Haydock Sprint Cup

REGIONAL win The Lindum York Handicap at York Racecourse in York, England. Picture: Getty Images

The Haydock Sprint Cup is a Group 1 race run under Weight For Age conditions for the sprinters at Haydock Park conducted by the Jockey Club.

The Haydock Sprint Cup is run over six furlongs. It was first run in 1966 and was won by Be Friendly.

The race is one of the younger features of the European flat season and went onto Haydock's new straight track in 1986.

Two year olds were eligible to run in this open race at various times until 1994 but not since. It became that Group 1 in 1998.

The Haydock Sprint Cup is the feature flat race at Haydock each year. It was run at Doncaster in 2008 though.

Along with his Cork and Orrery Stakes win (now the Diamond Jubilee), Danehill won the Haydock Sprint Cup as his other main victory before heading to stud.

Coming off his top July Cup victory, Harry Angel was brilliant in 2017 with sustained speed.

Gordon Lord Byron won in 2013 and would win in Australia six months later.

Be Friendly is the only multiple winner of the race.

Dream Of Dreams just missed in the 2020 Diamond Jubilee but won this two runs later. He would finally get his reward in the Royal Ascot race as well in 2021.

Lester Piggott, Pat Eddery, Willie Carson and Bruce Raymond have all won it on three occasions. John Dunlop is the winningest trainer with four spread over 21 years.

The Haydock Sprint Cup was worth £400,000 in 2023.

Notable winners of the Haydock Sprint Cup include Dream Of Dreams (2020), Hello Youmzain (2019), Harry Angel (2017), Quiet Reflection (2016), Twilight Son (2015), Gordon Lord Byron (2013), Society Rock (2012), Dream Ahead (2011), Reverence (2006), Invincible Spirit (2002), Royal Applause (1997), Danehill (1989), Green Desert (1986), Habibti (1983), Moorestyle (1980), Double Form (1979), Boldboy (1977), Lianga (1975) and Be Friendly (1966/1967).

The 2023 Haydock Sprint Cup was won by Regional from Shouldvebeenaring and Believing.