Regional romps to Sprint Cup success at Haydock Park

Regional (10-1) flew home at Haydock Park to give fledging trainer Ed Bethell a first Group One victory in the Betfair Sprint Cup Stakes on Saturday afternoon.

Having taken over the reigns at the Thorngill stables in Middleham stable from his father James almost three years ago in October 2020, Bethell has quietly been building his string and had notched 38 winners before today. But Regional, a modest £3,500 purchase for his syndicate owners – the Future Champions Racing Regional – provided Bethell with his biggest career success with a first victory at the top level.

Julie Camacho’s Shaquille had been sent off the warm 11-10 favourite to land a third straight Group One success following victories in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot and in the Pertemps Network July Cup at Newmarket. And despite on this occasion being quickly out of the stalls, under James Doyle, and leading the six-furlong sprint for a long way, the three-year-old son of Charm Spirit faded badly to be last of the 16 runners. But while he went backwards Regional was going forward under Callum Rodriguez. Having won over five furlongs in the Listed Achilles Stakes at Haydock earlier in the season, the five-year-old gelding finished a creditable fifth to Live In The Dream in the Group One Nunthorpe Stakes over five furlongs at York last month. But stepped up six furlongs, Regional burst through late on to grab a neck victory over Richard Hannon's Shouldhavebeenaring (50-1) with Believing (66-1) a further half a length back in third and Swingalong (14-1) another three-quarters of a length back in fourth.

Regional was a decisive winner for Bethell, who landed an emotional first success at the top level.

The trainer said: "It’s unreal, the things you dream