Royal Ascot 2026 Building To Gold Cup
Royal Meeting Offering Seven Top Quality Contests
Trawlerman, a course and distance winner for John & Thady Gosden, will be facing fellow leading contender Scandinavia, the unbeaten colt trained by Aidan O'Brien, in the Gr.1 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, the meeting's feature test for out and out stayers. Both head into the showpiece in form, Trawlerman shaking off a recent scare over his fitness and Scandinavia unbeaten in his last five starts. The pair will spearhead a seven race card blending valuable handicaps with two further Pattern tests before the marquee event itself, offering plenty for followers of the sport to assess throughout the afternoon.
Enceladus Chasing Cannes In King George V
Joseph O'Brien looks the trainer to follow in the King George V Stakes, a Heritage Handicap for 3YO rated up to 105 and run over 1m3f211y for a winning purse of US$83,000 (£61,848). Richard Austen feels the Irish handler holds a strong hand with his batch of lightly raced types, naming Enceladus, drawn 13, and Cannes, drawn 21, as the leading lights, both still unexposed in handicap company.
Joseph O'Brien fields a four strong hand in the race, also including Atomic City and Dial Me In, underlining the strength in depth behind his two principal hopes. Top weight Guildmaster, trained by John & Thady Gosden and breaking from stall 15, also commands respect, having won his last two starts for the powerful Newmarket yard. Roger Varian's Al Azd, drawn 14 and boasting the highest Racing Post Rating in a maximum field of 19, demands respect too from a yard enjoying a fine campaign.
River King Chasing Arctic Dawn Buckingham Palace
Steve Boow makes River King his selection for the Buckingham Palace Stakes, a handicap for 3YO and upward rated up to 105 and run over 7f for US$83,000 (£61,848) to the winner. The gelding, trained by Richard Hannon and drawn 14, is seen as capable of further improvement, with Arctic Dawn, trained by Daniel & Claire Kubler and breaking from stall 3, rated the leading danger. Gulf interest runs deep in this contest, with Hamad Al Jehani saddling four runners in English Oak, Blue Brother, Defence Minister and Colombier, his yard sitting on a healthy 63% strike rate this season. Among 29 runners, Rock Of Cashel, drawn 1 for Norwegian handler Niels Petersen, carries the highest Racing Post Rating in the race and adds an intriguing outsider's angle to the puzzle. The Wizard Of Eye, trained by Tom Clover and a proven course and distance performer himself, offers another interesting clue to a wide open puzzle.
Wechaad Battling We're Goosers In Britannia Stakes
Alistair Jones is drawn to Wechaad for the Britannia Stakes, a Heritage Handicap for 3YO colts and geldings rated up to 105 and run over 1m for US$90,000 (£67,002), highlighting the colt's promising reappearance for trainer Roger Varian and his readiness now stepping up to the mile trip. Wechaad, drawn 27, shares an official rating of 95 with We're Goosers, trained by Hugo Palmer and drawn 7, the pair locked together at the head of a 30 strong field. John & Thady Gosden field two of the leading fancies in Wise Prince and Organise, the latter a proven distance winner, giving the Newmarket stable a strong hand in such a vast field. Pathein, the highest rated runner in the race under trainer Ed Dunlop and breaking from stall 26, cannot be dismissed in such a fiercely contested affair.
Revels Chasing Aix La Chapelle Chesham Stakes
David Bellingham fancies Revels to give trainer K R Burke a second victory in the race following their success in 2022, pointing to the colt's impressive winning debut at Redcar as form that has since been franked. Revels, drawn 2, faces a stiff task from Aix La Chapelle, representing Aidan O'Brien's in form squad and breaking from stall 7, in the Chesham Stakes (Listed) for 2YO worth US$95,000 (£70,888) to the winner. Time For The Moon, trained by Charlie Johnston and breaking from stall 12, holds the best Racing Post Rating in the race and represents a smart alternative to the principals.
Endorsement Facing Mountain Cat Hampton Court Stakes
Ben Hutton sees this as a clash between proven form and untapped potential in the Gr.3 Hampton Court Stakes, worth US$133,000 (£99,243) to the winner, rating Endorsement highly but suggesting Mountain Cat, the colt trained by Saeed bin Suroor, could have a bright future ahead. Endorsement, trained by Aidan O'Brien and drawn 7, holds the best Racing Post Rating in the field, while Mountain Cat, breaking from stall 9 and unbeaten in two starts, represents the unknown quantity in a race confined to 3YO that have not won at the highest level. Oxagon, trained by John & Thady Gosden at a season topping 70% strike rate, represents the most fancied alternative on figures, while Morshdi, trained by William Haggas and breaking from stall 4, rounds out a select field of 10 with solid recent form of his own.
Legacy Link Meeting Gilded Prize Ribblesdale Stakes
Ben Hutton makes a strong case for Legacy Link in the Gr.2 Ribblesdale Stakes, worth US$190,000 (£141,775) to the winner, highlighting the Musidora winner's fine second in the Oaks just 13 days earlier as form that will be hard to beat if the quick turnaround does not catch her out. Legacy Link, trained by John & Thady Gosden and drawn 1, shares an official rating of 111 with Gilded Prize, representing the in form French trainer Graffard and drawn 3, who brings solid recent form to bear against the home challenger. Composing, representing Aidan O'Brien and drawn 8, rounds out the leading trio on Racing Post Ratings in a select field of 12, giving the race a strong international flavour.
Trawlerman Meeting Scandinavia In Gr.1 Gold Cup
The afternoon builds to its richest prize in the Gr.1 Gold Cup, worth US$532,000 (£396,970) to the winner, where Trawlerman and Scandinavia head a field of 11 over the marathon 2m3f210y trip. Richard Austen's pick is the unexposed Caballo De Mar, trained by George Scott and drawn 11, suggesting conditions could suit the gelding well with Scandinavia rated next best, while noting that Trawlerman's participation had been in doubt until recently. Trawlerman, breaking from stall 2, holds the highest Racing Post Rating in the field and carries proven course and distance form for John & Thady Gosden. Scandinavia, drawn 3, has not been beaten in his last five starts for Aidan O'Brien and steps up significantly in distance for this assignment, a stiff test of stamina for a 4YO.
Among the supporting cast, Sweet William, also representing the Gosden stable, and Rahiebb, trained by Roger Varian, give the home challenge real depth, while Al Riffa arrives for Joseph O'Brien off useful recent form and Carmers represents Irish raider P Twomey. Saeed bin Suroor's evergreen Dubai Future, a 10YO still relishing a true test of stamina, cannot be entirely discounted given his course experience. Good to firm going, watered ahead of racing under sunny skies, should reward genuine stamina over the closing stages and ensure a fair test of resolve. The Gold Cup traditionally produces some of the most attritional racing of the week, with tactical placing likely to prove every bit as decisive as pure speed figures. However it unfolds, the result is likely to shape the staying division for the remainder of the European season.
King George V Stakes 2026
1. Guildmaster (T: John & Thady Gosden / J: Billy Loughnane)
2. Tierra Del Toro (T: Ralph Beckett / J: James Doyle)
3. Cannes (T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien / J: Dylan Browne McMonagle)
4. Birgham Dub (T: Jane Chapple-Hyam / J: David Egan)
5. Al Azd (T: Roger Varian / J: Cieren Fallon)
6. Joulany (T: Ralph Beckett / J: Hector Crouch)
7. Amora Queen (T: Charlie Johnston / J: Rossa Ryan)
8. Atomic City (T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien / J: Tom Marquand)
9. Dial Me In (T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien / J: James McDonald)
10. Enceladus (T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien / J: Ryan Moore)
11. Believed (T: J P Murtagh / J: Oisin Murphy)
12. Into The Light (T: Charlie Appleby / J: William Buick)
13. Golden Knight (T: Ed Walker / J: Kieran Shoemark)
14. Waterford Castle (T: George Boughey / J: Zac Lloyd)
15. Genchev (T: G M Lyons / J: Colin Keane)
16. Arc Ole Ole (T: Dylan Cunha / J: Rowan Scott)
17. Heyzoom (T: Owen Burrows / J: Saffie Osborne)
18. Galilean Quality (T: K R Burke / J: Pierre-Louis Jamin)
19. Blue Hercules (T: William Muir & Chris Grassick / J: Lewis Edmunds)
20. Who's Lope (reserve) (T: Andrew Balding / J: Ray Dawson)
21. Charles Darnay (reserve) (T: James Owen / J: TBA)
22. Bnaider (reserve) (T: Harry Charlton / J: TBA)
Buckingham Palace Stakes 2026
1. Room Service (T: Jamie Osborne / J: William Carver)
2. The Wizard Of Eye (T: Tom Clover / J: Neil Callan)
3. English Oak (T: Hamad Al Jehani / J: Faleh Bughenaim)
4. Fondo Blanco (T: Roger Varian / J: Ray Dawson)
5. Golden Mind (T: Richard & Peter Fahey / J: Oisin Orr)
6. Elarak (T: Charles Hills / J: Billy Loughnane)
7. Royal Velvet (T: William Knight / J: William Buick)
8. Vafortino (T: Charlie Fellowes / J: Christophe Soumillon)
9. Great Acclaim (T: Eve Johnson Houghton / J: Charles Bishop)
10. Arctic Dawn (T: Daniel & Claire Kubler / J: Zac Lloyd)
11. Blue Brother (T: Hamad Al Jehani / J: James Doyle)
12. Apiarist (T: Kevin Ryan / J: Jack Callan)
13. The Lost King (T: Andrew Balding / J: P J McDonald)
14. Cosi Bello (T: Charlie Fellowes / J: Paddy Bradley)
15. Dance In The Storm (T: Andrew Balding / J: Oisin Murphy)
16. Defence Minister (T: Hamad Al Jehani / J: James McDonald)
17. Storm Star (T: Andrew Balding / J: Alfie Redman)
18. Colombier (T: Hamad Al Jehani / J: Ryan Moore)
19. Mirsky (T: David O'Meara / J: Rossa Ryan)
20. Pellitory (T: David O'Meara / J: Daniel Tudhope)
21. River King (T: Richard Hannon / J: Pat Dobbs)
22. The Fingal Raven (T: Jamie Osborne / J: Saffie Osborne)
23. Stratusnine (T: Hugo Palmer / J: Kieran Shoemark)
24. Rock Of Cashel (T: Niels Petersen / J: Jamie Spencer)
25. Hickory (T: Jamie Osborne / J: Colin Keane)
26. So Darn Hot (T: Ed Walker / J: Ashley Lewis)
27. Brasil Power (T: George Boughey / J: Grace McEntee)
28. Mezcala (T: Jack Channon / J: Tom Marquand)
29. Nizam (T: Ian Williams / J: Cieren Fallon)
30. Houquetot (reserve) (T: James Owen / J: David Egan)
31. Back In Black (reserve) (T: James Fanshawe / J: Daniel Muscutt)
32. Mudbir (reserve) (T: John & Thady Gosden / J: TBA)
Britannia Stakes 2026
1. Pathein (T: Ed Dunlop / J: Rossa Ryan)
2. Wise Prince (T: John & Thady Gosden / J: Toby Moore)
3. Organise (T: John & Thady Gosden / J: James Doyle)
4. Tales Of Wisdom (T: Charlie Appleby / J: William Buick)
5. Hilitany (T: George Boughey / J: Billy Loughnane)
6. Flushing Meadows (T: A P O'Brien / J: Ryan Moore)
7. Laureate Crown (T: Hugo Palmer / J: Jamie Spencer)
8. Conclave (T: Andrew Balding / J: P J McDonald)
9. New Connection (T: F-H Graffard / J: James McDonald)
10. We're Goosers (T: Hugo Palmer / J: Oisin Murphy)
11. Wechaad (T: Roger Varian / J: Ray Dawson)
12. Richie's Rocket (T: Ralph Beckett / J: Hector Crouch)
13. Victory Tip (T: Henry De Bromhead / J: Dylan Browne McMonagle)
14. Langstone (T: Clive Cox / J: Rob Hornby)
15. Charly (T: N Clement & F Hermans / J: Stephane Pasquier)
16. Bobby McGee (T: Noel Meade / J: Colin Keane)
17. Blue Courvoisier (T: Clive Cox / J: Saffie Osborne)
18. Noelan Star (T: Edward Bethell / J: Oisin Orr)
19. Intense Vision (T: Oli Rix / J: Cieren Fallon)
20. Outback Heat (T: Harry Eustace / J: Kaiya Fraser)
21. St Anton (T: Richard Hannon / J: Sean Levey)
22. Capall Rasa (T: Tom Dascombe / J: Richard Kingscote)
23. Runman (T: John & Thady Gosden / J: Daniel Tudhope)
24. New Monarch (T: Andrew Balding / J: David Probert)
25. Vincenzo Peruggia (T: Charlie Johnston / J: David Egan)
26. Crest Of Fire (T: Jack Channon / J: Tom Marquand)
27. Moonfall (T: George Boughey / J: Zac Lloyd)
28. Lion Of Alba (T: Hugo Palmer / J: Jack Callan)
29. Jamestown (T: David Marnane / J: Luke McAteer)
30. Exclusive Code (T: Archie Watson / J: Kieran Shoemark)
31. Winding Stream (reserve) (T: Richard Hughes / J: Rowan Scott)
32. Synners Kid (reserve) (T: Henry Dwyer / J: TBA)
33. Wild Thoughts (reserve) (T: Richard Spencer / J: TBA)
Chesham Stakes 2026
1. Aix La Chapelle (T: A P O'Brien / J: Ryan Moore)
2. Celtic Charioteer (T: James Ferguson / J: Jonny Peate)
3. Nola Soul (T: J A Stack / J: Seamie Heffernan)
4. On Just Terms (T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien / J: Dylan Browne McMonagle)
5. Pikachu (T: Charlie Johnston / J: David Egan)
6. Revels (T: K R Burke / J: Sam James)
7. Romanza (T: Charlie Fellowes / J: James McDonald)
8. South Dakota (T: A P O'Brien / J: Wayne Lordan)
9. Sword Salute (T: Charlie Johnston / J: Rowan Scott)
10. Sydney Carton (T: James Owen / J: Cieren Fallon)
11. Time For The Moon (T: Charlie Johnston / J: Billy Loughnane)
12. Whispering Moon (T: Richard & Peter Fahey / J: Oisin Orr)
13. Aperoll (T: Richard Hannon / J: Pat Dobbs)
14. Bayside (T: Rod Millman / J: Lewis Edmunds)
15. Sea Venture (T: George Scott / J: Daniel Tudhope)
Hampton Court Stakes 2026
1. Oceans Four (T: Brian Meehan / J: Christophe Soumillon)
2. Oxagon (T: John & Thady Gosden / J: Oisin Murphy)
3. Endorsement (T: A P O'Brien / J: Ryan Moore)
4. Generic (T: Andrew Balding / J: James Doyle)
5. Glacius (T: Hugo Palmer / J: Billy Loughnane)
6. Italy (T: A P O'Brien / J: Wayne Lordan)
7. Maho Bay (T: Charlie Appleby / J: William Buick)
8. Morshdi (T: William Haggas / J: Tom Marquand)
9. Mountain Cat (T: Saeed bin Suroor / J: Kieran Shoemark)
10. My Love Is King (T: John & Thady Gosden / J: Robert Havlin)
Ribblesdale Stakes 2026
1. Brilliant Star (T: John & Thady Gosden / J: Robert Havlin)
2. Composing (T: A P O'Brien / J: Ryan Moore)
3. Dark Lucinda (T: P Twomey / J: W J Lee)
4. Earth Shot (T: William Haggas / J: James Doyle)
5. Gilded Prize (T: F-H Graffard / J: Oisin Murphy)
6. Golden Orbit (T: Ralph Beckett / J: Rossa Ryan)
7. Johanna Walsh (T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien / J: Dylan Browne McMonagle)
8. Lady Roisia (T: Ralph Beckett / J: Hector Crouch)
9. Legacy Link (T: John & Thady Gosden / J: Colin Keane)
10. Maldives (T: Kevin Philippart De Foy / J: David Egan)
11. Venetia (T: Ralph Beckett / J: Richard Kingscote)
12. Warriors Whisper (T: C & Y Lerner / J: Christophe Soumillon)
Gold Cup 2026
1. Al Nayyir (T: Tom Clover / J: James Doyle)
2. Al Riffa (T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien / J: Dylan Browne McMonagle)
3. Caballo De Mar (T: George Scott / J: Oisin Murphy)
4. Dubai Future (T: Saeed bin Suroor / J: David Probert)
5. Sweet William (T: John & Thady Gosden / J: Robert Havlin)
6. Trawlerman (T: John & Thady Gosden / J: William Buick)
7. Carmers (T: P Twomey / J: W J Lee)
8. Furthur (T: Andrew Balding / J: Colin Keane)
9. Rahiebb (T: Roger Varian / J: Ray Dawson)
10. Scandinavia (T: A P O'Brien / J: Ryan Moore)
11. Miss Alpilles (T: Ed Walker / J: Kieran Shoemark)