The gap between the York Ebor Festival and the Doncaster St Leger Meeting sees a slight lull on the racing front. However, while the final week in August may lack a multi-day showpiece, there’s still plenty to keep punters entertained.
The midweek highlight arrives at Southwell on Thursday evening, while the weekend provides a host of events rated at Listed level or above, including Group class action from Sandown, Tipperary, and the Curragh.
Monday: British Stallion Studs EBF Ripon Champion Two Yrs Old Trophy Stakes
The Listed class action kicks off early with this £40,000 juvenile contest from Ripon lighting up a busy Bank Holiday Monday. Richard Hannon claimed the 2022 edition with subsequent Group race star Shouldvebeenaring and looks set to be represented by First Legion this year. Simon & Ed Crisford have landed four of the last seven renewals and send the unbeaten course and distance winner Al Shaham into battle.
Thursday: Racing League Finale
Thursday evening sees one of the most innovative new racing initiatives draw to a close at Southwell. The Matt Chapman-led London & The South team were threatening to run away with this regional battle heading into the penultimate event at Newcastle. Will Charlie Fellowes and The East or Alex Steedman’s Scottish squad remain close enough to strike on Finals Day?
Here’s how the @RacingLeagueUK table looks at the end of week five! ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/UEoMqNX5ss
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 21, 2025
Saturday: Group Race Double from Sandown
On Saturday afternoon, the ITV crew head to Beverley, Chester, and Sandown, with the pick of the action coming from the Esher venue.
The fillies and mares take to the stage in the opening Group 3 event of the Atalanta Stakes. Offering a very decent £85,000 in prize money, this one-mile affair sees the Classic generation tackle their elders. With 17 wins since the year 2000, the three-year-olds have very much had the upper hand in recent times, with the 2024 edition falling to the talented Tamfana from the yard of David Menuisier.
Just over an hour after the Atalanta Stakes, a field of promising juveniles locks horns over 7f in the Solario Stakes. While “only” rated at Group 3 level, this contest often falls to a future Group 1 star. Previous winners include Breeders’ Cup Classic hero Raven’s Pass, Irish 2000 Guineas winners Kingman and Field Of Gold, and Epsom Derby champ Masar. A race well worth keeping an eye on!
Moving further north on the TV map, the Listed Virgin Bet Chester Stakes offers a valuable prize for the stayers. Held over 1m6½f of the Roodee track, star names on the roll of honour include Further Flight, Big Orange, and reigning champ Absurde from the yard of Willie Mullins.
At the other end of the trip spectrum, speed is the order of the day in the fast and furious Beverley Bullet over 5f. Having won three of the last four editions, anything hailing from the yard of Clive Cox may be worth a second look in the market.
Weekend Highlights from the Emerald Isle
As ever, we can count on the Irish to add to the quality. The final weekend in August brings high-class, competitive fare from the Curragh and Tipperary.
Snow Fairy Fillies Stakes (Saturday)
Aidan O’Brien leads the way in this 1m1f Group 3 contest for the fillies and mares. Successful six times since 2012, the Ballydoyle maestro has several intriguing entries in 2025, including January and Ballet Slippers, who finished second and third in the Group 1 bet365 Fillies’ Mile in 2024.
Irish Cambridgeshire (Saturday)
Always a trainer to fear at home and abroad, Joseph O’Brien claimed the 2022 and 2024 editions of this ultra-competitive handicap. Glen To Glen is the only entry from the yard of the Melbourne Cup-winning trainer in 2025.
Fairy Bridge Stakes (Sunday)
Named in honour of the dam of the great Sadler’s Wells, this 7½f Group 3 highlight from Tipperary regularly features a clash between the British and Irish runners. Ballet Slippers and January may head here instead of the Curragh, while Ralph Beckett, Karl Burke, Harry Charlton, James Fanshawe, Charlie Johnston, Roger Varian, Ed Walker, and Archie Watson all hold entries.
There are no Group 1 contests or festivals to look forward to next week. However, there’s still more than enough to keep fans engaged as the late summer/early autumn highlights of the St Leger Stakes and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe edge ever closer.
