Summer Saturday in Partnership with Matthew Clark

Racing Reports

27 Jun 2026

With over 15,000 guests in attendance, Summer Saturday (in partnership with Matthew Clark) proved to be an absolute scorcher on the Roodee in June 2026. The feature race of the day came in the Queen Charlotte Fillies’ Stakes (Listed), on an afternoon where going conditions were described as Good (Good to Firm in places)

Race report by Adam Perkins

2:02 pm

The Laurent-Perrier EBF Maiden Stakes

Second on his opening two starts, Stardom Glory (11/8F) did just enough to get off the mark under rules in the first race, landing the spoils by a length for David Probert and Hugo Palmer. Perfectly positioned on the inside rail, Stardom Glory raced in a share of third place for much of the way, travelling smoothy as the leaders swung into the home straight. Switched to the centre of the track, Stardom Glory really found his feet in the final furlong and a half, gaining ground on The Dancing Pirate (13/8) with every stride before leading close home to secure a first career success. A landmark moment for the local trainer, this also marked Hugo Palmer’s 50th career winner at Chester Racecourse!

Results

Winner
Name: Stardom Glory (3)
Owner: Mrs Claire Donaldson
Prize: £15,000
Trainer: Hugo Palmer
Jockey: David Probert

The Race
Distance: 6f 17y
Prize: £15,000
Class: 4

Runners
Runners: 6

2:32 pm

The Absolut Tabasco Novice Stakes

An easy winner on a recent start at Thirsk, Eagle Bay (5/4) repeated the feat in no uncertain terms when running out a superb 6-length winner of the second race for Sean D Bowen and Harriet Bethell. Alertly away, Eagle Bay rapidly made his way into an early lead through the opening half mile, holding sway from Remie May (6/1) as El Nay (10/11F) and Albemagic (33/1) raced in behind. Travelling with purpose and yet to come off the bridle, Eagle Bay was soon in a league of his own as he led the field around the home turn, swinging into the straight and quickening away from his rivals to score in fine style for Harriet Bethell, a trainer operating at an impressive 20% strike-rate this year!

Results

Winner
Name: Eagle Bay (1)
Owner: Daniel Hunt Wrigleys and Cassels
Prize: £15,000
Trainer: Harriet Bethell
Jockey: Sean Dylan Bowen

The Race
Distance: 7f 127y
Prize: £15,000
Class: 3

Runners
Runners: 4

3:03 pm

The Manor Car Hire Handicap Stakes

Smart in his youth for the Richard Hannon team, Dark Thirty (9/2) continued to show good form when taking the third race for new handlers John & Sean Quinn, holding on by half a length under Jason Hart. Straight into the lead from after breaking well, Dark Thirty set a strong gallop out in front, always in command ahead of Rosenpur (16/1) in second place. Rounding the home turn for the final time, Jason Hart said “go” aboard Dark Thirty, pushing his mount into what turned out to be an unassailable lead, taking a few lengths out of the field and just keeping enough in reserve to see off We Never Stop (28/1). Enjoying a fine 2026 season, Jason Hart has now ridden 58 winners this year!

Results

Winner
Name: Dark Thirty (2)
Owner: Dark Thirty Partners
Prize: £20,000
Trainer: John & Sean Quinn
Jockey: Jason Hart

The Race
Distance: 6f 17y
Prize: £20,000
Class: 3

Runners
Runners: 9

3:33 pm

The Queen Charlotte Fillies' Stakes

Improving all the time, Bellarchi (11/2) notched her biggest victory to date when proving just too strong in the feature race, squeezing home by half a length to score for Joanna Mason and Grant Tuer. Forced to race wide after an untidy start, Bellarchi was made to work hard by Joanna Mason to keep their hopes alive, her rider nudging away from an early stage as Circe (2/1F) led them towards Castle Bend. However, gradually making ground under pressure, Bellarchi really found her stride in the closing stages, flying home down the centre of the track to fend off Dash Of Azure (12/1) towards the line. A memorable day for the trainer, this marked Grant Tuer’s first ever winner at Listed level!

Results

Winner
Name: Bellarchi (3)
Owner: Nick Bradley Racing 19 and partner
Prize: £60,000
Trainer: Grant Tuer
Jockey: Joanna Mason

The Race
Distance: 7f 1y
Prize: £60,000
Class: 1

Runners
Runners: 8
Non-Runners: 3

4:10 pm

The Katie O'Brien's Irish Taverns Handicap Stakes

Successful here two weeks prior, Start Me Up (4/1) was at it again in Race 5, coming from the back to sneak home by half a length for the in-form George Wood and Richard Spencer team. Kept in rear from the outset, Start Me Up didn’t quite live up to his name in the early stages. However, kicking into top gear as many of his rivals began to feel the pinch, Start Me Up did just that in the final quarter mile, weaving through gaps before staying on powerfully to deny Sovereign Ocean (9/2) in the shadows of the post. A man in form, George Wood had a career best season last year with 75 winners, including in the prestigious Ayr Gold Cup aboard Run Boy Run (also trained by Richard Spencer)!

Results

Winner
Name: Start Me Up (8)
Owner: Phil Cunningham
Prize: £35,000
Trainer: Richard Spencer
Jockey: George Wood

The Race
Distance: 7f 1y
Prize: £35,000
Class: 3

Runners
Runners: 9
Non-Runners: 1

4:45 pm

The Castillo De Ibiza EBF Fillies' Handicap Stakes

A youngster on the rise, Hoseki (5/2F) readily landed her first handicap when taking the sixth race of the day, ridden out to score by 1 ½ lengths for Harry Davies and William Haggas. Encouraged out of the starting stalls, Hoseki raced along the race for much of the contest, working her way into third place as Bearin Up (17/2) led the field into the final quarter mile. Nudged along but finding plenty for pressure, Hoseki readily came into the picture rounding the turn, and after taking the lead passing the furlong marker, the leader stamped her authority to land the spoils under Harry Davies. A serious talent, Davies also won the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot recently aboard Rogue Diplomat!

Results

Winner
Name: Hoseki (7)
Owner: Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede
Prize: £25,000
Trainer: William Haggas
Jockey: Harry Davies

The Race
Distance: 1m 2f 70y
Prize: £25,000
Class: 3

Runners
Runners: 8

5:20 pm

The Roxy Ball Room Handicap Stakes

Consistent over hurdles this year, Ruler Legend (33/1) defied lofty odds in Race 7 to land his first win on the flat since 2022, staying on smartly by 2 ½ lengths to score for Sean D Bowen and Gary Hanmer. Always to the fore, Ruler Legend kept close tabs on early leader Curran (15/2) throughout the marathon contest, racing alongside Midnight Rumble (12/1) as the home straight loomed large. Rounding the turn under pressure, Ruler Legend received a reminder passing the furlong pole. However, responding well and showing his bravery at the finish, the 7-year-old veteran of the field willingly pressed home the advantage in the closing stages to record a double for jockey Sean D Bowen!

Results

Winner
Name: Ruler Legend (6)
Owner: Mrs J. A. Ashley
Prize: £15,000
Trainer: Gary Hanmer
Jockey: Sean Dylan Bowen

The Race
Distance: 1m 7f 196y
Prize: £15,000
Class: 4

Runners
Runners: 7

5:50 pm

The Schweppes Cherry Pepper Handicap Stakes

A horse at the top of his game, Taritino (3/1F) secured his second victory in a row when successful in the eighth and final race, pushed out to score by 1 ½ lengths for Taylor Fisher and Joe Tickle. Racing in the slipstream of Triple Force (16/1) through the opening mile, Taritino (3/1F) sat in prime position from the outset, travelling nicely on the inside rail with Spartan Times (4/1) in behind. Switched to the outside of the leader off the final bend, Taritino was soon in the clear down the home straight, and despite a late effort from Spartan Times in second place, the leader eventually won a shade cosily under Taylor Fisher, a jockey with 15 winners this season across flat and jumps!

Results

Winner
Name: Taritino (2)
Owner: Duckhaven Stud
Prize: £15,000
Trainer: Joe Tickle
Jockey: Taylor Fisher

The Race
Distance: 1m 4f 64y
Prize: £15,000
Class: 5

Runners
Runners: 9

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