SIS Star Sports Stewards Cup begins on Saturday at Star Pelaw

Star Pelaw set for first Category One event

It is almost two years since Star Sports took over Pelaw Grange, with this the second running of the Stewards Cup. In 2025. the competition returned as a Category Two competition, upgraded to a place in the Cat One races for this edition, the first ever to be run at the track.

Saturday night will see six heats over 590m and if there is anything like the excitement that there was in the heats last year when Emily Superstar set a new track record in the first round of the competition, then it will be an outstanding night of action at the Chester-le-Street circuit. 

The defending champion is Ballymac Sargie, and he is back to take on all comers once more for Tom Heilbron. He is a veteran these days but still retains plenty of ability. He will face Droopys Graph in heat four, the well-touted Derby contender has shown up well in action here so far, including beating Sargie last time out. . 

Quickest of the year so far in 2026 has been Rapido Benny. Ricky Holloway's charge will line up in heat five, though he has Droopys Bookem in one to clear, with that runner dipping under 36 seconds on his first look. Split times suggest that Benny can clear him but that doesn't always translate. 

Just one spot slower than Rapido Benny in the 2026 standings is Witton Gucci who goes in heat two for Glenn Foot. She is yet to taste defeat when in action at this track, winning three times over this distance and once over eight bends.