The 2026 Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket promises an exciting showdown, with the unbeaten Blue Bolt heavily favored after three consecutive Group One wins. She will face last year’s winner, Fallen Angel, who returns to defend her crown. Other major contenders include City Of Memphis, who gave chase in the Matron Stakes; Irish Guineas winner Precise, and rising talent Calendar Girl. The race boasts a strong field with proven and emerging fillies. Blue Bolt is tipped as the likely winner, though past upsets signal thrilling possibilities.
Odds and betting predictions for the 2026 Sun Chariot Stakes
This Group One takes place at Newmarket on Saturday 3rd October
We're backing Kon Tiki each-way at 25/1
Kon Tiki (second right, yellow sleeves) tries to track down Blue Bolt in the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes on day two during Royal Ascot 2026. (Getty)
The main event at Newmarket on Saturday is the Sun Chariot Stakes. This famous race was first held on the Rowley Mile back in 1966 and a top-quality field looks set to line up in this year's renewal.
Here's our free guide to the 2026 Sun Chariot Stakes, including our best betting tips.
2026 Sun Chariot Stakes Odds
Name
Odds
Blue Bolt
4/7
City Of Memphis
6/1
Fallen Angel
8/1
Precise
10/1
Calendar Girl
16/1
Bar
20/1
2026 Sun Chariot Stakes Runners
Blue Bolt dominates the betting for this year's Sun Chariot Stakes. Andrew Balding's filly has enjoyed an unbeaten campaign thus far and will attempt to win a fourth Group One in a row following victories in the Falmouth Stakes, the Prix Rothschild and the Matron Stakes.
Blue Bolt's last defeat came in this race 12 months ago, when she bumped into Fallen Angel, and Karl Burke's filly will return to defend her crown following a decent third in the Matron. City Of Memphis finished closest to the market leader at Leopardstown, and Paddy Twomey's progressive four-year-old could line up in opposition again at Newmarket.
Irish Guineas winner Precise has finished behind Blue Bolt in three of her last four starts but could still represent Aidan O'Brien this weekend. Owen Burrows' Dick Hern Stakes winner Calendar Girl looks set to step into Group One company for the first time. Valiant Stakes winner Kon Tiki will take her chance, provided the ground at Newmarket remains on the firmer side of good.
Moon Target wasn't beaten far when third behind Blue Bolt in the Prix Rothschild two starts ago. Other potential runners include Atalanta Stakes winner Love Dynasty, Sceptre Stakes scorer Pina Sonata, Ralph Beckett's lightly raced three-year-old Secret Of Life and Karl Burke's second string, Evolutionist.
2026 Sun Chariot Stakes Tips
Blue Bolt is clearly going to take some beating as she bids for a fourth Group One on the bounce. Andrew Balding's mount produced a commanding performance in the Matron Stakes at the Curragh, and it's hard to see how the beaten horses from that contest – City Of Memphis, Fallen Angel and Precise – can reverse that form if the ground remains on the quick side.
I'm going to delve into the each-way market to try and find some value against the odds-on favourite. KON TIKI (25/1) clearly hated soft ground when well beaten in the Atalanta Stakes, and her form with Blue Bolt from earlier in the season must give her a decent chance of placing.
Kon Tiki hammers her rivals in the Valiant Stakes at Ascot. (Getty)
Kon Tiki was narrowly beaten by Blue Bolt as the pair made their reappearances at Goodwood. Billy Loughnane then gave his mount far too much to do in the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot, where Kon Tiki finished her race off well to place fourth behind Blue Bolt.
Jane Chapple-Hyam's filly then claimed a deserved Group Three victory in the Valiant Stakes back at Ascot, where she looked to be a class above her rivals. Kon Tiki then carried a penalty into the Atalanta, where she never looked comfortable on rain-softened ground and was eased down well before the finish.
Chapple-Hyam's stable seems to be ending the season on a high, and ground conditions will be much more favourable on Saturday. The challenges of the Rowley Mile will suit Kon Tiki well. She's by no means a forlorn hope.
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