2026 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes Tips - Beckett's raider can make hay on Belmont debut
The 2026 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes at Belmont Park features a competitive field led by European raiders El Cordobes, Pride Of Arras, and Fort George. With bookmakers closely splitting the top five contenders, our tip is to side with Pride Of Arras (7/2), trained by Ralph Beckett, who comes into the race in great form after a strong Kempton victory. The make-up of the Belmont turf should play to his strengths, making him the recommended pick for Saturday’s main event.
- Odds and betting predictions for the 2026 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes
- This Grade One will be run at Belmont Park on Saturday 26th September
- Pride Of Arras is our best bet at 7/2
Saturday's main event at Belmont Park is the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes. This 12 furlong Grade One was first held in 1977, and horses who impress on Saturday will likely head to the Breeders' Cup Turf at the end of October.
Here's our free guide to the 2026 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes, including our best betting tips.
2026 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes Odds
| Name | Odds |
|---|---|
| El Cordobes | 3/1 |
| Pride Of Arras | 7/2 |
| Fort George | 4/1 |
| Minaret Station | 5/1 |
| Program Trading | 5/1 |
| Far Bridge | 8/1 |
| Ashbury Park | 33/1 |
2026 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes Runners
The three European raiders top a fairly open betting heat for this lucrative Group One. Charlie Appleby is represented by last year's Sword Dancer Stakes winner El Cordobes, who went on to finish third in the Breeders' Cup Turf but was well beaten in Doha on his only start of the season so far in February.
Ralph Beckett is represented by Pride Of Arras, who was last seen beating Gethin and Constitution Hill in the September Stakes at Kempton. Ed Walker's Fort George will be making his third Stateside start following placed efforts in both the Bowling Green Stakes and the Kentucky Turf Cup.
Will Walden runs Minaret Station, who was narrowly beaten by Survie in the Christophe Clement Turf Stakes. Chad Brown's Program Trading placed third that day at Saratoga, and Ricardo Santana Jnr's mount could be tasked with making the running.
2024 Joe Hirsch winner Far Bridge will represent Miguel Clement in Grade One company once again. The seventh and final entrant is Chad Brown's second string, Ashbury Park.
2026 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes Tips
The bookmakers are struggling to split the leading contenders for Saturday's feature at Belmont, and you could make a decent case for any of the first five in the market. Personally, I think PRIDE OF ARRAS (7/2) is the most talented horse in the field, and Ralph Beckett's gelding is no stranger to travelling.
Pride Of Arras had been off the track for three months before his run in the Bahrain International Trophy, where Beckett's raider showed up well for a long way before getting outpaced in the closing stages. Rossa Ryan's mount ran flat on his reappearance this term but produced a superb effort at his beloved Knavesmire in the York Stakes, where he was only beaten by the three-year-old Item, who went on to land the Juddmonte International Stakes the following month.
Instead of a tilt at the Juddmonte, Beckett opted to send Pride Of Arras to Kempton for the September Stakes earlier this month. Ryan rode him positively, hugging the tight rail behind the leaders before unleashing Pride Of Arras in the straight. Beckett's gelding quickened up best to claim a one-length victory as front-running favourite Gethin hung left in the closing stages.
A fairly fragile sort, the three-week turnaround suggests that Pride Of Arras has come out of that Kempton contest in excellent shape. The make-up of the turf track at Belmont is pretty similar to York, and the excellent James Doyle deputises for Rossa Ryan as Pride Of Arras aims to make a winning US debut.
Verdict
Pride Of Arras is our best bet in the 2026 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes.
Pride Of Arras
2026 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes Tips
@7/2 - 5 Units
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