2026 Futurity Trophy Tips - Can Burke do Balding a favour at Doncaster?
The 2026 Futurity Trophy at Doncaster is the final Group One of the British flat season, featuring a select field of talented two-year-olds. Aidan O'Brien has three runners, including favourite Noble Exhibit, whose suitability to conditions is uncertain. Expert analysis highlights Burning Up, trained by Karl Burke, as the leading contender, especially given his proven stamina, form on similar ground, and strong performance in major trials. The article concludes with the recommendation that Burning Up is the best selection for Saturday's race.
- Odds and betting predictions for the 2026 Futurity Trophy
- This Group One will be run at Doncaster on Saturday 24th October
- Burning Up is our selection at 7/2
The final Group One of the British flat racing season takes place at Doncaster on Saturday, as a field of talented two-year-olds do battle in the Futurity Trophy. Winners of this quality race often go on to run in next season's Classics. In the last decade alone, we've seen Futurity Trophy winners follow up in the 2000 Guineas, Irish 2000 Guineas, Epsom Derby and even the St Leger.
Here's our free guide to the 2026 Futurity Trophy, including our best betting tips.
Here's our free guide to the 2026 Futurity Trophy, including our best betting tips.
2026 Futurity Trophy Odds
| Name | Odds |
|---|---|
| Noble Exhibit | 11/8 |
| Burning Up | 7/2 |
| Al Hudaiba | 6/1 |
| Breacher | 8/1 |
| Gran Dia | 12/1 |
| Sergei Diaghilev | 18/1 |
| Giant Sequoia | 20/1 |
2026 Futurity Trophy Runners
Three of the last five renewals of this Group One have been won by Aidan O'Brien, and the master of Ballydoyle will play a strong hand again. The firm favourite is Noble Exhibit, who powered to victory over a mile in the Beresford Stakes last month.
Karl Burke will be represented by Burning Up following his runner-up effort behind Haffner in the Royal Lodge Stakes. Al Hudaiba travelled to Canada to claim Group One honours in September and he'll represent Charlie Appleby in the final Group One of the Flat season.
Champagne Stakes third Breacher steps up to a mile after a strong third to Desert Castle in the Champagne Stakes. Andrew Balding runs the once-raced Gran Dia, in the hope of picking up some much-needed prize money. Aidan O'Brien's duo of Sergei Diaghilev and Giant Sequoia complete Saturday's line-up.
2026 Futurity Trophy Tips
It's rare that more than seven or eight runners contest the Futurity Trophy, so Saturday's field size isn't a surprise. Aidan O'Brien runs three, as he looks to put the Champion Trainer title race to bed. Noble Exhibit tops the market, while Sergei Diaghilev and Giant Sequoia bring up the rear.
Noble Exhibit was excellent in his maiden win at Punchestown and cruised to victory over some decent rivals in the Beresford Stakes. However, Frankel's progeny are at their best on good ground, and his dam was highly rated on quick American turf. I'm not convinced that ground conditions at Doncaster will suit the short-priced favourite.
If there were three paid places on offer, then I'd seriously consider an each-way punt on Sergei Diaghilev. I doubt we'll be talking about this son of Wootton Bassett as one of Aidan's leading three-year-olds next season, but Wayne Lordan's mount saw out a mile well in the Autumn Stakes, and his breeding is similar to last year's Futurity winner Hawk Mountain. If allowed to dictate the tempo, there's a chance that Sergei Diaghilev will plug on and challenge for victory.
Staying the trip won't be an issue for BURNING UP (7/2) either. Karl Burke's colt claimed back-to-back wins in eight-furlong novice races at Haydock earlier in the summer before taking his chance in the Royal Lodge at Newmarket.
Stacks of money came for Aidan O'Brien's Haffner before the off, as Burning Up eased out to 6/1. Karl Burke's concerns about the quick ground seemed justified as Clifford Lee's mount got outpaced going into the dip. However, once he met the rising ground, Burning Up stuck to the task brilliantly, keeping on to finish a clear second behind the well-backed favourite.
This son of Too Darn Hot seemed to relish soft conditions on his second start at Haydock, and the going at Doncaster on Saturday should be right up his street. The fast pace that's sure to be set by the Ballydoyle runners will be to his advantage too. Burning Up seems the most likely winner of Saturday's Group One highlight.
Visit our Futurity Trophy Live Stream page if you want to watch this Group One via a mobile or tablet.
Live Stream
Visit our Futurity Trophy Live Stream page if you want to watch this Group One via a mobile or tablet.
Verdict
Burning Up is our selection in the 2026 Futurity Trophy.
Burning Up
2026 Futurity Trophy
@7/2 - 5 Units
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