The data called it. A split Boat Race result played out on the Putney Embankment on Saturday afternoon, exactly as predicted. Oxford’s women ended nine years of Cambridge dominance, winning by three lengths in tough, windy conditions. Cambridge’s men held off a brave Oxford challenge to extend their winning streak to four, crossing the line 3.5 lengths ahead.
Around 200,000 spectators lined the banks from Putney Bridge to Chiswick for both races.
For Oxford’s women, it was a historic afternoon. Cambridge had won eight consecutive races since 2016, and Oxford had lost in 2023, 2024 and 2025. The 99th edition of the women’s contest went to Oxford president Heidi Long, an Olympic bronze medallist with Great Britain’s women’s eight in Paris in 2024. Oxford made a strong start, moved clear within the first 30 seconds and held firm throughout despite rough water.
The men’s race was closer than the margin suggests. Cambridge went in as heavy favourites at 1/7 with bookmakers but Oxford gave them a genuine test. Repeated warnings were issued in the opening ten minutes, and Cambridge only broke clear around Hammersmith Bridge. Cambridge president Noam Mouelle became the first Cambridge oarsman of the 21st century to win four consecutive Boat Races, a feat not achieved since Christopher Baillieu rowed in the 2 seat from 1970 to 1973. “This was the most difficult race we’ve had in years,” Mouelle said. “Oxford put some very good pushes in and made it as hard as possible so props to them for that.”
Cambridge also won both reserve races (Goldie over Isis in the men’s, Blondie over Osiris in the women’s), claiming seven of the eight races on the day overall.
After the finish, the Thames reminded everyone who was really in charge. The high tide came in hard, cutting off the Embankment waterfront. Food and drink places along the water closed early. Celebrations moved inland and into Putney’s pubs.
The results leave Cambridge leading 49-31 in the women’s overall record and 89-81 in the men’s. Our Boat Race predictor, built on 191 years of race data, had the split right all along.
