Royal Ascot attracts the finest race horses in the world. From the traditional dress code, to the rich history behind the event, the experience is like no other.
With the meeting just two weeks away, we take a spin through the latest news on each of the daily scheduled races and put up a few useful pointers.
Tuesday 19th June
Queen Anne Stakes
Ground conditions will dictate whether Addeybb takes his place in the race.
Trainer William Haggas said: “Addeybb is fine and came out of the race at Newbury fine. I think we will look for his ground now. I’ve got him in the Eclipse and I’ve put him in the Irish Champion Stakes, so he will have mile and a quarter entries, but I think he is fine with a mile as long as there is dig in the ground.
“He has the Ascot entry in the Queen Anne and if it was soft he may well take it up.”
Coventry Stakes
John Gosden's Legends Of War was introduced at 6-1 for the Coventry Stakes after scoring decisively at Yarmouth on debut under Oisin Murphy, crossing the line four lengths in front of his rivals.
King’s Stand Stakes
Connections of Kachy see no reason why their sprinter cannot do himself justice at Royal Ascot.
Kachy, who had previously won a sprint at Chester by nine lengths, is likely to renew rivalry with Temple Stakes winner Battaash.
St James’ Palace Stakes
Without Parole‘s performance in the Listed Heron Stakes helped secure his place in the St James’s Palace Stakes, with trainer John Gosden adamant the best is yet to come from the son of Frankel.
Ascot Stakes
The Grand Visir, a son of Frankel, relished the two-mile trip last time out at Haydock and now has the Ascot Stakes in his sights.
“He’s not up to the Gold Cup, but he might go for the Ascot Stakes if the owners want to go. If not, the Northumberland Plate is another option,” said his trainer, William Haggas.
Wolferton Stakes
Zetland Gold Cup winner Big Country looks all set to run in this race.
“He’s in the Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot and we’ll enter him in the Wolferton Stakes as well. I’d imagine we’ll probably go for the Wolferton now.” said his trainer, Mick Appleby, at Redcar after the victory.
Wednesday 20th June
Queen Mary Stakes
The Mark Young-trained Luck Favours is set to go for the Queen Mary Stakes and will be the very first Australian-trained two-year-old to run at Royal Ascot.
Queen’s Vase
The Aidan O’Brien trained Southern France is likely to contest the Queen’s Vase, with connections feeling he could develop into a prime candidate for the St Leger at Doncaster in September.
Duke Of Cambridge Stakes
Martyn Meade’s Wilamina is now 11-2 from 8-1 for the Duke of Cambridge Stakes after scoring nicely at Epsom on Derby day under Frankie Dettori.
Prince Of Wales’s Stakes
After his Epsom run, Cracksman was eased to 2-1 from 4-5 by most bookmakers for the Prince of Wales's Stakes, a race that is set to be his next target.
Eminent is back on course for this race after being given a clean bill of health after suffering from a fibrillating heart when disappointing at the Chester May Festival.
Royal Hunt Cup
Gabrial earned himself a crack at running at Royal Ascot with his fine second behind Century Dream in the Diomed Stakes.
Trainer Richard Fahey said: "Gabrial is a brilliant horse. He is so tough and ultra-consistent. He is in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot and we will go there. He would like some cut in the ground and we're looking forward to going."
Jersey Stakes
James Garfield will tackle the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot according to his trainer.
Having not quite got home over six furlongs on his most recent outing, trainer George Scott hopes a step back up in distance will provide the perfect trip for his Greenham Stakes winner.
Thursday 21st June
Norfolk Stakes
It will be the Norfolk Stakes next for Vintage Brut after he maintained his unbeaten record in the National Stakes last time out at Sandown.
His jockey that day, David Allan said: “I’d definitely recommend five furlongs at the moment. It’s always a pretty strong gallop at Ascot and that would suit him, he’d finish his race strongly.”
Hampton Court Stakes
Henry Candy’s Thrave, a son of Sir Percy, who Candy felt had terrible luck on his first run of the season in finishing fourth to Knight To Behold could well run in this race on the Thursday of the Royal Ascot meeting.
Ribblesdale Stakes
The Prix de Diane and the Ribblesdale Stakes are two options under consideration for the Investec Oaks runner-up Wild Illusion.
Sun Maiden, a wide-margin winner at Salisbury last time out, skipped the Investec Oaks in favour of running in the Ribblesdale Stakes, so is one to watch.
Ascot Gold Cup
Stradivarius staked his Ascot Gold Cup claims with a powerful performance in the Yorkshire Cup and star stayer Order Of St George warmed up for the race by taking in another Saval Beg Stakes victory along the way.
Britannia Stakes
Crack On Crack On made it two wins from two starts with a fine win in the Silver Bowl at Haydock Park. The three-year-old looks all set for the Britannia Stakes now.
King George V Stakes
Mark Johnston has saddled the winner of the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot on five occasions and he is all set to run Communique, the winner of the Al Zubarah London Gold Cup Handicap.
Friday 22nd June
Albany Stakes
Exciting juvenile filly, Natalie’s Joy, looks a live contender in this race.
She is around the 10-1 mark for the Albany Stakes with most bookmakers behind the Aidan O’Brien-trained pair of Fairyland and Just Wonderful.
King Edward VII Stakes
Wells Farhh Go has been given the go ahead to contest the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot rather than than the Queen's Vase.
The three-year-old lost his unbeaten record in the Dante at York recently but was far from disgraced on that day.
Commonwealth Cup
Trainer James Tate is relishing the chance of letting his Invincible Army have another crack at Sands Of Mali in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.
Tate's three-year-old went down by a flared nostril to Richard Fahey's sprinter in the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock.
Coronation Stakes
David Simcock will send Teppal to the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot after the filly gave him a first Classic triumph in the French 1000 Guineas.
The 66-1 shock winner of the English 1000 Guineas, Billesdon Brook, is likely to run here rather than the Prix Diane, according to her trainer, Richard Hannon.
Sandringham Stakes
Richard Fahey said after Clubbable’s win at York: "I'm delighted. She was busy last year and she was only small but she's done well over the winter.
"She (Clubbable) is tough and genuine and could be a filly for the Sandringham if she can prove she stays."
Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes
David Menuisier's Thundering Blue should make his preference felt in this trappy race.
After his impressive York scalp, Menuisier said "He's a massive turn of foot, but it takes him a while to use it. He's wintered very well and is a stronger horse this year. I'm thinking of the Duke of Edinburgh as he's craving to go further."
Saturday 23rd June
Chesham Stakes
Aidan O’Brien trained the first three home in the Marble Hill Stakes at the Curragh and that trio of Fairyland, Van Beethoven and Land Force could well hold entries in this race.
Hardwicke Stakes
The Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot is the next target for Defoe following his defeat behind the Aidan O’Brien-trained pair of Lancaster Bomber and Cliffs Of Moher.
Windsor Castle Stakes
Kapono is in line for the Windsor Castle Stakes following his victory in the Novice Auction Stakes at Goodwood.
Trainer Amy Murphy said after the win: “Everyone's dream is Royal Ascot. It was not the best of races, but the style in which he did it makes it worth entering him at Ascot."
Diamond Jubilee Stakes
The Tin Man was installed as a leading contender for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes, which he won last year, when he defeated D'bai and Projection at Windsor in the Listed Weatherbys Hamilton Leisure Stakes.
Wokingham Stakes
Robert Cowell is looking forward to running his sprinter Sir Robert Cheval in this contest.
The seven-year-old has not been seen since finishing a close second to Just Glamorous in the Listed Rous Stakes last October.
"He will go straight to the Wokingham. He is in great form," said Cowell.
"I think he is more a five-furlong horse than six, but he gets into the Wokingham and he will give the owners a good day out.
"I think I will line up an outing in the Shergar Cup afterwards with him.
Queen Alexandra Stakes
The final race of the meeting and the longest event of the week. National Hunt trainers often fair well in this race with their staying types so be on the lookout for one of those in the lucky last.
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
