Unforgettable Performance by Memory
Every July since 1947, Newmarket Racecourse has been hosting the Cherry Hinton Stakes, or as it is known today, the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cherry Hinton Stakes. In the year 1996, the race gained Group 2 status. It lures numerous top two-year-old fillies to its starting gates each racing season. Held on the first day of the three-day Newmarket July Festival, the Cherry Hinton Stakes are an important part of the racing celebrations. This year, an unforgettable filly named Memory claimed the victory on Wednesday, 7 July 2010.
Memory is trained by Richard Hannon and owned by Highclere Thoroughbred Racing. She faced six other competitors as she entered the starting gates of the Cherry Hinton Stakes and had spectators sitting on the edges of their seats as she trailed last, with only one furlong remaining in the race. Her fellow competitors consisted of Radharcnafarraige, Hooray, Tanfeer, Lily Again, Serena’s Pride and Soraaya. Suddenly, as it seemed that all hope was lost for this talented filly, her jockey, Richard Hughes, switched her across from the rail and began chasing down the front runners with astounding speed and acceleration. This daring move by her jockey proved to be the winning decision, as Memory showed no sign of tiring as she edged her way to the leading position. Memory is known to be quite a stubborn athlete, not allowing jockeys to tell her how to run her races, but on Wednesday it seemed that both Memory and Hughes had the same game plan in mind and moved with confidence and in unison.
Memory crossed the finish line in spectacular fashion, with her jockey sitting up proudly and celebrating her breathtaking effort. Soraaya completed her Cherry Hinton Stakes campaign in second place, with Hooray in third, and followed home by Radharcnafarraige, Lily Again, Serena’s Pride and Tanfeer. With her magnificent performance in the Cherry Hinton Stakes at Newmarket Racecourse, it seems that Memory could be a formidable competitor in the 2011 Guineas 1000. Speaking to the press after the event, as a representative of Memory’s owners, Harry Herbert stated: “I thought it was going to be the classic Newmarket July story when you’re penned in on the rail, but Hughes said she almost enjoys the trouble. He rode her very confidently – but he’s very confident.”
