Sport

The world of horse racing continues to deliver thrilling moments, with recent victories capturing the attention of fans globally. From record-breaking streaks to defending champions, February 2026 has already proven to be a month of significant competition. This surge in activity underscores the enduring appeal of the sport, blending athleticism, strategy, and tradition.

Recent results highlight the dominance of certain contenders and set the stage for upcoming major events. The sport’s calendar is packed with Grade 1 stakes races across multiple continents, offering substantial prize money, and prestige. Understanding these recent performances and the upcoming schedule is key for any follower of world horse racing.

Ka Ying’s Historic Run

Ka Ying has achieved a remarkable feat, securing his 18th consecutive win, a record-breaking accomplishment in the world of sprinting. This victory, highlighted in a recent video, solidifies Ka Ying’s position as a leading sprinter. The achievement was shared on World Horse Racing’s Facebook page on February 25, 2026.

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Costa Nova Defends February Stakes Crown

In other notable results, Costa Nova successfully defended his title at the G1 February Stakes, achieving back-to-back victories in this prestigious race. This win further cements Costa Nova’s reputation as a formidable competitor. A video showcasing Costa Nova’s triumph was also posted on World Horse Racing’s Facebook page on February 25, 2026.

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Upcoming Races and the Global Calendar

Looking ahead, the racing calendar is filled with significant events. On February 25, 2026, racecards are scheduled at Bangor-on-Dee, Wincanton, and Lingfield (AW) in the UK, as reported by Racing Post. The G1 February Stakes, held in Tokyo, Japan, on February 22, 2026, was a key highlight, alongside the G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup at Sha Tin, Hong Kong, on the same date.

Further ahead, the calendar includes the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes in Kyoto, Japan, scheduled for December 20, 2026, and the G1 Arima Kinen (The Grand Prix) at Nakayama, Japan, on December 27, 2026. These races, along with numerous others across Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, the USA, and Europe, contribute to a dynamic and competitive global racing landscape. The sport’s international appeal is evident in the diverse range of locations hosting these prestigious events.

The Idol Horse calendar also highlights the Wong Tang-Ping story, detailing the making of Hong Kong racing’s first Chinese jockey, adding a historical and cultural dimension to the sport.

As the racing season progresses, fans can anticipate further thrilling contests and the emergence of new champions. The dedication of trainers, jockeys, and owners, combined with the inherent excitement of the races, ensures that horse racing will continue to captivate audiences worldwide.

What are your predictions for the upcoming G1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to share this article with fellow racing enthusiasts!

Stratford-upon-Avon’s Freddie Slater, just 17 years old, is rapidly ascending the ranks of motorsport, and has recently been confirmed as the first driver signed to Audi’s newly-formed Driver Development Programme. The young Briton is preparing for his rookie season in the highly competitive FIA Formula 3 Championship with TRIDENT Motorsport, all even as keeping his ultimate goal firmly in sight: a seat in Formula 1. Slater’s meteoric rise through the junior formulas has generated significant buzz, and his partnership with Audi represents a pivotal moment in his career.

Slater’s journey to this point has been marked by consistent success. Winning championships in both the Italian and UAE Formula 4 series in 2024, followed by claiming the 2025 Formula Regional European Championship title alongside drivers like Kimi Antonelli and Rafael Camara, has established him as a force to be reckoned with. This impressive record attracted interest from multiple Formula 1 teams, but Slater remained patient, waiting for the right opportunity to align with a program that could provide the long-term support needed to reach the pinnacle of motorsport.

“Joining Audi and also being the first member of their Driver Development Programme is incredible,” Slater said during testing in Barcelona. “They are all about the long term and that’s the thing for me, because even though I am just starting in F3, and that’s my full focus, my full goal is to get to F1.” He emphasized the importance of a structured approach to development, stating, “So now it’s just about slowly starting to build me into hopefully an up and coming Formula 1 driver. It’s adding those little bits of one percent that they can add with what my team have already done, and just to keep improving day by day.”

A Calculated Decision

Slater’s decision to join Audi wasn’t immediate. He explained that previous offers during his karting career and at the end of his Formula 4 stint weren’t the right fit. “For me, it wasn’t right,” he stated. “There was a phase in karting where there was a bit of interest and it wasn’t right then. The end of F4, it wasn’t right at all either.” He felt the timing wasn’t optimal until his success in the Formula Regional European Championship (FREC). “During the FREC season, I’d probably say is when it started to become a bit more like, ‘okay, now you’re going to Formula 3, it’s the right time to have a team behind you to start developing you as a driver.’”

Slater believes that joining an academy too early would have been premature. “Before that, it was too early because it would have just been a name, they would not have been actually developing me as a driver,” he explained. He valued maintaining independence and focusing on performance, a period he described as “cool” despite the constant speculation about his future. “It was quite cool before having everyone guessing, asking me about F1, and I was like, ‘no, I’m alright on my own.’ I was enjoying it.”

Learning from the Best

Prior to his commitment to Audi, Slater has been actively racing in the Formula Regional Oceania Trophy in New Zealand, finishing second overall with three wins and six podium finishes. While he hasn’t yet had the opportunity to connect with current Audi drivers Gabriel Bortoleto, the 2023 Formula 3 champion with TRIDENT, or Nico Hulkenberg, he has already begun working with Allan McNish, the Director of Audi’s Driver Development Programme.

“I’ve been very busy, so I’ve been keeping to what I’m doing, and just focusing on myself,” Slater said. “But Allan will be around and he’s one of the greatest drivers ever to drive cars.” He expressed his gratitude for McNish’s guidance, recognizing the value of his experience. “It’s nice to have him and his life experiences on this part of my journey, it’s just things to learn from. He’s had some incredible experiences and some very awful experiences as well. Some of the stories, and the way he says to go about things, is very cool to hear.” He anticipates learning from both Bortoleto and Hulkenberg as well, eager to absorb their insights into navigating the challenges of Formula 3 and Formula 2.

A Familiar Face for Support

Beyond the Audi program, Slater benefits from a strong personal connection within the Formula 1 paddock. He shares a friendship with McLaren’s 2025 World Champion, Lando Norris, facilitated by their shared management team. However, their relationship isn’t solely focused on racing advice. “To be honest, we don’t talk too much about the driving,” Slater revealed. “When I’ve hung out with him, we’ve just had fun. We’ve just messed about, done a bit of karting, gone for dinner, and had fun.” He values the relaxed environment and the opportunity to connect with Norris on a personal level. “Sometimes you just want to relax. So for me, it was more about having a laugh with him and having a bit of banter.”

Freddie Slater’s commitment to Audi marks a significant step towards his Formula 1 aspirations. With a strong foundation of success in the junior categories and the backing of a dedicated development program, he is well-positioned to continue his upward trajectory. The 2026 Formula 3 season with TRIDENT Motorsport will be a crucial proving ground, and all eyes will be on Slater as he strives to make his mark and move closer to his ultimate goal.

As Slater prepares for his rookie F3 season, the focus will be on translating his past successes to this new challenge. The partnership with Audi promises a structured and supportive environment, and his connection with experienced drivers like McNish and Norris offers valuable mentorship. The coming months will be critical in shaping his development and determining his path towards Formula 1.

What are your thoughts on Freddie Slater’s potential? Share your predictions for his F3 season in the comments below!

The 2026 PGA Tour season’s Florida Swing begins this week with the Cognizant Classic at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Following Signature Events, this tournament presents a different challenge with a field that lacks the top players in the game, positioned as it is between larger events. The course itself has undergone significant changes, impacting scoring conditions and strategy.

PGA National, originally designed by George and Tom Fazio in the early 1980s and later redesigned by Jack Nicklaus in 1990 with subsequent tweaks, has seen a shift in difficulty. While champions once barely reached double-digits under par, recent winners have posted significantly lower scores. Chris Kirk won with a score of 14 under par four seasons ago, while Austin Eckroat won in 2024 at 17 under, and Joe Highsmith was last year’s champion at 19 under. A key change has been the conversion of the 10th hole from a challenging par 4 to a more accessible par 5. Overseeding with winter Ryegrass has also softened the fairways, reducing the penalty for errant shots.

Adding to the complexity, wind is expected to play a factor, with forecasts predicting speeds of 10-15 mph. With water hazards on 15 of the 18 holes, a strong breeze could significantly increase the difficulty. According to expert prognosticator Brady Kannon, the course demands accuracy, ball striking, and scrambling ability. Kannon’s analysis focuses on Strokes Gained: Approach, Off the Tee, and Ball Striking, as well as Good Drives Gained, Scrambling, and Hole Proximity from 125-200 yards.

Six Players to Watch at PGA National

Kannon identifies six players who fit the profile for success at the Cognizant Classic, drawing parallels to successful players at correlated courses like Bay Hill, Innisbrook, TPC Sawgrass, Waialae, and venues from the Canadian Open, as well as those who have performed well at The Open Championship. Here are his picks:

• Daniel Berger (40-1): The Florida State Seminole has a strong history at PGA National, including a playoff loss in 2015 and two fourth-place finishes in 2020 and 2022. He excels in ball-striking, wind play, and driving accuracy, and ranks eighth in Hole Proximity from 150-175 yards over the last 24 rounds.
• Aaron Rai (40-1): Rai is another accurate ball-striker comfortable in windy conditions. He has recorded finishes of 14th at Hamilton Golf & Country Club (Canadian Open, 2024), 13th at St. George’s (Canadian Open, 2022), and 19th at Royal St. George’s (The Open Championship, 2021). He currently ranks 12th in Strokes Gained: Approach, seventh in Bogey Avoidance, and first in Good Drives Gained.
• Haotong Li (49-1): Li has shown recent good form, with eighth and 11th place finishes on the PGA Tour this season and top-10 finishes on the DP World Tour. He is eighth on Tour in Strokes Gained: Tee to Green, 17th in Total Driving, and 19th in Scrambling, and has twice finished in the top 4 at The Open Championship.
• Jordan Smith (60-1): Smith currently ranks fifth in Total Driving, sixth in Greens in Regulation, and first in Ball Striking on the PGA Tour. He finished 16th in Phoenix and had strong finishes on the DP World Tour at the end of 2025.
• Mackenzie Hughes (62-1): Hughes is a strong scrambler, ranking second in that category over the last 24 rounds. He finished sixth at the Open Championship at Royal St. George’s in 2021, was runner-up at the Cognizant Classic in 2020, and has recorded top-15 finishes at the Canadian Open.
• Emiliano Grillo (85-1): Grillo has a history of success at PGA National, with an eighth-place finish in 2018, and has also performed well at Bay Hill and The Players Championship. He ranks 14th in Bogey Avoidance, 13th in Hole Proximity from 125-150 yards, and seventh in Good Drives Gained. He has twice finished 12th and was sixth at The Open Championship in 2023.

The Cognizant Classic promises a compelling test of golf, demanding precision and adaptability from players navigating the challenging layout and potential wind conditions. The field, while lacking some of the game’s biggest names, presents opportunities for those who excel in the key areas Kannon has identified.

As the Florida Swing continues, players will face increasingly demanding courses and conditions. The performance at PGA National will provide valuable insights into form and preparation for upcoming events like the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill and The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass.

What are your thoughts on these picks? Share your predictions in the comments below!