- All times BST
It’s a rather moderate weekend of racing in Europe as we leave the big summer festivals behind and head towards the major autumn contests where champions will be crowned.
There is still some good Stakes action to get stuck into, however, with the juvenile races looking particularly intriguing.
The highlight is arguably Sandown’s Solario Stakes (15:30), with several bringing unbeaten records into this Group 3 contest. Rock Montreal, who represents Godolphin, landed short odds stylishly on debut and marginally heads the betting over the well-touted Breacher. Breacher’s trainer is never one to talk his horses down, but it’s still probably significant that he has stated that this is the best one he’s trained when you consider he’s had King George winner Pyledriver in the past. Sonic Angel, the mount of Oisin Murphy, is two from two, while Mia Fantasia steps in Group company having won a handicap impressively at York last time out.
We have another Group 3 earlier on the card in the shape of the the Atalanta Stakes (14:50). This contest is for fillies and mares and sees Secret Of Life attempt to record back-to-back wins over course and distance and make it four from four. She very much had the run of the race last time out, however, and this race looks a lot deeper with the likes of Group 1 placed Moon Target and Pacific Mission, as well as exciting last time out winners Calendar Girl and Kon Tiki, in the field.
There’s more Group 3 action at the Curragh, too, with the Irish venue hosting the Snow Fairy Stakes (15:40) and the Newtownanner Stud Irish EBF Stakes (13:53). The latter contest sees So Lovely – the first foal of 1000 Guineas and Oaks winner Love – step into Stakes company for the first time having got off the mark at the third time of asking just 9 days ago. Aidan O’Brien excels with bringing this type of horse along and I’d be surprised if this well-touted filly isn’t plying her trade in Group 1 company soon.
And there’s yet more Group 3 action in store at Goodwood on Sunday where we have the Prestige Stakes (15:10) over the turning seven furlongs. Aperoll sets a fair standard here but had the run of the race when beating Bayside View last time out and that rival might be capable of reversing the form here. The unbeaten Coaxed, Irish raider Apollo’s Comet and Siena Storm are all capable of making an impact.
Finally, we have Listed action at Windsor on Saturday evening for the August Stakes (18:30). Last year’s Canadian International winner Silawi is amongst a field of 9 but he doesn’t appear to be in much form now so this might be a good opportunity for Tenability to record another win. He was poorly ridden last time out behind Mazzala in France and should be closer up here dropped in class.
Horse To Watch
And it is the aforementioned Mazzala who is the Horse To Watch this weekend. He took the step up to Group 3 company in his stride last time out, running out a ready winner to maintain his unbeaten record. He moves up in class again here but I’m not convinced that this race is much stronger and this progressive son of Frankel can score again before tackling races at the very highest level.
Race Of The Weekend
Goodwood’s Celebration Mile (15:10; Saturday) looks an interesting renewal with the form of the Sussex Stakes, run over the same course and distance, looking likely to prove key. Zavateri did the best of those who ran in that contest – and ran some of the best splits in the race against the likes of Bow Echo and Gstaad – and maybe found the ground a little bit tacky at York last time. He had Seagulls Eleven, who was reported to have suffered post-race ataxia, and Qirat, who won the Sussex in 2025 at 150/1 after being employed as a pacemaker, behind that day and can confirm the form and gained a deserved success here.
