After Rob Hornby partnered his second Group One winner in 24 hours aboard Alcohol Free in the Darley July Cup at Newmarket, he quipped: “It will not be an alcohol-free weekend!”
Since Hornby lost the winning ride on Westover in the Irish Derby to Colin Keane, he has answered his doubters in the best possible way with a succession of high-profile victories.
This season, Alcohol Free had performed like she needed a drink or had been having one too many, appearing to be out of love with the game.
But yesterday, the filly clearly found her mojo when proving too strong for Naval Crown, with Aussie hope Artorius taking third place.
Perfect Power, sent off the 9-4 favourite and expected to add to his Royal Ascot success, failed to act on the firm ground, finishing seventh of the 13 runners.
“It’s crazy,” said Hornby. “Two Group Ones in two days, who’d have thought it? It has been a crazy year but I’m in a very privileged position to ride top-class horses.
“So many people helped me to get here.”
It was an appropriate victory as Hornby, 27, started his career as a jockey with winning trainer Andrew Balding.
“This is great, I went to Andrew when I was 16 because I was not very good at school,” said Hornby, while being mobbed by an endless flow of punters wanting a selfie.
“So many people helped me to get here.”
Balding (inset) now has next month’s Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood in mind for his star sprinter.
“I’m just delighted for the whole team, Rob and the owner Jeff Smith as well,” said Balding.
“The Sussex Stakes has always been her main target having won the race last year and we were just trying to find the best plan to get her there.
“She won it last year and the mile there suits her really well.”
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