Future Champions Festival: Highlights from Newmarket's Big Weekend Newmarket hosted a magical two-day Future Champions Festival across Friday and Saturday, including the end of season 2YO championship, the Dewhurst Stakes, and some major Classic clues were offered for the spring of 2026. None bigger than Precise, who romped to glory for Aidan O'Brien in the bet365 Fillies' Mile. We're looking at three stories that caught the eye at Newmarket during their Future Champions Festival. Precise is a 'different gear' Aidan O'Brien landed the Fillies' Mile for the seventh time in his career as Precise turned the Group 1 into something of a procession in a deeply impressive display under Christophe Soumillon. Sponsors Betfred cut her to 7-2 favourite (from 10-1) to win the 1000 Guineas back on the Rowley Mile next spring. O'Brien has won the Fillies' Mile with the likes of Sunspangled (1998), Listen (2007), Together Forever (2014), Minding (2015), Rhododendron (2016) and Ylang Ylang (2023). Minding was the only one of those precocious talents that came back to Newmarket to win the opening fillies' Classic of the following season. The trainer had few doubts post-race that this Starspangledbanner filly could be well up to emulating that feat after she powered away from Venetian Lace and eight more rivals to follow up last month's Moyglare Stud Stakes win at the Curragh and double her Group 1 tally. "Precise looks serious and a special filly. Everything she has done from day one has been so easy," said the trainer. "We weren't sure how good she was but she looks like a serious filly, make no mistake. That was even more impressive than Minding. Don't get me wrong - Minding was a top filly, but this filly is different gear." Pierre Bonnard justifies the support Ahead of the Group 3 Zetland Stakes, O'Brien suggested that both Pierre Bonnard and Endorsement were going to be 'middle distance prospects' for 2026. The trainer felt there was little to split them on paper, but soon the market hinted strongly in favour of Pierre Bonnard and Soumillon over Wayne Lordan and Endorsement. The money was spot on, the Camelot colt hugging the stands rail and coming clear, with Endorsement a very good second. O'Brien won the 1m2f contest in 2017 with the subsequent St Leger winner Kew Gardens. Pierre Bonnard has been trimmed to 10-1 for the Derby at Epsom next June. Named after the French painter, Soumillon was the man filling the canvas of success with Ryan Moore injured. The top rider already has next summer in his mind. Part-owner Michael Tabor said: "I asked Christophe if he was a Leger horse or a Derby horse, and he replied that he was a Derby horse as he's never won the Derby!" Gewan back on track in the Dewhurst It wasn't all glory for Ballydoyle, with Gstaad foiled in the Dewhurst by Gewan. The Andrew Balding-trained son of Night Of Thunder had shed his unbeaten record in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster last month, but it didn't take him long to get back on track. James Doyle's partner was sent off a 25-1 shot as the likes of Gstaad, Distant Storm and Zavateri dominated the betting for the 150th running of the traditional 2YO championship at Newmarket. Gewan was full of guts and determination to hold off Coventry winner Gstaad late on. Balding won this race with Chaldean in 2022, before the Juddmonte-inmate landed the 2000 Guineas the following season. Owners Yulong Investments have lots to look forward to with their hugely talented colt, now 10-1 (from 50-1) for the Rowley Mile colts' Classic. "I think you had to forgive him Doncaster and his work at home had been very good," said Balding. "He still had to come and do it, but he was given a brilliant ride and he's a very good horse. "He's very similar to Chaldean. If you forgive Doncaster, he came here with every chance. The Acomb form was rock-solid and it's a relief that he's shown he's a top horse."
