The winners of the Junior events of Henley Royal Regatta 2026
and how their red boxes were won
The Fawley Challenge Cup Winner: Leander Club
Leander Club v Tideway Scullers’ School
With two-time reigning champions Windsor Boys School out in the quarter-final of The Fawley Challenge Cup, it was Leander Club and Tideway Scullers’ School that made it to Sunday this year. Tideway Scullers’ School didn't let any crew get within 1 ½ lengths of them heading through the week. Leander Club bested Tiffin School, The Belen Jesuit Prep School ‘A’, USA crew and Sir William Borlase Grammar School.
Tideway Scullers’ School led off the start, rating 39 to charge ¾ length ahead of Leander coming out of the ¼ Mile. Coming to the Half Mile, both crews had settled onto race rhythm, but Leander did so with more steam, 1 ½ length up on Scullers. Leander strode away, 2 ½ lengths up at Remenham, which Tideway was only able to scrape ½ a length from as they passed The Progress Board. It was Leander who came away crowned winners of The Fawley Challenge Cup.
The Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup Winner: Marlow Rowing Club ‘A’
Tideway Scullers' School 'A' v Marlow Rowing Club 'A'
Marlow Rowing Club ‘A’ entered as firm favourites to win The Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup after collecting both the Schools’ Head and National Schools’ Regatta titles. However, Tideway Scullers School ‘A’ have looked among the standout crews throughout this week, setting up a final that divided the masses. Marlow Rowing Club came in with perhaps more in their legs after defeating Headington School, Hartpury College and Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School by large margins, but Tideway Scullers School had looked equally formidable, overcoming Sydney Rowing Club, Shrewsbury School and holders Wycliffe College.
Marlow Rowing Club knew they were up against a formidable opponent and went out determined to prove themselves worthy winners. They took a canvas lead by the Island and ¼ Mile, extending it to a ¾ length by Fawley. Tideway Scullers School mounted a charge approaching the Mile, reducing the margin to ⅔ of a length, but every time they closed the gap, Marlow found another response. Pulling away again from Remenham, they crossed the line a length clear to secure the title.
The Prince Phillip Challenge Trophy Winner: Headington School
Shiplake College v Headington School
Billed as one of school rowing's fiercest rivalries, Shiplake College took on Headington School, previous winners of Henley Royal Regatta in 2021, 2024 and 2025. The holders from Headington knocked out two American boats in RowAmerica Rye and Deerfield Academy, as well as local’s Henley Royal Club, all by more than two lengths, on their way to the final. Shiplake presented themselves strongly too, dispatching Chicago Rowing Foundation, USA, St Edward’s School and St Paul’s Girls School.
Out of the blocks, Headington, rating 41 to Shiplake's 40, took a canvas lead by the Island's end. Shiplake had no answer to Headington’s relentless rhythm, trailing ¾ of a length at the ¼ Mile as both transitioned into their race pace. Headington moved a length clear by the Barrier, in a record-equalling time of 2 minutes 2 seconds, stretching to 1 ⅓ lengths at Remenham Farm. By Fawley, they again equalled the record time of 3 minutes 26 seconds and the lead had grown to 1 ¾ lengths, extending to 2 ½ at Remenham Club and 2 ¾ at the Mile. A record-breaking, high-calibre crew, Heddington were victorious, crossing the line in 7 minutes 5 seconds; four seconds faster than the previous record.
The Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup Winner: St Paul’s School
St Paul’s School v St Edward’s School
In a repeat of the 2023 Final, St Paul’s School took on St Edward’s School. Both boats had dispatched fierce opposition on the Saturday, with Paul’s defeating National Schools’ Regatta winners from Radley College and Teddies demonstrating superior horsepower to outgun King’s College Wimbledon.
Despite the pre-race billing, the contest was almost entirely controlled by the panache and finesse of Bobby Thatcher’s St Paul’s School. In his fifth victory as Director of Rowing, Thatcher has cultivated a winner’s mentality in his young charges and they exemplified that in striding out in the opening exchanges to lead by ⅓ of a length at the Barrier. They further extended this lead to ¾ of a length at the Fawley and a length at the ¾ Mile. Teddies rose again, punching hard to try and retake a Trophy they last won three years ago, but St Paul’s weathered the storm, maintaining their lead all the way through the Enclosures to close out on their ninth overall win in this Trophy by ⅔ of a length.
