Royal Authority secures York top trainer crown for Balding

Royal Authority cemented Andrew Balding as the leading trainer at York in 2026 with a dominating victory in the Dementia Forward U&Me EBF Maiden Stakes.

The Dubawi colt was Balding’s 15th winner on the Knavesmire this year to take an unassailable lead over William Haggas, who edged the Kingsclere handler for the title 12 months ago.

Royal Authority (3-1) raced keenly early on and was sent to the head of the field by PJ McDonald as they headed into the final two furlongs of the mile contest.

Pushed along in the last furlong, he stayed on nicely to run out a two-and-a-quarter-length victor over 5-6 favourite Iron Stone Lad.

Anna-Lisa Balding, assistant to her husband, said: “We’re delighted. Andrew was pretty confident he’d come on a lot for his last run. He’s beautifully bred and he’s done lots and home and we’re delighted that he’s brought it to the track.

“He quickened up nicely and he’s done it with his ears pricked, he’s really enjoyed himself.”

On being the leading trainer at York for the season, where headline triumphs have come with Item in the Juddmonte International and Kalpana in the Yorkshire Oaks, Balding added: “It’s fantastic. It’s been a good race with the Haggas’s, it’s been good fun. But we’re delighted. They’re all so generous and York is somewhere Andrew loves to run his horses.

“The owners love coming here, the staff love coming here and to win the trophy it does mean an amazing amount, so we’re delighted.

“It’s been an incredible season, the whole thing. You don’t really want it to end, but we’ve been very lucky and luck does have a lot to do with it. You’ve got to be lucky, you’ve got to have a good team of owners, a good team of staff and a good team of horses and this year it all came together.”

Balding remains locked in a two-way battle with Aidan O’Brien for the British Flat trainers’ title, and his wife says that whatever happens it should not take away from what has been a remarkable campaign.

She added: “I think it’s going to be tough with him (O’Brien) winning the Dewhurst, but it’s been a great season and we mustn’t let whatever happens get in the way of that. We must be very proud of the team and what we’ve achieved this year.”