LAHORE: Day two of the Weekend Festival at the Lahore Race Club delivered a thrilling mix of expected triumphs and stunning upsets, with the spotlight firmly on Jupiter, who justified its favourite billing by clinching the Pakistan Derby 2026 under the masterful riding of Awais Anjum.
From the very start, Jupiter dominated proceedings, maintaining a clear lead throughout and crossing the line in 2 minutes and 36-1/5 seconds, securing the premier crown and a purse of Rs 6,300,000.
Jupiter’s commanding run left rivals trailing, with Sardar Bey surprising many by finishing second to claim Rs 2,000,000, while Hall Road secured third place for Rs 1,000,000. Fluke entry Prince Essa rounded off the Derby placings, earning Rs 400,000. The victory reinforced Jupiter’s status as the standout horse of the season and delighted the packed stands at Lahore Race Club.
The day was not short of drama. Eden Queen, sired by Munster Blackwater and trained by Rashid Latif, stunned the field by winning the Friendship Cup, with Ajwa Queen and fluke entry Lucky Mac completing the podium.
Later, Tiger Of Sultan, sired by Landlocked, roared home in the Spring Cup, while Zindagi and Jungle Di Star added further surprises by finishing second and third respectively.
Another outsider, Tomorrow Land, shocked the field in the LRC Cup, outdueling fluke entrant Fakhre-e-Pangaran, with Bubber Sher astonishingly taking third place.
While upsets grabbed headlines, several favourites lived up to expectations. Qismat edged a nail-biting finish in the Tariq Aziz Memorial Cup, ahead of unexpected runner-up Moni Queen and fluke fighter Feel My Love.
In the Stewards’ Cup, favourite Aitchisonian claimed victory, with Ameera second and Queen Of Pharoah surprising in third. The Champion Split Stakes Cup saw fluke entrant Sysmed Queen run down Maverick from the standside, while Makhmoor surprised by finishing third.
The day concluded with the Khalid Bin Waleed Cup, where favourite Rafah obliterated the field in emphatic fashion. Fluke entry Dawood Prince took second place, while Secret Lover claimed third, adding one final twist to a day of mixed fortunes.
The Pakistan Derby 2026 was a showcase of equestrian excellence, with Jupiter’s dominant triumph reinforcing its status as the premier horse of the season. While favourites delivered in key races, the day was equally defined by stunning upsets that kept spectators enthralled. The blend of predictability and surprise ensured that the Weekend Festival at Lahore Race Club lived up to its reputation as one of the most exciting events on Pakistan’s racing calendar.
