Rob Hornby – A rollercoaster 2022

We might only be halfway through the flat season, but 2022 will be a year to remember for Rob Hornby, regardless of what happens for the rest of the year.

It’s widely regarded that jockeys can go through turbulent times, and Rob Hornby can verify that. However, the 27-year-old is sure to be on a high after achieving an incredible feat when completing a Group One Falmouth/July Cup double over the weekend.

Derby disappointment

After securing his first Group One last year, with victory aboard Scope in the Prix Royal-Oak in France, he had more Group success in his sights in 2022.

A first Classic win was just two-and-a-half-lengths away when Westover finished in third place in the Cazoo Derby in June. Instead, Hornby was left wondering what might have been after a luckless ride aboard Westover (25/1), in his first race in the race.

As honest and eloquent as ever, Hornby said post race: “There was a gap but it closed quicker than I could get into it. That’s Epsom, that’s horseracing and it’s nice the horse has come out of the race really well.”

You can only be disappointed

Hornby was hoping he could put things right three weeks later back onboard the son of Frankel, in the Irish Derby. Owners, Juddmonte, instead decided against booking Hornby for a trip to Ireland and placed Irish Colin Keane on board.

Hornby commented on the decision by saying “You can only be disappointed, but it’s also understandable they are turning to the services of a three-time Irish champion jockey who has a great deal of experience around the Curragh. “I’m disappointed for myself but, for the whole team at Kimpton, he’s going to be going there with a favourite’s chance and he couldn’t be going there in better shape.”

Despite a rough few weeks, there seems no time to dwell in this sport and Hornby got his head down and his day in the sun soon came.

A first since 2004

Hornby returned to Newmarket to partner Prosperous Voyage, this time on the July Course in the Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes. The pair impressed when staying on to claim second in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas behind Cachet, on what would’ve been the jockeys first British Group One.

Their task looked tricky, amongst a field of five which included superstar Inspiral. It looked all but nailed on that Inspiral would continue her unbeaten run, but Hornby had other ideas.

He sprung a shock in the Newmarket sunshine as his 16/1 shot romped home to give the jockey a landmark success.

It won’t be an alcohol-free weekend

Little more than 24 hours later, Hornby was lining up in the Darley July Cup aboard filly Alcohol Free. The Andrew Balding-trained heroin was mightily impressive when winning both the Coronation Stakes and Qatar Sussex Stakes last year, but since then, her form had gone missing.

She bounced back in spectacular fashion to win the Group One on the July Course in front of a healthy crowed basked in sunshine. The filly stormed clear amongst a field containing two Royal Ascot stars from just three weeks previous.

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

It gave Rob Hornby a memorable couple of days and put him back on a high. He became the first jockey win both the Falmouth Stakes and July Cup on the same weekend since 2004. Johnny Murtagh achieved that feat 18 years ago when winning aboard Soviet Song (Falmouth) and Frizzante (July Cup).

Hornby also follows in similar footsteps of fellow jockey, James Doyle, who registered an incredible Group One double on QIPCO Guineas weekend with Coroebus and Cachet.