Chester, UK - The Ladbrokes Ormonde Stakes, a Group 3 contest at Chester's Boodles May Festival, is set to feature a headline clash between stablemates Jan Brueghel and Illinois, both trained by Aidan O'Brien. The race, scheduled for Thursday, May 7, 2026, carries a prize of £140,000 over a distance of 1m5f84y for four-year-olds and above.
Jan Brueghel emerges as the strong favorite for the Ormonde Stakes, buoyed by a remarkable strike rate and a previous Group 1 victory in the Coronation Cup. Illinois, last year's winner of this very race, presents a significant challenge as his stablemate, with jockey Ryan Moore reportedly opting to ride Jan Brueghel over Illinois, a move interpreted as a strong indicator of confidence in Jan Brueghel's form.
The Ormonde Stakes presents a "stellar renewal," drawing a competitive lineup. Jan Brueghel, a dual Group 2 winner, has recently completed a hat-trick of wins, including a narrow victory on handicap debut at Doncaster and a win in a two-runner race at Yarmouth. His form leading up to this event includes a strong performance at Galway and a Group 2 success at the Curragh, marking him as a horse of significant potential.
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Illinois, the reigning champion, has a pedigree that includes a close third in the St Leger and a victory over Calandagan in the Epsom Coronation Cup last June. His return to the Ormonde Stakes signifies his capability over the distance and track.
Beyond the O'Brien stable, other notable contenders add depth to the field. Rahiebb, a runner-up in the St Leger, makes his competitive return for trainer Roger Varian. Varian acknowledges the challenge but expresses confidence in his horse's potential, noting, "I don’t know if he can win or not, but it’s a lovely starting point for his season.”
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Another contender mentioned is Al Qareem, listed with odds around 5/1, and Mount Atlas at approximately 7/1. While Al Qareem has shown promise, his performance against a strong trend pattern suggests a high-confidence read rather than a guarantee.
The Ormonde Stakes forms part of the Boodles May Festival's second day, which also features the Dee Stakes. The event is being broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing.
Historical Context and Performance
Looking at past renewals, the Ormonde Stakes has seen a variety of winners, with odds fluctuating. In 2025, Illinois secured victory at 6/5f. Prior to that, Point Lonsdale finished sixth in a Group 1 Meydan race in 2024. Hamish won in 2023 at 10/11, having placed second in a Group 3 at Newbury in 2022. The 2020 edition was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions. Idaho, in 2018, won at 8/11f.
The race itself is a Group 3 contest, underscoring the quality of horses that typically participate. The history of the event reveals a tendency for favorites to perform well, though upsets are not uncommon.
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