Hardwicke Stakes Preview – Can the Improver Topple the Champions?
The 2026 Hardwicke Stakes has attracted a field worthy of a Group 1. Established stars such as Kalpana, Goliath, and Jan Brueghel bring proven elite-level form, but the race could hinge on whether the improving Best Secret is ready to make the leap.
Kalpana arrives with arguably the strongest recent form and enjoys valuable weight concessions from the males. Goliath returns to a track where he has already excelled, while Jan Brueghel has the raw class figures to win if reproducing his best.
Yet the most intriguing profile belongs to Best Secret. Unbeaten over 1m4f and progressing rapidly through the ranks, he arrives with fewer miles on the clock and potentially more improvement than any rival.
If class prevails, Kalpana may simply prove too good. If improvement wins the day, Best Secret could announce himself as a genuine Group 1 performer.