- Ombudsman to take on five Brigadier Gerard Stakes runners at Sandown
- Godolphin represented by three entries for big Group Three contest
- Ryan Moore looking for eighth Brigadier Gerard Stakes win on Arabian Light
Godolphin Star Ombudsman Tops Brigadier Gerard Stakes Runners
The John & Thady Gosden-trained Ombudsman will be all the rage for Thursday’s Group Three Brigadier Gerard Stakes.
He’ll face just five other runners for the Sandown Group Three prize as the clear top-rated and will be a short price with the best UK bookmakers to go one better than last year in the race.
12 months ago, Ombudsman was beaten into second by last weekend’s Tattersalls Gold Cup hero Almaqam, however, since that defeat has improved to land three Group One contests.
These included the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot 2025, plus the Juddmonte International Stakes at York (watch below) and Dubai Turf at Meydan at the end of March.
Godolphin’s star 5yold, who will be ridden by William Buick, will face only five others in Thursday’s Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown.
And even though he’s got to give 7lbs away to the field is still rated 11lbs higher than the next best rated – Almeric.
Ombudsman will be looking to give trainer John Gosden a fourth win in the race – with his first coming in 1993 with Red Bishop.
WATCH: Ombudsman Winning The 2025 Juddmonte International Stakes at York
Brigadier Gerard Stakes Runners 2026
- Ombudsman (John & Thady Gosden)
- Almeric (Andrew Balding)
- Arabian Light (Charlie Appleby)
- Bedouin Prince (Charlie Appleby)
- Gethin (Owen Burrows)
- Wimbledon Hawkeye (James Owen)
Also see Andy Newton’s Sandown horse racing tips and 1-2-3 best bets, including his main Brigadier Gerard Stakes fancies.
Boys In Blue Have 50% Of The Six Brigadier Gerard Stakes Runners
As well as Ombudsman, the powerful Godolphin operation also have two other Brigadier Gerard Stakes runners in 2026 – Arabian Light and Bedouin Prince.
Meaning the ‘Boys In Blue’ have 50% of the six Sandown runners for this £53k Group Three prize.
Arabian Light will be ridden by Ryan Moore, who has a top record in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes – with seven past wins.
This 5yold was last seen running a close second in the Dubai Millennium Stakes at Meydan at the end of January.
While Bedouin Prince will be ridden by Connor Planas, who was last win action finishing second in a Listed race in Bahrain.
Both are trained by Charlie Appleby, who is yet to win the Brigadier Gerard Stakes.
Almeric, Gethin and Wimbledon Hawkeye Make Up Brigadier Gerard Stakes Field
The remaining runners are headed by the 117-rated Almeric for trainer Andrew Balding.
This 4yold was last seen running third here at Sandown in the Gordon Richards Stakes behind Saddadd.
He’ll head into the race as the second top-rated (117), behind the 128-rated Ombudsman – but also gets a handy 7lbs from the favourite.
With recent Kempton Listed winner Gethin for Owen Burrows. Plus the globetrotting Wimbledon Hawkeye making up the six Brigadier Gerard Stakes runners.
When Is The Brigadier Gerard Stakes 2026? 🗓️
📅 Date: Thursday 28th 2026
⌚ Time: 7:12pm
🏇 Racecourse: Sandown Park
🔄 Trip: 1m2f
💷 Winner: £53,875
📺 TV: Racing TV
Will The 2026 Brigadier Stakes Be Shown On ITV Racing?
No, is the quick and short answer.
In past years the Brigadier Gerard Stakes has been covered by ITV Racing, but it’s not on their schedule this year.
But you can still catch the Sandown race on Racing TV. Which will be shown LIVE at 7:12pm on Thursday 28th May.
Brigadier Gerard Stakes Winners
- 2025 – ALMAQAM (7/4)
- 2024 – ROYAL RHYME (1/2 fav)
- 2023 – HUKUM (5/1)
- 2022 – BAY BRIDGE (7/4)
- 2021 – EUCHEN GLEN (20/1)
- 2020 – LORD NORTH (3/1)
- 2019 – REGAL REALITY (9/4)
- 2018 – POET’S WORD (4/6 fav)
- 2017 – AUTOCRATIC (8/1)
- 2016 – TIME TEST (3/1)
WATCH: Almaqam Winning The 2025 Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown
