Merseyside is the centre of the racing world this weekend as the runners and riders assemble for the 2026 Grand National. Such is the shadow cast by the Aintree showpiece that it is easy to forget there are other meetings taking place. However, as exciting as the staying chase marathon is likely to be, for flat racing fans, the weekend’s most compelling fixture takes place in Ireland.
The Dublin track of Leopardstown sets the stage for a seven-race Sunday afternoon card, lit up by a trio of Group 3 events. The pick of those contests sees the seasonal return of the current Derby favourite, as Pierre Bonnard lines up in the Ballysax Stakes.
Star Names on the Roll of Honour
Making its debut at the Curragh in 1986 and transferred to Leopardstown in 1993, the Ballysax Stakes is the first of the season’s recognised Derby trials. As of 2025, only Galileo (2001), High Chaparral (2002), and Harzand (2016) have completed the Ballysax Stakes/Epsom Derby double. Other notable winners include Jet Ski Lady (1991) and Ebaziya (1992), who followed up in the Epsom Oaks, four-time Ascot Gold Cup winner Yeats (2004), and Fame And Glory (2009), who claimed the Royal Ascot staying centrepiece in 2011.
All About the O’Briens in 2026
Of the nine entries for the 2026 Ballysax Stakes, eight represent a trainer with the surname O’Brien. Winning the race for a 12th time with subsequent Coral Eclipse winner Delacroix in 2025, Aidan O’Brien is already the most successful trainer in the history of the race. The Ballydoyle maestro sends four into battle in his bid for a thirteenth triumph.
Pierre the Pick of Aidan’s Team
Of the Aidan O’Brien quartet, the Camelot colt Pierre Bonnard is the choice of Ryan Moore and the betting market. With his sire winning the 2,000 Guineas and Epsom Derby in 2012, and his dam, Sultanina, claiming the Group 1 Nassau Stakes in 2014, this impressive specimen boasts an impeccable pedigree.
In four starts to date, Pierre Bonnard has largely delivered on the hype. Ignoring his first start at this track, where he clearly lacked race fitness, Pierre Bonnard was flawless in 2025. Breaking his duck at Dundalk, he effortlessly stepped up in class to claim the Group 3 Zetland Stakes and rounded off his season with a Group 1 triumph in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud. Reacting to that win in France, O’Brien stated:
“Obviously, Pierre Bonnard is a Derby horse. We’ll start him in a Derby trial, and all he should do is get better.”
The Aidan O’Brien team is completed by fellow Camelot colt Christmas Day, who won the Group 3 Eyrefield Stakes on his final start at two; Endorsement, who finished behind Pierre Bonnard twice last season, and Italy, who finished a solid third in the 2025 National Stakes.
Joseph and Donnacha Doubly Represented
If Aidan O’Brien fails to claim the prize, he is most likely to be denied top spot by one of his two sons.
Winning the race as a jockey aboard Battle Of Marengo in 2013, Joseph O’Brien claimed his first Ballysax Stakes as a trainer with Rekindling in 2017. This year, Joseph relies on the Zarak colt James J Braddock, and Shosholoza, who is sired by the 2014 Derby winner Australia. Both need to improve on what they have shown to date, but the latter ran a fair race when fifth behind Pierre Bonnard in France.
Successful as a jockey when partnering Nelson to victory in 2018, Donnacha O’Brien matched the feat of his brother when winning the race as a trainer with Piz Badile in 2022. Donnacha also saddles two in 2026 in the shape of South Island and A Boy Named Susie. The former finished last on his only previous outing in Group 3 company, but the latter looks interesting with Oisin Murphy an eye-catching booking in the saddle. Only two lengths behind Pierre Bonnard in the Criterium de Saint Cloud, the son of Starspangledbanner may be a popular each-way option.
Victory Tip the Odd Horse Out
The only horse to gate-crash this O’Brien party is the Henry De Bromhead-trained Victory Tip. While predominantly associated with jumps racing thanks to his Cheltenham Festival and Grand National exploits, De Bromhead has ten Group-class flat wins on his CV.
Despite being sired by the speedy Invincible Army, Victory Tip didn’t look short of stamina when winning a heavy ground one-mile contest on debut at the Curragh. He conquered four O’Brien-trained runners that day, but has eight to contend with here, and is among the rank outsiders as he steps right up in class.
Will Pierre Bonnard rubber-stamp his Derby credentials? Or will the prize head elsewhere? All eyes on Leopardstown for the first significant clues ahead of the Epsom Classic.