Category: Race Recaps

Hotazhell produced a major upset in the 2026 Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on September 12, edging Wimbledon Hawkeye by a nose in the headline race on the first day of the Irish Champions Festival.

The Jessica Harrington trained four year old was sent off at long odds but delivered another top level success under Shane Foley. The result followed his Group 1 victory in Munich earlier in the summer and confirmed that his return to winning form was no isolated result.

Hotazhell finds another Group 1 victory

Hotazhell entered Leopardstown with proven form at the highest level. He had already won the Futurity Trophy as a juvenile and returned to the top level winner’s circle in Germany in July.

At Leopardstown he faced a field that included Constitution River, Item, Almaqam, A Boy Named Susie and several other established Group performers. Hotazhell stayed in the fight to the finish and prevailed by the narrowest margin over Wimbledon Hawkeye.

Wimbledon Hawkeye pushes the winner to the line

Wimbledon Hawkeye forced the result to a photo finish and finished second after a sustained challenge. The close margin made the Irish Champion Stakes one of the most dramatic results of the festival opening day.

The result reshapes the autumn picture for the leading middle distance turf horses, with the European championship races and the Breeders’ Cup still ahead.

Irish Champions Festival moves into its second day

The Irish Champion Stakes remains the central event at Leopardstown before the festival shifts to the Curragh. OTB Bet will continue tracking confirmed results and major developments from the remaining Group 1 races across the weekend.

For more context, visit the OTB Bet Irish Champion Stakes guide, the final Irish Champion Stakes preview and the Irish Champions Festival guide.

Featured image: Stereoid via Wikimedia Commons. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 2.0.

Highwayman won the 2026 St Leger at Doncaster on September 12, giving jockey Saffie Osborne a landmark victory in the 250th running of Britain’s oldest Classic.

The Joseph O’Brien trained Highwayman defeated stablemate Enceladus, with Amelia Earhart finishing third. The result delivered a major one two finish for the O’Brien stable and transformed one of the most historic editions of the race into a milestone for British racing.

Osborne becomes the first woman to win a British Classic

Osborne became the first female jockey to win one of the five British Classics. She entered the race on a late opportunity aboard Highwayman and produced the defining result of her career at Doncaster.

Highwayman arrived as a progressive stayer after winning the Vinnie Roe Stakes at Leopardstown. He had already shown that the extended distance suited him, and he carried that progression into the Group 1 test.

Joseph O’Brien takes the first two places

Enceladus came into the St Leger as one of the leading contenders after an unbeaten 2026 campaign that included the Gordon Stakes. He finished second behind his stablemate, giving Joseph O’Brien the top two places in the Classic.

Amelia Earhart completed the first three, while Derby winner Christmas Day was unable to produce the result expected from one of the most prominent runners in the final field.

A historic St Leger in the race’s 250th year

The St Leger was already carrying unusual significance in 2026 because the Doncaster festival was celebrating 250 years of the Classic. Highwayman’s victory added another permanent chapter to the race’s history.

For more background, read the OTB Bet St Leger Stakes guide, the final St Leger preview and the St Leger Festival guide.

Featured image: Peter Glyn via Wikimedia Commons. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 4.0.

Final Objective added an important juvenile sprint victory to his record on September 11, winning the Group 2 Flying Childers Stakes at Doncaster after a close finish with Crownbreaker.

The Hamad Al Jehani trained gelding started as the 9 to 4 favorite and was ridden by James Doyle. Racing over five furlongs for the first time, Final Objective was asked to stay in touch with the early speed before producing his challenge late. He reached the leaders near the finish and defeated Crownbreaker by a neck.

Flann Sunna finished third, with early leader Fast Track close behind in fourth. The result gave Final Objective a notable step forward after his runner up finish in the Gimcrack Stakes at York.

A sharper test brings a stronger result

The Flying Childers presented a different challenge from Final Objective’s previous start. He had shown his ability over six furlongs at York, but the shorter trip at Doncaster required him to travel with greater speed from the opening stages.

Doyle allowed him to find his rhythm before asking for his best effort late. Final Objective still showed some greenness under pressure, but he had enough momentum to secure the race in the final strides.

The performance strengthens his profile among the leading juvenile sprinters in Britain as the autumn campaign develops.

Doncaster festival coverage continues

The Flying Childers was another major result during a busy St Leger Festival. OTB Bet has already covered Caballo De Mar’s Doncaster Cup victory and will continue following the festival through Saturday’s St Leger.

Read the St Leger Festival 2026 guide for the meeting schedule and broader context. You can also visit the St Leger Stakes guide ahead of the 250th anniversary running.

Source note: Result details were verified against Racing TV’s report and official race replay listing for Doncaster on September 11, 2026.

Caballo De Mar returned to winning form in the Doncaster Cup on September 11, producing a decisive performance in one of the key staying races of the St Leger Festival.

The five year old, trained by George Scott and ridden by Oisin Murphy, moved to the front inside the final furlong and drew clear to defeat Beylerbeyi by one and a quarter lengths. The victory came after more difficult efforts in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and the Lonsdale Cup at York.

A strong response at Doncaster

Caballo De Mar entered the Group 2 contest with questions surrounding his recent form, but the Doncaster performance restored the level he had shown earlier in the season. He had already demonstrated high class staying ability in Europe and handled the good to soft conditions at Doncaster effectively.

Queenstown, who had been one of the most significant rivals in the original field, did not take part. Seven horses ultimately contested the race.

What the result means

The Doncaster Cup remains an important late season reference point for the staying division. Caballo De Mar now leaves the St Leger Festival with another major staying prize and a renewed place among the leading long distance horses in Europe.

OTB Bet covered the race before the start in our Doncaster Cup preview. Readers can also follow the wider meeting through our St Leger Festival guide and the permanent St Leger Stakes hub.

Sources

Result details were verified against Sky Sports Racing coverage and current Doncaster results listings from At The Races.

Featured image: Jeff Griffith via Unsplash.

Waardah and Musical Times supplied the two Group 2 highlights on the opening day of the St Leger Festival at Doncaster on September 10.

Waardah takes the Park Hill Stakes

Waardah won the Group 2 Park Hill Stakes for trainer Owen Burrows and jockey Callum Rodriguez. She wore down Consent and finished one and three quarter lengths clear of Danielle.

The victory added another Group 2 success to Waardah’s record after her Lillie Langtry Stakes win at Goodwood last season.

Musical Times dominates the May Hill Stakes

Musical Times produced the most decisive performance of the two features, winning the Group 2 May Hill Stakes by seven and a half lengths for trainer Charlie Appleby and jockey William Buick.

Scommessa Sicura finished second as Musical Times extended her unbeaten start to three victories from three races.

Festival focus turns to Friday

Attention now moves to the Doncaster Cup on September 11, where Caballo De Mar and Queenstown headline eight declared runners.

Read OTB Bet’s Doncaster Cup preview and the St Leger Festival guide. The St Leger Stakes guide tracks the Saturday Classic and its long term history.

Sources

Results, winning margins and connections were cross checked against Racing TV and Sky Sports Racing coverage published on September 10, 2026.

Kentucky Downs closed its 2026 meet on September 9 with three notable stakes results that brought the final card to a strong finish. Kentucky Belle delivered the biggest performance of the day in the Dueling Grounds Oaks, How’s Al Today produced another sharp turf effort in the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile, and Tawny Port prevailed in the Bowling Green Gold Cup.

Kentucky Belle dominates the Dueling Grounds Oaks

Kentucky Belle confirmed her position among the leading turf fillies of her generation with a decisive victory in the Grade 3 Dueling Grounds Oaks. The Brad Cox trainee settled close to the pace before taking control and drawing clear by 6 3/4 lengths over 1 5/16 miles on turf.

The result followed her victory in the Saratoga Oaks in August and gave her a second consecutive graded stakes success. Flavien Prat was aboard for WinStar Farm.

How’s Al Today wins the Juvenile Mile

How’s Al Today turned a favorable trip into an emphatic victory in the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile. Brian Hernandez Jr. found room in the stretch and the Riley Mott trainee accelerated away to score by 4 1/2 lengths.

The win was especially notable because it came only 11 days after How’s Al Today won a restricted allowance race at Kentucky Downs. It also made him the first horse to win twice during the 2026 meet.

Tawny Port takes the Bowling Green Gold Cup

Tawny Port added another marathon turf success to his record by winning the $750,000 Bowling Green Gold Cup. The seven year old entered the race after winning the Belmont Gold Cup earlier in the season and again showed that extended turf distances remain one of his strengths.

Lambeth finished second and Greystone was third in the 2 1/16 mile event.

What the closing day results mean

Kentucky Belle leaves the meet with momentum in the older turf filly and mare picture, while How’s Al Today has established himself as a young turf runner worth following as his campaign develops. Tawny Port, meanwhile, remains a proven option for marathon turf races later in the season.

Readers can review our Kentucky Downs closing day preview for the pre race picture, or visit the Major Races hub for broader championship season coverage.

Sources

Result details were checked against Equibase race information and contemporary reports from Daily Racing Form and Thoroughbred Daily News.

Featured image: Alain Moreau via Unsplash. Used under the Unsplash License.

Medoro captured the Grade 2 John C. Mabee Stakes on Monday, September 7, closing the 2026 Del Mar summer stakes schedule with a victory over Thought Process.

The $250,000 race was contested at 1 1/8 miles on firm turf. Medoro finished first in 1:47.61, while Thought Process took second and Bojaca Blessing finished third. Baltic Fire completed the first four.

Medoro returned $8.60 for a $2 win wager. Thought Process entered as the morning line favorite after winning the Grade 1 Gamely at Santa Anita in May, but Medoro denied her on closing day.

Medoro turns a rematch into a win

The result carries extra context because Medoro had finished second in the 2025 John C. Mabee. One year later, she returned to the same race and moved into the winner’s position.

The victory also closes the loop on the OTB Bet John C. Mabee Stakes preview, which identified Thought Process as the leading pre race contender.

Del Mar’s summer season included several major performances with implications for the fall. Readers can review the Pacific Classic hub for Knightsbridge’s signature summer win, along with OTB Bet’s Breeders’ Cup hub as attention turns toward Keeneland in October.

Primary reporting source: Del Mar Thoroughbred Club official results. Editorial image: Mathias Reding via Unsplash, used under the Unsplash License.

Early Encore won the $100,000 I’m Smokin Stakes on Monday, September 7, giving Del Mar a confirmed juvenile stakes result on the final day of the 2026 summer meet.

The 2 year old colt finished first over Net Par in the six furlong dirt sprint, stopping the clock in 1:11.32 on a fast track. Cupid Cowboy finished third, followed by Empire of Ash.

Early Encore returned $3.80 for a $2 win wager. Net Par, who entered the race seeking a third victory at the meet, settled for second after winning both a maiden race and the Graduation Stakes earlier in the summer.

A useful closing day result

The I’m Smokin was the final juvenile stakes race of the Del Mar summer season. That gives the result added relevance as trainers begin mapping fall plans for California based 2 year olds.

For readers who followed the race before post time, the result completes the story from the OTB Bet I’m Smokin Stakes preview. The race also adds another piece to a closing weekend that included Hughes in the Del Mar Futurity and Miss Monica in the Del Mar Debutante.

Del Mar racing resumes with the Bing Crosby season in November. Until then, the West Coast focus shifts toward Santa Anita and the major fall championship path.

Primary reporting source: Del Mar Thoroughbred Club official results. Editorial image: Cauã Cardoso via Unsplash, used under the Unsplash License.

Saratoga closed its 2026 summer meet on Monday, September 7 with two stakes races that produced clear winners and useful clues for the fall. Scramjet remained unbeaten in the Funny Cide, while Siyouincanada controlled the Gio Ponti from the start and finished the meet with his first stakes victory.

Scramjet stays perfect in the Funny Cide

Scramjet won the $200,000 Funny Cide by two lengths for trainer Linda Rice and jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. The 2 year old colt stalked the early pace before taking control in the stretch and completing six furlongs in 1:10.15.

Professor Plum finished second and Fullcup was third. The result moved Scramjet to two wins from two starts and gave him another positive step after his Saratoga maiden victory in August.

Rice indicated after the race that Scramjet may appreciate more distance as he develops. That makes his next placement worth watching as juvenile racing shifts from summer sprints toward longer fall tests.

Siyouincanada controls the Gio Ponti

Siyouincanada finished Saratoga stakes action with a front running victory in the $200,000 Gio Ponti. Kendrick Carmouche sent him to the lead from the start, then allowed him to settle into a comfortable rhythm before the colt pulled clear in the stretch.

The Joe Sharp trainee won by 2 1/4 lengths and completed one mile on firm inner turf in 1:34.71. Third Coast finished second, while Glavine closed for third.

Siyouincanada entered the race after finishing third against older horses in an allowance at Saratoga on August 6. Back against 3 year olds, he converted a favorable pace setup into a decisive result and improved his record to two wins from four starts.

What the closing day results mean

The two winners leave Saratoga with different profiles. Scramjet is an unbeaten New York bred juvenile whose connections can now consider longer races. Siyouincanada is a developing turf colt who showed that he can be dangerous when allowed to control the pace.

The results also complete the stakes picture from the OTB Bet Saratoga closing day preview. For broader coverage of the summer meet, readers can also review The Good Life in the Hopeful Stakes and Mashallah in the Prioress.

New York racing now turns toward the return to Belmont Park, where the Jockey Club Gold Cup is scheduled for September 18 and carries a Breeders’ Cup Classic berth.

Primary reporting source: New York Racing Association. Editorial image: Jin Woo Lee via Unsplash, used under the Unsplash License.

Del Mar Futurity Day produced more than one eye catching juvenile performance on Sunday, September 6. After Hughes captured the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity, Desert Gate and Vanta added decisive stakes wins that gave the closing weekend another pair of horses to follow.

Desert Gate takes control in the Shared Belief

Desert Gate was sent off as the 4 to 5 favorite in the $126,000 Shared Belief Stakes for 3 year olds and delivered a commanding result. The Bob Baffert trainee won by 5 1/2 lengths, covering one mile on dirt in 1:36.25 under Juan Hernandez.

Mo Koko finished second, with Start the Ride third. The win gave Hernandez his fourth consecutive Shared Belief victory aboard a horse trained by Baffert and extended Baffert’s record in the race to 15 wins.

Desert Gate’s performance was especially notable because he did not need an uncontested lead to be effective. He settled behind the early pace before finishing strongly, a useful sign as his connections consider where to place him next.

Vanta finishes fast on turf

Later on the card, Vanta won the $102,000 Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf by 2 1/2 lengths. Ridden by Umberto Rispoli for trainer Jeff Mullins, she completed the mile on turf in 1:36.30.

Blockade finished second and Ogle was third. Vanta returned $4.00 for a $2 win wager and reinforced her status as a juvenile turf filly worth monitoring as the fall calendar develops.

What the results mean

The two wins added depth to a day already headlined by Hughes’ dominant Del Mar Futurity victory. Desert Gate supplied a strong dirt performance among 3 year olds, while Vanta provided a separate juvenile turf angle that could matter as West Coast runners move into fall stakes.

Del Mar returns Monday, September 7 for the final day of the 2026 summer meet. The closing card includes the Grade 2 John C. Mabee Stakes, where Thought Process heads the OTB Bet preview, as well as the I’m Smokin Stakes.

For the broader seasonal picture, follow the OTB Bet Race Center as the focus shifts from summer meetings toward the major fall championship races.

Primary reporting source: Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. Editorial image: Angelica Hasbon via Unsplash.