The Stage Is Set: Why the Stonehenge Stakes Matters

Midsummer. A scorched Yorkshire coastline. And eight of the most exciting two-year-olds in training ready to tear up a mile of Redcar's famous straight. Welcome to the British Stallion Studs EBF Stonehenge Stakes — a Listed race worth £55,000 that punches well above its weight in terms of significance on the juvenile calendar.

This is the race that separates the promising from the genuinely special. At a mile, it asks serious questions of horses who may have looked slick over shorter trips. Stamina, tactical intelligence, and the ability to handle quick ground all come into play — and with the going officially Good to Firm (with patches of faster ground on the higher and sloping sections away from the racing line), conditions are unforgiving. Only the bold and the brilliant need apply.

Eight runners have been declared. Check out the full Redcar racecard for all the details, but right now let's dig into the contenders who matter most.

Contender-by-Contender Breakdown

1. Dandyman Dan (Draw: 6 | Rating: 96 | Kieran Shoemark)

Start at the top. Dandyman Dan is the highest-rated horse in the field at 96 and arrives here as the one they all have to beat. Oliver Cole has been patient with this colt, and that patience looks set to pay dividends. At a mile on fast ground, he should be right in his element — Cole's juveniles are notoriously well-prepared for their big days, and Kieran Shoemark is the kind of ice-cool operator you want aboard when the pressure is on. Draw six puts him in a comfortable middle berth on the straight course. This is your banker.

2. Firehorse (Draw: 5 | Rating: 94 | Tom Marquand)

The name alone gets the pulse racing — and Firehorse has every right to be mentioned in the same breath as the favourite. Rated 94 and drawn right alongside Dandyman Dan in stall five, S. P. C. Woods has sent this colt north with clear intent. Tom Marquand is a jockey in the form of his life and will know exactly how to stalk the leader before unleashing what could be a devastating turn of foot. If the favourite has any chink in his armour, Firehorse will find it.

3. Quest For Stars (Draw: 8 | Rating: 93 | Connor Planas)

Charlie Appleby rarely sends horses on long journeys without a serious chance of winning, and Quest For Stars — rated 93 — deserves serious respect. The wide draw in stall eight is the one question mark here. On Redcar's straight course, an outside berth can mean covering extra ground on the faster, higher sections of the track that the groundstaff have flagged as notably quicker. Connor Planas will need to be tactically sharp to minimise the disadvantage. If he gets a smooth run, this Appleby colt could be finishing with real purpose.

4. Scommessa Sicura (Draw: 7 | Rating: 91 | Oisin Murphy)

The lone filly in the field, Scommessa Sicura carries a 5lb sex allowance down to 8-12, and that weight advantage could be decisive in a tight finish. Andrew Balding is a master at placing his juveniles, and pairing this filly with Oisin Murphy — arguably the best jockey in the country right now — is a statement of intent. She's rated 91 but the weight concession effectively brings her into line with the top horses. Don't dismiss her. Fillies in Listed company with this kind of support deserve maximum respect.

5. Rafe's da Man (Draw: 3 | Rating: 91 | Pat Dobbs)

Richard Hannon's yard has been firing on all cylinders with its two-year-olds this season, and Rafe's da Man arrives here rated 91 from a handy draw in stall three. Pat Dobbs is a canny, experienced pilot who won't be wasting energy early on. A mile might be stretching this colt's comfort zone slightly, but Hannon's juveniles often find more than expected when the chips are down. A place at the very least looks likely.

6. Velociraptor (Draw: 1 | Rating: 87 | David Probert)

Hugo Palmer's Velociraptor draws the rail in stall one — on a straight course, that's often a genuine advantage, keeping the horse on the freshest ground and out of traffic. The rating of 87 makes him a big outsider against the top three, but Palmer is a trainer who targets races with precision. Don't write him off entirely, especially if the pace collapses and he gets a soft lead to exploit.

Going & Draw: The Conditions Conversation

The going at Redcar is officially Good to Firm, but the track's own advisory note is worth reading carefully. There are areas of faster ground — particularly on the higher and sloping sections, including the woods' side of the straight course and the outside of the loop. In practical terms, that means horses drawn wide (especially stall 8, Quest For Stars) may encounter quicker, more unpredictable ground away from the main racing line.

On balance, the middle-to-low draws look most favourable today. Stalls 5 and 6 — home to Firehorse and Dandyman Dan — sit in the sweet spot. Stall 1 (Velociraptor) gets the rail, which is no bad thing. Stall 8 is the one that carries the most risk given today's ground conditions.

  • Best draw: Stalls 5-6 (middle, on the racing line)
  • Worst draw: Stall 8 (wide, potentially faster ground)
  • Dark horse draw: Stall 1 (rail, clean ground, no traffic)

Value Picks & Dangers

The value play of the race has to be Scommessa Sicura. Fillies with weight advantages ridden by champion-level jockeys in Listed company are routinely underestimated by the market. If she's available at a price, she represents outstanding each-way interest.

The biggest danger to the favourite is undoubtedly Firehorse. He's close enough in the ratings, drawn perfectly, and has a jockey aboard who thrives on big occasions. If Dandyman Dan hits any kind of traffic or gets shuffled back, Firehorse will be waiting to pounce.

Rocket Boy (Marco Ghiani, Marco Botti) carries no official rating — always a flag worth noting. Botti occasionally runs unrated juveniles who are considerably better than they appear on paper. Keep a watching brief.

Verdict & Selection: Our Stonehenge Stakes Tip

This is a cracking little race and the form should work out well. But when push comes to shove, it's hard to look past Dandyman Dan.

The highest rating in the field. A trainer in Oliver Cole who knows exactly what he's doing with a talented juvenile. Kieran Shoemark in the saddle — a jockey who rides big-race days with composure and precision. A draw that puts him right on the ideal racing line. And ground conditions that, while testing, should suit a horse of his calibre.

Our selection: Dandyman Dan (E/W)

Each-way coverage is sensible in an eight-runner field, but don't be surprised if this one wins with more in hand than the margin suggests. The Stonehenge Stakes could be the race that announces Dandyman Dan as a serious autumn target horse. Be there for it.

Who is the favourite for the British Stallion Studs EBF Stonehenge Stakes?

Dandyman Dan is expected to start as the market leader, carrying the highest official rating in the field at 96. Trained by Oliver Cole and ridden by Kieran Shoemark, he draws stall six and looks ideally positioned for Redcar's straight-course mile.

Does the draw matter at Redcar for the Stonehenge Stakes?

Yes — particularly today. With the going Good to Firm and faster patches reported on the higher and outside sections of the track, horses drawn in the middle (stalls 5-6) look best placed. Stall 8 (Quest For Stars) carries the most draw risk, while stall 1 (Velociraptor) benefits from a clean rail passage.

Is Scommessa Sicura worth backing in the Stonehenge Stakes?

Absolutely worth considering each-way. The Andrew Balding-trained filly carries a 5lb sex allowance, which brings her effectively in line with the top-rated colts. With Oisin Murphy booked for the ride, she has elite jockey support and represents the most compelling each-way value in the race.