The Temple Stakes is one of the most important early-season sprint races in British flat racing and the highlight of Haydock Park’s William Hill Temple Stakes Day every May. A Group 2 contest run over five furlongs, it attracts the fastest sprinters in training and regularly serves as the first significant clash of the sprint season, with the winner almost always heading to the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot as their next target.
First run in 1965 at Sandown Park, the race moved to Haydock Park in 2008 and has been staged there ever since. The five-furlong Haydock straight is a stiff, genuine test of speed and the slight rise in the final furlong catches out horses who lack the stamina to see out the trip under the pressure of a Group 2 contest. Haydock’s sprint track rewards horses who have genuine course form and sprinting experience; the trends are unusually consistent for a race of this type.
The roll of honour is packed with elite sprinters. Battaash won back-to-back renewals in 2018 and 2019 in stunning fashion. Profitable (2016), Kingsgate Native (2010 and 2012) and Dayjur (1990) all landed the race before going on to Group 1 glory. The 2025 renewal was won by Mgheera, trained by Ed Walker and ridden by William Buick, who produced a storming late run from the rear of the field to get up close home.
The most famous winner of the Temple Stakes in recent memory is Battaash, Charlie Hills’s brilliant sprinter, who scorched to back-to-back victories and confirmed himself as one of the fastest horses seen in Britain for a generation. His 2019 winning time of 55.19 seconds remains one of the fastest ever recorded at Haydock over the minimum trip.
Race Facts
- Date: Saturday 23 May 2026
- Start time: 3:30pm BST
- Venue: Haydock Park Racecourse, Merseyside
- Distance: 5 furlongs (straight)
- Race type: Group 2, Class 1, three-year-olds and older
- Weights: 3yo: 8st 12lb; 4yo+: 9st 6lb; 3lb allowance for fillies and mares
- Penalties: 5lb for Group 1 winners; 3lb for Group 2 winners (since last 31 August)
- Prize fund: Update once confirmed
- Going: Update closer to race day
- TV coverage: Racing TV / ITV Racing
- Also on the card: Betfred Sandy Lane Stakes (Group 2, 6f, 3yo), other Flat races
Entries and Runners
24 horses are entered for the 2026 Temple Stakes at the time of writing. The final declared field will be confirmed in the days before the race. Among the prominent names in the entries are Asfoora (age 8, rated 114), American Affair (age 6, rated 113), Ain’t Nobody (Kevin Ryan, rated 109) and Beautiful Diamond (Karl Burke, rated 104).
Key Runners to Watch
Every one of the last 11 winners of the Temple Stakes carried an official rating of 106 or higher. Nine of the last 11 winners were aged four or older. Eleven of the last 11 winners had at least three previous runs over five furlongs, and nine had at least two previous wins over the minimum trip. Experience, class and a record of winning over five furlongs are non-negotiable.
Asfoora – The International Raider
An eight-year-old rated 114, Asfoora is trained by Lemos Souza and represents the international sprint raiding party that frequently targets this race. She was joint favourite for the 2024 Temple Stakes but was unplaced. Her form figures of 57171-0 heading into 2026 show she has been competitive at the highest level throughout her career, with a previous win at Group level. At eight years old she falls outside the most common winning profile – nine of the last 11 winners were aged seven or younger – but her rating and sprint credentials make her a legitimate contender if she produces her best.
American Affair – The Course Specialist
Trained by Jim Goldie and rated 113, American Affair is a six-year-old with strong course form and an excellent record in competitive sprint handicaps and conditions races. He won the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2025 – a Group 1 success that places him firmly in the top tier of the sprint division. His form figures of 10/1151- give him strong each-way claims. The Temple is a natural fit for a horse with his profile and connections are likely to target Royal Ascot from here again.
Ain’t Nobody – The Kevin Ryan Contender
Trained by Kevin Ryan and rated 109, Ain’t Nobody is a four-year-old who sits comfortably within the most common winning age range for this race. Ryan has a strong record with sprinters at Haydock and his horses tend to arrive fit and ready to run their race. Ain’t Nobody’s form figures of 62007-0 suggest inconsistency but at 109 he has the rating profile that winners of this race tend to carry. Worth including in any each-way strategy once the market settles.
Beautiful Diamond – The Each-Way Outsider
Karl Burke’s five-year-old filly is rated 104, just below the typical winning threshold of 106 or higher, but Burke has a strong record with fillies in conditions sprint races and the 3lb allowance she receives narrows the gap. Her form figures of 82/812-3 show she has placed at a decent level and her trainer’s record makes her worth considering at a bigger price. Her best form figure on the card and any draw advantage will be key factors.
Mgheera – The Defending Champion
Mgheera won the 2025 renewal in fine style for Ed Walker and William Buick, producing a storming late run that caught the eye of the form watchers. Ed Walker-trained sprinters have a strong record at Haydock and if Mgheera is declared for the 2026 renewal she arrives as a serious contender on the strength of her Temple Stakes form alone. Check declarations for her entry once confirmed.
Odds and Market Overview
Early ante-post markets for the 2026 Betfred Temple Stakes have not fully formed at the time of writing. The market will crystallise once declarations are confirmed and the draw is revealed. In recent years the Temple has been a market-leader-friendly race, with five of the last 11 winners sent off favourite or joint favourite and eight of the last 11 coming from the top three in the betting.
Looking at the last 11 renewals, the biggest-priced winner was 16/1 (Celtic Mill in 2005). The draw is a significant factor – horses drawn six or lower have a strong record at Haydock over five furlongs. This is a race where value can be found further down the card, particularly for proven Haydock course specialists.
The going at Haydock in May is typically Good to Good to Firm, which suits horses with a clean bill of health and a preference for quick ground. Any overnight rain can significantly alter the complexion of the race and the market.
How to Bet on the Temple Stakes
The Temple Stakes is one of the most popular sprint betting races of the early flat season, attracting punters who follow the sprint division and those looking for Royal Ascot pointers. Here is a step-by-step guide:
- Choose a licensed betting site. Always ensure your bookmaker is regulated by the UK Gambling Commission. Compare odds across platforms to find the best value.
- Study the declared runners. Every winner of the last 11 renewals carried a rating of 106 or higher, so focus your attention on the highest-rated horses in the field. Previous course form at Haydock is a strong positive – seven of the last 11 winners had at least one previous run at the track. Check the draw carefully once it is revealed on Thursday; horses drawn six or lower have a strong record over five furlongs at Haydock.
- Select your bet type. The most common options are: a win bet (your horse must finish first), an each-way bet (pays out if your horse finishes in the top three, which is standard each-way terms for a Group 2 of this size), or ante-post bets placed before final declarations are confirmed.
- Consider the age and experience profile. Nine of the last 11 winners were aged four or older, and every winner had at least three previous runs over five furlongs. Younger, less experienced horses have a poor record in this race regardless of their rating. Favour the older, proven sprinters.
- Place your bet. Choose your stake, add the bet to your slip, and confirm.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Temple Stakes 2026?
The Temple Stakes takes place on Saturday 23 May 2026 at Haydock Park Racecourse. The race is due off at 3:30pm BST.
Where is the Temple Stakes held?
The Temple Stakes is held at Haydock Park Racecourse in Merseyside. The race was originally run at Sandown Park from 1965 until 2007 before moving to Haydock in 2008, where it has remained ever since.
What distance is the Temple Stakes?
The Temple Stakes is run over five furlongs on Haydock’s straight sprint course, with a slight rise in the final furlong that rewards horses with genuine stamina and class rather than pure early speed.
How many runners?
24 horses are entered at the time of writing. The final declared field will typically attract between 8 and 14 runners once non-runners are confirmed. Update once officially declared.
How to watch?
The Temple Stakes is broadcast live on Racing TV and covered by ITV Racing as part of their Saturday flat racing coverage.
Past winners?
2025: Mgheera (Ed Walker / William Buick) – storming late run to win from the rear. 2024: Kerdos (Clive Cox) – saw off Live In The Dream and Seven Questions. 2023: Dramatised (Charlie Appleby / William Buick, 4/1). 2022: Minzaal (Owen Burrows). 2019: Battaash (Charlie Hills / Jim Crowley, 5/6 favourite). 2018: Battaash (Charlie Hills, won back-to-back).
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