Everything is set for one of the most eagerly anticipated races of the Qatar Goodwood Festival. The Stewards' Cup 2026 brings together 28 sprint specialists and, as is often the case, the draw has once again become one of the biggest talking points ahead of the race.
With the draw now confirmed, it's time to take a closer look at the runners, the latest odds and the key trends that could shape the outcome of this year's renewal.
Anyone planning to place a bet during the festival may want to compare the best horse racing betting sites in the UK before the opening race to find the latest odds and promotions.
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Stewards’ Cup 2026 race details
| Race detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Race | Coral Stewards’ Cup |
| Date | Saturday 1 August 2026 |
| Time | 3:35pm |
| Racecourse | Goodwood |
| Distance | 6 furlongs |
| Class | Class 2 Heritage Handicap |
| Age restriction | Three-year-olds and older |
| Maximum field | 28 runners |
| Prize money | £250,000 guaranteed |
| Going | Good to firm at the time of writing |
| TV coverage | ITV Racing and Racing TV |
The Stewards’ Cup is the feature event on the final day of the Qatar Goodwood Festival. It is run over a straight six furlongs and is one of the most competitive sprint handicaps on the British racing calendar. Conditions and non-runners can change before Saturday, so it is worth checking the final racecard and going report before placing a bet.
Stewards’ Cup runners and draw
The final Stewards’ Cup draw has produced an interesting split. Market leader Far Above Dream will start from stall 23, while several other fancied runners, including Mitbaahy, Fandom, Sondad and Run Boy Run, have also been drawn high.
Far Above Dream favourite at — odds 8
Here is the confirmed field.
| Draw | Horse | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Candy | Callum Hutchinson | Richard Spencer |
| 2 | Dubai Bling | William Buick | Hugo Palmer |
| 3 | Invictus Gold | Jason Watson | Tom Clover |
| 4 | Gold Star Hero | Hector Crouch | Michael Bell |
| 5 | Stratusnine | David Probert | Hugo Palmer |
| 6 | Annaf | Daniel Muscutt | Michael Appleby |
| 7 | King Of Light | Marco Ghiani | Stuart Williams |
| 8 | Dark Thirty | Jason Hart | John and Sean Quinn |
| 9 | Northern Champion | Ashley Lewis | Ed Walker |
| 10 | Evening Saigon | James Doyle | Hamad Al Jehani |
| 11 | Completely Random | Ryan Moore | Harry Charlton |
| 12 | Ferrous | Callum Rodriguez | Jack Channon |
| 13 | Two Tribes | David Egan | Richard Spencer |
| 14 | Flash Harry | Jack Nicholls | Clive Cox |
| 15 | Tuco Salamanca | Dylan Browne McMonagle | Oli Sangster |
| 16 | Hammer The Hammer | Toby Moore | Kevin Ryan |
| 17 | West Acre | Darragh Keenan | George Scott |
| 18 | Realign | Tom Marquand | William Haggas |
| 19 | Berkshire Whisper | Oisin Murphy | Andrew Balding |
| 20 | Soldier’s Tree | Mason Paetel | James Owen |
| 21 | Sondad | Joanna Mason | Michael and David Easterby |
| 22 | Fandom | Sean Levey | Richard Hannon |
| 23 | Far Above Dream | Kieran Shoemark | James Owen |
| 24 | Run Boy Run | George Wood | Richard Spencer |
| 25 | Mitbaahy | Jamie Spencer | Charles Hills |
| 26 | Toca Madera | Saffie Osborne | David O’Meara |
| 27 | Get It | Pat Cosgrave | George Baker |
| 28 | Garfield Shadow | Harry Vigors | Hamad Al Jehani |
The 2026 race has attracted the maximum field of 28, with Far Above Dream occupying stall 23 and defending champion Two Tribes drawn in 13.
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Latest Stewards’ Cup odds
Far Above Dream is the early favourite following the Stewards’ Cup draw. His strong Goodwood record and promising fourth in the Wokingham have helped push him to the top of the market. The leading contenders at the time of writing include:
| Runner | Current price range |
|---|---|
| Far Above Dream | 13/2 to 7/1 |
| Two Tribes | 8/1 to 10/1 |
| Soldier’s Tree | 10/1 to 12/1 |
| Dubai Bling | Around 12/1 |
| Sondad | Around 12/1 |
| Dark Thirty | Around 14/1 |
| Mitbaahy | Around 14/1 |
| Tuco Salamanca | 14/1 to 16/1 |
| Annaf | Around 16/1 |
| Completely Random | Around 16/1 |
| Fandom | Around 16/1 |
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Odds can shift quickly in a race of this size, particularly if one runner attracts strong support on Friday evening or Saturday morning. Compare prices before betting rather than automatically taking the first offer you spot.
Bookmakers may also offer extra each-way places on the Stewards’ Cup. That can make a noticeable difference when backing a runner at a double-figure price, but always check the place terms and minimum odds first.
Does the Stewards’ Cup draw matter?
The short answer is yes, but it should not be treated as the only factor. Eight of the previous ten winners reportedly emerged from the higher half of the draw. The two winners from single-figure stalls during that period both started as favourites, suggesting that a low draw can be overcome by a horse with a strong enough chance.
Large-field sprints at Goodwood often divide into separate groups. A horse can therefore have an ideal individual position but still be inconvenienced if the strongest early pace develops on the opposite side of the course.
That makes the location of the front-runners just as important as the raw stall number.
High-drawn runners
Far Above Dream, Run Boy Run, Mitbaahy, Fandom, Sondad and Get It are among the notable runners in stalls 21 or higher. On recent trends, that section looks appealing. There also appears to be enough pace among the high numbers to give the runners behind a proper lead into the race.
Middle-drawn runners
Two Tribes starts from stall 13, almost exactly in the centre. That gives David Egan options, although the defending champion may need to decide quickly which group to follow. Tuco Salamanca, Hammer The Hammer, West Acre and Realign are also positioned around the middle.
Low-drawn runners
Dubai Bling, Annaf, Dark Thirty and Invictus Gold have all landed single-figure stalls. They should not be written off purely because of the draw. However, their jockeys will need to judge whether to remain on the far side or attempt to move towards a stronger group without using too much energy.
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Stewards’ Cup runners to watch
With 28 runners charging over six furlongs, making a convincing case for half the field is not difficult. These are some of the horses likely to attract the most attention.
Far Above Dream
Far Above Dream has won all three of his previous races at Goodwood and finished fourth in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot on his latest start. That combination of course form and a respectable effort in another major sprint handicap explains why he heads the betting. Stall 23 also appears favourable based on recent results. The obvious concern is the price. In a chaotic 28-runner handicap, taking a short price about any horse comes with risk, no matter how strong the profile looks.
Two Tribes
Two Tribes produced an impressive performance to win the 2025 Stewards’ Cup after being backed into 11/2 from much bigger overnight prices. He returns from stall 13 carrying more weight than he did last year. Only four horses have successfully defended the trophy, so he faces a tough assignment, but his ability to cope with a large field is no longer in doubt.
Sondad
Sondad arrives in cracking form after winning a competitive handicap at the Curragh. He carries a penalty for that success but has the right sort of recent profile for this race. Stall 21 places him among several well-fancied runners on the high side. He looks particularly interesting should the pace develop strongly in that group.
Mitbaahy
Mitbaahy is already a Group 2 winner and showed that he still possesses plenty of ability when finishing fifth in the Wokingham. He has not always been the easiest horse to predict, but Jamie Spencer knows him well and stall 25 could prove useful. At a double-figure price, he may appeal more as an each-way option than a straightforward win bet.
Fandom
Fandom has returned to form since joining Richard Hannon and was finishing strongly when third at Ascot on his latest outing. The large field and expected strong pace should suit his running style. Stall 22 also places him close to several of the leading contenders, making him one of the more intriguing outsiders.
Dark Thirty
Dark Thirty has already won valuable handicaps at York and Chester this season before finishing second to Sondad at the Curragh. He is drawn lower than many of the recent winners, but his form is difficult to knock. A reproduction of his latest efforts would put him right in the mix.
Annaf
Annaf is a Group 3 winner who could be well treated if returning to his best. His recent performances suggest he retains plenty of ability, although stall six raises a tactical question. He may need a strong pace on the low side and a bit of luck in running, but his class makes him difficult to dismiss.
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Can Two Tribes win the Stewards’ Cup again?
Two Tribes has the chance to become only the fifth dual winner of the race.
The task is more difficult this time. He is older, higher in the handicap and must compete from a different draw. Nevertheless, last year’s performance proved that he has the pace and mentality required to handle this unusual contest. Get It, the 2024 winner, also returns. However, the eight-year-old has questions to answer after failing to beat a rival in his following three outings and returning from a lengthy absence.
Key Stewards’ Cup betting trends
Trends should help reduce the shortlist rather than decide the bet on their own. Still, several patterns are worth keeping in mind.
- Nine of the last ten winners were aged six or younger.
- Eight of the last ten winners came from double-figure stalls.
- Three of the previous ten favourites won.
- Every winner since 2016 had previously won over six furlongs.
- Several recent winners started at double-figure odds.
- Recent competitive handicap form has regularly proved valuable.
- The last ten winners were trained in Britain.
The range of winning starting prices shows why the Stewards’ Cup is not a race in which punters should focus solely on the favourite. Get It won at 40/1 in 2024, while Aberama Gold, Commanche Falls, Summerghand and Gifted Master all returned at 18/1 or bigger.
Previous Stewards’ Cup winners
| Year | Winner | Age | Draw | Starting price | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Two Tribes | 4 | 25 | 11/2 | Richard Spencer |
| 2024 | Get It | 6 | 28 | 40/1 | George Baker |
| 2023 | Aberama Gold | 6 | 15 | 18/1 | David O’Meara |
| 2022 | Commanche Falls | 5 | 19 | 25/1 | Michael Dods |
| 2021 | Commanche Falls | 4 | 23 | 10/1 | Michael Dods |
| 2020 | Summerghand | 6 | 17 | 22/1 | David O’Meara |
| 2019 | Khaadem | 3 | 3 | 4/1 favourite | Charles Hills |
| 2018 | Gifted Master | 5 | 25 | 20/1 | Hugo Palmer |
| 2017 | Lancelot Du Lac | 7 | 15 | 25/1 | Dean Ivory |
| 2016 | Dancing Star | 3 | 4 | 9/2 favourite | Andrew Balding |
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Commanche Falls is the most recent horse to win consecutive editions, having landed the race in both 2021 and 2022.
Who is the Stewards’ Cup favourite?
Far Above Dream is the current favourite.
The four-year-old has a perfect three-from-three record at Goodwood and ran well when fourth in the Wokingham. He also received stall 23, which fits the recent preference for higher-drawn runners.
Far Above Dream favourite at — odds 8
He is an obvious contender, but backing the favourite in a field of 28 is never straightforward. Punters must decide whether his course record justifies the price or whether greater value can be found further down the market.
Stewards’ Cup 2026 betting verdict
Far Above Dream has plenty going for him. He knows Goodwood inside out, arrives after a strong Royal Ascot performance and has received a potentially favourable draw. He is the one the field must beat, but his relatively short price leaves little room for things to go wrong.
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Sondad and Dark Thirty bring solid recent handicap form, while Two Tribes cannot be dismissed on his return to the race he won so convincingly last year.
For punters hunting for each-way value, Mitbaahy and Fandom make a fair bit of appeal. Both are drawn high, have form in competitive sprints and should appreciate a fast pace.
The draw points towards the high numbers, but do not place a bet based on stall position alone. Check the final going, any non-runners, the bookmakers’ each-way terms and where the early pace is likely to come from.