2026 Star Sports Brigadier Gerard Stakes: runner-by-runner guide and tip

Trainer: John Gosden & Thady Gosden. Jockey: William Buick. Best odds: 8-11.

Positives: Took a big step forward after finishing second in this race (when carrying a 3lb penalty) last year and has won three times plus finished second twice in five starts since, all at Group One level. Looked as good as ever when landing the Dubai Turf in March and was particularly impressive in last year’s Juddmonte International. Has plenty in hand on official ratings, and his tactical versatility means he shouldn’t be hindered, despite a small field. 

Negatives: Lacks a recent run, and John Gosden, when speaking at the Betfred Derby Festival gallops morning at Epsom on Tuesday, warned his superstar will improve for this outing. Tasted defeat in this contest last year, when also lacking race fitness, and this is a stepping stone towards Royal Ascot. Conceding 7lb to all five rivals is a niggle, too. 

Verdict: The class act here, and is clearly the one to beat, although the lack of a race fitness means he’s potentially vulnerable, especially on these terms.

Trainer: Andrew Balding. Jockey: Oisin Murphy. Best odds: 6-1.

Positives: Looked a potential Group performer when continuing his progression in a Listed race at Ayr last year. Remains lightly-raced for his age and ought to have more to offer this season, while his recent Sandown outing should have blown the cobwebs away (he wasn’t given the hardest time under pressure). 

Negatives: Failed to sparkle on his first start at Group One level, when ninth in the QIPCO Champion Stakes, last season, although did have a couple of excuses, and needs to take a big step forward from his return to defeat Ombudsman. He may also be best suited with some cut in the ground, and 

Verdict: It’s likely he has a bigger performance in him, but his past two efforts have been a shade underwhelming. 

Trainer: Charlie Appleby. Jockey: Ryan Moore. Best odds: 16-1.

Positives: Produced some strong form in valuable handicaps before finishing an agonising second in a Group Three at Meydan last time out, and is gradually improving. Scored following a 181-day absence in January, so the lack of a recent outing isn’t a concern, and the booking of Ryan Moore catches the eye. 

Negatives: Faces strong opposition here plus lacks a recent outing. He also faded close home when fifth over this course and distance last year, so a stiff finish may not be suitable over this trip. Has a bit to find with most rivals on ratings, too. 

Verdict: Proved last time out he deserves to be contesting Group races, but this is a strong contest for the grade, and will need a few to underperform to go close. 

Trainer: Charlie Appleby. Jockey: Best odds:

Positives: Consistent performer – his career record read 211222 – and has improved again after being gelded over the winter. Has relished stepping up in trip again on his past two outings and was only narrowly denied last Listed level last time out. Has run well after breaks in the past, so the lack of race fitness should not be an excuse. 

Negatives: Needs to raise his game again to be competitive at Group level, based on the form he has shown so far, and has bundles to find on ratings.

Verdict: Could be running here to set the pace for Ombudsman, and it will be a surprise if he’s good enough to cause an upset. 

Trainer: Owen Burrows. Jockey: James Doyle. Best odds:

Positives: Has been purchased by Wathnan Racing (one can only presume for a huge sum) since bolting up in a Listed contest at Kempton in April. That was just his fifth start, and he’s entitled to improve fitness-wise, while the manner of that victory suggests he’s capable of claiming Group glory this season. Owen Burrows said on Racing TV that he “thinks the world of him” and “I'd like to believe we'll be going into Group Ones with him at some stage” after that success, too, and Gethin is open to a huge amount of improvement. 

Negatives: The form of his recent victory has taken a few knocks since, for all that he was impressive. Burrows also admitted he’s still “a work in progress”,and faster ground remains a question mark. Will need to take another step forward to trouble the favourite. 

Verdict: A likeable performer who could easily progress into a Group One performer this season, but has he got what it takes to defeat Ombudsman at this stage of his career? 

Trainer: James Owen. Jockey: Cieren Fallon. Best odds:

Positives: Enjoyed a busy but productive campaign last year and gained a deserved win in the Nashville Derby on his final outing of 2025. Performed creditably in defeat, including at Group One level, prior to that, and it’s easy to forgive his effort in the Breeders’ Cup Turf when last seen.Should have the speed for this contest, despite racing predominantly over 1m4f on recent starts, and fast ground will suit. 

Negatives: Connections have said the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot is his main aim, so is likely to strip fitter for his first outing since November and is another who needs the favourite to underperform. 

Verdict: It’s unlikely he will be primed for this assignment, and connections will surely be happy with a promising run en route to Royal Ascot. 

There are a few red flags, and John Gosden warning punters that OMBUDSMAN won't be 100% fit here is one of them, but he has plenty in hand on official ratings, despite having to concede 7lb to each rival, and it's hard to confidently take him on, with his rivals needing him to underperform considerably to strike.

It's also worth noting he did score at Meydan in March, following a 161-day absence, so it's not like he's returning from months off the track, and it's unlikely he will need to be at his very best to score, anyway.

Gethin is the obvious danger, although he's likely to continue progressing throughout the season, based on Owen Burrows' comments on Racing TV following his Kempton success, and the form of his recent win has not worked out well.

Almeric is clearly held in high regard by connections, although he needs to show more this season, and take a sizeable step forward from his recent return over this course and distance, while Wimbledon Hawkeye, Bedouin Prince and Arabian Light all need to improve consiederably to score.