Kentucky Derby 2026
KENTUCKY DERBY PRESENTED BY WOODFORD RESERVE (G1) Churchill Downs – 2nd May 2026 There’s already a fantastic story to go with the 2026 Kentucky Derby as Cherie Devaux became the first female trainer to win the race with GOLDEN TEMPO. The winner certainly took a bit of finding as his International SP of 25/1 might […]
Betfred 2000 Guineas Stakes
BETFRED 2000 GUINEAS STAKES (G1) Newmarket – 2nd May 2026 The headline grabbing statistic from Bow Echo’s victory in the Betfred 2,000 Guineas this year is the fact that a winning time of 1:35.59 made this the 3rd fastest winning time since the year 2,000 in this race. The ground plays a major part in […]
Gran Premio Republica Argentina
GRAN PREMIO REPUBLICA ARGENTINA Palermo – 1st May 2026 Need You Tonight (Hat Ninja – En Exceso) was able to retain his crown in Friday’s Gran Premio Republica Argentina at Palermo. Ridden by William Pereyra, the son of Hat Ninja was kept covered on the inside rail for the majority of the contest, but once […]
Longines Kentucky Oaks
LONGINES KENTUCKY OAKS (G1) Churchill Downs – 1st May 2026 The 2026 running of the Longines Kentucky Oaks was certainly wide open. Going to post with a field of 13 runners and having the market settle at 9/2 the field is testament to the fact that the trial races leading to the Kentucky Oaks had […]
Commonwealth Cup Trial Stakes
COMMONWEALTH CUP TRIAL STAKES (THE PAVILION STAKES) (G3) Ascot – 1st May 2026 A steadily run Commonwealth Cup Trial probably wasn’t on the bingo card for Ascot on Friday, but the fact that this field got to the halfway point before the pace began to lift is perhaps the key to explain the result. A […]
Henkel-Stutenpreis
Henkel-Stutenpreis (Listed) Düsseldorf – 24th April 2026 This is the first visit to Germany for this blog in 2026 but there was quite a lot to like about the performance of Indifferente and I think this 3-year-old race should work out relatively well. The first 3 fillies to cross the line are all trained in […]
Sandown Classic Trials Day
Sandown Classic Trials Day Review 24th April 2026 The sun has begun to shine more regularly and now that the Jumps season has come to an end in the UK, the Flat season is now centre stage. The Guineas meeting is less than 7 days away and as a result, it is definitely time to […]
Greenham Stakes
WATERSHIP DOWN TOO DARN HOT GREENHAM STAKES (G3) Alparslan (Clifford Lee) wins the Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes at Newbury Racecourse 18.04.26 Photo © Francesca Altoft focusonracing.com The Dewhurst form did take a boost in this year’s running of the Greenham Stakes at Newbury, but not necessarily in the manner that might […]
Oaklawn Handicap
OAKLAWN HANDICAP (G2) Sovereignty and Journalism shared the US Triple Crown races between them last season and were at the very top of the 3-year-old crop in 2025. The fact that they were both making their return in the Oaklawn Handicap made for a mouth watering clash and I think that both sets of connections […]
Newmarket Craven Meeting Review
Newmarket Craven Meeting Review This week has really felt like the new Flat season is now underway. The Craven meeting on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket is the traditional starting point on the road to the first Classics of the season and beyond. With that in mind, I have selected some of the highlights from […]