Champagne Stakes 2026: result and the road to the Guineas
Desert Castle justified every word of his Rising Star billing at Doncaster.
Desert Castle, trained by Charlie Appleby for Godolphin and ridden by Billy Loughnane, won the Betfred Champagne Stakes as the odds-on favourite. He beat Sergei Diaghilev by three lengths, with Breacher third.
How the race was run
Sergei Diaghilev set out to make all, leading the field before being headed approaching the furlong pole.
Desert Castle, held up in rear for much of the race, produced a smooth headway two furlongs out. He asserted with authority in the final stages, edging left under pressure but never in doubt, as he was pushed out to win impressively.
Sergei Diaghilev rallied to lead again briefly but had no answer once the winner found top gear. Breacher stayed on steadily from off the pace to claim third.
Gentle Hurricane, prominent throughout and briefly in front, faded inside the final furlong. Silver Dominion was well beaten into last, having weakened quickly two furlongs out.
What it means for next year
The last horse to complete the Champagne Stakes and Dewhurst Stakes double in the same season was Chaldean in 2022, a route our preview flagged as the one to watch. He went on to Guineas success the following spring.
Desert Castle now has the profile to attempt the same route: an unbeaten record, a smooth, professional style of running, and a stable in Charlie Appleby’s yard with a strong recent record of placing juveniles into top company.
Whether he takes in the Dewhurst next month will be the first real test of those Guineas claims.
Key facts
- Result: 1st Desert Castle (Evens), 2nd Sergei Diaghilev (5/2, beaten 3l), 3rd Breacher (10/1, beaten 4¾l)
- SP / going: Good
- Trainer / jockey: Charlie Appleby / Billy Loughnane
- Non-runner: Rosberg, unsuitable ground
- Next target: Dewhurst Stakes (date TBC)
