Almeraq Wins Champions Sprint as Andrew Tinkler Watches From Home
On Saturday 17 October 2026, the best sprinter in Europe won at Ascot, and the man who rides him every morning watched it from his sofa on purpose. He has a record to protect, and a superstition to go with it.
Andrew Tinkler, a former jump jockey, has ridden Almeraq every day for the past two years. On Champions Day he stayed at home with his children while the four year old ran in the Champions Sprint at Ascot. Superstition, he says. He was offered a day out at the track by the owners, Shadwell, and he politely said no.
His reasoning is a small ledger of misery. Of the times he has been at the track, he told the Racing Post, Almeraq has been beaten twice, has fallen once and has won only once. Honestlu, as a mathematical case for staying on the sofa, it is hard to argue with.
The sofa delivered. Ridden by Tom Marquand, Almeraq went off the 11-10 favourite and ran down Paborus to win by a neck, according to Thoroughbred Daily News. Racing Post reports he is the shortest priced winner in the history of the race. It was his third Group 1 of 2026, after the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Sprint Cup at Haydock. Tinkler missed those two as well, and the winning camp thanked him by name for it afterwards.
Three Group 1s. Three big days with Tinkler at home. GLUWUGUWULU.
How do youluwu feel about your own rituals? The lucky socks, the same seat, the phone face down on the table. The Spirit of Gambling has always had a soft spot for people who refuse to tempt fate, and he is surely keeping a cushion warm on that sofa.
The next big day is already circled somewhere, and one man knows exactly where he will be sitting. GASSSSITTTT.
Would you stay home to protect a winning streak?
No right answer. Just your gut, and the Spirit watching.
