Pierre Royal wins Cambridgeshire for Ireland at 33-1

33-1 shot Pierre Royal won the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket on 26 September 2026.

The four-year-old held on in a photo finish to beat Crest of Fire, with 100-1 outsider Altareq third and favourite Gavriel fourth, the BBC reported.

Pierre Royal is trained in Ireland by Adrian McGuinness and was ridden by Mikey Sheehy. He is the first Irish-trained winner of the race this century.

That is some strike rate. He was the only Irish raider in the field, according to Sky Sports.

The Cambridgeshire is a heritage handicap over the autumn mile at Newmarket. A handicap is a race where better horses carry more weight to level the field. It draws a big field and a wide-open betting market.

This one was run as the bet365 Cambridgeshire. A final field of 28 runners was declared, with Gavriel heading the list as clear favourite, the Racing Post reported.

Gavriel could manage only fourth. In front of him, the finish was tight.

Crest of Fire, trained by Jack Channon and ridden by Tom Marquand, pushed Pierre Royal all the way to the line. The judge was needed to split them. Altareq, trained by Jim Goldie, stayed on for third at 100-1. Those prices tell the story. At 33-1 and 100-1, the bookmakers and most punters gave the first and third little chance.

For McGuinness, it was a day to remember. He made his first trip to Newmarket for the race, Sky Sports reported. He left with the trophy.

The turnaround in form is sharp. Pierre Royal had finished 14th of 22 runners at the Curragh on 13 September before lining up at Newmarket Rowley on 26 September.

What makes this stand out is the travelling. One horse across the sea. One trainer on his first visit. One ride that timed it right in a 28-runner cavalry charge.

For fans, this means a new name on an old roll of honour. And an Irish one, for the first time in over twenty years.