Thursday 3rd September, 2026 Acclamation Star shines brightest in Dick Poole at Salisbury

By Press Association Sport Reporters

Acclamation Star produced a career-best performance to gamely land the IRE-Incentive, It Pays To Buy Irish Dick Poole Fillies’ Stakes at Salisbury.

Without a victory since winning at Bath on debut, James Owen’s juvenile was a 28-1 shot in the hands of Kieran Shoemark, who had no hesitation in striding on aboard the daughter of Acclamation.

Richard Hannon’s Dark Issue and Kevin Philippart De Foy’s Sweet Solera Stakes runner-up Nuit d’Eclair came to challenge inside the closing stages, but they had to settle for second and third place respectively as Acclamation Star proved too tough to pass, registering a half-length success.

Owen told Racing TV: “She hit the gates really well and the plan was to take a handy sit. She perhaps over raced a little bit early on, but as soon as she got daylight she settled lovely and Kieran rides great and knows this track better than we do. She toughed it out really well.

“I think these tactics will be used again in the future. She gets six furlongs and could go seven looking at her pedigree.

“It’s lovely to have a winner for the owner-breeder Peter Gleeson. When I was pre-training he was my landlord at my stables, which I rented off him before I managed to buy them. It’s lovely to repay him with a Group winner.

“She’s pretty smart and I always thought she would nick a bit of black type. The plan after this was to go to the Listed race at Newmarket. Whether we go there now with a penalty or look to go somewhere else, I’m not sure.

“She has a bit of size and scope and will train on next year as well, so there is no rush.”

On a fine afternoon for Shoemark, he also landed the British EBF Quidhampton Maiden Fillies’ Stakes aboard Roger Varian’s 11-10 favourite Miss Miniver, who built on her Kempton debut second to subsequent Prestige Stakes third Coaxed to shade a neck verdict over the John and Thady Gosden-trained Thi Qar.

Ralph Beckett and Rossa Ryan also teamed up to complete a double, with Rose Moon (5-2) making a successful start to her career in division two of the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Restricted Novice Stakes before stablemate Zen Diva made it four wins from her last five starts in the European Bloodstock News EBF ‘Lochsong’ Fillies’ Handicap.

Beckett enjoyed three winners in all, with Rock In Japan an 8-1 winner of division one of the one-mile novice event in the hands of Edward Greatrex.

Thursday 3rd September, 2026 Item set for Leopardstown before any decision on Arc is made

By Adam Morgan, Press Association

Item is set to join stablemate Blue Bolt on the trip to Ireland next week, with Andrew Balding stating his intention to have a crack at the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes with the Juddmonte International Stakes hero.

Balding had hinted at a return to further for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with the Frankel colt, but before a trip to ParisLongchamp comes under consideration, Item will first head to Leopardstown for what could prove a huge afternoon for both the Kingsclere team and owners Juddmonte, with Blue Bolt also in action in the Matron Stakes.

Balding told the Press Association: “I’m very happy with both Item and Blue Bolt and I’m hoping they will both go to Leopardstown.

“The Arc is still in the picture for Item, but he wouldn’t want to go a mile and a half on soft ground, that’s for sure. He’ll go to Ireland and then see.”

Item is currently 3-1 with Paddy Power for one of the features of the Irish Champions Festival, with Aidan O’Brien’s Constitution River the even-money favourite for the Group One showpiece, while the Balding runner is a general 12-1 chance for the Arc on October 4.

Europe’s richest middle-distance prize is also under consideration once again for star mare Kalpana, who has enjoyed a dream season adding the Yorkshire Oaks to the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes she landed previously on the Knavesmire last month.

The thriving five-year-old was seventh on the Bois de Boulogne behind Daryz last year and is currently enjoying a short break before her team build her up to conclude her fine campaign either on the continent or back at her beloved Ascot in search of a third British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes.

Balding added: “Kalpana has two autumn targets that we’re considering, but we will know more nearer the time. Obviously they are the Arc and Ascot.”

Thursday 3rd September, 2026 Bath not Doncaster to kick-off Flat season as BHA releases 2027 fixture list

By Press Association Sport Reporters

In a break with tradition, the Flat turf season in 2027 will start at Bath rather than Doncaster.

The fixture list released by the British Horseracing Authority on Thursday revealed Bath will host turf racing on Good Friday, March 26, with the two-day Lincoln meeting at Doncaster starting on April 3.

The latter comes just before Aintree’s three-day Grand National Festival beginning on April 8. Cheltenham runs from March 16-19 and Royal Ascot opens on June 15.

A total of 1,440 fixtures will be staged, down 18 from 2026. However, despite the slight reduction, the BHA’s director of racing Richard Wayman said in a blog last week that the total number of programmed races will remain similar.

He added: “We already know that different parties across the sport have a different view on whether the 2027 fixture list should have been cut. Primarily with customers in mind, some have argued for a contraction even though that would mean less money coming into the sport, at least in the immediate term. Others, meanwhile, believe that we should prioritise income levels, and therefore prize-money, to avoid a further decline in racehorse ownership, even though that means field sizes are likely to remain under pressure at times of the year,

“In the end and after considerable debate, the BHA board concluded that the sport’s interests would be best served by seeking to support prize money and our long-term growth agenda, meaning, therefore, the volume of racing would remain largely unchanged in 2027.”

In response to the publication of the fixture list, the Professional Jockeys Association said in a statement: “The PJA, our board and our members are somewhat surprised at the BHA board’s decision to agree no material change to the 2027 fixture list.

“It is a risky strategy considering the declining broodmare band and foal crop, staff retention issues and the continuous strain on participants and others that results from servicing the relentless nature of the fixture list. Whilst we disagree with the board’s decision, we respect their right to take it and hope it is a decision that is proven to be the correct one.

“The PJA has said repeatedly when it comes to the fixture list that we can’t keep doing the same thing and expecting different results. We do therefore welcome the fact that proposals are being put before the Horserace Betting Levy Board for a package of measures which, if approved, will provide further, meaningful incentives for the breeding, training, and owning of horses in Britain.

“The process of creating the fixture list is not an easy one. We appreciate the hard work of the BHA’s race planning team and will continue to play an active and constructive role in trying to positively address the issues we face.”

Thursday 3rd September, 2026 Bookmakers bracing for Constitution hit

By Press Association Sport Reporters

Bookmakers might be left licking their wounds on Saturday, with punters reportedly backing Constitution Hill “in their droves” ahead of the William Hill September Stakes at Kempton Park.

Nicky Henderson’s superstar hurdler-turned fledgling Flat performer has captured the imagination since switching his attention to the level after a torrid spell over obstacles that saw three falls in four starts.

Crowds flocked to Southwell in February for his debut under the lights, and followed suit at Kempton the following month.

And while this weekend’s Group Three test represents a huge step up in class, his supporters have been out in force in the ante-post market on the mile-and-a-half affair.

Lee Phelps, spokesperson for the sponsors, said: “Declarations are in so we know who we’re going to be cheering on against Constitution Hill on Saturday.

“The Henderson star has been well backed all week, from as big as 12-1 on Monday, so it’s been something of a one-horse-book. He’s a significant loser and we’re going to need some of the established Flat performers to oblige if we’re to dodge a lumpy six-figure payout.

“Gethin is our idea of the likeliest winner and tops the betting at 6-4. It’s then Tornado Alert and Pride Of Arras who are followed by the former Champion Hurdler at 9-2.

“It’s interesting to see The King and Queen running Warrant Holder too – he’s a 12-1 shot and it would be some story if their charge was to spoil the Constitution Hill party.”

For Ladbrokes, Nicola McGeady said of the 2023 Champion Hurdle hero: “Constitution Hill is the horse everyone wants to be with this weekend. He’s up against some really good horses, but punters are backing him in their droves.

“It would be a fantastic story for racing fans, but not such a great one for us.”

Coral’s John Hill added: “Constitution Hill has been well backed throughout the week, and that support has continued following the declarations for Saturday’s September Stakes.

“He’s now just behind Tornado Alert in the betting, and if the confidence behind the former Champion Hurdle winner continues, he could close the gap on Gethin at the head of the market come Saturday afternoon.”

Thursday 3rd September, 2026 The Reverend set for return from injury in Irish Cesarewitch

By Adam Morgan, Press Association

Smart dual-purpose performer The Reverend is on track to make his return from injury in the Friends Of The Curragh Irish Cesarewitch.

Owned by Brighton & Hove Albion’s Tony Bloom alongside Ian McAleavy, the five-year-old was a winner of four races on the level for William Haggas – including Haydock’s valuable Old Borough Cup – before switching to Willie Mullins to go hurdling.

Injury struck prior to an intended outing at the Cheltenham Festival earlier in the year, but having been nursed back to full health, attentions will switch back to the level and the Curragh’s valuable staying handicap on September 27 that has a guaranteed prize-fund of €500,000.

Bloom’s racing manager Sean Graham said: “A week before Cheltenham he got a hairline fracture of his pelvis and luckily enough Willie and his team spotted it and he was given box rest before going on the walker for six to eight weeks.

“He’s been back in proper training now since early August and the Irish Cesarewitch will be his first major target.

“He’s never won over two miles on the Flat but we do think he’ll stay.

“It’s fabulous prize-money and there will be 26 runners in it and there might be one or two better handicapped than him, but he’s classy and he will handle the easy ground which you will get at the Curragh at that time of the year.”

“Bunting and Mythical Bay also have entries in that race and all three horses are progressive.”

Although holding an entry for the Irish Cesarewitch, the aforementioned Bunting is predicted to take a high rank over fences this winter after making a fine chasing debut at Ballinrobe, hacking up by 15 lengths.

Explaining the switch to the larger obstacles, Graham added: “Willie had been a bit frustrated with the horse and earlier in the summer said he thought we should go over fences as he hadn’t won since his debut for us and Willie doesn’t like it when horses go on losing runs as it can become a bit of a habit.

“I was thinking he was third in the Cesarewitch last year and run well on the Flat before so do you not just keep him to the Flat, but Willie stuck him in the novice chase at Ballinrobe and in fairness I was gobsmacked by how easily he won.

“He handles soft ground so he can run over fences all winter and the ground won’t bother him one bit.

“He’s 132 over hurdles and with that performance he’s probably already 10lb higher over fences and has the full season ahead of him – hopefully he can pick up a few decent prizes.

“The way he attacked his fences and jumped, if he gets another couple of runs and nice experiences under his belt, he could be tackling graded races at some point in the season.”

Thursday 3rd September, 2026 Graffard expecting to see much more like the real Daryz on Sunday

By Press Association Sport Reporters

Francis-Henri Graffard is brimming with confidence ahead of Daryz’s return in the Qatar Prix Foy at ParisLongchamp on Sunday.

The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe hero made a fantastic start to his campaign, securing another two top-level victories in the Prix Ganay and Prix Aga Khan IV, but could finish only third went sent to Royal Ascot for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes in June.

Graffard is adamant British racegoers did not see Daryz at his best and is expecting him to prove any lingering doubters wrong this autumn, with this weekend’s Group Two contest viewed as a stepping-stone to the defence of his Arc title in four weeks’ time.

“I couldn’t be happier with the condition of the horse,” the trainer told Sky Sports Racing.

“Obviously I was very disappointed people didn’t see the right Daryz at Ascot. We had excuses and it was decided to focus on a second attempt at the Arc, so I’ve got him ready for the Prix Foy on Sunday.

“He spent a really bad day in the yard at Ascot – he never really relaxed and was shouting at all the other horses that were going up and down to the races, so he never really had a quiet moment. I was a bit upset with that and then his blood test showed that he wasn’t right – he had a bit of an infection and some of my other horses were sick also. Everything went against him and it’s a shame really.”

Having been given plenty of time to get over Ascot, Daryz is ready for his comeback following a pleasing recent workout at Deauville.

Graffard added: “The horse is in very, very good shape. It was a nice, strong piece of work (at Deauville). Mickael (Barzalona) was very pleased with the horse, he had a bit of weight to lose, which he did in that piece of work, so it was important to get him ready for Sunday.

“Last year he got beaten in his trial because of the way the race was run and we had a bit question mark about his ability on soft ground, so we weren’t too hard on him in the trial. I think this year he is ready, but he will come on a lot for the race to be at 100 per cent for the Arc. He’s ready to run well anyway.”

The Chantilly handler has trained a whole host of Group One winners in recent years, including the brilliant Calandagan, who at one time was the highest-rated turf horse on the planet.

However, there is no hiding the esteem in which Daryz is held.

“When he won his two Group Ones at the beginning of the season, his turn of foot was just incredible and his sectionals were fantastic. He’s a horse with a lot of ability, I was upset he couldn’t show that at Ascot, so hopefully this autumn he can show everybody how good he is,” said Graffard.

“I think he’s an amazing horse. I don’t know if Princess Zahra will let me travel again with him, but I would love to show people abroad just how good he is.

“On his day, I think he’s absolutely incredible – I haven’t had a horse of his class in my boxes.”

Thursday 3rd September, 2026 Next step in Ancient Egypt campaign subject to discussion

By Gary Carson, Press Association

Charlie Johnston is keeping plans for Ancient Egypt close to his chest, with options in Ireland or further afield being considered.

The Frankel colt won on his seasonal reappearance in the Listed Newmarket Stakes and after finishing down the field on ground not to his liking in the Derby was narrowly beaten into second in both the King Edward VII Stakes at Ascot and Grand Prix de Paris.

He then made his first trip outside of Europe for the Christophe Clement Turf Stakes at Saratoga, where he finished two and a half lengths away in a race won by Gorge Boughey’s Survie.

Now connections are weighing up an assignment at the Irish Champions Festival in the Kilternan Stakes or whether to head across the Atlantic for the Canadian International at Woodbine on October 3.

Johnston said: “He’s a horse that has been campaigned aggressively this year with plenty of success, albeit it in defeat, particularly at Ascot and Paris. He has shown that he is a top-class mile-and-a-half horse on fast ground.

“We’re slightly undecided on what the back-end of the year is going to look like for him and whether we stay closer to home with him in something like the Kilternan Stakes or there is the option for him to travel again and something like the Canadian International will be on his radar for later in the year.

“It’s still a little bit undecided with him for the autumn, (but) he’s come out of his trip to Saratoga well and we’ll be looking forward to getting him back out again in the not too distant future.”

The Middleham trainer added: “Ascot was tough, especially for Kia (Joorabchian) and the Amo team, on such an important week and we get him very close there and in Paris a couple of weeks later he was in front everywhere bar the line.

“For those races he’s got a tremendous amount of credit and he’s a horse the Amo team are looking forward to for next year as well. It’s horses like him you really need in the yard.”

Meanwhile, Venetian Lace is unlikely to head across the Irish Sea with a target of her own in Canada next weekend, while Johnston is also likely to avoid Ireland with Timeforshowcasing and head straight to ParisLongchamp for the Prix de l’Opera.

He added: “Venetian Lace is going to go to Canada next weekend for the E.P. Taylor. Timeforshowcasing has been a phenomenal filly for me this season and ran well in the Prix Jean et Louis Romanet. It’s not impossible she could go to Ireland (for the Moyglare “Jewels” Blandford Stakes), but we’re probably leaning to her going straight to the Opera on Arc weekend.”

Thursday 3rd September, 2026 Murphy anticipating smart renewal of September Stakes

By Ashley Iveson, Press Association

Oisin Murphy was the man receiving the adulation after Constitution Hill’s memorable Flat debut at Southwell in February, but on Saturday he will be in opposition to Nicky Henderson’s former hurdling great when partnering Saeed bin Suroor’s Tornado Alert in the William Hill September Stakes at Kempton.

Few will forget that damp evening under the Rolleston floodlights, including the five-time champion jockey, who had the privilege of the best seat in the house aboard the 2023 Champion Hurdle hero.

Murphy will be right at the heart of the action again this weekend, this time aboard Saeed bin Suroor’s German Group One winner Tornado Alert, with his title rival Billy Loughnane deputising on Henderson’s Seven Barrows superstar in a field of seven runners for the Group Three feature.

“It’s a good renewal of the race and there are some high-class horses in there,” Murphy told the Press Association on Thursday morning.

“Tornado Alert had a good comeback run in Germany and hopefully he can step forward from it.

“Gethin’s form when he was a neck second to Ombudsman is very strong, Constitution Hill has a perfect record on the Flat – two from two – and Almeric is in there as well. He has some really good form and was impressive with me last year in the Doonside Cup at Ayr.

“Seven runners, a good field. It will be interesting to see how it plays out.”

Having been given an extended summer break since doubling his Flat tally over this course and distance at the end of March under Ryan Moore, Constitution Hill now faces the acid test of his capabilities on the level, stepping up in grade for a contest which will signpost the rest of his season.

Connections have so far failed to rule out a Melbourne Cup tilt, and a top-three finish this weekend would keep Australian dreams alive.

Owen Burrows’ Gethin was last seen finishing down the field in the Coral-Eclipse, but before that had pushed Ombudsman close in a thrilling Brigadier Gerard Stakes. With a mark of 117, he sets the standard, with Constitution Hill the lowest-rated runner by some way on 101.

John and Thady Gosden’s Warrant Holder is another interesting runner – representing the King and Queen – with Tornado Alert’s stablemate Dubai Future, Andrew Balding’s Almeric and Ralph Beckett’s Pride Of Arras completing the septet.