Racing Weekly: Horse Racing news round-up - May 19th, 2026

Races Now's Harry Fowler keeps you abreast of all the key talking points in British horse racing with his new Racing Weekly column.

The flat season is in full swing with top class racing every few days. Last week we had the three-day Dante meeting at York before attention turned to the Lockinge at Newbury, which promised to be a top-class renewal in the build-up and did not disappoint.

Yorke Dante Meeting racing review - May 13th-15th 2026

On Wednesday at York, we had two Group races. The first was the Minster Stakes over 6f, where the sprinting division again proved difficult to predict.

Elmonjed was the winner and has climbed through the ranks from handicaps to Listed level and is now a Group 2 winner. The favourite, Time For Sandals – last season’s Commonwealth Cup winner – could only manage eighth and was disappointing after his Newmarket run.

Elsewhere, Kind Of Blue finished second and I think he can have a strong season. It was clear the early part of last year went wrong and he paid for it throughout the campaign. This was a very good seasonal return and he looks one of the UK’s main hopes for the Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The second Group race was the Musidora, usually a key Oaks trial. Legacy Link won by three quarters of a length and I thought it was a huge performance. Runner up Felicitas is no mug and arrived race fit after an easy win under penalty at Sandown, in a race that I think will work out well. Legacy Link now looks set for Epsom and her form from last year already looks solid. At around 5/1 she is my idea of the Oaks winner, and I have taken some of that price.

Day two at York featured the Dante Stakes, where horses looked to strengthen their Derby claims. Like the opening day, the main trial went to Juddmonte. Item beat Action into second, but I cannot say the race excited me too much. The winner did it nicely enough, but looking through the field, I came away more disappointed by those beaten than blown away by the winner.

Earlier on the card, we had the Middleton Fillies’ Stakes, and it was all about See The Fire, who made it back-to-back wins in the race.

It was not the 12-length demolition job of last year, but she still won with plenty in hand. She looks set for another strong season, though the question remains whether she is quite good enough to win a Group 1 against the colts.

The third and final day on the Knavesmire saw a strong renewal of the Michael Seely Memorial Fillies’ Stakes. Lilt looked a very nice prospect in victory, though she still appeared quite raw, which made the performance even more impressive. Looking ahead, I think they may avoid a race as tough as the Coronation Stakes next.

Runner up So Regal has plenty of options next month, too. The Jersey Stakes over 7f could suit if they go hard early, while the Sandringham may be the better option if she stays at a mile off a mark of 101.

The feature race on Friday was the Yorkshire Cup over 1m6f. Amiloc was heavily backed but never looked straightforward and disappointed in finishing sixth of seven. Winner Rahiebb looked hugely impressive to me on his first run of the season. He should improve plenty for it and looks an out and out Gold Cup horse. The further he goes, the better he will be.

Newbury Lockinge thoughts

On Saturday, Newbury took centre stage with the Lockinge. It was a vintage renewal won by Notable Speech, who gave Charlie Appleby a statement victory after a difficult start to the season.

More Thunder finished second and I thought he ran a huge race. He was held up last early on and this was his first start for William Haggas over a mile. Given how disappointing Charlie Appleby and Notable Speech have been at the last two Royal Ascots, I would much rather take the 7/1 about More Thunder for the Queen Anne as things stand.

Zeus Olympios was third and it is fair to say he has not quite reached the level many expected. He still looks inexperienced after only six starts, but I think we may now see the best of him over 10f.

The next race at Newbury was the Carnarvon Stakes over 6f and, whatever the age group, sprinting divisions are always difficult to predict. Song Of The Clyde got the better of the well backed Albert Einstein, who still looks likely to head for the Commonwealth Cup.

Back in fourth was Wise Approach, who remains a bit of a puzzle. On his seasonal return at Ascot he was never really put into the race and Saturday was only a slight improvement. He carried a penalty on both runs, so we may yet see a much better performance at Ascot. At 20/1 he looks overpriced in a division that lacks strength.

Irish Guineas weekend looks a cracker

Finally, a quick look ahead to the weekend, where Ireland stages both the 2000 and 1000 Guineas.

In the 2000 Guineas it looks a straightforward task for Gstaad and I expect him to win before heading to Ascot. I also think he can reverse Newmarket form with Bow Echo in the St James’s Palace Stakes.

At Newmarket, Bow Echo looked as ready as a horse without a prep run could be, whereas I think the St James’s Palace has always been Gstaad’s main target. He should strip much fitter there and I also think he is better around a bend.

In the 1000 Guineas, I think Precise can reverse form with True Love. It was well documented that Precise had far from an ideal preparation for Newmarket and I expect her to improve a great deal for that run. Aidan O’Brien has mentioned Epsom as a possibility for True Love, though plenty of his plans never materialise.

If Precise wins this weekend, surely the Coronation Stakes becomes the obvious route instead. Ryan Moore is set to ride Amelia Earhart in the Oaks, so he will likely want Precise kept elsewhere. With that in mind, I am happy to take the 6/1 on offer right now.