# Dante Festival 2026 TV Guide: ITV Times, Racing TV & Live Stream

_Dante Festival at York, Wednesday 13 to Friday 15 May 2026. ITV Racing live coverage on Dante Stakes Day (Thu 14 May), Racing TV across all three days. Full off-times for Musidora, Minster, Dante and Yorkshire Cup, plus ITVX live stream + Sky Sports Racing schedule._

*Source: [https://stablebet.co.uk/racing-news/dante-festival-2026-tv-guide/](https://stablebet.co.uk/racing-news/dante-festival-2026-tv-guide/) · last updated 2026-05-10*

**Wednesday 13 -- Friday 15 May 2026. York Racecourse. Dante Festival three-day fixture.**

The 2026 Dante Festival at York runs from **Wednesday 13 May to Friday 15 May**, with the centrepiece **Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes** on **Thursday 14 May at 16:05 BST**. **ITV Racing carries Dante Stakes Day live**, with broad **Racing TV** coverage across all three days for the supporting cards.

**Quick TV summary:**

| Day | Headline race | Off-time | Live TV | Streaming |
|------|---------------|---------:|---------|-----------|
| **Wed 13 May** | Tattersalls Musidora Stakes (G3, fillies' Oaks trial) | ~14:25 | Racing TV | RacingTV.com / Sky 426 |
| **Wed 13 May** | Minster Stakes (G2, sprint -- ex Duke of York) | ~15:35 | Racing TV | RacingTV.com / Sky 426 |
| **Thu 14 May** | **Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes (G2, Derby trial)** | **16:05** | **ITV Racing (ITV1 / ITVX)** | ITVX live stream |
| **Thu 14 May** | Tattersalls Middleton Stakes (G2, fillies & mares) | ~14:25 | ITV Racing | ITVX |
| **Fri 15 May** | Boodles Yorkshire Cup (G2, Gold Cup pipeline) | ~15:35 | Racing TV / Sky Sports Racing not confirmed | RacingTV.com / Sky Sports streaming |

Off-times are scheduled-published; final draw + the BHA's confirmed off-time are released at the **48-hour declarations stage** on Tuesday 12 May for the Wednesday card.

**Why Dante Stakes Day is on ITV** -- the race is the most-watched Derby trial in Europe and ITV's deal with the BHA includes all four named UK Derby trials (Chester Vase + Lingfield + Dante + Goodwood Predominate) on free-to-air. ITVX carries the same coverage as a live stream + on-demand replay for 30 days post-race.

**Why Wednesday + Friday lean Racing TV** -- the Musidora and Yorkshire Cup are Group 2/3-class but not part of the ITV deal in 2026. Subscribers to Racing TV via Sky / Virgin / RacingTV.com get full HD coverage; non-subscribers can buy a single-day pass on RacingTV.com.

This guide breaks the schedule down day-by-day with per-race off-times, plus the ITVX / Racing TV / Sky Sports Racing options for streaming. For the **race-by-race verdicts** see our [Dante Festival 2026 tips](/racing-news/dante-festival-2026-tips/), the [Dante Festival 2026 preview](/racing-news/dante-festival-2026-preview/), and individual race previews for the [Dante Stakes 2026](/racing-news/dante-stakes-2026-preview/), [Musidora Stakes 2026](/racing-news/musidora-stakes-2026-preview/), [Yorkshire Cup 2026](/racing-news/yorkshire-cup-2026-preview/), and [Minster Stakes 2026](/racing-news/minster-stakes-2026-preview/).

## Wednesday 13 May -- Musidora Stakes Day

**Gates open: 11:15 BST. First race: ~13:30 BST. Last race: ~17:35 BST.**

**Live TV: Racing TV.** Full HD coverage of all 7 races on the card.

| # | Off-time | Race | Class | Distance |
|---|---------:|------|-------|----------|
| 1 | 13:30 | Class 4 Maiden Stakes | C4 | 5f |
| 2 | 14:00 | Class 3 Handicap | C3 | 7f |
| 3 | **14:25** | **Tattersalls Musidora Stakes (G3, 3yo fillies, Oaks trial)** | **G3** | **1m2½f** |
| 4 | 15:00 | Listed Stakes not confirmed | LR | 1m |
| 5 | **15:35** | **Minster Stakes (G2, sprint -- formerly Duke of York)** | **G2** | **6f** |
| 6 | 16:10 | Class 2 Handicap | C2 | 1m |
| 7 | 16:45 | Class 4 Maiden Stakes | C4 | 6f |

**The Wednesday lead races:** the **Musidora Stakes (G3)** is the year's most important Oaks trial -- 4 of the last 10 winners went on to be placed at Epsom in the Oaks. The **Minster Stakes (G2)** -- newly rebranded from the Duke of York Stakes for 2026 -- is the season's first 6f Group 2 sprint and a recognised Diamond Jubilee trial heading into Royal Ascot.

For the verdicts see [Musidora Stakes 2026 preview](/racing-news/musidora-stakes-2026-preview/) and [Minster Stakes 2026 preview](/racing-news/minster-stakes-2026-preview/).

## Thursday 14 May -- Dante Stakes Day (ITV)

**Gates open: 11:15 BST. First race: ~13:50 BST. Last race: ~17:30 BST.**

**Live TV: ITV Racing on ITV1, ITV4 simulcast, plus ITVX live stream.** ITV's coverage typically runs from ~13:30 BST through the last named race. Racing TV also covers the full card for subscribers.

| # | Off-time | Race | Class | Distance |
|---|---------:|------|-------|----------|
| 1 | 13:50 | Class 2 Maiden Stakes not confirmed | C2 | 1m |
| 2 | **14:25** | **Tattersalls Middleton Stakes (G2, fillies & mares 4yo+)** | **G2** | **1m2½f** |
| 3 | 15:00 | Class 3 Handicap | C3 | 7f |
| 4 | 15:35 | Class 2 Handicap | C2 | 5f |
| 5 | **16:05** | **Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes (G2, 3yo Derby trial)** | **G2** | **1m2½f** |
| 6 | 16:40 | Class 3 Handicap | C3 | 1m4f |
| 7 | 17:15 | Listed Stakes not confirmed | LR | 6f |

**The Thursday centrepiece:** the **Dante Stakes (G2)** at **16:05 BST on ITV1**. With **Christmas Day (A O'Brien, 3/1)** and **Morshdi (Haggas, 7/2)** heading 12 declared runners, this is the year's single most important Derby trial. The **Middleton Stakes (G2)** earlier on the card is the 4yo+ fillies' equivalent -- a Coronation Cup trial for the older middle-distance filly.

For the verdicts see [Dante Stakes 2026 preview](/racing-news/dante-stakes-2026-preview/) and our [Dante Festival 2026 tips](/racing-news/dante-festival-2026-tips/).

## Friday 15 May -- Yorkshire Cup Day

**Gates open: 11:15 BST. First race: ~13:50 BST. Last race: ~17:30 BST.**

**Live TV: Racing TV.** Sky Sports Racing also typically covers the headline race -- check listings for the Friday card.

| # | Off-time | Race | Class | Distance |
|---|---------:|------|-------|----------|
| 1 | 13:50 | Class 4 Maiden Stakes | C4 | 1m |
| 2 | 14:25 | Class 3 Handicap | C3 | 6f |
| 3 | 15:00 | Listed Stakes not confirmed | LR | 5f |
| 4 | **15:35** | **Boodles Yorkshire Cup (G2, 4yo+, Gold Cup trial)** | **G2** | **1m6f** |
| 5 | 16:10 | Hambleton Heritage Handicap | C2 | 1m |
| 6 | 16:45 | Class 3 Handicap | C3 | 7f |
| 7 | 17:20 | Class 4 Handicap | C4 | 1m4f |

**The Friday centrepiece:** the **Yorkshire Cup (G2)** is the **principal Gold Cup pipeline race** -- 4 of the last 10 Yorkshire Cup winners ran at Royal Ascot in the Gold Cup, with 1 winner (Stradivarius 2018) going on to win it. **Scandinavia (Aidan O'Brien / Ryan Moore)** -- the 2025 St Leger and Goodwood Cup winner -- is 3/1 ante-post favourite.

The supporting **Hambleton Handicap** (Heritage Handicap, 1m) is one of the season's biggest 1m handicap pots and a notable Royal Hunt Cup trial.

For the verdict see [Yorkshire Cup 2026 preview](/racing-news/yorkshire-cup-2026-preview/).

## How to stream Dante Festival 2026 live

### ITV / ITVX (Thursday 14 May only)

**ITV1** carries live coverage of Dante Stakes Day from approximately **13:30 BST through the last named race** at ~17:30 BST. **ITV4** simulcasts where the ITV1 schedule has news / drama overlaps. Both are free-to-air via standard UK digital TV (Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media, Freesat) and via Sky Glass / Now TV pass-through.

**ITVX** ([itv.com/watch](https://www.itv.com/watch/categories/sport)) is ITV's live stream + on-demand platform. **Free with registration.** ITVX offers:

- **Live stream** of Dante Stakes Day in full HD on desktop, mobile, smart TV apps, Chromecast, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV
- **30-day on-demand catch-up** of every race + post-race interviews + analysis
- **No subscription required** -- email registration only

ITVX coverage is **UK-only** -- viewers in Ireland or overseas need a UK VPN OR can use the Racing TV / RTÉ alternatives below.

### Racing TV (all three days)

**Racing TV** ([racingtv.com](https://www.racingtv.com/)) carries **all 7 races on each of the three days** (21 races total) in full HD. Coverage includes paddock walks, post-race interviews, analyst-led replays. Subscription options:

- **Sky Channel 426 / Virgin Channel 535** -- as part of a sports add-on bundle
- **RacingTV.com web stream** -- £29.98/month direct subscription, or a **single-day pass at £6.99** if you only want one day's racing
- **Racing TV app** for iOS / Android -- same access tier as the web stream

The single-day pass is the right format for a one-off Dante Festival viewer. The full subscription is the right format for a regular flat-racing punter who wants the full 12-month UK + Ireland calendar.

### Sky Sports Racing (Wednesday + Friday)

**Sky Sports Racing** ([skysports.com/racing](https://www.skysports.com/racing)) covers the **Wednesday Musidora Day** and **Friday Yorkshire Cup Day** with race-day-of analysis + live race calls. Sky Sports Racing requires a **Sky Sports subscription** (Sky / Now TV / Virgin Media / BT). The live race feed itself is supplemented with form-card + paddock-walk content.

### Free alternatives + race highlights

**ITV Racing's YouTube channel** publishes the Dante Stakes race replay + jockey/trainer post-race interviews within 30 minutes of the race. Free, no registration. Same applies for the Musidora and Yorkshire Cup, though the post-race interview clips are typically only published if the result is high-profile.

**Sporting Life + Racing Post + At The Races** all publish written race reports + free video replays within 60 minutes of each race.

For the Dante's broader **Derby implications** see our [Epsom Derby 2026 tips](/racing-news/epsom-derby-2026-tips/) and the [Epsom Derby Festival 2026 hub](/racing-news/epsom-derby-festival-2026-preview/).

## Dante Festival 2026 -- FAQ

### What time is the Dante Stakes 2026?

**16:05 BST on Thursday 14 May 2026.** Race 5 on the Thursday card at York. Live on ITV1 and ITVX.

### Is the Dante Festival on ITV?

**Thursday 14 May only.** ITV Racing carries Dante Stakes Day live (approximately 13:30 BST through ~17:30 BST). The Wednesday Musidora Day and Friday Yorkshire Cup Day are on **Racing TV** -- ITV does not cover the supporting days in 2026.

### How do I watch the Dante Festival for free?

**Thursday 14 May only:** ITV1 (free-to-air via Freeview / Sky / Virgin / Freesat) or ITVX (free streaming with email registration). Racing TV via the **single-day pass at £6.99** is the cheapest way to access the Wednesday or Friday cards.

### What is the Dante Festival?

The **Dante Festival at York** is a three-day Group-race meeting in mid-May, anchored by the Group 2 Dante Stakes (the most important Derby trial in Europe), the Group 2 Yorkshire Cup (Gold Cup pipeline), the Group 3 Musidora Stakes (Oaks trial) and the Group 2 Minster Stakes (sprint Group, formerly the Duke of York Stakes). 2026 dates: **Wed 13 -- Fri 15 May**.

### Who's running in the Dante Stakes 2026?

12 declared at the 5-day stage (Sat 9 May): **Christmas Day (A O'Brien, 3/1)**, **Morshdi (Haggas, 7/2)**, **Al Zanati (Appleby, 5/1)**, **Saxon Street (Gosden, 5/1)**, **Item (Balding, 11/2)**, **Wise Prince (Gosden, 12/1)**, **Action (O'Brien, 14/1)**, **King's Trail (Appleby, 14/1)**, **Italy (O'Brien, 16/1)**, **Maho Bay (Appleby, 20/1)**, **Amadeus Mozart (O'Brien, 33/1)**, **Guildmaster (Gosden, 33/1)**. Final 48-hour declarations confirmed Tuesday 12 May. See our [Dante Stakes 2026 preview](/racing-news/dante-stakes-2026-preview/) for the full breakdown.

### What's the going at York for the Dante Festival 2026?

Forecast **Good** (with Good to Soft in places possible after early-week showers). York's official going stick reading is published every morning at york-racecourse.co.uk. The going forecast is a meaningful trends factor -- Dante winners have been split roughly 50/50 between Good and Good to Soft over the last 10 renewals.

### Where can I bet on the Dante Festival 2026?

Most major UK bookmakers have ante-post markets open. **Best Odds Guaranteed** is available on the day-of-race for accounts at Bet365, William Hill, Coral, Paddy Power, Ladbrokes, and Betfred -- BOG was withdrawn from Star Sports in December 2024. For each-way maths see our [Each-Way Calculator](/betting/calculators/each-way/) before placing the bet, and for our broader [bookmaker reviews](/bookmakers/) see the bookmakers hub.

> **Responsible betting reminder:** the Dante Stakes is a competitive Derby trial. Use small stakes, each-way bets in big fields, and stop when you've reached your budget. For [bookmaker offers](/bookmakers/) see our offers page. Free help: [BeGambleAware.org](https://www.begambleaware.org).