Before June ends, the flat horse racing calendar of Britain offers another grand event for all race goers. The annual Northumberland Plate Festival is set to take place between Thursday, 25 June and Saturday, 27 June at the Newcastle Racecourse at Gosforth Park in Newcastle upon Tyne.
Horse racing has over 350 years of history in the North East, with the first races taking place in Killingworth as early as the beginning of the 17th century. The Newcastle Racecourse opened in 1882 and currently functions all year round, hosting both flat and National Hunt races. The Northumberland Plate Festival is its largest meeting of the year.
This year, the Northumberland Plate Festival will open with The Newcastle International Airport Handicap Stakes as its first race, while The Pertemps Network Educational Handicap Stakes will close the entire event.
The headline races for each day of the event are: Seaton Delaval Handicap Stakes for day one, Gosforth Park Cup for day two, and Northumberland Plate Handicap Stakes for day three. The latter also headlines the entire meeting.
Northumberland Plate Festival 2026 Racecard
The Northumberland Plate Festival 2026 will be conducted in the fourth week of June and last for three days. This horse racing fixture will include 21 races, evenly distributed across the entire course of the event.
Day One: Seaton Delaval Trophy Day (25 June)
- When: Thursday, 25 June 2026
- Gate opening: 12:00 pm
- First race: 2:02 pm
- Headline race: 3:47 pm
- Last race: 5:32 pm
The daily race card for the Seaton Delaval Trophy Day 2026 is as follows:
Going: standard to slow
| Time | Race | Distance | Conditions |
| 2:02 pm | THE NEWCASTLE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 6) (CL 6) | 7f 14y | 3YO £9,000.00 Rating 46-65 |
| 2:37 pm | THE JENNINGSBET IN NORTH SHIELDS NOVICE STAKES (CLASS 4) (GBB RACE) (CL 4) | 6f | 2YO £10,000.00 |
| 3:12 pm | THE JENNINGSBET IN BELMONT HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (GBBPLUS RACE) (CL 2) | 1m 2f 42y | 4YO+ £35,000.00 Rating 81-100 |
| 3:47 pm | THE JENNINGSBET IN KIPPAX SEATON DELAVAL HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (CL 2) | 1m 5y | 4YO+ £35,000.00 Rating 86-105 |
| 4:22 pm | THE TRUE COLOURS CHARITY RESTRICTED MAIDEN STAKES (CLASS 4) (for horses in Band D) (GBB RACE) (CL 4) | 7f 14y | 2YO £11,000.00 |
| 4:57 pm | THE JENNINGSBET IN ALLERDENE HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 5) (CL 5) | 5f | 3YO £10,000.00 Rating 51-70 |
| 5:32 pm | THE NEWCASTLE AIRPORT HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 6) (CL 6) | 1m 5y | 3YO+ £9,000.00 Rating 46-55 |
Day Two: Gosforth Park Cup Night Day (26 June)
- When: Friday, 26 June 2026
- Gate opening: 3:10 pm
- First race: 5:10 pm
- Headline race: 7:27 pm
- Last race: 8:37 pm
The daily race card for the Gosforth Park Cup Night Day 2026 is as follows:
Going: standard to slow
| Time | Race | Distance | Conditions |
| 5:10 pm | THE JENNINGSBET IN NEWCASTLE AMATEUR JOCKEYS’ HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 6) (CL 6) | 1m 2f 42y | 4YO+ £9,000.00 Rating 46-60 |
| 5:42 pm | THE JENNINGSBET IN SHIREMOOR NOVICE STAKES (CLASS 4) (GBB RACE) (CL 4) | 7f 14y | 3YO+ £10,000.00 |
| 6:17 pm | THE JENNINGSBET IN PELTON HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 4) (CL 4) | 1m 5y | 3YO+ £11,000.00 Rating 61-80 |
| 6:52 pm | THE JENNINGSBET IN DELVES HOPPINGS FILLIES’ STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 3) (CL 1) | 1m 2f 42y | 3YO+ £95,000.00 |
| 7:27 pm | THE PAUL DARLING GOSFORTH PARK CUP HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (CL 2) | 5f | 3YO+ £60,000.00 Rating 0-100 |
| 8:02 pm | THE JENNINGBET TOP MANAGERS HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 5) (CL 5) | 5f | 4YO+ £10,000.00 Rating 56-75 |
| 8:37 pm | THE SKY SPORTS RACING SKY 415 HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 6) (CL 6) | 6f | 4YO+ £9,000.00 Rating 46-55 |
Day Three: Northumberland Plate Day (27 June)
- When: Saturday, 27 June 2026
- Gate opening: 11:30 am
- First race: 1:40 pm
- Headline race: 3:15 pm
- Last race: 4:58 pm
The daily race card for the Northumberland Plate Day 2026 is as follows:
Going: standard to slow
| Time | Race | Distance | Conditions |
| 1:40 pm | THE EDUCATION NETWORK HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (CL 2) | 7f 14y | 3YO+ £50,000.00 Rating 86-105 |
| 2:10 pm | THE JENNINGSBET CHIPCHASE STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 3) (CL 1) | 6f | 3YO+ £95,000.00 |
| 2:40 pm | THE JENNINGSBET FESTIVAL NORTHUMBERLAND VASE HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (Consolation Race for The Northumberland Plate) (GBBPLUS RACE) (CL 2) | 2m 56y | 3YO+ £75,000.00 |
| 3:15 pm | THE JENNINGSBET NORTHUMBERLAND PLATE HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (HERITAGE HANDICAP) (GBBPLUS RACE) (CL 2) | 2m 56y | 3YO+ £150,000.00 |
| 3:45 pm | THE JENNINGSBET 200 SHOPS NATIONWIDE HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (CL 2) | 6f | 3YO+ £50,000.00 Rating 86-105 |
| 4:23 pm | THE PERTEMPS NETWORK EBF NOVICE STAKES (CLASS 2) (GBB RACE) (CL 2) | 5f | 2YO £32,500.00 |
| 4:58 pm | THE PERTEMPS NETWORK EDUCATIONAL HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 5) (CL 5) | 1m 4f 98y | 4YO+ £15,000.00 Rating 51-70 |
Betting at the Northumberland Plate Festival 2026
As one of the most significant race meetings of the North East, the Northumberland Plate Festival brings together race goers, punters, and bookmakers. If you would like to place a wager at any of the event’s races, you will be offered two options to do so.
For those visiting the Newcastle Racecourse for the event, a number of specialised betting facilities will be available at the course. Otherwise, online betting will be available on most major bookmaking platforms.
When choosing a bet, remember to practice responsible gambling. In order to make an informed decision, analyse the market trends through sources available online, track the physical form and recent performances of the declared runners, see which jockeys and trainers tend to do well in the given conditions, and of course, compare various bookmaking offers to select the odds that give you the best value.
At 7bet, we offer a wide range of horse race betting markets both for domestic and international events.
Please note that odds for the Northumberland Plate Festival 2026 will be available closer to the event date.
Betting at the Northumberland Plate Festival 2026 includes various horse betting markets, with some of the most popular ones being:
- Win: The easiest betting market to follow, it is often recommended for newcomers in betting to learn how horse betting odds work. Its objective is directly tied to the outcome of the race, where you as a punter are trying to predict who will win the race. For this, place your wager on a horse that, based on your analysis and available information, has the highest chance of winning. If you predict the outcome correctly, your wager will be eligible for a payout proportional to the offered odds and your stake size.
- Place: This betting market works well if the horse you want to bet on competes against equally strong rivals or if you would like to have somewhat lower risks. Here instead of betting that your horse will win the race, you bet that it will be placed within the winning top. The top itself can range between two and four places, the exact number being different for each race and depending on the number of declared runners and the race type. The exact number of paid placements is announced in advance. As the horse has a bigger chance to be placed than to win, the probability of making an incorrect prediction decreases. The risk lowers even further because you don’t have to predict the exact place your horse will take. As long as it is placed, it will count towards your bet.
- Each Way: This betting market grew in popularity when online betting was introduced. Here you are placing two different bets on the same horse. One is for the horse to win the race. The other one is for the same horse to be placed in the same race. Keep in mind that your stake will be doubled because of the conditions. Due to this, some inexperienced bettors prefer to avoid this bet, however if you are familiar with the field, you know it brings some interesting value. If your horse reaches the finish line first and wins the race, you will get a payout on both your stakes. If the horse loses first place but still places within the winning top, you will also lose your win wager but will still get a payout on the placement wager.
- Forecast/Tricast: Both these bets operate under the same mechanism and are considered high risk, thus more suitable for experienced punters with extensive knowledge of the field. When betting on forecast, you select two horses that in your opinion will respectively become the winner and the first runner up (i.e. take the second place). Note that your stake doesn’t grow because it is considered one single wager. If you placed your bet on straight forecast, the horses have to finish the race in the exact order you specified. If it is the reverse forecast, it is possible for them to switch places, meaning either of the two can be the winner while the other takes second place. As the outcome depends on the performance of two horses instead of one, your risk of making an incorrect prediction rises. The tricast bet works in the exact same way, but now you are adding a third horse to the equation and betting that horse A will be the winner, horse B will take second place, while horse C will come to the finish line third. For straight tricast, they need to finish the race in this exact order for your wager to win. In combination tricast they are allowed to finish in any order as long as all three of them are in top three. In both forecast and tricast, if one of the horses falls behind and misses the winning top altogether, you will lose your wager even if other horses come to the finish line as predicted.
Always remember to gamble responsibly and treat betting as a form of entertainment and not means for financial gain.
Headline Races at the Northumberland Plate Festival 2026
The Northumberland Plate Festival 2026 meeting includes 21 races, with seven races conducted on each day of the event. With several prestigious races on the race card, a variety of conditions, and amazing runners competing for the champion title, every guest at the Newcastle Racecourse will surely enjoy the meeting.
Seaton Delaval Handicap Stakes (Thursday, 25 June)
The Seaton Delaval Handicap Stakes is a handicap flat horse race that accepts both male and female horses aged four years or older. It is run over a distance of 1 mile and 5 yards (1,614 metres).
The first race under the same name was launched in 1867 and was only open to two year olds. It was named after a village to the north of Newcastle and a famous horse who won the Northumberland Plate in 1893. However, this race was discontinued in 1985. It was later revived under new conditions.
Even though in the modern era the race doesn’t impose any restriction on participation based on age limit, so far no horse has won the Seaton Delaval Handicap Stakes more than once.
The only jockey to have won the race multiple times is Daniel Tudhope with two wins (Shining Blue 2022, Lattam 2023). The most prolific trainer of the race is William Haggas who brought three of his charges to the finish line as winners (Lattam 2023, Elnajmm 2024, Godwinson 2025).
The latest winner in 2025 was a bay gelding Godwinson who was five at the time. This was his second of the two wins he had during the season. The first one took place in March 2025 when he won the William Hill Lincoln at the Doncaster Racecourse. Having closed the season with a 12th place in the Balmoral Handicap at the Ascot Racecourse in October, Godwinson moved yards and became the charge of Jack Channon. Godwinson was trained by William Haggas and led on the track by jockey Tom Marquand.
Currently, there are 18 runners announced to compete in this year’s race, but this number may change before the day of the race. Some of the jockeys for the race have already been announced, others are still awaiting confirmation.
The current full list of contenders, their jockeys and trainers runs as follows:
- Al Mubhir (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Kevin Ryan)
- Ancient Rome (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Charles Hills)
- Back In Black (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer James Fanshawe)
- Bobby Bennu (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Roger Varian)
- Callianassa (age 5, jockey Silvestre De Sousa, trainer Brian Ellison)
- Christian David (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Richard Hannon)
- Clouds Hill (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Charlie Johnston)
- Dingle (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Julie Camacho)
- Dosman (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Oli Rix)
- El Matador (age 4, jockey Edward Greatrex, trainer Ralph Beckett)
- First Principle (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer William Haggas)
- Hawksbill (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Richard Spencer)
- Mr Swivell (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Kevin Philippart De Foy)
- Mudbir (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer John & Thady Gosden)
- Regalian (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Tony Coyle & Kaine Wood)
- Treble Tee (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Simon & Ed Crisford)
- Wahdan (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Tim Easterby)
- Witch Hunter (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Richard Hannon)
Gosforth Park Cup (Friday, 26 June)
The Gosforth Park Cup is a handicap flat horse race that accepts both male and female horses aged three years or older. It is run over a distance of 5 furlongs (1,006 metres).
Named after the venue that hosts the Newcastle Racecourse where the race is currently conducted, it developed from a long tradition of sprint races held at the Newcastle Racecourse. It started appearing in the race cards under its current name since 2013.
As there are no age limits for participation in the race, any horse is welcome to enter it multiple times to try and win the title or repeat its previous success.
Currently, only one horse has managed to win the Gosforth Park Cup more than once. Caspian Prince holds the title of the multiple winner with 2 wins (2020, 2021).
On the other hand, no jockey has managed to win the race in the saddle more than once. Among the trainers, as many as three of them share the title of the most successful trainer: David Barron (Magical Macey 2013, Robot Boy 2014), Michael Appleby (Caspian Prince 2020, 2021), and Richard Fahey (Fool For You 2019, Vintage Clarets 2023), each with 2 wins.
The latest winner in 2025 was a bay gelding Paddy’s Day who was five at the time. It was one of the six wins he had that year, all of them taking place at the Newcastle Racecourse. This season, he hasn’t had any victories yet, but showed good results at the Doncaster Racecourse in June 2026 where he came to the finish line second in the Dysons And TPI Taping And Jointing Ltd Handicap. Paddy’s Day has already been announced to run in this year’s race. Paddy’s Day was trained by Nigel Tinkler and led on the track by jockey Alex Jary.
Currently, there are 31 runners announced to compete in this year’s race, but this number may change before the day of the race. Some of the jockeys for the race have already been announced, others are still awaiting confirmation.
The current full list of contenders, their jockeys and trainers runs as follows:
- Air Force One (age 5, jockey Patrick McDonald, trainer Geoff Oldroyd)
- Al Shabab Storm (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Michael Appleby)
- Albasheer (age 8, jockey Luke Morris, trainer Archie Watson)
- Annaf (age 7, jockey Daniel Muscutt, trainer Michael Appleby)
- Another Baar (age 6, jockey Mikey Sheehy, trainer Adrian Paul Keatley)
- Buzz Box (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Michael Herrington)
- Canon’s House (age 5, jockey Billy Garritty, trainer Michael & David Easterby)
- Corolla Point (age 4, jockey Callum Rodriguez, trainer Edward Bethell)
- Dark Cloud Rising (age 4, jockey Daniel Tudhope, trainer David O’Meara)
- Dark Thirty (age 6, jockey Jason Hart, trainer John & Sean Quinn)
- Fahrenheit Seven (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Robert Cowell)
- Fandom (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Richard Hannon)
- Fidelius (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Robert Cowell)
- Fivethousandtoone (age 8, jockey David Allan, trainer Tim Easterby)
- Gaeli (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Marco Botti)
- I’m Next (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Tim Easterby)
- King Of Light (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Stuart Williams)
- Kylian (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Robert Cowell)
- Paddy’s Day (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Nigel Tinkler)
- Purosangue (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Robert Cowell)
- Regal Envoy (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer William Knight)
- Seven Questions (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Robert Cowell)
- Sir Yoshi (age 4, jockey Sam James, trainer Geoffrey Harker)
- Society Kiss (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer John Mackie)
- Temple Of Athena (age 3, jockey Ben Robinson, trainer Brian Ellison)
- The Caltonian (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Linda Perratt)
- The Man (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Richard Spencer)
- Tropical Storm (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Andrew Balding)
- Vantheman (age 5, jockey Tom Eaves, trainer Kevin A Ryan)
- Vintage Clarets (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Richard & Peter Fahey)
- Ziggy’s Triton (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer David O’Meara)
Northumberland Plate Handicap Stakes (Saturday, 27 June)
The Northumberland Plate is a handicap flat horse race that accepts both male and female horses aged three years or older. It is run over a distance of 2 miles and 56 yards (3,270 metres).
The race was established 1833 and changed venues several times until in 1882 it was relocated to the newly opened racecourse in Gosforth Park. For many years it was conducted on Wednesdays and was a holiday for local miners. Today it is one of the richest two-mile handicaps in the world. This year the cash purse is £150,000.
As the race doesn’t impose the upper age limit for participation, all horses have a chance to return to the track and try to win the champion title as many times as their trainers would deem reasonable.
The horse with the most wins in the Northumberland Plate is brown colt Underhand with 3 wins (1857, 1858, 1859).
As many as four jockeys share the title of the most successful jockey of the race: Brian Rouse (Tug Of War 1977, 1978), Bruce Raymond (Grey God 1975, Totowah 1979), Willie Carson (Al Maheb 1990, Celeric 1996), and Kevin Darley (Far Cry 1999, Bay of Islands 2000), each with 2 wins.
Among trainers, Paul Cole stands out, having brought the highest number of his charges to the finish line as champions at 3 wins (Windsor Castle 1997, Cyrian 1998, Archduke Ferdinand 2001).
The latest winner in 2025 was a chestnut gelding Spirit Mixer who was seven at the time. His only other win of the season took place at the Chester Racecourse where he won the Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Watergate Cup in September. While he hasn’t won any races since the start of the 2026 season, he performed rather well in the Virgin Bet Queen’s Prize Handicap at the Kempton Racecourse in March where he placed third. Spirit Mixer has already been announced to run in this year’s Northumberland Plate. Spirit Mixer was trained by Andrew Balding and led on the track by jockey Rob Hornby.
Currently, there are 66 runners announced to compete in this year’s race, but this number may change before the day of the race. Some of the jockeys for the race have already been announced, others are still awaiting confirmation.
The current full list of contenders, their jockeys and trainers runs as follows:
- Prydwen (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer George Scott)
- Spinning Wheel (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Simon & Ed Crisford)
- Beylerbeyi (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ian Williams)
- Circus Of Rome (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Richard Hughes)
- Tashkhan (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Brian Ellison)
- Valiancy (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer William Haggas)
- Align The Stars (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Charlie Johnston)
- Sing Us A Song (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ralph Beckett)
- Spirit Mixer (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Andrew Balding)
- Bahadur (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Sean Woods)
- Dancing In Paris (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ian Williams)
- Asgard’s Captain (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Dylan Cunha)
- Blazeon Five (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Alan King)
- Elysian Flame (age 10, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Samantha & Jacqueline Coward)
- Saint Etienne (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Brian Ellison)
- Team Player (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ewan Whillans)
- Aqwaam (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ian Williams)
- Moon Over Miami (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ralph Beckett)
- Ride The Thunder (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Roger Varian)
- Tribal Star (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian McGuinness)
- Zanndabad (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer A J Martin)
- Gentleman Joe (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Matt Crawley)
- Kirchner (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer James Owen)
- Pole Star (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Charlie Johnston)
- Charging Thunder (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer James Owen)
- Chemistry (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jenny Candlish)
- Alphonse Le Grande (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer A J Martin)
- Shrimp Shady (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Andrew Balding)
- Synergism (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Sir Mark Prescott)
- Artisan Dancer (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Charlie Johnston)
- Laafy (age 10, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Brian Ellison)
- Sax Appeal (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Charlie Johnston)
- Mountain Road (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jim Goldie)
- Premiere Ligne (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Hughie Morrison)
- Brosna Town (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jessica Bedi)
- Caprelo (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Hughie Morrison)
- Hermetic (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ian Williams)
- Imperial Sovereign (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Philip Kirby)
- Putapoundinthejar (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer A J Martin)
- Savrola (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Dianne Sayer)
- Sir Callisto (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer A J Martin)
- Arc Zoosve (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Neil King)
- Letsbefrank (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jim Goldie)
- St Faz (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian Paul Keatley)
- Believitanducan (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Alan King)
- Dubai Jeanius (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Michael Herrington)
- Fast Fred (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Phillip Makin)
- Boxing Great (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Karl Thornton)
- Solar Pass (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Andrew Balding)
- Eben Zaabeel (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer A J Martin)
- Haveyoumissedme (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Iain Jardine)
- Clansman (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Liam Bailey)
- Catch Fire (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer A J Martin)
- Day Trader (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer A J Martin)
- Treasure Islands (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Tim Easterby)
- Fleurman (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Patrick Morris)
- Goin’ (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer A J Martin)
- Free World (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ian Williams)
- Vaguely Royal (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ian Williams)
- Gallant Lion (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ian Williams)
- Valley Of Flowers (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Samantha & Jacqueline Coward)
- Bruant (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer A J Martin)
- Cascade Hall (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jim Goldie)
- Rupert The Prince (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Rebecca Menzies)
- Bruce Banner (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Rebecca Menzies)
- Manbearpig (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Rebecca Menzies)
Other Notable Races at the Northumberland Plate Festival 2026
There are two other notable races run during the Northumberland Plate Festival that, while not headlining any of the days, bear major significance.
Hoppings Fillies’ Stakes (Friday, 26 June)
The Hoppings Fillies’ Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race that accepts mares and fillies aged three years or older. It is run over a distance of 1 mile 2 furlongs and 42 yards (2,050 metres).
The race owes its name to the annual funfair held in June at Town Moor, where the original racecourse of Newcastle was located. When the race was first run in 1999, it was classified at Listed level, but was upgraded to Grade 3 in 2018.
The race doesn’t impose upper age restrictions for participation, meaning every filly or mare can return to the racecourse to try and win the race multiple times. However, so far, there are no horses registered for having won the champion title more than once.
Jim Crowley holds the title of the most successful jockey with 4 wins (Smart Call 2018, Sun Maiden 2019, Zeyaadah 2021, Al Husn 2023). Two trainers share the title of having trained the highest number of winners: Sir Michael Stoute (Fictitious 1999, Smart Call 2018, Sun Maiden 2019) and Roger Varian (Nezwaah 2016, Zeyaadah 2021, Al Husn 2023), each with 3 wins.
The latest winner in 2025 was a bay mare Diamond Rain who was four at the time. This was her second win of the season after she won the Betfred ‘Nifty 50’ British EBF Hedge Of Oak Stakes at the Haydock Park Racecourse earlier in May. In her debut season of 2024, Diamond Rain boasts of two wins, Darley British EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes (Ascot Racecourse, May 2024, maiden run) and Haras De Bouquetot Fillies’ Trial Stakes (Newbury Racecourse, May 2024). Diamond Rain has already been announced to run in this year’s race. Diamond Rain was trained by Charlie Appleby and led on the track by jockey William Buick.
Currently, there are 14 runners announced to compete in this year’s race, but this number may change before the day of the race. Some of the jockeys for the race have already been announced, others are still awaiting confirmation.
The current full list of contenders, their jockeys and trainers runs as follows:
- Alla Stella (age 4, jockey Luke Morris, trainer Sir Mark Prescott)
- Ashariba (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer David Menuisier)
- Botagoz (age 3, jockey Ray Dawson, trainer Roger Varian)
- Chantilly Lace (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ralph Beckett)
- Cheshire Dancer (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Hugo Palmer)
- Ciara Pearl (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Daniel & Clair Kubler)
- Diamond Rain (age 5, jockey William Buick, trainer Charlie Appleby)
- Dreamasar (age 4, jockey Oisin Murphy, trainer Ed Walker)
- Folk Pageant (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Charlie Johnston)
- Lady Dora Mae (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer George Boughey)
- Morrophore (age 5, jockey James Doyle, trainer John & Thady Gosden)
- Never Let Go (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ed Walker)
- Sky Safari (age 5, jockey Daniel Muscutt, trainer James Fanshawe)
- Uluru (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer David Menuisier)
Chipchase Stakes (Saturday, 27 June)
The Chipchase Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race that accepts both male and female horses aged three years or older. It is run over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres).
One of the modern races run at the Newcastle Racecourse, this race was inaugurated in 1994 and named after the Chipchase Castle located north west of Newcastle. Initially run as a Listed race, it was later promoted to Group 3 in 2001.
With no upper limit on age, any horse can participate in Chipchase Stakes multiple times throughout their racing career and, of course, try and win the champion title.
Currently, one horse has achieved this level of success, and it is Tedburrow with two wins (2000, 2002).
The title of the most successful jockey with the highest number of wins is shared among six professionals: Darryll Holland (Branston Abby 1995, Andreyev 1998), Kevin Darley (Halmahera 1999, Soldier’s Tale 2005), Paul Hanagan (Utmost Respect 2008, Knot in Wood 2009), Graham Lee (Maarek 2012, Jack Dexter 2103), George Baker (Genki 2011, Aeolus 2015), and Tom Marquand (Sense of Duty 2022, Tiber Flow 2023), each with 2 wins.
The most prolific trainer with the highest number of winning charges was only registered in the recent years, when William Haggas won the race three years in a row (Sense of Duty 2022, Tiber Flow 2023, Montassib 2024).
The latest winner in 2025 was a bay gelding Diligent Harry who was 7 at the time. This was his only win of the season, however he already started the 2026 with two wins under his belt: Midnite Kachy Stakes (Lingfield Park Racecourse, January 2026) and Midnite Hever Sprint Stakes (Lingfield Park Racecourse, February 2026). He was also placed fourth in two later races: ZYN Abernant Stakes (Newmarket Racecourse, April 2026, winner Run To Freedom) and Go Local Stores Minster Stakes (York Racecourse, May 2026, winner Elmonjed). Diligent Harry has already been announced to run in this year’s race. Diligent Harry was trained by Clive Cox and led on the track by jockey Saffie Osborne.
Currently, there are 16 runners announced to compete in this year’s race, but this number may change before the day of the race. Some of the jockeys for the race have already been announced, others are still awaiting confirmation.
The current full list of contenders, their jockeys and trainers runs as follows:
- Bloodsweatandtyres (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Brian Ellison)
- Copacabana Sands (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Andrew Balding)
- Diligent Harry (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Clive Cox)
- Ferrous (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jack Channon)
- Forty Years On (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer George Scott)
- Heathcliff (age 5, jockey Daniel Muscutt, trainer James Fanshawe)
- Heavenly Heather (age 5, jockey Barry McHugh, trainer Tracy Waggott)
- Marvelman (age 4, jockey Patrick McDonald, trainer Andrew Balding)
- Noble Champion (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ed Walker)
- Paborus (age 5, jockey Callum Rodriguez, trainer Edward Bethell)
- Poet Master (age 6, jockey Sam James, trainer Karl Burke)
- Royal Bay Cen (age 3, jockey Connor Beasley, trainer Johnny Murtagh)
- Symbol Of Honour (age 4, jockey William Buick, trainer Charlie Appleby)
- Tiber Flow (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer William Haggas)
- Wiltshire (age 6, jockey Cieren Fallon, trainer William Haggas)
- Zoum Zoum (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ralph Beckett)
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