Horses to watch in the 2026 flat season: Five runners that could light up the season

The flat season officially kicks off with the Lincoln meeting at Doncaster this weekend and it’s time to focus on some horses that could make the headlines over the next few months.

These could be horses that are set to light up festivals or at least perform well in handicaps across the coming summer months, with the Derby, Royal Ascot, Ebor, the Guineas and many more.

Getty

talkSPORT BET Betting Offer – Get up to £35 matched if your first best loses – CLAIM HERE*

There’s always plenty of chatter about certain horses, especially those that come from the top yards.

Aidan O’Brien has dominated the scene for some time now so it’s always crucial to point out some of his up and coming stars, even if there’s dozens.

For the flat, it’s often about finding those runners that are unexposed, potentially even unraced going into the new season as there’s so many huge two-year-old and three-year-old contests.

Royal Ascot in recent years has also been a clean sweep for bookies, with big priced winners across each day, so let’s find some to follow in through the new and exciting 2026 flat campaign.

Horses to watch this 2026 flat season

My Ophelia

This filly is not under the radar by any means as she was purchased for a whopping 1.7 million guineas.

She’s owned by Ian McAleavy and Brighton Football Club’s owner and chairman Tony Bloom.

The now three-year-old who will be ridden by Tom Marquand this season won her debut in October at Newbury, winning by two lengths comfortably as the evens favourite.

She’s got an early entry in the Irish Oaks in July at the Curragh and she’s likely to be seen before that to see how she fares over 1m4f or just more experience in general.

Zeus Olympios

Trainer Karl Burke is well-renowned for getting his horses ready and racing early on.

And Zeus Olympios has picked up four wins from four, accumulating £128,111 in prize money.

His biggest win coming in September at Newmarket, landing the Group 2 Joel Stakes, beating Opera Ballo by over two lengths.

This four-year-old colt could be anything and with no early entries confirmed he has to be followed in once more.

Now rated 120 he’s going to be a big favourite no matter where he goes but is of course one to keep on board in ante post markets too, which is why he is being talked about plenty by punters, tipsters and pundits.

Albert Einstein

It’s not rocket science to go follow in the big favourite for the 2000 Guineas Stakes trained by Aidan O’Brien, who labelled this runner as a ‘total freak’ of a horse.

He’s been widely reported to have said this about the promising and scarily quick two-year-old, after his first season where he went unbeaten.

Now three-years-old he’s got plenty of big races ahead of him to confirm his potential.

If he’s progressed like that to warrant the words from the genius Irish trainer after winning at Naas and the Curragh, he should be one to follow in this season, not just the 2000 Guineas.

However, the trainer is notoriously without a 2000 Guineas win since 2019.

He’s got entries in the Irish 2000 Guineas and the Derby too, both of which will be hammered in the odds if he wins his first race set for this weekend at the Curragh in the Irish Racing Gladness Stakes.

Act Of Kindness

Getty

While there are plenty of people talking about Mubasimah, there’s another filly that catches the eye.

The Godolphin-owned and Charlie Appleby-trained Act Of Kindness.

She finished two lengths behind Mubasimah at Newmarket on her debut and was favourite for that race but ran green in the final furlong before sticking to her task to claim a place.

She then went on to run green again when asked to quicken in the final furlong but still won.

There’s no doubt the experience of those two races plus now being three, having a winter holiday while also training up again for the summer, she’s going to be a tough filly to beat.

With no official early entries yet for this Siyouni filly, she’s another to keep an eye out for.

Abashiri

You have to follow more than one or even a few Appleby-trained horses as he’s been so prominent at Newmarket throughout his career, landing the classics consistently and dominantly.

This three-year-old by Frankel won by a huge four lengths back in November at Kempton beating Venetia as the 4/6 favourite.

That form may not work out well just yet, but she’s one to follow to see where she goes next and fares, especially as a 25/1 shot for the 1000 Guineas Stakes in May.

talkSPORT BET Betting Offer – Get up to £35 matched if your first best loses – CLAIM HERE*

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chase their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• GambleAware – www.gambleaware.org

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.

*18+ New Customers. Opt in and bet up to £35 on Horse Racing (odds 2/1+) within 7 days. If your first bet loses get your initial stake back, up to £35 in Free Bets for any sports. Free Bets expire in 7 days. Scroll down for T&Cs. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly