"We’ll look towards next year" - Balding reveals plans for Item, Blue Bolt and Kalpana
Trainer Andrew Balding reviewed a memorable 2026 season, being just £300k behind Aidan O'Brien in the trainers' race. Item, after a Juddmonte International victory and a sixth in the Irish Champion Stakes, will likely rest until next year with possible middle-distance targets. Blue Bolt, following her third Group One win in the Matron Stakes, is eyeing the Sun Chariot Stakes and Breeders' Cup, while Kalpana is being prepared for a second tilt at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Balding expresses confidence in his stable's form.
- Andrew Balding has revealed upcoming plans for some of his seasonal stars
- Item looks set to be saved for next season after Irish Champion Stakes flop
- Blue Bolt will run in the Sun Chariot, with Kalpana going back to the Arc
Andrew Balding has spoken to the press and discussed plans for three of his stable stars.
It's been a memorable season for Andrew Balding. The master of Kingsclere has saddled a handful of Group One winners in 2026 and sits just £300k short of Aidan O'Brien in the race to be crowned Champion Trainer.
Balding's most valuable top-level win of the season came at York's Ebor Festival, where Item claimed a sensational victory in the Juddmonte International Stakes. Colin Keane's mount attempted to follow up on that success in Saturday's Irish Champion Stakes, but had to settle for sixth as Hotazhell claimed an unexpected win.
"He was always slightly under pressure to hold his position and he stayed on well at the end, but it was all too late," Balding told Sky Sports Racing on Monday. "It was a bit sharp for him."
Balding then went on to say that Item would probably be given the rest of the year off before exploring options over a mile and a half next season.
"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."
Earlier on Saturday's card at Leopardstown, Blue Bolt continued her incredible four-year-old campaign with a power-packed performance in the Matron Stakes. Balding was understandably delighted with his star's third Group One success of the season and revealed that Blue Bolt could be out again at Newmarket at the start of October before a trip to the Breeders' Cup the following month.
Balding continued, "I think we’ll look at the Sun Chariot 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."
If Blue Bolt were to land the Sun Chariot Stakes, Balding would head to Longchamp the following day in search of a big Group One double.
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Kalpana is being readied for a second crack at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Balding provided a positive update on Kalpana to Sky Sports Racing on Monday, saying that his stable was in great form and that he was very happy with her.
Top Betting Sites
Betting offers
Upcoming Events
15 September 2026
- Daily Racing Lucky 15 -
- Horse Racing
- Daily Racing Treble -
- Horse Racing
- NAP Of The Day -
- Horse Racing
19 September 2026
- 2026 Mill Reef Stakes -
- Horse Racing
04 October 2026
- 2026 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe -
- Horse Racing
Load More
