Raammee Secures Third John Smith’s Cup Victory for Roger Varian

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, July 12, 2026

Raammee, ridden by Ray Dawson, won the John Smith’s Cup at York, securing trainer Roger Varian’s third victory in the prestigious handicap. This win reinforces Varian’s dominance in the event and adds to his recent success with multiple winners in the highly competitive British flat racing race.

Raammee secured a significant victory in the John Smith’s Cup at York on Saturday, delivering trainer Roger Varian his third win in the prestigious handicap. Ridden by jockey Ray Dawson, Raammee overcame a late challenge from Hand Of God to win by three-quarters of a length.

Starting at odds of 5-1, Raammee showed consistent momentum throughout the race, moving powerfully into contention before seizing the lead in the crucial stages. Despite strong pressure from Hand Of God in the final stretch, the five-year-old maintained enough strength to hold off the late surge and cross the finish line first.

This triumph marks Varian’s second success in the John Smith’s Cup within the past three years and solidifies his standing in the race’s history. Raammee joins a distinguished list of Varian-trained winners, including Farraaj in 2014 and Enfjaar earlier this year in 2024.

The John Smith’s Cup remains a highly competitive event on the British flat racing calendar, attracting a large field of talented horses and trainers. Varian’s latest win further underscores his expertise in preparing contenders for this valuable handicap race at York.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.