The Royal Ascot week reaches its peak as the third, admittedly the busiest, day of the meeting dawns on the Ascot Racecourse. This year, the annual event started on Tuesday, 16 June and will continue until Saturday, 20 June. Colloquially also referred to as Ladies’ Day, the third day of the meeting features the Ascot Gold Cup, which is the headline race not only of the day but also of the entire event.
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). Inaugurated in 1807, the first run of the race took place with King George III and Queen Charlotte present at the racecourse for the event. It is considered one of the most prestigious races for stayers in Britain, i.e. horses that show talent in racing over long distances.
While a fierce competition unfolds on the tracks each year, the stalls have a different competition going on. The third day of the Royal Ascot is traditionally, though not officially, known as Ladies’ Day, inviting the most spectacular display of fashion outfits and elaborate headpieces among the racegoers.
In this article we will take a look at the list of runners declared to participate in this season’s race, review the race card for the entire third day, and discuss in detail some of the most interesting participants and market’s favourites to appear on the tracks.
Ascot Gold Cup 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. The Ascot Gold Cup will be run on the third day of the meeting as the headline race of the day and the entire event.
Day Three: Royal Ascot Thursday (Ladies’ Day, 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 (Ascot Gold Cup)
- 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: Round Course Flat Turf: good (good to soft in places); Straight Course Flat Turf: 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 |
Ascot Gold Cup 2026 Runners
The headline race of the entire Royal Ascot annual event has always attracted many gifted runners and outstanding trainers. As it accepts horses of both genders and doesn’t restrict participation by age, every year you will see a wide range of runners who specialise in long distance coming to Ascot Racecourse to compete for the very prestigious champion title.
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)
Who to Look Out for at Ascot Gold Cup 2026
The Ascot Gold Cup has never known a shortage of exceptional runners. The field every year consists of some of the current best stayers in the industry teamed up with successful jockeys. The rules of the race don’t restrict participation with the upper age limit. This means that any eligible horse is free to enter the race more than once to try and win the champion title or repeat its success from the previous years. As of now, one horse stands out among others with the most numbers of wins at the Ascot Gold Cup. Bay horse Yeats won the Cup consecutively for four years in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009.
The latest winner in 2025 was a 7 year old bay gelding Trawlerman. This was one of his 4 wins in 5 races he ran that year. Trawlerman started his racing career in 2020 and since then participated in 23 and won 11 races. His maiden run was in the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes (Chelmsford City, November 2020), where he took third place. This year, the Ascot Gold Cup will be his first run, as he hasn’t taken part in any other races since the beginning of the 2026 flat racing season. 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 in last year’s race.
Scandinavia
- Age: 4 years old
- Sex and colour: bay colt
- Trainer: Adrian O’Brien
- Major achievements: 6 out of 10 wins, including Betfred St Leger Stakes (September 2025) and Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes (July 2025)
The leading charge among the four Adrian O’Brien brings to the Ascot Gold Cup track this year, Scandinavia became a heavy market favourite after his two impressive wins in two Group 1 races at the end of the last year’s season: Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes at the Goodwood Racecourse in July 2025 and Betfred St Leger Stakes at the Doncaster Racecourse in September 2025.
Last year he also appeared at the Ascot Racecourse, running in the Queen’s Vase in June 2025, but came to the finish line fifth. Scandinavia started the current season by belting two wins on the Irish soil: BAR 1 Betting Vintage Crop Stakes (Navan Racecourse, April 2026) and Saval Beg Levmoss Stakes (Leopardstown Racecourse, May 2026).
Trawlerman
- Age: 8 years old
- Sex and colour: bay gelding
- Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
- Major achievements: 11 out of 23 wins, including Ascot Gold Cup (June 2025) and Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup (October 2025)
It is only natural that the return of the defending champion to the tracks for another try at the title would place them at the top of the favourites list. Trawlerman’s performance record only cements this sentiment. Last year, after winning the Ascot Gold Cup, he returned to the Ascot Racecourse in October for the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup, which he also took home.
As he enters his sixth year of horse racing, John and Thady Gosden’s charge is rightfully considered one of the most consistent stayers among the current players. This will be his eighth run at the Ascot Racecourse and third time going for the Gold Cup. Prior to his win last season, Trawlerman also participated in the 2024 season where he came second after Kyprios.
Caballo De Mar
- Age: 5 years old
- Sex and colour: bay gelding
- Trainer: George Scott
- Major achievements: 8 out of 21 wins, including Prix Vicomtesse Vigier (May 2026) and Qatar Prix du Cadran (October 2025)
Although Caballo De Mar has an impressive career trajectory, up until recently he wasn’t really considered among the market favourites. However he was catapulted to the top after a spectacular win in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier at the Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, France this May.
For George Scott’s charge, this will be his third run at the Ascot Racecourse. He has previously participated in Copper Horse Stakes (June 2025, winner French Master) and Longines Sagaro Stakes (May 2026, winner Sweet William), though he came to the finish line second both times. In general, 2025, the second year of his racing career, was a strong statement that placed Caballo De Mar among the promising runners. Five of his wins of the season included Qatar Prix du Cadran (Longchamp Racecourse, Paris, France, October 2025) and CarFinance247 New Boston Handicap (Haydock Park Racecourse, May 2025).
Rahiebb
- Age: 4 years old
- Sex and colour: bay colt
- Trainer: Roger Varian
- Major achievements: 2 out of 8 wins, including Boodles Yorkshire Cup Stakes (May 2026) and Weekly Free Bets With BetMGM Novice Stakes (March 2025)
Rahiebb may only have two wins to his credit so far, his very first and his latest races, but his overall performance and stamina he has shown on the tracks at every race make horse racing experts place him in the same ranks as more experienced market favourites.
Roger Varian’s charge showed great form in the Betfred St Leger Stakes at the Doncaster Racecourse in September 2025 where he came a strong second after Scandinavia. He had previously met Scandinavia at the Ascot Racecourse for the Queen’s Vase race in June 2025 during the last season’s Royal Ascot week. Rahiebb left his rival well behind when he came to the finish line third, leaving Scandinavia to take fifth place.
Sweet William
- Age: 7 years old
- Sex and colour: bay gelding
- Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
- Major achievements: 7 out of 23 wins, including Longines Sagaro Stakes (May 2026) and Betfred Howard Wright Doncaster Cup Stakes (September 2025)
One major aspect that places Sweet William among the top contenders for the Ascot Gold Cup champion title is his close familiarity with the Ascot Racecourse tracks. In fact, this will be his ninth time coming back to Berkshire. This season’s participation will also mark his third attempt at winning the Ascot Gold Cup.
The performance John and Thady Gosden’s charge showed since the start of the 2026 season only strengthened the interest horse racing experts and bookmakers have been showing in him. He first secured a win in the Longines Sagaro Stakes at the Ascot Racecourse in early May and later followed up with a strong second place in the Star Sports Henry II Stakes at the Sandown Park Racecourse at the end of the same month.
Betting is only available to participants above 18 years. Please bet responsibly. BeGambleAware.org