HORR 2026 - Who's Hot: A Fantasy Favourites Preview
The Runaway Favourites
London, University of, Boat Club A is the standout pick of the race, dominating the Thames Valley Academic Award with a massive 67.95% — the highest popularity of any crew in any category. They're also in the mix for the Bernard Churcher Trophy at 21.15%, making them a strong double-trophy contender.
Leander Club A commands the Fairbairn Trophy at 58.61%, nearly four times the popularity of second-placed Oxford Brookes University Boat Club A (15.75%). A dominant favourite in the race's most prestigious open category.
London Rowing Club A could be the crew to watch for a double, leading both the Vernon Trophy (52.81%) and Fastest Non-Academic Club (45.42%). If they have a strong row, two trophies are very much on the table. 🥁
Strong Two-Horse Races
- The Scott Skirving Trophy: Cambridge University Boat Club A (46.36%) vs Durham University Boat Club A (23.75%) - Cambridge are clear favourites but Durham have enough support to make it a contest.
- Fastest Junior Crew: Shiplake College Boat Club (50.97%) vs St Paul's School Boat Club A (29.18%) - Shiplake the clear pick despite the race being on St Paul's home turf.
- The Vernon Trophy: London Rowing Club A (52.81%) vs Thames Rowing Club A (28.46%) - a classic Putney rivalry with London the firm favourite following their recent Bousted win.
- Fastest Mixed Club Crew: Canford School Boat Club A (48.83%) vs Corpus Christi College (Cambridge) BC (21.48%) - Canford are favoured but Corpus aren't far behind.
Wide Open Contests
These categories have the lowest favourite percentages, meaning players are spread across the field:
- The Jackson Trophy: Almost always the most wide open and competitive trophy. City of Cambridge Rowing Club A leads with just 26.24%, with Agecroft Rowing Club A (22.43%), Royal Chester Rowing Club A (14.83%), Nottingham Rowing Club A (6.46%) and St Andrew Boat Club A (3.04%) all in the hunt for the J.
- Fastest Medium Academic Crew: University of Surrey Boat Club A (32.68%) vs Collingwood College Boat Club A (27.24%) vs University College London Boat Club A (7.39%) vs Trevelyan College Boat Club A (6.61%) - four crews with realistic shouts.
- The Aitken Trophy: Imperial College Boat Club F (33.20%) leads but Nottingham University Boat Club E and Durham University Boat Club F are joint second on 16.80% each, with University of Exeter Boat Club D and Bath University Boat Club E also in contention.
- Fastest Small Academic Crew: St Aidan's College Boat Club A (32.81%) just edges University College (Durham) Boat Club A (30.86%) - essentially a coin toss with several other Durham colleges lurking.
- The Page Trophy: Marlow Rowing Club A (36.84%) vs Molesey Boat Club A (31.20%) vs Taurus Boat Club A (11.28%) - a tight race at the top with the Brookes alumni an outsider.
Multi-Trophy Contenders
Several crews appear across multiple categories and could pick up more than one prize:
London Rowing Club A - Vernon Trophy (52.81%) + Fastest Non-Academic Club (45.42%)
Cambridge University Boat Club A - Scott Skirving Trophy (46.36%) + Bernard Churcher Trophy (37.31%) + Fairbairn Trophy (4.40%)
London, University of, BC A - Thames Valley Academic (67.95%) + Bernard Churcher Trophy (21.15%)
Thames Rowing Club A - Vernon Trophy (28.46%) + Fastest Non-Academic Club (30.15%)
Durham University Boat Club A - Scott Skirving Trophy (23.75%) + Bernard Churcher Trophy (10.38%)
Wallingford Rowing Club A - Fastest Junior Club (39.84%) + Fastest Medium Club (10.12%)
Shannon Rowing Club, Ireland A - Fastest Medium Club (38.91%) + Fastest Masters D (3.11%)
Cambridge University Boat Club A is the most versatile multi-category threat, favoured for the Scott Skirving and Bernard Churcher, and even an outside shout for the Fairbairn if they have a flyer!
The Masters Scene
The Masters categories each have a clear favourite but with room for upsets:
- Masters B: Thames Rowing Club G (57.20%) - strong favourite, London Rowing Club N (12.84%) and Upper Thames Rowing Club B (12.06%) are the best of the rest
- Masters C: London Rowing Club M (51.36%) are dominant with Henley Rowing Club A (10.51%) the main challenger
- Masters D: London Rowing Club I (56.42%) have a commanding lead with Neptune Rowing Club, Ireland A (10.12%) the closest rival
London Rowing Club's depth is remarkable, their M and I crews lead two Masters categories, while their A crew leads two open categories. A big day for the blue and white could yield four trophies.
The Overseas Battle
Commercial Rowing Club, Ireland A (56.92%) is the overwhelming favourite for Fastest Overseas Crew, with University College Dublin Boat Club A (12.31%) a distant second. The German and Swiss clubs are considered outsiders at best.
