Betfred Diomed Stakes (Group 3)
Course: Epsom
Date: 5th Jun 2026
Distance: 1m½f (1m113y)
Type: Flat
Going: Good To Soft
Class: Class 1
Prize: £70,888
Runners: 8
Going Detail: Derby - GOOD TO SOFT (Good in places); 5f - GOOD (Derby 5.7, 5f 6.0)
Weather: Overcast dry
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Seagulls Eleven
4yo ch Gelding (IRE)Connections
Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Trainer: Hugo Palmer
Malpas, Cheshire
Owner: Two Plus Three Two Plus Four
Breeding
Sire: Galileo Gold (GB)
Dam: Thrilled (IRE)
Damsire: Kodiac (GB)
Breeder: Tally-Ho Stud
Ratings & Stats
Spotlight
Appears versatile as regards ground; Group 3 winner at last year's Glorious Goodwood and better than ever in two French races this term, making all at Longchamp (1m Listed) latest; reasonably solid in current form returned to home soil, and further progress is possible.
Comment
Better than ever in two French races this term; reasonably solid in current form
Stable Tour
"He's the big hope and the highest-rated horse in the yard. He's got the opportunity to improve to be the real deal. The plan is to take the route we took with Galileo Gold, which is a racecourse gallop with a lead horse during the Craven meeting and then straight to the 2,000 Guineas. He needs to find 10lb of improvement in the way his father did but he's answered every call during the winter and we'll see where he ends up. They often say the Guineas is the last two-year-old race and he goes there battle-hardened after plenty of racing last year. 09-04-25"
"We debated long and hard and decided to go to Australia for the Golden Eagle. His two options left here were the Joel Stakes and QEII and if he was to have a chance to win another race this year, it was going to have to be abroad. We're now the only European horse going there and we're rated the same as Lake Forest when he won the race last year. He's a different horse to us as he's more of a sprinting type. It's interesting that they've changed the track this year from Rosehill to Randwick, which takes the emphasis off speed and puts it on the stamina. He won the Thoroughbred Stakes well at Goodwood over the easy mile, so the 7½f [1500m] at Randwick should suit him ideally. He goes well on fast ground but if the heavens opened it wouldn't bother him in the slightest. He's a very big horse and that would give you hope he can find more improvement next year. The Sussex Stakes would be the obvious race to target. 08-10-25"
Quotes
"I think small fields and a turning track are quite important to Seagulls Eleven, which is why he doesn't have a Royal Ascot entry. He does have an entry in the Group 3 at Chantilly on Diane weekend [Prix Bertrand du Breuil], but three trips across the Channel in short order might be quite tough. We'll just have to see how he comes back from this. I think the Summer Mile at Ascot - which is on the round track and often has a small field - might suit him. I'll put him in the Sussex Stakes, which is going to be a very strong race, but I expect it to be a small field. He's won at Goodwood and it's worth a lot of money, while the Celebration Mile often has a small field too. He could come back for the Moulin because he's shown he likes the track, and he goes on any ground. I've just said to the owners I think that was potentially a career best. What was nice is that through his career he's been quite a 'silly' horse, but he seems to have grown up. Christophe [Soumillon] said he was so mature and concentrated on the job in hand, rather than being a goof, which was lovely - Hugo Palmer, trainer."
2026-05-24 - Longchamp"Seagulls Eleven has run a really gutsy race. I picked this race from quite some way out because I wanted to run him round a bend and in a small field. I couldn't have run him any sooner but with the benefit of hindsight, I think he's just been beaten with a horse who's had a run. I'll keep half an eye on the Lockinge but I think he's more likely to come back to France. He really served it up to them there and he's had a hard race - Hugo Palmer, trainer."
2026-05-01 - Saint-Cloud"Seagulls Eleven has taken us all around the world and I don't think we're done yet. The Golden Eagle in Sydney has already been mentioned and why not? It's a A$10m dollar race. Where can you say that in England? - Hugo Palmer, trainer."
2025-08-01 - GoodwoodPrevious Owners
- Two Plus Three Two Plus Four (until 2026-04-30)
Race History for Seagulls Eleven
Persica
5yo ch Gelding (IRE)Connections
Jockey: Sean Levey
Trainer: Richard Hannon
Herridge, Wilts
Owner: Martin Hughes & Michael Kerr-Dineen
Breeding
Sire: New Bay (GB)
Dam: Rubira (AUS)
Damsire: Lope De Vega (IRE)
Breeder: The Applecross Syndicate
Ratings & Stats
Spotlight
Versatile as regards ground; gelded prior to below-par effort in sole start this term; smart on his day and is 2-2 at Epsom with wins at this meeting for the last two years; beat Ice Max (who received 3lb) by just under 1l in this race 12 months ago and warrants respect back here.
Comment
Record of 2-2 at Epsom includes a success in this race last year; respected back here
Stable Tour
"We overfaced him a couple of times last season. We had him gelded after a disappointing run in Bahrain and he showed the benefit of that with a decent performance at Newmarket last week. That was the best race he's run in ten months, which was heartening, and Oisin [Murphy] was easy on him when he was beaten, so I'd say there's a lot to look forward to, especially when he gets a bit of give in the ground. We'll look at a Group 2 at Sandown, although he's in the Lockinge as well. 21-04-26"
Quotes
"Persica loves it here. Ryan [Moore] said he thought he struggled down the hill a little bit - I didn't tell him he's been here already. Ryan has always said to ply our trade at around this level, and I think he's dead right. We might make the occasional jump up on the back of a race like this, it probably makes sense, but he has his chance in any race when he gets his ground. We'll just follow the ground around as he's a very, very good horse - Richard Hannon, trainer."
2025-06-07 - Epsom"Persica will go to Newbury [for the Lockinge] if it's soft, but he could have a good one in him later on. The owners love the game and turned down a lot of money for him, so it's a nice outcome - Richard Hannon, trainer."
2025-04-15 - Newmarket"Persica could have done it better and my hand was forced a little bit. I was going wide and I could see Jim Crowley going to have a dream run coming through, it forced me to go when I didn't really want to. He's lasted out to the line but I wonder how fully this horse stays a mile and a quarter. He doesn't lack speed. Maybe his optimum is actually coming back a furlong. He's a nice three-year-old and he'll make a nice 4yo - Sean Levey, jockey."
2024-09-21 - Ayr"Persica was drawn 11 which was always going to be hard. We always thought he was a very good horse and he's definitely upwardly mobile. He was able to do it his way today, which was a massive advantage. He's a bit fragile mentally. I didn't think it would suit him here with the crowd and atmosphere. He's a little inexperienced but I hope as he grows up he can turn into a Group horse - Richard Hannon, trainer."
2024-06-01 - Epsom"Persica is quite big but has plenty of ability. He stuck his head out when the other horse came to him and I didn't have to get very serious. He wasn't getting beat. When you look at him you'd say he's a miler all day long. He's one for next year - Pat Dobbs, jockey."
2023-09-09 - Kempton (AW)Race History for Persica
Boiling Point
5yo b Horse (IRE)Connections
Jockey: Clifford Lee
Trainer: K R Burke
Coverham, North Yorkshire
Owner: Exors Of The Late Sheikh Mohammed Obaid
Breeding
Sire: Too Darn Hot (GB)
Dam: Lady Momoka (IRE)
Damsire: Shamardal (USA)
Breeder: Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum
Ratings & Stats
Spotlight
Campaigned mostly on good/firmer ground; rallied gamely for Listed honours at Goodwood (1m2f) most recently and, assuming another gritty display is on the way, should remain competitive; top on his peak figure, achieved when defying top weight in last year's Cambridgeshire (1m1f).
Comment
Rallied gamely for Listed honours at Goodwood last time and should remain competitive
Stable Tour
"Won the Cambridgeshire last year with a really solid performance. We stepped him up in trip in the Winter Derby and while I think he gets a mile and a quarter, the track didn't suit. He could go for the Earl of Sefton at Newmarket next. 31-03-26"
"He has always looked a nice colt and I expected him to go well on his debut, which he did when finishing second to Cogitate at Newbury over 7f. That did him a lot of good and we sent him back there over a mile on Friday, when he finished third. We'll have to sit down and see where he goes next. 25-08-23"
Quotes
"Boiling Point is a very honest horse. The ground's probably not ideal for him, but he's so tough and genuine. I'd a good willing partner and he really did help me out a lot there - Shane Gray, rider."
2026-05-22 - Goodwood"Boiling Point is a very good horse and is really a Group horse - he will win a good Group race. But Cliff [Lee, jockey] is so good from the front. There was no point pulling him round, even with top-weight. It was all about getting him into a nice rhythm and he was either going to be good enough or he wasn't. We were always going to go far side from that draw (6) and it has worked out really well. I don't know how much weight exactly he was giving the second, but he's just held on. He was running on fumes for the last 100 yards but as I say Cliff is brilliant from the front and I'm never worried when I ask him to go forward. He will go back into Group company now. I don't know where yet - today was the plan - Karl Burke, trainer."
2025-09-27 - Newmarket"Boiling Point nearly won a Group Three here at the end of last year. He has got away with it today, but he will be better on good to firm ground. He has looked like he needed every yard of it today. I need to speak his owner Sheikh Obaid but he has had two quick runs now and I would quite like to put him away and wait for the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot. The stiff seven furlongs there should suit him and I thought all through the winter that it could be the race for him. After that, we can decide whether we step him up to a mile. In my opinion, it looks like he would stay a mile - Roger Varian, trainer."
2024-05-03 - NewmarketPrevious Trainers
- Roger Varian (until 2024-09-02)
Previous Owners
- Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum (until 2026-02-16)
Race History for Boiling Point
Ice Max
5yo gr Gelding (GB)Connections
Jockey: Sam James
Trainer: K R Burke
Coverham, North Yorkshire
Owner: Exors Of The Late Sheikh Mohammed Obaid
Breeding
Sire: Dark Angel (IRE)
Dam: Cool Kitten (IRE)
Damsire: One Cool Cat (USA)
Breeder: Gordon Roddick
Ratings & Stats
Spotlight
Very useful performer whose good-ground form includes a close second in this race last year and respectable sixth to stablemate Boiling Point at Goodwood latest start; has registered the majority of wins on softer, notably in Group 2 in 2024 and Listed grade in 2025 (both 1m); major player.
Comment
Close second on good ground in this race last year; most wins on softer; major player
Stable Tour
"A solid horse who finished off last season really well. A free-going type who doesn't always settle, he saw out his last two races well and will hopefully carry on in that vein. He wants soft ground and we'll probably start him off over a mile. 31-03-26"
Quotes
"After the first couple of furlongs Ice Max got into a nice rhythm. He's grown up a lot, he's strong and he's definitely a Group horse - Shane Gray, rider speaking on Racing TV."
2025-10-29 - Nottingham"Ice Max has been running consistently in Group 2s and Group 3s. He likes cut in the ground and a flat out gallop - James Cowley, assistant trainer."
2025-10-10 - York"Ice Max is a bit of a hard one to place as he needs soft ground, and I just think he was in front half a furlong too soon there. If the leader had led us a bit further he would have just sat, but he committed and took a length out of the winner and then just got outstayed. A shame, but he ran well - Karl Burke, trainer."
2025-06-07 - Epsom"Before the race we knew Ice Max would love the soft ground. We didn't go very quick but he travelled very well. Once I switched over to the stands' side rail, I knew I'd won it from there - Clifford Lee, rider."
2024-08-24 - GoodwoodPrevious Owners
- Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum (until 2026-04-10)
Race History for Ice Max
Qirat
5yo ch Gelding (GB)Connections
Jockey: Colin Keane
Trainer: Ralph Beckett
Kimpton, Hants
Owner: Juddmonte
Breeding
Sire: Showcasing (GB)
Dam: Emulous (GB)
Damsire: Dansili (GB)
Breeder: Juddmonte Farms (east) Ltd
Ratings & Stats
Spotlight
Not totally solid on his form since 150-1 success when pacemaker in last year's Sussex Stakes (1m, good); below par in Listed grade in sole run this season; however, record of 3-3 at Goodwood bodes well for this first visit to Epsom, which is a fairly similar track; return to best is plausible.
Comment
Record of 3-3 at Goodwood (including Sussex win) bodes well for this first visit to Epsom
Stable Tour
"I can't say any of us were expecting him to win the Sussex, but Richard Kingscote was brilliant on him. He was in the best shape he'd been in all year and that combination meant it all came to pass. We're likely to go back to Goodwood for the Celebration Mile and the Sussex again. He might go for the Diomed on Derby weekend along the way. 27-04-26"
Quotes
"Qirat has always threatened to be a good horse, I've just never managed to get it out of him until today. He was here to set the pace and go 12-second furlongs from the front. That's what he was here to do and the longer he lasted, the better it was for everyone concerned with him. That was the idea. Having watched the clock, I think he achieved that, and the last thing I said to Richard Kingscote before he got on him was, 'Keep going on this fellow. He isn't going to stop and he could run really well here' - Ralph Beckett, trainer. I feel like a villain, but when I saw it wasn't a grey nose coming towards me I kept going. Ultimately, we were there as a helping hand to go an even gallop and we were somewhat ignored early then took a lead off Wayne Lordan. Towards the cutaway I was thinking Qirat was going well, but you always expect the horses rated 20lb higher to be coming through. I could see Rosallion coming, but my horse kept pulling out. I think Ralph [Beckett, trainer] was happy to have me on as I like being in front, like my fractions and it worked out okay. It's a bit surreal but great to be going to Hong Kong on a positive note - Richard Kingscote, jockey."
2025-07-30 - Goodwood"Conditions hadn't gone Qirat's way but he was at his best back on the easier surface. I've always thought he was well handicapped and with a bit of rain he may well have won the Britannia at Royal Ascot - Hector Crouch, rider, speaking to ITV Racing."
2024-08-25 - GoodwoodRace History for Qirat
Chancellor
4yo b Gelding (GB)Connections
Jockey: Robert Havlin
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
Newmarket, Suffolk
Owner: Cheveley Park Stud
Breeding
Sire: Kingman (GB)
Dam: Queen's Trust (GB)
Damsire: Dansili (GB)
Breeder: Cheveley Park Stud Limited
Ratings & Stats
Spotlight
Has taken his form to a new level, notably with a 1m Listed success, since switched to artificial surfaces; ran creditably in first-time cheekpieces (retained) on finals day at Newcastle most recently; the query is whether his very useful AW form can be transferred back to turf.
Comment
The query is whether his very useful AW form can be transferred back to turf
Quotes
"Chancellor got to the front and pricked his ears, but then half dropped a gear on me. He was looking around and he's still quite babyish. His runs have been spaced out so he's still learning. He's had wind surgery and mentally he's still getting over that. I think turf racing will suit him better, as on the all-weather everything is a big rush off the bridle. He's very lightly raced and has had some solid horses around him each time. I don't know what the plan is now but a bit of cut in the ground over a mile would see him at his most effective - Robert Havlin , jockey, speaking on Sky Sports Racing."
2026-02-07 - Southwell (AW)"Chancellor was favourite for the Champagne Stakes [as a juvenile] but he managed to burst the front gates open. He's had a few little issue and he's not run for six months so this was a good starting point again. We've always held him in high regard and we thought he'd be going in the top races this year - he ran in the Greenham but he did need his wind tweaking. Hopefully it's onwards and upwards now - Rab Havlin, jockey, speaking to Racing TV."
2025-11-03 - Kempton (AW)"Chancellor has been working well, I think he could go to 7f. He had a good blow and I think he'll improve a lot - Rab Havlin, jockey, talking to Sky Sports Racing."
2024-07-11 - DoncasterMedical History
Wind Surgery (2025-05-23)Race History for Chancellor
Royal Playwright
4yo b Colt (GB)Connections
Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa
Trainer: Andrew Balding
Kingsclere, Hants
Owner: J C Smith
Breeding
Sire: Lope De Vega (IRE)
Dam: Arabian Queen (IRE)
Damsire: Dubawi (IRE)
Breeder: Littleton Stud
Ratings & Stats
Spotlight
Respectable fourth in this contest last year but showed better form, including success in conditions race and third-place finishes at Listed/Group level, over 1m2f/1m3f later in 2025; doesn't seem to be crying out for this drop back in trip on reappearance.
Comment
Respectable fourth in this contest last year; showed better form over 1m2f/1m3f later on
Quotes
"I was very pleased with the performance. Royal Playwright is a talented horse who hasn't had things go his way this year, but we've been really happy with him at home and I think he's at his best at the moment. He ran a muddling race in the Dante which sort of threw us off. I was hoping we would step him up to a mile and a half and things didn't pan out that way. In hindsight, we should have put a line through it and cracked on with what we had in mind - Andrew Balding, trainer."
2025-09-24 - GoodwoodRace History for Royal Playwright
Skukuza
5yo b Horse (GB)Connections
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Trainer: Ed Dunlop
Newmarket, Suffolk
Owner: Cayton Park Stud Limited
Breeding
Sire: Blue Point (IRE)
Dam: Shingwedzi (SAF)
Damsire: Trippi (USA)
Breeder: Cayton Park Stud Ltd
Ratings & Stats
Spotlight
Form dipped last time when he raced too freely; otherwise a broadly consistent sort who may rebound, provided he settles better; has Group form and can't be dismissed from a ratings perspective but may be more interesting when back at the Curragh where he's 2-2 (only 1-15 elsewhere).
Comment
May be more interesting when back at the Curragh where he's 2-2 (only 1-15 elsewhere)
Stable Tour
"He's been very lightly raced and was second in the Britannia at Royal Ascot last year. He ran really well that day but picked up an injury and was out for the rest of the season. He returned in a posh handicap at Haydock over 7f on Saturday and finished fifth. We were very pleased with that. We took a chance on the ground but thankfully he's come out well. He should improve significantly as he hadn't run for a year. We'll see if he steps up to stakes races but we'll have a go at the Hunt Cup and races like that first. Physically he's a big beast and I hope he'll improve from three to four. 30-04-25"
Quotes
"It was a brave decision not to run when you are one of the favourites for the Hunt Cup but the plan has worked. Skukuza did everything right and I think the further he went the further he was going to win. He likes coming back here for Classic days so maybe there is something for him on Oaks day! - Robin Trevor Jones, stable representative."
2025-06-29 - Curragh"We came here for the rain and it came at the right time. Skukuza deserved to win this. He got injured in the Britannia and things haven't gone right for him. He's a smart horse and the could possibly go to the Hunt Cup next - Ed Dunlop, trainer."
2025-05-24 - CurraghRace History for Skukuza