Saturday’s first British turf flat race of the season – the Brocklesby Stakes – has been named this year in honour of six-time winner of the prize Bill Turner.
Turner sadly died last August (2025) aged 78 after a freak accident. With his career as a horse racing trainer spanning over six decades.
His first winner came in a selling hurdle in 1979, but Bill Turner became famous for winning the season’s 2yold curtain raiser race (Brocklesby) – landing the pot a record SIX times.
Which is why this year’s race (2026), which can be seen live on the ITV Racing schedule on Saturday, has been named in honour of the multiple winning handler.
Doncaster Honour Six-Time Brocklesby Stakes Winner Bill Turner
Since Bill Turner’s death in August 2025, his daughter Kathy Turner has taken over the licence at the stables in Sigwells, Somerset.
And she was delighted to hear that Doncaster were naming the 2026 Brocklesby Stakes in memory of her late father.
Plus – Kathy Turner is set to have a runner in the race.
She couldn’t – could she? More on that below.
The Brocklesby is the first of the new 2026/27 flat turf season at Doncaster on Saturday 28th March and will support the main contest on the day the William Hill Lincoln Handicap.
“I got a call from Doncaster and I was terribly emotional. It’s a fantastic tribute. But, not being big-headed – he totally deserved it. He didn’t just win it six times, he was second and third in it many times. He targeted it every year. Said Kathy Turner
“I have the choice of three to run in it. Martha Brown is an Aclaim filly, Summer Sadness is a Territories gelding we bought at Newmarket and Nevernotrememberu is a filly by first-season sire Caturra, who’s tiny but quite speedy, although she might only just get the five furlongs.
“They’re all going well, doing nice bits of work and have come out of the stalls. Dad would probably never have run two in it but I think that gives you more chance so I might run two, I’ll see how the week goes. To win the race would be a dream come true – and we’ll give it a good go.”
Bill Turner’s SIX Brocklesby Stakes Winners
Bill Turner is the winning-most Brocklesby Stakes trainer, with six wins.
His first came way back in 1996 with the Tim Sprake-ridden Indian Spark.
While his last was in 2013 with Mick’s Yer Man. Who was steered home by Turner’s grandson Ryan While (watch below).
- 1996 – INDIAN SPARK
- 2002 – THE LORD
- 2006 – SPOOF MASTER
- 2008 – SALLY’S DILEMMA
- 2011 – HE’S SO COOL
- 2013 – MICK’S YER MAN
Kathy Turner To Run One In Bill Turner Memorial Brocklesby Stakes
Kathy Turner and Ryan While
Fifteen two year-olds will line up for the Bill Turner Memorial Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster on Saturday.
But ONE of those runners will be for trainer KATHY TURNER.
Kathy will be looking for her first win in the race as she looks to add to the six successes her dad managed in this 5f sprint.
The Kathy Turner Brocklesby Stakes entries earlier in the week were two unraced fillies – Martha Brown and Nevernotrememberu.
Plus, she also had the colt Summersadness, who would have be making his debut too.
But at the final decs stage she’s come down on just NEVERNOTREMEMBERU
The betting is currently headed by the Robson De Aguiar-trained Blixen Force, who is sired by the 2022 winner of the Brocklesby Persian Force.
However, there surely wouldn’t be a better start to the new flat season is Kathy Turner can follow in her dad’s footsteps in this race.
And with the perfect name – Nevernotrememberu – she’d certainly be a fitting winner.
Maybe the Adam Kirby-trained ‘Bill The Bull’ can follow her home!
2026 Brocklesby Stakes Date🗓️
📅Date: Saturday 28th March 2026
⌚Time: 1:20pm
🏇Racecourse: Doncaster
🔄Trip:5f
💷Winning Purse: £20,616
📺 TV: ITV Racing / Sky Sports Racing
WATCH: Mick’s Yer Man Winning The 2013 Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster
