the rising ground she pulled away and won really convincingly.”

Much as fate played a part in Hornby keeping the Prosperous Voyage ride – Ralph Beckett admitted that had Frankie Dettori’s sabbatical from Clarehaven continued, her owners would have opted to replace Hornby – he acquired the ride on Alcohol Free this season due to Oisin Murphy’s 14-month ban.

“I got this opportunity at the start of the year,” Hornby said. “When we got beaten at Sandown you think, ‘is she perhaps not the horse she was?’ so it’s fantastic she has gone and shown everyone she still has all that ability.”

Speaking of ability, a mention must go to the James Doyle-ridden Naval Crown, who, like Alcohol Free, has reverted to sprinting this season and from the front saw off all but the winner, with Australian raider Artorius separating the two Godolphin stablemates with William Buick’s mount Creative Force fourth.

Rob Hornby's rollercoaster month

June 4: Hornby finishes an unlucky third in the Derby on Westover, being short of room at a key point of the race. The pair stay on promisingly behind Desert Crown.

June 21: He loses the ride on Westover in the Irish Derby as connections opt for Ireland-based Colin Keane.

June 25: Westover wins the Irish Derby by seven lengths under Keane.

June 28: Scope, the horse who gave Hornby his first Group 1 winner in the Prix Royal-Oak last year, suffers a fatal injury on the gallops.

July 8: A breakthrough first domestic Group 1 winner for Hornby as Prosperous Voyage beats 1-7 shot Inspiral in the Falmouth Stakes.

July 9: Hornby rides his second top-level winner in 24 hours as Alcohol Free causes an upset in the July Cup.

Read more from Super Saturday:

July cup: Artorius camp plot French raid as Soumillon blames ground for Perfect Power loss

Peter Thomas: The heat is on and dress codes eased but this glorious day belongs to Rob Hornby (£)

Superlative Stakes: 'He's really special' - Isaac Shelby emerges as a Guineas hope after Group 2 win

York: 'I couldn't believe my eyes' - stunning Royal Aclaim the new Nunthorpe favourite

Ascot: 'We can't duck Baaeed' - Chindit camp up for rematch after Summer Mile victory

Newmarket: It's a Jamie Spencer special in the Bunbury Cup - but not as we know it

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