Temple Stakes trends 2026: Key 87% Haydock age stat you can’t ignore

• The Temple Stakes trends suggest looking for horses aged 5 or younger
• Key Haydock stats point to horses that finished third or better last time out
• Temple Stakes Draw has favoured lower numbers, despite 2025 winner from gate 11

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The Group Two Temple Stakes at Haydock Park is one of the standout races of the weekend, with Palace House Stakes winner Night Raider currently heading the betting market.

With that in mind, we’ve taken a closer look at the confirmed Temple Stakes runners for 2026, along with the key trends and stats that could help point the way to this year’s winner.

Also see Andy Newton’s ITV Racing tips (and stats) on Saturday – Including 25/1, 14/1 and 12/1 fancies

Temple Stakes Trends 2026: Key Stats To Help Find The Haydock Winner

If you like using trends to narrow the field, these are the standout stats to apply to the final Temple Stakes runners based on previous winners of the race.

• 22/23 – Trained by a UK yard
• 21/23 – Won over 5f
• 20/23 – Won by a horse aged 5 or younger
• 15/23 – Third or better last time out
• 15/23 – Ran within the last 2 months
• 14/23 – Favourites placed
• 14/23 – Won a Group race
• 10/23 – Ran at Newmarket last time out
• 9/23 – Favourites
• 6/23 – Won last time out
• 2/23 – Owned by Qatar Racing (2 of last 11 runnings)
• 3/23 – Trained by Clive Cox (3 of last 10 runnings)
• 2/23 – Trained by Charles Hills (2 of the last 7 runnings)
• 2/23 – Ridden by Ryan Moore
• The average winning SP in the last 20 years is 6/1
• 4 of the last 8 winners came from stalls 2 or 6 (2 each)
• 10 of the last 16 winners came from stalls 6 or lower
• Just 3 of the last 21 winners aged 3

The Temple Stakes Has Been Kind To Favourites In Recent Years

Favourites have enjoyed a strong record in the Temple Stakes in recent times, with nine of the last 23 renewals going to the market leader – a healthy 39% strike-rate.

That trend has become even stronger lately too, with four of the last seven favourites landing the prize.

However, last year’s favourite Rumstar finished unplaced, proving there are never any guarantees in these top-level sprint contests.

There’s still time for the market to shift before Saturday.

But many of the leading horse racing betting sites currently have NIGHT RAIDER among the headline contenders after his eye-catching Palace House Stakes success.

Which was also his first success on the turf from 11 starts (see below).

🇬🇧 Palace House Stakes @NewmarketRace
Newmarket – Groupe 3 – 3 ans et plus – 1005m – 14 Pts – 98 451 £

🏆Night Raider (h5) (Ire) 🏇James Doyle
📖(Dark Angel (Ire) @YeomanstownStud – Dorraar (Ire) par Shamardal (Usa))

🕶️K R Burke @karl_burke
🎩Wathnan… pic.twitter.com/DMavVhzmaf

— French and International Horse Racing (@Vincenzo0612) May 2, 2026

Look Closely At The Draw In The Temple Stakes

One of the most important Temple Stakes trends to keep an eye on is the draw.

The final stall positions will be confirmed on Thursday, and history suggests those housed in stall six or lower have a notable advantage.

In fact, 10 of the last 16 winners emerged from gates one to six. Even more interestingly, four of the last eight winners came specifically from stalls two or six.

But, that said, last year’s winner Mgheera didn’t back up this Temple Stakes draw stat – winning from gate 11.

Stalls 1-6 

• 1 – Getreadytorumble
• 2 – Argentine Tango
• 3 – First Instinct
• 4 – Shagraan
• 5 – Asfoora
• 6 – Night Raider

Age Concern

When trying to narrow down the Temple Stakes runners, then age can help in a big way too.

This is because a massive 20 of the last 23 (87%) of winners were aged 5 or younger.

Meaning several runners, including last year’s winner Mgheera, who is now aged 6, will have this to overcome.

Since 2008, only two winners have been aged 6+, these were Pearl Secret (2015) and two-time winner Kingsgate Native (2013).

These 2026 Temple Stakes runners are all aged 5 or younger – Getreadytorumble (4), Jakajaro (5), Night Raider (5), Shagraan (5), Beautiful Diamond (5), First Instinct (4), Frost At Dawn (5), Argentine Tango (3).

Temple Stakes Runners 2026 and Betting Odds 

See below the 2026 Temple Stakes runners and betting odds with BetTOM, where you can join and claim a £25 welcome free bet (Ts&C’s apply).

• Night Raider 11/2
• Shagraan 6/1
• Asfoora 6/1
• Mgheera 8/1
• Getreadytorumble 8/1
• Jakajaro 17/2
• American Affair 10/1
• Frost At Dawn 11/1
• Jm Jungle 12/1
• Beautiful Diamond 16/1
• First Instinct 16/1
• Khaadem 40/1
• Argentine Tango 66/1

Note: The final Temple Stakes runners were confirmed on Thursday 21st May.

Mgheera Back To Defend Her Temple Stakes Crown

12 months ago, the Ed Walker-trained MGHEERA powered home under William Buick to land the Temple Stakes and she’s expected to be back in 2026.

Now aged 6, this mare returned to the track earlier this month to run 6th (of 9) at Longchamp in the G3 Prix De Saint-Georges over 5f.

That would have below away the cobwebs and should be spot-on for her title defence.

Mgheera will be looking to join other two-time Temple Stakes winners – Mind Games, Kingsgate Native and Battaash.

No horse has won the race three times.

While last season’s third Washington Heights could also be back for more.

🚀

Mgheera powered home in the Group Two @Betfred Temple Stakes for @edwalkerracing 🏆 @haydockraces

What a day for @WilliamBuickX 👏 pic.twitter.com/o7GLvQKYWC

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 24, 2025

Temple Stakes Race Details 2026

📅 Date: Saturday 23rd May 2026
⌚ Time: 3:30pm
🏇 Racecourse: Haydock Park Racecourse
💷 Winner’s Prize: £93,572
📺 TV Coverage: ITV / Racing TV

Recent Temple Stakes Winners

• 2025 – Mgheera (10/1)
• 2024 – Kerdos (12/1)
• 2023 – Dramatised (4/1 fav)
• 2022 – King’s Lynn (5/1)
• 2021 – Liberty Beach (13/8 fav)
• 2020 – No Race
• 2019 – Battaash (5/6 fav)
• 2018 – Battaash (10/11 fav)
• 2017 – Priceless (11/2)
• 2016 – Profitable (8/1)
• 2015 – Pearl Secret (10/1)
• 2014 – Hot Streak (9/4 fav)

WATCH: Kerdos Winning The 2024 Temple Stakes