The third week of June is rolling in, which for horse racing enthusiasts can only mean one thing: it is time for Royal Ascot. Five days filled with intense competitions for the champion title, spectacular wins, and well known stars as well as emerging talents, Royal Ascot is the focal point of the British summer social calendar. This year it will be taking place between Tuesday, 16 June and Saturday, 20 June at its traditional venue of Ascot Racecourse.
Ascot Racecourse was founded in 1711 by Queen Anne and has since then enjoyed a close association with the British royal family. It stays open throughout the year for both flat and jump races. It boasts of hosting 3 out of 36 annual Group 1 flat races and three Grade 1 jump races conducted in the UK. Of course, the Ascot Gold Cup is one of the most notable ones among them.
This year the Royal Ascot week will open with the Queen Anne Stakes as its first race, while the Queen Alexandra Stakes will close the entire event.
The headline races for each day are: St James’s Palace Stakes for day one, Prince of Wales’s Stakes for day two, Gold Cup for day three, Coronation Stakes for day four, and Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes for day five. The Ascot Gold Cup is also the headline race of the entire event.
Royal Ascot 2026 Racecard
The Royal Ascot 2026 will be conducted in the third week of June and last for five days. This horse racing fixture will include 35 races, evenly distributed across the entire course of the event.
Day One: Royal Ascot Tuesday (16 June)
- When: Tuesday, 16 June 2026
- Gate opening: 10:30 am
- Royal procession: 2:00 pm
- First race: 2:30 pm
- Headline race: 4:20 pm
- Last race: 6:10 pm
- Post racing entertainment: 6:20 pm
The daily race card for the Royal Ascot Tuesday 2026 is as follows:
Going: good
| Time | Race | Distance | Conditions |
| 2:30 pm | THE QUEEN ANNE STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 1) (CL 1) | 1m | 4YO+ £800,000.00 |
| 3:05 pm | THE COVENTRY STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 2) (CL 1) | 6f | 2YO £200,000.00 |
| 3:40 pm | THE KING CHARLES III STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 1) (CL 1) | 5f | 3YO+ £700,000.00 |
| 4:20 pm | THE ST JAMES’S PALACE STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 1) (CL 1) | 7f 213y | 3YO £700,000.00 |
| 5:00 pm | THE ASCOT STAKES (CLASS 2 HERITAGE HANDICAP) (GBBPLUS RACE) (CL 2) | 2m 3f 210y | 4YO+ £120,000.00 Rating 0-100 |
| 5:35 pm | THE WOLFERTON STAKES (CLASS 1) (Listed Race) (CL 1) | 1m 1f 212y | 4YO+ £125,000.00 |
| 6:10 pm | THE COPPER HORSE STAKES (CLASS 2 HANDICAP) (GBBPLUS RACE) (CL 2) | 1m 6f 34y | 4YO+ £120,000.00 Rating 0-100 |
Day Two: Royal Ascot Wednesday (17 June)
- When: Wednesday, 17 June 2026
- Gate opening: 10:30 am
- Royal procession: 2:00 pm
- First race: 2:30 pm
- Headline race: 4:20 pm
- Last race: 6:10 pm
- Post racing entertainment: 6:20 pm
The daily race card for the Royal Ascot Wednesday 2026 is as follows:
Going: good
| Time | Race | Distance | Conditions |
| 2:30 pm | THE QUEEN MARY STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 2) (CL 1) | 5f | 2YO £175,000.00 |
| 3:05 pm | THE QUEEN’S VASE (CLASS 1) (Group 2) (CL 1) | 1m 6f 34y | 3YO £265,000.00 |
| 3:40 pm | THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 2) (CL 1) | 7f 213y | 4YO+ £250,000.00 |
| 4:20 pm | THE PRINCE OF WALES’S STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 1) (CL 1) | 1m 1f 212y | 4YO+ £1,000,000.00 |
| 5:00 pm | THE ROYAL HUNT CUP (CLASS 2) (Heritage Handicap) (CL 2) | 1m | 3YO+ £175,000.00 |
| 5:35 pm | THE KENSINGTON PALACE STAKES (CLASS 2 FILLIES’ HANDICAP) (CL 2) | 1m | 4YO+ £120,000.00 Rating 0-105 |
| 6:10 pm | THE WINDSOR CASTLE STAKES (CLASS 1) (Listed Race) (CL 1) | 6f | 2YO £125,000.00 |
Day Three: Royal Ascot Thursday (18 June)
- When: Thursday, 18 June 2026
- Gate opening: 10:30 am
- Royal procession: 2:00 pm
- First race: 2:30 pm
- Headline race: 4:15 pm
- Last race: 6:10 pm
- Post racing entertainment: 6:20 pm
The daily race card for the Royal Ascot Thursday 2026 is as follows:
Going: good
| Time | Race | Distance | Conditions |
| 2:30 pm | THE CHESHAM STAKES (CLASS 1) (Listed Race) (CL 1) | 7f | 2YO £125,000.00 |
| 3:05 pm | THE KING GEORGE V STAKES (CLASS 2 HERITAGE HANDICAP) (GBBPLUS RACE) (CL 2) | 1m 3f 211y | 3YO £120,000.00 Rating 0-105 |
| 3:40 pm | THE RIBBLESDALE STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 2) (CL 1) | 1m 3f 211y | 3YO £250,000.00 |
| 4:15 pm | THE GOLD CUP (CLASS 1) (Group 1) (CL 1) | 2m 3f 210y | 4YO+ £700,000.00 |
| 4:50 pm | THE BRITANNIA STAKES (CLASS 2 HERITAGE HANDICAP) (CL 2) | 1m | 3YO £130,000.00 Rating 0-105 |
| 5:35 pm | THE HAMPTON COURT STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 3) (CL 1) | 1m 1f 212y | 3YO £175,000.00 |
| 6:10 pm | THE BUCKINGHAM PALACE STAKES (CLASS 2 HANDICAP) (CL 2) | 7f | 3YO+ £120,000.00 Rating 0-105 |
Day Four: Royal Ascot Friday (19 June)
- When: Friday, 19 June 2026
- Gate opening: 10:30 am
- Royal procession: 2:00 pm
- First race: 2:30 pm
- Headline race: 4:20 pm
- Last race: 6:10 pm
- Post racing entertainment: 6:20 pm
The daily race card for the Royal Ascot Friday 2026 is as follows:
Going: good
| Time | Race | Distance | Conditions |
| 2:30 pm | THE ALBANY STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 3) (CL 1) | 6f | 2YO £125,000.00 |
| 3:05 pm | THE COMMONWEALTH CUP (CLASS 1) (Group 1) (CL 1) | 6f | 3YO £700,000.00 |
| 3:40 pm | THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH STAKES (CLASS 2 HANDICAP) (GBBPLUS RACE) (CL 2) | 1m 3f 211y | 3YO+ £120,000.00 Rating 0-105 |
| 4:20 pm | THE CORONATION STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 1) (CL 1) | 7f 213y | 3YO £700,000.00 |
| 5:00 pm | THE SANDRINGHAM STAKES (CLASS 2 FILLIES’ HANDICAP) (CL 2) | 1m | 3YO £120,000.00 Rating 0-105 |
| 5:35 pm | THE KING EDWARD VII STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 2) (CL 1) | 1m 3f 211y | 3YO £250,000.00 |
| 6:10 pm | THE PALACE OF HOLYROODHOUSE (CLASS 2 HANDICAP) (CL 2) | 5f | 3YO £120,000.00 Rating 0-105 |
Day Five: Royal Ascot Saturday (20 June)
- When: Saturday, 20 June 2026
- Gate opening: 10:30 am
- Royal procession: 2:00 pm
- First race: 2:30 pm
- Headline race: 3:40 pm
- Last race: 6:10 pm
- Post racing entertainment: 6:20 pm
The daily race card for the Royal Ascot Saturday 2026 is as follows:
Going: good
| Time | Race | Distance | Conditions |
| 2:30 pm | THE NORFOLK STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 2) (CL 1) | 5f | 2YO £175,000.00 |
| 3:05 pm | THE HARDWICKE STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 2) (CL 1) | 1m 3f 211y | 4YO+ £250,000.00 |
| 3:40 pm | THE QUEEN ELIZABETH II JUBILEE STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 1) (CL 1) | 6f | 4YO+ £1,000,000.00 |
| 4:20 pm | THE JERSEY STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 3) (CL 1) | 7f | 3YO £175,000.00 |
| 5:00 pm | THE WOKINGHAM STAKES (CLASS 2 HERITAGE HANDICAP) (CL 2) | 6f | 3YO+ £175,000.00 Rating 0-110 |
| 5:35 pm | THE GOLDEN GATES STAKES (CLASS 2 HANDICAP) (CL 2) | 1m 1f 212y | 3YO £120,000.00 Rating 0-105 |
| 6:10 pm | THE QUEEN ALEXANDRA STAKES (CLASS 2 CONDITIONS RACE) (GBBPLUS RACE) (CL 2) | 2m 5f 143y | 4YO+ £120,000.00 |
Headline Races at the Royal Ascot 2026
The Royal Ascot 2026 meeting includes 35 races, with seven races conducted on each day of the event. With some of the most prestigious flat races lined up on the race cards, horse racing fans who are planning to visit Ascot Racecourse for any or all days of the meeting will not be disappointed in their expectations.
St James’s Palace Stakes (Tuesday, 16 June)
The St James’s Palace Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race that accepts three year old colts. It is run over a distance of about 7 furlongs and 213 yards (1,603 metres).
The race was inaugurated in 1834 and was named after the royal residence of the Tudor period. Its very first win was awarded to the chestnut stallion Plenipotentiary on a walkover. Today, it frequently features horses who have previously run in one or more of the prestigious Guineas races: 2,000 Guineas, the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (the French equivalent of the British 2,000 Guineas), or the Irish 2,000 Guineas.
With the strict upper age limit, each colt only has one chance to win the St James’s Palace Stakes in its racing career. For the same reason, there are no repeated winners registered for this race.
The most successful jockey of the race is Michael Kinane who holds 6 wins (Dara Monarch 1982, Brief Truce 1992, Grand Lodge 1994, Giant’s Causeway 2000, Rock of Gibraltar 2002, Azamour 2004).
The renowned Aidan O’Brien holds the record as the trainer with the most wins, currently counting 9 champions (Giants Causeway 2000, Black Minnaloushe 2001, Rock of Gibraltar 2002, Excellent Art 2007, Henrythenavigator 2008, Mastercraftsman 2009, Gleneagles 2015, Circus Maximus 2019, Paddington 2023).
The latest winner in 2025 was a grey colt Field Of Gold. He had previously won the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh Racecourse (May 2025) and bet365 Craven Stakes at the Newmarket Racecourse (April 2025). He later returned to Ascot in October for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, but finished fifth. Field Of Gold was trained by John and Thady Gosden and led on the track by jockey Colin Keane.
Currently, there are 9 runners announced to compete in this year’s race, but this number may change before the day of the race. Some of the jockeys for the race have already been announced, others are still awaiting confirmation.
The current full list of contenders, their jockeys and trainers runs as follows:
- Bow Echo (age 3, jockey Billy Loughnane, trainer George Boughey)
- Flushing Meadows (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian O’Brien)
- Gstaad (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian O’Brien)
- Lord Britain (age 3, jockey Benoit De La Sayette, trainer Ismail Mohammed)
- Neolithic (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian O’Brien)
- Power Blue (age 3, jockey David Egan, trainer Robson Aguiar)
- Puerto Rico (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian O’Brien)
- Rayif (age 3, jockey Mickael Barzalona, trainer Francis Henri Graffard)
- Talk Of New York (age 3, jockey William Buick, trainer Charlie Appleby)
Prince of Wales’s Stakes (Wednesday, 17 June)
The Prince of Wales’s Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race that accepts both male and female horses aged four years or older. It is run over a distance of 1 mile 1 furlong and 212 yards (2,004 metres).
The race was established in 1862 and named after Edward, Prince of Wales, who would go on to become King Edward VII. The race wasn’t conducted since the start of World War II and until 1967, as the British crown didn’t have a Prince of Wales at the time. The race returned in 1968, a year prior to Prince Charles’s (now King Charles III) official investiture.
As of today, three horses share the title of the most successful runner, having won the race more than once: Connaught (1969, 1970), Mtoto (1987, 1988), and Muhtarram (1994, 1995), each with two wins.
Morny Cannon holds the title of the jockey with most wins, having brought 6 winning runners to the finish line (Matchmaker 1895, Shaddock 1896, Manners 1899, Simon Dale 1900, Rydal Head 1904, Plum Centre 1905).
The undefeated champion among trainers is John Porter with 8 wins (Ossory 1888, Watercress 1892, Matchmaker 1895, Shaddock 1896, Manners 1899, Simon Dale 1900, Rydal Head 1904, Plum Centre 1905).
The latest winner in 2025 was a 4 year old bay colt Ombudsman. In his debut season of 2024, he won all four races he participated in. In addition to his Ascot win in 2025, Ombudsman won the Juddmonte International Stakes at the York Racecourse in August. The current season started with two wins, including the Star Sports Brigadier Gerard Stakes (Sandown Park, May 2026). Ombudsman has already been announced to take part in this year’s race. Ombudsman was trained by John & Thady Gosden and led on the track by jockey William Buick.
Currently, there are 17 runners announced to compete in this year’s race, but this number may change before the day of the race. Some of the jockeys for the race have already been announced, others are still awaiting confirmation.
The current full list of contenders, their jockeys and trainers runs as follows:
- Almaqam (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ed Walker)
- Bay City Roller (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer George Scott)
- Calandagan (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Francis Henri Graffard)
- Damysus (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer John & Thady Gosden)
- Dancing Gemini (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Roger Teal)
- Daryz (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Francis Henri Graffard)
- Devil’s Advocate (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer John & Thady Gosden)
- Expanded (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian O’Brien)
- Lambourn (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian O’Brien)
- Mississippi River (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian O’Brien)
- Ombudsman (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer John & Thady Gosden)
- Royal Rhyme (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Karl Burke)
- Saddadd (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Roger Varian)
- The Lion In Winter (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian O’Brien)
- Kalpana (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Andrew Balding)
- Minnie Hauk (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian O’Brien)
- See The Fire (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian Balding)
Ascot Gold Cup (Thursday, 18 June)
The Ascot Gold Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race that accepts both male and female horses aged four years or older. It is run over a distance of 2 miles 3 furlongs and 210 yards (4,014 metres).
Since its inauguration date in 1807, the Gold Cup has earned the reputation of one of Britain’s most prestigious races for stayers, i.e. horses who specialise in long distance racing. It is unofficially known as the Ladies’ Day of the Royal Ascot and boasts of high fashion and spectacular headpieces at the stalls.
While there are a number of horses who won the Ascot Gold Cup two or three times, one runner holds the record of the most successful one with four wins to his credit, and that’s Yeats (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009).
Among jockeys, Lester Piggott brought the highest number of winners to the finish line with 11 wins (Zarathustra 1957, Gladness 1958, Pandofell 1961, Twilight Alley 1963, Fighting Charlie 1965, Sagaro 1975, 1976, 1977, Le Moss 1979, Ardross 1981, 1982).
Aidan O’Brien is considered the most prolific trainer of the race with 9 wins (Yeats 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, Fame and Glory 2011, Leading Light 2014, Order of St George 2016, Kyprios 2022, 2024).
The latest winner in 2025 was a 7 year old bay gelding Trawlerman. He generally showed a very good form in the season, belting three more wins for a total of four out of the five races he participated in. So far he has run seven times at the Ascot Racecourse, including the latest win in the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup in October 2025. Trawlerman has already been announced to take part in this year’s Ascot Gold Cup. Trawlerman was trained by John & Thady Gosden and led on the track by jockey William Buick.
Currently, there are 19 runners announced to compete in this year’s race, but this number may change before the day of the race. Some of the jockeys for the race have already been announced, others are still awaiting confirmation.
The current full list of contenders, their jockeys and trainers runs as follows:
- Al Nayyir (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Tom Clover)
- Al Riffa (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Joseph O’Brien)
- Ascending (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Henry De Bromhead)
- Caballo De Mar (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer George Scott)
- Columbus (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Willie Mullins)
- Dallas Star (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Robson Aguiar)
- Dubai Future (age 10, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Saeed bin Suroor)
- Illinois (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian O’Brien)
- Jan Brueghel (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian O’Brien)
- Le Destrier (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Willie Mullins)
- Sweet William (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer John & Thady Gosden)
- Trawlerman (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer John & Thady Gosden)
- Carmers (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Paddy Twomey)
- Furthur (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Andrew Balding)
- Lambourn (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian O’Brien)
- Lazy Griff (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Charlie Johnston)
- Rahiebb (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Roger Varian)
- Scandinavia (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian O’Brien)
- Miss Alpilles (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ed Walker)
Coronation Stakes (Friday, 19 June)
The Coronation Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race that accepts three year old fillies. It is run over a distance of 7 furlongs and 213 yards (1,603 metres).
The race was established in 1840 and named in honour of the coronation of Queen Victoria that took place two years prior to the inauguration. It is common for fillies who have previously run in 1,000 Guineas, the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (the French equivalent of the British 1,000 Guineas), or the Irish 1,000 Guineas to participate in the Coronation Stakes.
Fillies can only participate in the race once during their racing career because of the age restriction. That’s why this race doesn’t have repeated winners in its records.
Two jockeys share the title of the most successful one: Nat Flatman (The Princess 1844, Stitch 1845, Distaffina 1848, Lady Evelyn 1849, Barcelona 1851) and Morny Cannon (Lady Hermit 1892, Silene 1893, Throstle 1894, Helm 1896, Lowood 1898), each with 5 wins.
John Porter holds the record as the trainer who has trained the highest number of winners with 6 wins (Lovely 1883, Sandiway 1884, Cereza 1891, Throstle 1894, Helm 1896, Lowood 1898).
The latest winner in 2025 was a chestnut filly Cercene. This was her only win of the season, though she showed good results in the Coolmore Stud Auguste Rodin Irish European Breeders Fund Athasi Stakes (Curragh Racecourse, May 2025) and Qatar Nassau Stakes (Goodwood Racecourse, July 2025), coming to the finish line second both times. Cercene was trained by Joseph Murphy and led on the track by jockey Gary Carroll.
Currently, there are 25 runners announced to compete in this year’s race, but this number may change before the day of the race. Some of the jockeys for the race have already been announced, others are still awaiting confirmation.
The current full list of contenders, their jockeys and trainers runs as follows:
- Abashiri (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Charlie Appleby)
- America Queen (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Roger Hughes)
- Balantina (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Donnacha O’Brien)
- Beautify (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian O’Brien)
- Black Caviar Gold (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Paddy Twomey)
- Diamond Necklace (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian O’Brien)
- Drop Dead Gorgeous (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian O’Brien)
- Edaja (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Francis Henri Graffard)
- Green Sense (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Joseph O’Brien)
- Moon Target (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Sir Mark Prescott)
- Narissa (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Francis Henri Graffard)
- Precise (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian O’Brien)
- Rose Ghaiyyath (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Roger Hughes)
- Signora (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian O’Brien)
- So Regal (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer John & Thady Gosden)
- Sugar Island (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian O’Brien)
- Sukanya (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jack Channon)
- Synchronicity (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ed Walker)
- The Prettiest Star (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ed Walker)
- Thundering On (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Joseph O’Brien)
- Timeforshowcasing (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Charlie Johnston)
- Touleen (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Owen Burrows)
- True Love (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian O’Brien)
- Venetian Lace (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Charlie Johnston)
- Venosa (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian O’Brien)
Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (Saturday, 20 June)
The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race that accepts both male and female horses aged four years or older. It is run over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres).
The race was established in 1868 under the name of All-Aged Stakes. Since then, it changed its name several times until 2002 when it got its current name to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II accession to the British throne.
As of today, Prince Charlie has won the race the most with 3 wins (1872, 1873, 1874). Lester Piggott holds the title of the most successful jockey with 9 wins (Right Boy 1958, 1959, Tin Whistle 1960, El Gallo 1963, Mountain Call 1968, Welsh Saint 1970, Saritamer 1974, Thatching 1979, College Chapel 1993), while Vincent O’Brien has trained the highest number of winners with 5 wins (Welsh Saint 1970, Saritamer 1974, Swingtime 1975, Thatching 1979, College Chapel 1993).
The latest winner in 2025 was a bay gelding Lazzat. This was his second win of the season, the first one taking place at the Chantilly Racecourse in the Servanne Listed Stakes (May 2025). He returned to the Ascot Racecourse in October of the same year to participate in the Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes and came to the finish line second after Powerful Glory. As of now, Lazzat hasn’t been announced to participate in this season’s race. Lazzat was trained by Jerome Reynier and led on the track by jockey James Doyle.
Currently, there are 33 runners announced to compete in this year’s race, but this number may change before the day of the race. Some of the jockeys for the race have already been announced, others are still awaiting confirmation.
The current full list of contenders, their jockeys and trainers runs as follows:
- Almeraq (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer William Haggas)
- Aramram (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Richard Hannon)
- Big Mojo (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Michael Appleby)
- Binhareer (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer William Haggas)
- Chicago Critic (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Johnny Murtagh)
- Comanche Brave (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Donnacha O’Brien)
- Double Rush (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Andrew Balding)
- Great Wish (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Bent Olsen)
- James’s Delight (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Clive Cox)
- Jasour (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Clive Cox)
- Khaadem (age 10, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Charles Hills)
- Kind Of Blue (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer James Fanshawe)
- Lake Forest (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer William Haggas)
- Lugal (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Haruki Sugiyama)
- Marvelman (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Andrew Balding)
- Night Raider (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Karl Burke)
- Overpass (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Bjorn Baker)
- Powerful Glory (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Richard & Peter Fahey)
- Quinault (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Stuart Williams)
- Regional (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Edward Bethell)
- Run To Freedom (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Henry Candy)
- Sajir (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer André Fabre)
- Satono Reve (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Noriyuki Hori)
- Soldier’s Tree (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer James Owen)
- Starlust (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ralph Beckett)
- Stolen Kiss (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Patrice Cottier)
- Celandine (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ed Walker)
- Flora Of Bermuda (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Andrew Balding)
- Joliestar (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Chris Waller)
- Mgheera (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ed Walker)
- Rosy Affair (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer George Boughey)
- Sayidah Dariyan (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Richard Hughes)
- Time For Sandals (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Harry Eustace)
Other Notable Races at Royal Ascot 2026
Queen Anne Stakes
The Queen Anne Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race that accepts both male and female horses aged four years or older. It is run over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres). It is named after Queen Anne who founded the Ascot Racecourse. It is conducted on the first day of the Royal Ascot meeting and this year falls on Tuesday, 16 June.
Four horses stand out among other winners because they have been crowned the Queen Anne Stakes champions more than once: Flambeau (1840, 1841), Toastmaster (1885, 1886), Worcester (1895, 1896), and Dean Swift (1906, 1907), each with two wins.
The latest champion in 2025 was a 5 year old bay horse Docklands (trainer Harry Eustace, jockey Mark Zahra) who will be returning to the track this year for another attempt at the title.
Currently, there are 10 runners announced to compete in this year’s race, but this number may change before the day of the race. Some of the jockeys for the race have already been announced, others are still awaiting confirmation.
The current full list of contenders, their jockeys and trainers runs as follows:
- Cicero’s Gift (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Charles Hills)
- Damysus (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer John & Thady Gosden)
- Docklands (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Harry Eustace)
- Expanded (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian O’Brien)
- First Conquest (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Charlie Appleby)
- More Thunder (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer William Haggas)
- Notable Speech (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Charlie Appleby)
- Opera Ballo (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Charlie Appleby)
- Ten Bob Tony (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ed Walker)
- Zeus Olympios (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Karl Burke)
King Charles III Stakes
The King Charles III Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race that accepts both male and female horses aged three years or older. It is run over a distance of 5 furlongs (1,006 metres). It was inaugurated in 1860 and over time became the most important sprint of the Royal Ascot. It is conducted on the first day of the Royal Ascot meeting and this year falls on Tuesday, 16 June
Quite a number of horses have been able to become winners twice: Woolsthorpe (1895, 1897), Kilcock (1898, 1899), Sundridge (1903, 1904), Foresight (1908, 1909), Hornet’s Beauty (1911, 1913), Diadem (1919, 1920), Golden Boss (1923, 1924), Gold Bridge (1933, 1934), Elbio (1991, 1993), Equiano (2008, 2010), Sole Power (2013, 2014), and Blue Point (2018, 2019).
The latest champion in 2025 was a 5 year old bay gelding American Affair (trainer Jim Goldie, jockey Paul Mulrennan) who has already been declared to run in this year’s race.
Currently, there are 27 runners announced to compete in this year’s race, but this number may change before the day of the race. Some of the jockeys for the race have already been announced, others are still awaiting confirmation.
The current full list of contenders, their jockeys and trainers runs as follows:
- Ain’t Nobody (age 4, jockey Kevin Stott, trainer Kevin Ryan)
- American Affair (age 6, jockey Paul Mulrennan, trainer Jim Goldie)
- Big Mojo (age 4, jockey Tom Marquand, trainer Michael Appleby)
- Cover Up (age 6, jockey James McDonald, trainer Simon & Ed Crisford)
- Getreadytorumble (age 4, jockey Callum Rodriguez, trainer Jack Channon)
- Jakajaro (age 5, jockey Jamie Spencer, trainer Robert Cowell)
- JM Jungle (age 6, jockey Jason Hart, trainer John & Sean Quinn)
- Khaadem (age 10, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Charlie Hills)
- Night Raider (age 5, jockey James Doyle, trainer Karl Burke)
- Overpass (age 7, jockey Joshua Parr, trainer Bjorn Baker)
- Rumstar (age 6, jockey Rob Hornby, trainer Jonathan Portman)
- Shagraan (age 5, jockey Hector Crouch, trainer Clive Cox)
- Starlust (age 5, jockey Rossa Ryan, trainer Ralph Beckett)
- Asfoora (age 7, jockey Oisin Murphy, trainer Henry Dwyer)
- Azure Angel (age 6, jockey Daniel Tudhope, trainer Edward Bethell)
- First Instinct (age 4, jockey Cieren Fallon, trainer William Haggas)
- Frost At Dawn (age 5, jockey William Buick, trainer William Knight)
- Heavenly Heather (age 5, jockey Barry McHugh, trainer Tracy Waggott)
- Mgheera (age 6, jockey Kieran Shoemark, trainer Ed Walker)
- Miss Attitude (age 6, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jack Channon)
- Monteille (age 5, jockey Cristian Demuro, trainer Mario Baratti)
- Rayevka (age 4, jockey Mickael Barzalona, trainer Francis Henri Graffard)
- Rosy Affair (age 5, jockey Billy Loughnane, trainer George Boughey)
- Time For Sandals (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Harry Eustace)
- Aspect Island (age 3, jockey Silvestre De Sousa, trainer James Owen)
- Behike (age 3, jockey David Egan, trainer George Scott)
- Mission Central (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian O’Brien)
Commonwealth Cup
The Commonwealth Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race that accepts both colts and fillies aged three years. It is run over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres). It was inaugurated in 2015 and until 2019 allowed three year old geldings to participate as well. It is conducted on the fourth day of the Royal Ascot meeting and this year falls on Friday, 19 June.
Due to the age restriction, there are no repeated winners in this race. The latest champion in 2025 was a 3 year old bay filly Time For Sandals (trainer Harry Eustace, jockey Richard Kingscote).
Currently, there are 39 runners announced to compete in this year’s race, but this number may change before the day of the race. Some of the jockeys for the race have already been announced, others are still awaiting confirmation.
The current full list of contenders, their jockeys and trainers runs as follows:
- Albert Einstein (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian O’Brien)
- Alparslan (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Karl Burke)
- Aspect Island (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer James Owen)
- Behike (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer George Scott)
- Brussels (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian O’Brien)
- Charles Darwin (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian O’Brien)
- Coppull (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Clive Cox)
- Division (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer William Haggas)
- Gstaad (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian O’Brien)
- Havana Hurricane (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Eve Johnson Houghton)
- How Are You (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Francis Henri Graffard)
- Into The Sky (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jim Boyle)
- Lifeplan (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Declan Carroll)
- Moojeed (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Francis Henri Graffard)
- My Calyx Cen (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Patrik Valdivielso)
- Northern Champion (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ed Walker)
- Outfielder (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Wesley Ward)
- Power Blue (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Robson Aguiar)
- Rock On Thunder (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Kevin Ryan)
- Saba Desert (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Charlie Appleby)
- Saber Strike (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer William Haggas)
- Samangan (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Francis Henri Graffard)
- Sirius A (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer James Horton)
- Song of The Clyde (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Clive Cox)
- Super Soldier (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Karl Burke)
- Wise Approach (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Charlie Appleby)
- America Queen (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Roger Hughes)
- Fitzella (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Hugo Palmer)
- Havana Anna (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Donnacha O’Brien)
- Ipanema Queen (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Robson Aguiar)
- Isle of Fernandez (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Kevin Ryan)
- Kimi Rey (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Francis Henri Graffard)
- Midnight Tango (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ed Walker)
- Royal Fixation (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Karl Burke)
- Spicy Marg (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Michael Bell)
- The Prettiest Star (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ed Walker)
- True Love (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Adrian O’Brien)
- Venetian Sun (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Karl Burke)
- Zanthos (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Simon & Ed Crisford)
Betting at Royal Ascot 2026
As any major horse racing event, Royal Ascot will give punters an opportunity to bet. If you would like to place a wager on any of the 35 races of the fixture, you can do so on any online bookmaking platform that offers horse racing markets. If you are going to attend the event in person, you can try any of the specialised betting facilities at the venue.
Remember to always practice responsible gambling. To make an informed decision when choosing the runners and markets you want to bet on, analyse recent performances and physical form for both horses and jockeys, see each trainer’s dynamics under the conditions of the race, and select the odds that suit your budget and betting style the best.
At 7bet, we offer a wide range of horse race betting markets both for domestic and international events.
Please note that odds for the Royal Ascot 2026 will be available closer to the event date.
Betting at the Royal Ascot 2026 includes various horse betting markets, with some of the most popular ones being:
- Win: As in any sports betting, this market is the easiest to understand and is often recommended to newbies for gaining experience. As a punter, you are trying to predict how the race will end and who will become the winner. For this, select the horse that in your opinion has the best chances and place your wager on it. If your prediction is correct, you will be eligible for a payout proportional to the offered odds and your stake size.
- Place: For this betting market you are betting on a horse to come to the finish line within the winning top, or to be placed. This can be anywhere from top two to top four depending on the number of runners at the start of the race and the race type. This information will be announced by the bookmaker before the start. As the horse has a bigger chance to be placed than to win, this bet is lower risk than the previous one. In addition, you don’t have to predict the exact placement, as any place in the winning top will work towards your wager.
- Each Way: This bet became especially popular in online betting. You place two separate stakes on the same horse, one for it to win the race and the other to be placed. While this does double your stake, the payout in case your prediction was correct, brings interesting value. If the horse wins, you get payouts on both the win and the placement wagers. If the horse is placed, you lose the win stake but still get paid on the placement bet.
- Forecast/Tricast: This bet is placed as a single stake but you are again betting on two (forecast) or three (tricast) horses. For the forecast, you need to predict which two horses will take the first and the second place. This bet can be either straight where you predict the exact order in which the two horses come to the finish line, or reverse where they can finish in any order as long as they both are in top two. Tricast betting follows the exact same principle but adds another horse, so now you are predicting the winner, the second, and the third places. It can also be straight where all three horses have to finish exactly the way you predicted, or combination where they can come to the finish line in any order but stay in the top three. In both bets, if at least one horse falls behind and doesn’t make it into top two or top three, you will lose your wager. This bet is more high risk as it depends on the performance of two (or three) horses, so it is usually recommended for more experienced bettors.
Always remember to gamble responsibly and treat betting as a form of entertainment and not means for financial gain.
Betting is only available to participants above 18 years. Please bet responsibly. BeGambleAware.org