The Stage Is Set at Newbury

Saturday, 22 August 2026. The sun is beating down on Newbury, the crowds are buzzing, and at 15:54 the stalls will fly open for one of the most electric juvenile sprints of the entire Flat season. The £200,000 Tattersalls Somerville Auction Stakes — worth a whopping £317,100 in total prize money — is the race that separates the pretenders from the genuine early-season stars among the two-year-old brigade. Six furlongs of pure, raw speed on good to firm ground. Twenty runners. One winner. Let's get into it.

This is a race that carries serious weight in the juvenile calendar. As a GBB Race, it rewards breeders and owners who have invested in horses purchased at auction, and it regularly throws up horses who go on to Classic consideration. The Somerville has a habit of producing moments — and this year's renewal looks absolutely loaded with them.

The Main Contenders

Night In Vegas (Draw: 7, Rating: 102)

Night In Vegas is the standout on ratings and the one every punter will be looking at first. Trained by Eve Johnson Houghton and ridden by Callum Hutchinson, this colt arrives here as a proven distance winner and carries a rating of 102 — a full eight points clear of the next highest-rated runner in the field. That kind of superiority at this level of juvenile racing doesn't come along often. Draw seven puts him beautifully positioned in the middle of the pack, away from any potential traffic problems on either flank. Johnson Houghton has been in terrific form with her two-year-olds this season, and this looks like her big-race target. If Night In Vegas is anywhere near his best, the others are running for second.

A Bear Affair (Draw: 19, Rating: 94)

The second-highest rated runner in the field is A Bear Affair, trained by the ever-reliable Richard Hannon and partnered by Pat Dobbs. A rating of 94 is seriously respectable, and Hannon knows this track inside out — he saddles runners here season after season with tremendous success. The concern? Draw 19. Out wide in a field of 20 on a straight six-furlong track, there's always a risk of being shuffled wide or finding yourself in a pocket. Dobbs is an experienced hand, though, and he'll be well aware of the challenge. Don't discount this one — Hannon doesn't send horses here without intent.

Zigazig Ah (Draw: 6, Rating: 85)

Zigazig Ah is one of the most intriguing runners in the whole field. Trained by Richard Spencer and ridden by George Wood, this filly carries a rating of 85 and — crucially — is a proven distance winner. She gets in on a competitive weight of 8-10 and sits in a lovely draw at stall six, which gives her every chance to find a good position early. Fillies can be underestimated in these mixed fields, and Zigazig Ah looks like exactly the type who could outrun her odds. Keep her very much on your radar.

Topaz (Draw: 18, Rating: 83)

Topaz, trained by Jack Channon and ridden by David Probert, is another filly with distance-winning form who catches the eye. A rating of 83 puts her right in the mix, and Probert is a jockey who absolutely loves Newbury — he's been a regular big-race performer here for years. The wide draw at 18 is a slight inconvenience, but on good to firm ground the track rides fairly evenly across the width, and Probert is more than capable of compensating with a smart tactical ride.

Baddaddan (Draw: 16, Rating: 83)

Don't sleep on Baddaddan. This gelding, trained by Richard Spencer and ridden by Robert Havlin, has already shown he can handle six furlongs. Spencer saddles both Baddaddan and Zigazig Ah here, which tells you something — this trainer clearly fancies his chances of landing the prize. Havlin is a classy jockey who rides with intelligence, and a gelding freed from distractions can often outperform expectations. The wide draw is again a slight negative, but the form flags speak for themselves.

Lady Rosalind (Draw: 17, Rating: 75)

Trained by the formidable William Haggas, Lady Rosalind is a filly who has already won over this trip. Haggas rarely sends a horse to a race like this without believing it has a genuine chance, and at a rating of 75 she carries a light enough weight to be competitive. Ashley Lewis takes the ride. The wide draw is a theme for several of the interesting runners here, but Lady Rosalind's course-and-distance profile makes her one to include in any each-way calculations.

Going and Draw — What Does the Track Tell Us?

The going is described as Good to Firm, Good in Places — exactly the kind of fast, true surface that rewards natural speed and a clean stride pattern. Two-year-olds with a smooth, flowing action will thrive here. Horses that need cut in the ground can be safely crossed off.

On a straight six-furlong track like Newbury's, the draw is always a talking point, but it's rarely as decisive as on some tracks. That said, middle draws tend to be favoured when fields are large — stalls seven, six, and nine all look appealing today. The very wide draws (17-20) aren't necessarily fatal, but jockeys will need to be smart in the opening furlong to avoid being caught too wide without cover. Night In Vegas in stall seven looks beautifully placed. Zigazig Ah in stall six is another draw beneficiary.

Value Picks and Each-Way Dangers

In a field this competitive, value is everything. Here are the runners who could outrun their prices:

  • Zigazig Ah — a distance winner with a great draw and a trainer firing on all cylinders. Could be bigger than she deserves to be in the market.
  • Ron's Angel — trained by John Butler and ridden by Josephine Gordon, this filly has winning form over the trip and could outrun a generous starting price each-way.
  • Lady Rosalind — Haggas runners in races like this rarely go off at a price that reflects their true ability. Watch the market moves before the off.
  • Red Blue Point — unrated but trained by James Tate and ridden by the brilliant Silvestre De Sousa. Tate has a habit of producing well-prepared debutants, and De Sousa wouldn't be here without reason. One to watch.

Jack's Verdict — Our Selection

In a race with this much depth, you want to be on the horse who ticks the most boxes — and that horse is Night In Vegas.

A rating of 102 in a juvenile auction race is exceptional. Eve Johnson Houghton has clearly had this race circled on the calendar, and Callum Hutchinson is in the form of his life. The draw is ideal. The going suits. The distance is proven. There's very little to argue against here.

For the each-way slot, Zigazig Ah is the one. She's got the form, the draw, and a trainer who knows how to place a horse perfectly. In a field of 20, the place terms will be generous, and she looks a genuine contender to hit the frame at the very least.

Get to the Newbury racecard early, study the market moves, and enjoy what promises to be a spectacular afternoon of two-year-old racing. The Tattersalls Somerville is one of those races that gets the pulse racing — and this year's renewal is shaping up to be one for the ages.

Selection: Night In Vegas (E/W: Zigazig Ah)

Who Is the Favourite for the Tattersalls Somerville Auction Stakes 2026?

Night In Vegas is expected to head the market as the morning-line favourite. With a rating of 102 — the highest in the field by a significant margin — Eve Johnson Houghton's colt has the form and the profile to justify favouritism. Watch for market support closer to the off, as this is the type of horse connections will be confident about.

Does the Draw Matter in the Tattersalls Somerville Auction Stakes?

On Newbury's straight six-furlong course, the draw is a factor but not a dealbreaker. Middle draws (stalls 5-12) are generally considered optimal in large fields, giving horses a clear run without being too far wide. Stalls on the high side (17-20) require jockeys to work harder early to find a good position. That said, talented horses with experienced riders regularly overcome wide draws on this track — so don't automatically dismiss those runners.

Is the Tattersalls Somerville Auction Stakes a Good Race for Two-Year-Old Prospects?

Absolutely. The Somerville has a strong record of producing horses who go on to bigger and better things. As a Class 2 GBB Race worth over £317,000 in total prize money, it attracts some of the best juvenile sprinters in training. Winners and placed horses from this race regularly go on to Group company, making it a key form reference point for the remainder of the Flat season and beyond.