Tomorrow / 14.35 York

14.35

Good To Firm

Sky Bet York Stakes (Group 2)

  • Prize money: £93571.5
  • 1m 2f 56y
  • Class 1
  • 5 runners
ITV
View Course
Sky Bet York Stakes (Group 2)

Runners: 5 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 131-14 CD

Last run: 90 days

W: 9st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(7)

13th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 2f 0y

17:30 Leopardstown

Royal Champion

9st 9lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Won the Group 3 Winter Derby at Southwell (1m3f, AW) in February before creditable fourth in the Group 3 Gordon Richards at Sandown (1m2f, good); down the field in the Prince of Wales's Stakes on Group 1 debut and first encounter with fast ground; brought form to a new level with Group 2 win at York; still plenty to prove in top grade.

14/1

4

(3)

26th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 56y

Class 1

14:40 York

Royal Champion

9st 8lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Won the Group 3 Winter Derby at Southwell (1m3f, AW) in February before creditable fourth under a 3lb penalty in the Group 3 Gordon Richards at Sandown (1m2f, good), when a neck behind Almaqam; down the field at Royal Ascot but in a Group 1 on his first encounter with fast ground; could be thereabouts now back down in grade and with slower ground expected.

14/1

Form: 11-165 D

Last run: 39 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(3)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:30 Ascot

Damysus

9st 2lb

J: James Doyle

T: John & Thady Gosden

Record is 4-8, the most recent success gained comfortably in Newmarket Group 3 on seasonal debut when completing a 1m2f/1m1f hat-trick; disappointing in the Lockinge (1m) since, not looking entirely beaten by the drop back in trip, but he's difficult to write off having been broadly progressive otherwise; rebound is possible.

14/1

6th

2

(10)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:35 Newbury

Damysus

9st 2lb

J: James Doyle

T: John & Thady Gosden

Frankel colt who comfortably defied a 3lb penalty in Group 3 event at Newmarket (good) on seasonal debut, completing a 1m2f/1m1f hat-trick and taking overall record to 4-7; gave the impression he'll be as effective returned to 1m; progressing well and his stable has landed this prize five times, including the last two years; commands respect.

3/1

Form: 90-645

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(3)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

16:20 Ascot

Dancing Gemini

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Roger Teal

Kept on for fourth in first-time cheekpieces (retained today) in the Lockinge at Newbury (1m, good) last month, having been beaten just a neck in the same Group 1 in 2025; on that latest evidence this step back up in trip is worth a go, but others arrive with stronger claims.

50/1

4th

3

(6)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:35 Newbury

Dancing Gemini

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Roger Teal

Bright start to last season culminated in neck second when favourite for this contest; broadly not in the same form since, most recently last of six (behind two of today's opponents) when bidding for repeat success in Sandown Group 2; big revival is needed in first-time headgear.

40/1

Form: 0014-8 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(4)

20th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 1

15:00 York

Pride Of Arras

9st 5lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Won his only race as a 2yo and the future looked bright indeed when he reappeared with a ready win in the Group 2 Dante at York (1m2f, good to firm) in May; his career has gone dramatically off the rails in the Derby (4-1 second favourite) and Irish Derby, however, and with far fewer apparent excuses in the latter, which was followed soon afterwards by a gelding operation; begins the road back by returning to the scene of his finest hour.

9/1

Form: 11-19 CD

Last run: 49 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(3)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 1

16:00 Epsom

Item

9st 2lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Andrew Balding

Well on top last September in a maiden at Kempton (7f, AW) and novice at Bath (1m, good to firm); non-runner in Group 1 Futurity due to heavy going; not the easiest to settle when reappearing in Group 2 Dante at York (10.2f, good; 11-2) last month but he mastered front-running Action in the last half furlong to win it well, putting Christmas Day in the shade as well; settling a bit better (fine as 2yo) would cement claims for 1m4f but this son of Frankel won going away and brings clear potential, plus leading form and an unbeaten record.

9/2

1st

5

(1)

14th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 1

16:05 York

Item

9st 2lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Andrew Balding

Well on top last September in a maiden at Kempton (7f, AW) and four-runner novice at Bath (1m, good to firm); non-runner in Group 1 Futurity in October due to heavy going; this Frankel colt has a lot to find on ratings but he's a fascinating prospect who looks sure to be suited by 1m2f+.

6/1

Betting Forcast

5/2 Royal Champion, 3/1 Damysus, 12/1 Dancing Gemini, 11/2 Pride Of Arras, 2/1 Item