WATCH FREE

Item likely to be given break until next season

By Racing TV

Last Updated: Mon 14 Sep 2026

Juddmonte International hero Item is set to be put away until next season after finishing down the field in Saturday’s Irish Champion Stakes.

The Leopardstown showpiece staged an intriguing rematch between the first three from last month’s Knavesmire feature, with Item reopposed by the runner-up Almaqam and the third home Constitution River, but none of the three managed to claim victory.

Item was struggling from the home turn and passed the post in sixth and his trainer Andrew Balding is now keen to give him a break before stepping back up in trip as a four-year-old.

“He was always slightly under pressure to hold his position and he stayed on well at the end, but it was all too late,” the trainer told Sky Sports Racing at Windsor on Monday.

“It was a bit sharp for him. The likelihood is that he’ll stay in training next year and we’ll explore the mile and a half options.

“There’s not really anything for him (this season), so I think he’ll have a nice break. He probably won’t go to the Breeders’ Cup this year, but we can probably look at something like the Sheema Classic next year.

“Anything is possible, but the feeling after Ireland was that we’ll look towards next year.”

While Item may have come up short on Irish soil, his stablemate Blue Bolt did not, extending her unbeaten record for the season to five with a dominant display in Leopardstown’s Matron Stakes.

The four-year-old is likely to be part of the Kingsclere team bound for the Breeders’ Cup, but not before bidding to win another Group One on home turf.

Balding added: “I think we’ll look at the Sun Chariot (at Newmarket on October 3) because she’s just come back and has only lost six kilos and certainly had a spring to her step this morning.

“We’ll look at the Sun Chariot, the timing is right and it would lead nicely into Keeneland.”

The trainer also confirmed “all roads lead to Longchamp” and a tilt at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with Kalpana, saying: “She’s certainly in great form, very happy with her.”

Watch: "Low-grade infection" in yard says O'Brien

Monday tips: Mark Rowntree's four best bets

“She looks a freak!" - Sun Goddess runs away with Moyglare

Ryan Moore: the inside track on my Sunday Curragh rides

Five horses to follow at the Curragh on Sunday

Featured offers

Bet £10 Get £40 in free bets + Money back 2nd to SP fav with BOYLE Sports

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

Boyle Sports: Bet £10 Get £40 in free bets + Money back 2nd to SP fav with BOYLE Sports

Bet £20 and Get £40 in Free Bets with Unibet

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

Unibet: Bet £20 and Get £40 in Free Bets with Unibet

Bet £10 get £40 in free bets with Kwiff

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

New UK customers. Place a £10 real money bet at min. 2.0 odds within 5 days of deposit. Get 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 Single, 2 Accas & 1 Bet Builder (min. 3 selections each). Excludes cashout, E/W, Multis, Ineligible Markets & Odds Boosts. Credited after bet settlement. 7-day expiry. T&Cs apply. 18+ | GambleAware

Bet £10 get £30 in Free Bets with talkSPORT BET

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

TalkSportBet: Bet £10 get £30 in Horse Racing Free Bets

Get 50% back up to £50 with QuinnBet

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

18+ GambleAware. New UK Customers Only. Bet £10+ on any sportsbook markets at odds of evens (2.00) or greater. Get 50% back of your first day’s losses as a Free Bet up to £50, valid for 7 days.

Please bet responsibly

Races

Tips

Watch

Results