The nights may be drawing in and the temperatures about to drop but it is traditional at this time of year to look ahead to next season’s Classic races.
We’ve examined the evidence from last term’s leading juvenile contests and some hot late maidens to pick out these ante-post wagers to keep Flat fans warm throughout the winter.
2026 Flat Classic Calendar
When are the 2026 Flat Classic races?
2000 Guineas – Saturday, May 2 @ Newmarket
1000 Guineas – Sunday, May 3 @ Newmarket
The Oaks – Friday, June 5 @ Epsom
The Derby – Saturday, June 6 @ Epsom
St Leger – Saturday, September 12 @ Doncaster
2000 Guineas
2000 Guineas– Distant Storm @ 16/1
Charlie Appleby has become incredibly adept at getting his big guns ready for the first colts’ Classic, scoring with Coroebus, Notable Speech and Ruling Court in the past four renewals.
Distant Storm didn’t quite live up to his lofty reputation as a two-year-old but still managed a couple of promising wins at Newmarket, edging out Constitution River in a high-class July maiden and landing the Group Three Tattersall Stakes by a wide margin two months later.
His Dewhurst third at HQ leaves this beautiful son of Night Of Thunder with a bit to find against Gewan and Gstaad but the feeling is he has more scope for improvement than that pair.
Appleby said: “He will be given the winter to develop and strengthen now and William (Buick) said among those horses, he felt as though immaturity was coming out a bit.”
1000 Guineas
1000 Guineas – Precise @ 3/1
Aidan O’Brien has gone four seasons without winning this race since rattling off five victories in six years, but this daughter of Starspangledbanner is fancied to hit the target.
Precise simply got better and better as a juvenile , culminating in Group One victories in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh and the Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket, where she powered home over three lengths clear.
Epsom Oaks
Epsom Oaks – Diamond Necklace @ 6/1
O’Brien’s Prix Marcel Boussac winner earned rave reviews from stand-in jockey Christophe Soumillon, who even put her just a fraction above Precise in his affections.
He said: “For me, they are both really good, but I do have a little preference for Diamond Necklace. I think the way she won in Leopardstown amazed me and in France it was just hands and heels.”
However, the feeling is that Precise may still be a little more forward at the start of May, while Diamond Necklace is bred to come into her own over a longer trip, being a half-sister to Magic Wand and Irish Oaks victor Chiquita.
Epsom Derby
Epsom Derby – Raaheeb @ 25/1
Ballydoyle maestro O’Brien will be seeking a fourth straight Derby success and record-extending 12 th blue riband triumph overall, with Criterium de Saint-Cloud scorer Pierre Bonnard heading a predictably strong hand.
However, we’re going to buck the trend here and take a punt on the regally-bred Raaheeb, who created a big impression when scoring in an Ascot maiden on his sole start so far.
The son of Sea The Stars is a full-brother to former Shadwell aces Baaeed and Hukum and trainer Owen Burrows beamed after his debut success: “He’s a big, raw horse who doesn’t know he’s born yet.”
St Leger
St Leger– Hawk Mountain
With so many imponderables to factor in, it is always hard to form a strong opinion about the final Classic at this stage but Hawk Mountain proved he can handle tough conditions at Doncaster in the Futurity and O’Brien is chasing a four-timer in this 1m 6f contest.
Bet on Horse Racing Odds at BOYLE Sports
Prices are subject to fluctuation
Remember, Always Gamble Responsibly
