Comanche Brave (11/1) defeated a string of Group 1 winners to land the July Cup at Newmarket on Saturday for trainer Donnacha O’Brien.

The four-year-old has developed into a top sprinter this season, finishing fifth to world champion Ka Ying Rising at Sha Tin in April before winning the Group 2 Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh in May.

Although the son of Wootton Bassett was down the field at Royal Ascot, he left that form behind here, always travelling like a winner under Billy Loughnane before hitting the front well over a furlong out. The three-year-old filly Venetian Sun finished strongly but Comanche Brave was a length in front at the line. Japanese star Satono Reve, who started favourite, was a close third, a nose in front of the three-year-old Coppull.

O’Brien, who will be 28 later this month, said: “He doesn't do a lot when he gets to the front but I thought he was very impressive. A big well done to the owners who bought into this horse when he was racing in Saudi Arabia (in February). They believed that he could compete at this level and they’ve been proven right today.”

Loughnane (20) added: “This horse is only really just working out how to sprint. He had the most beautiful set-up. I was taking back until a furlong and a half out. I just wanted to nurse him through the downhill section and then let him do his stuff."

The rider, who has also landed Group 1s on Bow Echo this season, added: “I am very grateful to pick up this spare ride from Donnacha, who is a fantastic trainer. I’m in a pinch myself position. I'm fortunate enough to be riding for some very powerful connections, and I have a great team behind me, and thankfully I'm the lucky one that gets to partner these great horses.”

Karl Burke, trainer of the runner-up Venetian Sun, said: “She likes the rain, which we are not getting now. There are races in the autumn to consider and possibly the Prix Maurice de Gheest beforehand in four weeks’ time, which is doable if she comes out of today’s race fine.

“She just feels this ground, and showed what she can really do on soft ground at Haydock.

“I’ll have to watch the replay, but Cliff (Lee, jockey) just thought after the first furlong he didn’t quite have the position he wanted today. She has shown she is right out of the top drawer today.”

Christophe Lemaire, rider of third-placed Satono Reve, said: “He was looking around and racing well but didn’t pick up as I expected. He kept his beautiful stride but just didn’t gear up as I expected.”

Bred by Aidan and Annemarie O'Brien's Whisperview Trading, Comanche Brave is a four-year-old colt by Wootton Bassett out of Ishvana, by Holy Roman Emperor.

Ishvana was trained by Aidan O'Brien to win the 2012 Jersey Stakes at 20/1. Her previous two foals to race have also won without getting any blacktype.

Comanche Brave was owned jointly by Annemarie O'Brien and Sue Magnier when he raced at two and three. He was not far off the best milers last year, finishing fifth in the Irish 2000 Guineas, but he has improved markedly this year at shorter trips.

Now carrying the colours of Muhaideb Al Muhaideb, who is often represented at the track by Khalid Mishref, he is the first Irish-trained winner of the July Cup since Ten Sovereigns in 2019.