A plethora of top quality sprinters will assemble at York racecourse on Friday 19th August, as they do battle in the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes, which is the feature race on day three of the Ebor Festival.
Steeped in history, the Coolmore City Of Troy-sponsored race will see the premier 5f speedsters from across the globe assemble on the Knavesmire to try and claim glory. The 2026 renewal is set to be a thrilling contest, and we take a look at the runners.
Wesley Ward’s Bacio made a real mockery of his handicap mark at Royal Ascot, as he rocketed to a dominant victory in the Palace Of Holyroodhouse Handicap back in June. Now, the American speedster will step up to Group 1 company for this event. A real speedball, he showed he could be an elite sprinter in that Ascot romp, but this is much tougher.
Aidan O’Brien’s Mission Central edged out French raider Rayveka in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot and the pair could clash again here. The latter is available at shorter odds, at the time of writing, but both add huge depth to the contest, should they take their chance.
Jim Goldie’s American Affair stormed back to winning ways at Glorious Goodwood, as the Scottish-trained star bounded to victory in the King George Stakes. Last year’s winner Asfoora is set to put retirement on hold as Henry Dwyer’s Australian starlet is set to try and retain her crown.
Two-year-old Pershaada was another impressive winner at Goodwood on her last start, and Richard Hannon could look to try and make use of all the weight allowances with that juvenile. Japanese sprinter Satono Reve holds an entry, and is another elite sprinter, whilst the likes of Rumstar, Night Raider and Cover Up could add more depth to what could be a really stacked race.
2026 Nunthorpe Stakes Entries
| Number | Horse | Trainer |
| 1 | Ain’t Nobody | Kevin Ryan |
| 2 | American Affair | Jim Goldie |
| 3 | Cover Up | Simon & Ed Crisford |
| 4 | Jakajaro | Robert Cowell |
| 5 | Jm Jungle | John & Sean Quinn |
| 6 | Night Raider | Karl Burke |
| 7 | Partisan Hero | David Loughnane |
| 8 | Redorange | Clive Cox |
| 9 | Regional | Edward Bethell |
| 10 | Rumstar | Jonathan Portman |
| 11 | Satono Reve | Noriyuki Hori |
| 12 | Starlust | Ralph Beckett |
| 13 | Aspect Island | James Owen |
| 14 | Bacio | Wesley Ward |
| 15 | Behike | George Scott |
| 16 | Brussels | Aidan O’Brien |
| 17 | Charles Darwin | Aidan O’Brien |
| 18 | Mission Central | Aidan O’Brien |
| 19 | Asfoora | Henry Dwyer |
| 20 | Azure Angel | Edward Bethell |
| 21 | Direct Hit | Johnny Murtagh |
| 22 | Heavenly Heather | Tracy Waggott |
| 23 | Rayveka | Francis-Henri Graffard |
| 24 | Rosy Affair | George Boughey |
| 25 | Time For Sandals | Harry Eustace |
| 26 | Fitzella | Hugo Palmer |
| 27 | Pershaada | Richard Hannon |