The Cesarewitch Handicap 2026 is set to provide one of the biggest betting puzzles of the British Flat season when the famous Newmarket staying handicap takes centre stage on Saturday, October 10.
A maximum field of 32 runners will line up over the marathon distance of 2 miles and 2 furlongs, with £175,000 in prize money up for grabs.
The race has attracted 42 entries at the latest stage, meaning a number of horses will miss out before the final field is confirmed.
Here is everything you need to know about the 2026 Cesarewitch Handicap, including the date, time, runners, weights, leading contenders, history, previous winners and betting trends.
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When is the Cesarewitch Handicap 2026?
The 2026 Cesarewitch Handicap takes place at Newmarket on Saturday, October 10.
The race is scheduled for 15:40 and will be shown live on ITV and on the BAR 1 Betting app.
What is the Cesarewitch Handicap?
The Cesarewitch is one of the most famous staying handicaps in British Flat racing.
Run over 2m2f at Newmarket, the race is a serious test of stamina and requires horses to negotiate the Rowley Mile before facing the demanding final stages of the contest.
With as many as 32 runners potentially going to post, the race is notoriously difficult to predict.
A combination of stamina, handicap marks, ground conditions, pace and luck in running can all play a part in determining the winner.
For punters, that makes the Cesarewitch one of the most eagerly anticipated handicaps of the year.
Who won the Cesarewitch in 2025?
The 2025 Cesarewitch was won by Beylerbeyi, who is back to defend his crown in 2026.
Trained by Ian Williams and ridden by Billy Loughnane, Beylerbeyi produced a strong finish to defeat Dawn Rising by a length and a quarter, with Bunting back in third.
The victory came at odds of 7/1.
Beylerbeyi is now aiming to become only the second dual winner of the Cesarewitch and the first horse to win the race in consecutive years.
He has been raised 10lb in the handicap for his title defence, but his recent second in the Doncaster Cup has strengthened his credentials.
Cesarewitch Handicap 2026 runners
There are currently 42 horses entered for the 2026 Cesarewitch, with the field limited to a maximum of 32. The final field will be known after declarations close on Thursday. Check back here for details.
Who are the leading Cesarewitch 2026 contenders?
Beylerbeyi
Beylerbeyi landed the prize in 2025 and is now attempting to become only the second horse to win the Cesarewitch twice.
The six-year-old is currently one of the leading contenders in the betting and carries 9st 9lb this time around.
His second-place finish in the Doncaster Cup last time out was another positive, particularly as the winner of that race, Caballo De Mar, subsequently boosted the form by winning the Group 1 Prix du Cadran.
Kirchner
Second in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle and a two-mile handicap winner at Ascot this season, the James Owen-trained four-year-old is proving popular with ante-post backers.
Sea Lantern
Sea Lantern represents an interesting staying prospect for trainer Brian Ellison.
The horse has won over shorter distances but is being asked to step up considerably in trip for the Cesarewitch.
Ellison is confident that Sea Lantern will stay the distance, describing him as a lazy type who should cope with the extra six furlongs.
Dawn Rising
Dawn Rising has already finished second in the Cesarewitch, having been beaten by Beylerbeyi in last year’s renewal.
That previous experience over the unique Newmarket test makes him one of the more obvious horses to consider again in 2026.
What weight will each horse carry?
The top weight is 9st 12lb, with the minimum weight set at 8st 2lb.
A Piece Of Heaven currently sits at the top of the handicap on 9st 12lb, followed by Tactician and Samui on 9st 10lb, with defending champion Beylerbeyi on 9st 9lb.
The weights can be crucial in a race over such a long distance.
Carrying several extra pounds for more than two miles can make a significant difference, particularly if the race is run at a strong pace.
How far is the Cesarewitch?
The Cesarewitch is run over 2 miles and 2 furlongs at Newmarket.
It is one of the longest races on the British Flat calendar and is very different from the majority of major handicaps run over shorter distances.
Stamina is therefore essential.
However, simply being a proven stayer is not enough. Horses must also settle in a large field and avoid getting caught too far back or too wide before making their challenge.
Why is the Cesarewitch so difficult to predict?
The huge field is a major reason.
With up to 32 runners, there can be traffic problems, changes of pace and plenty of horses competing for the same racing room.
A horse can travel beautifully for two miles only to find itself boxed in when the race begins to develop.
The long straight at Newmarket provides plenty of time for horses to make their challenge, but picking the right moment to go for home is still crucial.
That is what makes the Cesarewitch such an appealing race for punters.
Cesarewitch Handicap history
The Cesarewitch dates back to 1839 and is one of the oldest major handicaps in British racing.
It was named after Tsesarevich Alexander, who later became Tsar Alexander II of Russia.
The race has subsequently developed into one of the defining contests of Newmarket’s autumn season.
Recent Cesarewitch winners
- 2025: Beylerbeyi
- 2024: Alphonse Le Grande
- 2023: The Shunter
- 2022: Run For Oscar
- 2021: Buzz
- 2020: Great White Shark
- 2019: Stratum
- 2018: Low Sun
Cesarewitch Handicap betting trends
Only two favourites have prevailed across the last ten runnings of the Cesarewitch Handicap: Withold (5/1) in 2017 and Great White Shark in 2020 (9/2).
The winning SP’s across the past five years have been: 7/1, 33/1, 14/1, 4/1, 8/1.
Where can I watch the Cesarewitch 2026?
The Cesarewitch will be shown live on ITV and Racing TV on Saturday, October 10.
The scheduled off time is 15:40.
The race is part of the Newmarket meeting that also features the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes.
The race can also be streamed live on the BAR 1 Betting app.
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