Despite Storm Austen’s best efforts, last week produced its fair share of highlights. While Newbury’s two-day Flat Finale meeting succumbed to the elements, the big events took place at Doncaster and Cheltenham. It was a case of another year, another Aidan O’Brien-trained Futurity Trophy winner, but not with the horse the jockey bookings or the betting market suggested. A familiar training name also dominated the headlines at Cheltenham. Following an electric start to the season, Dan Skelton bagged a big-race double to reach £1 million in prize money in record time.
Meanwhile, in the sunnier climes of San Siro Racecourse in Milan, the latest chapter in the tale of Constitution Hill played out. Tasked with returning to winning ways in the Group 2 Gran Premio del Jockey Club, the Nicky Henderson star came up short. However, his owner and trainer aren’t ready to call it a day just yet, with a trip to France possibly next on the agenda.
Sequoia Strikes to Hand O’Brien a 13th Futurity Trophy
| Pos | Horse | SP | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Giant Sequoia | 11/1 | A P O’Brien | Dylan Browne McMonagle |
| 2nd | Gran Dia | 8/1 | Andrew Balding | Oisin Murphy |
| 3rd | Noble Exhibit | 11/8 F | A P O’Brien | Ryan Moore |
The final Group 1 of the British season took centre stage at Doncaster on Saturday afternoon, as a talented field of colts lined up for the Futurity Trophy Stakes. Won by 10 future Classic winners in the 21st century alone, the 1m contest from Town Moor regularly unearths a future star. In recent years, that future star has most often emerged from the County Tipperary yard of Aidan O’Brien.
Heading into the 2026 edition with 12 previous wins, O’Brien was already the most successful trainer in Futurity Trophy history. With three of the seven-runner field making the trip from Ballydoyle, it appeared likely that 12 would become 13. And in the end, it did – but O’Brien had to rely on his apparent third string to get the job done.
Ryan Moore’s decision to ride the Frankel colt Noble Exhibit saw the Beresford Stakes winner start as the 11/8 favourite. He finished only third, four lengths adrift of the winner. Ballydoyle number two, Wayne Lordan, sided with the Group-placed Sergei Diaghilev. Floundering in the heavy ground, the son of Wootton Bassett finished a well-beaten fifth.
While Noble Exhibit and Sergei Diaghilev came up short, O’Brien’s third runner chose this moment to produce a huge career best. Also by Frankel, and out of Oaks runner-up Pink Dogwood, Giant Sequoia was arguably the pedigree pick of the Coolmore contenders. He had also won two of his first three outings, including the Group 2 Futurity Stakes at the Curragh. His 11/1 starting price reflected his 11-length sixth of eight in the Group 1 National Stakes on his most recent outing.
With Dylan Browne McMonagle in the saddle, Giant Sequoia bounced back from that National Stakes effort in spectacular style. Travelling well throughout, he moved up to challenge inside the final two furlongs, swept into the lead at the furlong pole, and forged three lengths clear by the line.
Six of O’Brien’s 12 previous Futurity Trophy winners progressed to land a Classic. Looking at what may lie ahead for Giant Sequoia, his trainer stated, “He’ll make a good three-year-old as well. He’s a proper horse. He’s a Guineas, Derby, French Derby horse I’d say.”
Hill Fails to Hit the Heights on Italian Adventure
Sunday afternoon saw British racing’s gaze turn to the unlikely destination of San Siro Racecourse. Located within a stone’s throw of the famous San Siro football ground, Italy’s leading track found itself in the spotlight due to the appearance of a certain ex-National Hunt superstar.
The biggest name in hurdling between 2022 and 2025, Constitution Hill was repurposed as a flat performer at the start of 2026. Nine years old and with a jumping pedigree, the Michael Buckley-owned runner was an unusual addition to the flat ranks. Nevertheless, he made an encouraging start with back-to-back wins at Southwell and Kempton, leaving fans to wonder how high he could fly in his new discipline. A first crack at Group company went as the ratings suggested it might when finishing fourth of five in the Group 3 September Stakes at Kempton. Undeterred, connections stuck to the Group class route and dug out their passports for a trip to Italy.
Taking his place in the 12-runner field for the Group 2 Gran Premio del Jockey Club, Constitution Hill again faced a tall order on paper. Of his 11 rivals, eight had previously won at Group level. Sent off as the sixth choice in the market, the mount of Rossa Ryan produced a similar performance to his September Stakes effort. Fourth at Kempton, he finished fifth on his Italian adventure, finishing six lengths behind German raider Stingray.
Constitution Hill runs a fine fifth in the Gran Premio del Jockey Club! 🇮🇹 https://t.co/IHqfSM7NVJ
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 25, 2026
While not the result his legions of supporters hoped for, this effort suggested he may yet have his big day on the flat. There was certainly no disgrace in crossing the line alongside four-time Group 1 winner Dubai Honour, particularly as the ground rode faster than advertised.
In the aftermath of the race, Nicky Henderson remained upbeat about his much-loved star and suggested we may yet see him again in 2026, stating, “We’re going to hunt down the French programme book, I think, and try to get another run into him before the end of the year on some proper soft ground.”
Cheltenham Double Moves Skelton Past the £1 Million Mark
| Rank | Trainer | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Dan Skelton | £1,080,103 |
| 2nd | Mickey Bowen | £422,156 |
| 3rd | Olly Murphy | £406,367 |
| 4th | Jonjo & A.J. O’Neill | £327,635 |
| 5th | Jamie Snowden | £280,078 |
With the domestic Flat campaign drawing to a close, racing’s most famous National Hunt track opened its doors for another year. While lacking the prestige of the March extravaganza, Cheltenham’s two-day Showcase Meeting is a key date in the diary for jumps racing aficionados. One man who never misses the fixture, which, for many, signals the true start of the National Hunt campaign, is reigning champion trainer Dan Skelton.
Following back-to-back runner-up finishes behind Willie Mullins in the championship race, Skelton left even the Irish master trailing in his wake during a dominant 2025/26 performance. The early signs suggest a similar story may unfold in 2026/27.
With Mullins traditionally only emerging as a significant threat at the valuable spring festivals, Skelton’s first job is to build a significant cushion before March. He is well on his way to achieving that goal. Ahead of the Showcase Meeting, Skelton’s prize money tally was already more than twice that of his nearest pursuer. Following a big-race double on Saturday afternoon, he has now ticked off one of his first major milestones.
Purchased for just £7,000 in May, bargain buy Here Comes Georgie earned £52,030 for his win in the William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Chase. Thirty-five minutes later, North Shore bounced back to form in style to claim £21,784 in the Mastersons Holdings Hurdle. Here Comes Georgie’s victory made Skelton the fastest National Hunt trainer to reach £1 million in seasonal prize money, with North Shore’s success providing an early step towards a £2 million total which may not be long in coming.
Much water must flow under the bridge before the 2026/27 champion is crowned at Sandown in April 2027, but if he maintains this pace, Skelton may be impossible to catch.
