As another big spring gives way to summer, attention inevitably turns to what lies ahead. Which horses are ready to step up again? Which profiles still have untapped upside? And which performances are worth marking down now before the market catches up?
Racelab’s Ten Horses to Follow in 2026 is built around exactly that idea. This isn’t a hype list or a recap of obvious stars, although some are obvious, but a data-led watchlist grounded in performance ratings, margins, sectionals and progression through preparations. Each horse here has already produced a peak that matters, and importantly, still looks capable of going higher.
From established Group 1 performers with unfinished business, to lightly raced three-year-olds and emerging juveniles, the common thread is clear; strong Ratings By Margin (RBM) figures and the potential to go to an even higher level.
If you’re looking to get ahead of the curve for 2026, whether from a punting perspective or just a keen observer, these are the names Racelab will be watching closely as the new year unfolds.
Tentyris 3C | 7-4:1:1 | AUD $1,980,745 | Anthony & Sam Freedman
Best RBM: 107.2, Coolmore Stud Stakes, 3rd up
Ideal distance range: 1000m – 1200m
Steadily rising through the grades, he claimed the Listed Gothic Stakes at Caulfield in October before producing a commanding display in the 2025 Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington, unleashing a brilliant turn of foot to score by more than two lengths. He is a force to be reckoned with in 2026!
Timed to perfection 🫡
TENTYRIS takes out the first of the Group 1s in the @coolmorestud Stakes.
🎥 @wwos | #DerbyDay | #MelbCupCarnival pic.twitter.com/hJCrbul7bB
— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 1, 2025
Sir Delius 4H | 10-6:2:1 | AUD $1,500,283 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
Best RBM: 111.5, Turnbull Stakes, 3rd up
Ideal distance range: 2000m+
Sir Delius cemented his place among the elite with consecutive Group 1 wins, firstly producing a powerful late surge to capture the Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield, then asserting clear superiority in the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington, defeating standout rivals including Antino and Via Sistina. These performances showcased his genuine class, explosive finishing speed and adaptability across key middle-distance trips. He has plenty of unfinished business in the year ahead!
TAKE NOTE, THE REAL DEAL. SIR DELIUS ⭐
An outstanding win against an outstanding field! The Melbourne Cup favourite wins the Turnbull, and he might be Cox Plate favourite before too long 💛🏆 pic.twitter.com/A3BjvEBEUR
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 4, 2025
Tempted 3F | 9-4:2:2 | $4,585,400 | Ciaron Maher
Best RBM 103, The Everest, 3rd Up
Ideal distance range: 1200m
Tempted kicked off her spring campaign winning the Run To The Rose with a devastating turn of foot after being heavily backed. She then chased bravely when 2nd behind Ka Ying Rising in the Everest, which is strong form to follow. She’s got a stack of upside and has to be on your radar next year.
Like father like son – BEIWACHT wins the Golden Rose!
The @godolphin colt breaks the track record as he emulates Bivouac from 2019 in claiming the Group 1 at Rosehill giving @cwallerracing a fourth win in the race. Wodeton ran second with Tempted in third. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/JqyCCZbNCM
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) September 27, 2025
Point Barrow 3F | 6-4:0:2 | AUD $399,670 | Anthony & Sam Freedman
Best RBM 98.6, Red Roses Stakes, 5th Up
Ideal distance range: 1000m – 1200m
Lightly raced 3YO filly who went from maiden status to Group 3 winner this preparation. Her ratings improved each run indicating huge potential to follow. She possesses the ability to run down her opponents from anywhere with a barnstorming finish which is a key attribute of a Group horse.
Stand and deliver 💥
POINT BARROW storms home from the back to make a statement down the Flemington straight.
🎥 @wwos | #OaksDay | #MelbCupCarnival pic.twitter.com/EnKV6Ub3uB
— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 6, 2025
Jimmysstar 6G | 23-11:4:3 | AUD $6,678,772 | Ciaron Maher
Best RBM 111.5, Russell Balding Stakes, 4th up
Ideal distance range: 1200m – 1400m
His adaptability, consistency and powerful finishing burst have made him a fan favourite and one of the most closely watched rising stars and arguably the best sprinter down under. Jimmysstar has the profile of a horse capable of featuring in Group 1 races throughout 2026!
Angel Capital 4H | 11-5:1:0 | AUD $1,881,750 | Chris Waller
Best RBM 111, Chautauqua Stakes, 1st up
Ideal distance range: 1200m – 1400m
Angel Capital kicked off his prep with a dominant win around the Valley before a luckless run in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. He ran the fastest closing 8/6/4/200m splits in the Everest before finishing 2nd behind Jimmysstar. All of that form will stack up very nicely.
Strictly Business 3F | 4-2:1:0 | AUD $693,250 | Thomas Carberry
Ideal distance range: 2400m+
Best RBM 106.4, Crown Oaks, 3rd up
As mentioned earlier, this filly by Grunt keeps improving over more ground. She’s got plenty of gears and switches off beautifully in the run. Look out for her over staying distances on big tracks in 2026!
Remember the name 🌟
STRICTLY BUSINESS does the business to take out the Crown Oaks on #OaksDay for John Allen and Thomas Carberry.
🎥 @wwos | #OaksDay | #MelbCupCarnival pic.twitter.com/7sdRggNdQH
— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 6, 2025
Autumn Glow 4M | 8-8:0:0 | AUD $6,825,000 | Chris Waller
Ideal distance range 1400m – 1600m
Best RBM 110.5, Epsom Handicap, 3rd up
Autumn Glow is a talented and progressive mare who has quickly built a reputation as a high-class performer with upside. With her combination of speed, composure, and sustained improvement, Autumn Glow is viewed as a mare capable of further black-type success and a significant contender in major autumn and spring features.
Eight is great!!!
Autumn Glow makes it eight wins from eight starts and remains unbeaten, adding the $10million Golden Eagle to her list of credits 🔥🔥🔥@mcacajamez @cwallerracing pic.twitter.com/2uog3pMqKA
— Australian Turf Club (@aus_turf_club) November 1, 2025
Beiwacht 3C | 9-2:2:1 | AUD $1,000,275 | Chris Waller
Ideal distance range: 1200m – 1400m
Best RBM 107.7, Golden Rose, 3rd up
Beiwacht has demonstrated the stamina and toughness required to compete consistently, particularly when able to roll along at a genuine tempo. His 2nd behind Tempted in the Run to the Rose was the best performance of the on-pacers which set him up for the dominant win in the Golden Rose. He’s unbeaten third up in both preparations so we will be looking for him again 3rd up in 2026!
Warwoven 2C | 1-1:0:0 | AUD $82,500
Ideal distance range 1000m – 1200m
Best RBM 88.9, 2YO Plate 1st start
I know it’s early days for Warwoven however he made quite the impression on debut. His sectionals were outstanding finishing the last 600m in 33 seconds flat which is 11.8L above standard for the class. I think he will be hard to beat in the Magic Millions.
Legend:
| Name | Definition |
| RBM | (Rating By Margin) Racelab performance rating using a combination of metrics: Benchmark, Weight Carried, Mean Weight and Distance. |
