Reece James Wins with Racehorse Scomessa Sicura

Reece James, the Chelsea defender, is celebrating a win as his racehorse Scomessa Sicura scored her first victory on Thursday. The two-year-old filly won the £40,000 British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes at Newmarket.

What happened?

Scomessa Sicura, trained by Andrew Balding and ridden by champion jockey Oisin Murphy, defeated outsider Tall Trees by a length. The favorite, Godolphin newcomer Peaceful Charm, finished a well-beaten fourth.

The race details

The filly, owned by James and Opulence Thoroughbreds, began to pay back a significant chunk of her £105,000 purchase price. She started as a 2-1 chance and was well on top at the finish.

Why it matters for Reece James

James, a key member of Thomas Tuchel's squad, is currently dealing with a hamstring injury. He may not be available for Saturday's huge quarter-final clash with Norway. But his success in horse racing is a welcome distraction.

What comes next?

Scomessa Sicura is set for a step up in class next. According to Edward Brown, racing manager of Opulence Thoroughbreds, the natural progression would be to go into Listed company. She could even go up to a mile, provided she comes out of the race well.

The win is a significant one for James, who has had shares in other horses. He has visited Andrew Balding's yard near Newbury, Berks, and is clearly passionate about horse racing.

James's World Cup commitments prevented him from attending the race at Newmarket on Thursday. But he could have watched the race run at 9:10 am Florida time.

The future looks bright for Scomessa Sicura, which translates from Italian as 'sure thing'. Previous winners of the race include Desert Flower, who landed last year's 1,000 Guineas.

Brown said: 'It was great to see the filly get her head in front at last. She had three seconds before.' He added that they were quietly confident before the race, given the filly's form.

The win is a testament to James's success as a horse owner. He will be hoping that Scomessa Sicura can continue to perform well in the future.

The £40,000 British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes was a significant win for James and Opulence Thoroughbreds. It marked a successful start to the Newmarket July Festival.

James will be keeping a close eye on Scomessa Sicura's progress. He will be hoping that she can continue to win and bring him success in the world of horse racing.

The Chelsea defender is clearly passionate about horse racing. He has invested significant time and money into his horses, and it is paying off.

Scomessa Sicura's win is a significant one for James. It marks a successful start to the Newmarket July Festival and sets her up for a promising future.

The filly's next race will be eagerly anticipated. James will be hoping that she can continue to perform well and bring him success in the world of horse racing.