The modern Royal Ascot is an international stage in every way, where the best of British and Irish equine talent come up against their peers from Europe, America, Australia and Asia at this truly global meeting of the best thoroughbreds in the world.
International runners help bind together the various strands of global form and bring a unique feel to a Royal Ascot afternoon. Here we are recalling some of the most enthralling wins for international stars at Royal Ascot.
Choisir
Royal Ascot is rightly viewed as one of Europe’s most prestigious meetings but it still stirs the imagination when the meeting ‘goes global’ as a star performer from Australia, America, Asia or the Middle East turns up to challenge Britain and Ireland’s best.
In 2003, it was Aussie sprinter Choisir trained by Paul Perry that got that billing for the King’s Stand Stakes. He went off as big as 25/1 but the odds compilers were left stunned by a powerhouse display in a dominant win with Johnny Murtagh on board.
Choisir turned out again four days later and won the Golden Jubilee Stakes over six furlongs, a Royal Ascot Group 1 double for the Aussie trailblazer.
Lady Aurelia
Frankie Dettori is synonymous with Ascot, for a wealth of reasons, and he partnered American filly Lady Aurelia to the first of two memorable Royal wins in the Queen Mary in 2016 for trainer Wesley Ward.
The US-based handler has enjoyed plenty of Royal Ascot success, and is noted for his work with prodigious sprinters.
Lady Aurelia fitted that mould after her Keeneland debut win in the spring of 2016 but, even then, nobody could have forecast the spellbinding display she would produce at Ascot.
She powered clear for a seven-length victory under Dettori and would add the King’s Stand Stakes in 2017 before retiring after a lacklustre effort in that same race a year later.
Black Caviar
Black Caviar was Australian racing royalty. Dubbed the ‘Wonder from Down Under’, Black Caviar was trained by Peter Moody, for whom she won all 25 of her races, 15 of them at Group 1 level and including a very dramatic Royal Ascot success in 2012.
Luke Nolen, the jockey who steered Black Caviar to 23 of her victories, was the man at the centre of the drama.
The mare was sent off the 1/6 fav for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes and she was always handily placed before picking up the running from Soul.
With his mount tanking to the lead, Nolen eased up late on and Moonlight Cloud and Restiadargent – two French raiders in a truly international contest – flew home to make things very tight.
A photo finish was needed, with Black Caviar getting the verdict on the head-bob and Nolen left as the most relieved man in the northern hemisphere.
Asfoora
The most recent Aussie sprinting sensation to grace the Ascot turf was Asfoora, who won the King Charles III Stakes in 2024.
The Group 1 sprint was wide open on paper, with Big Evs the favourite, but it was Asfoora under Oisin Murphy that came home strongest as the two distinct groups merged and she was a clear-cut winner.
Asfoora’s connections are reportedly keen on a repeat bid for the King Charles III Stakes in 2025, and it would be a truly historic achievement to become the first horse trained outside Europe to win the same race at consecutive Royal Meetings.
Sagaro
Sagaro won three Gold Cups for French handler Francois Boutin and he remains the only horse from outside of Britain and Ireland to win the same Royal Ascot contest in consecutive years.
He landed his Gold Cup treble in 1977, at that time a record, and only the great Yeats has surpassed his benchmark.
The late, great Lester Piggott was on board for all three Royal Ascot wins, and he described Sagaro as ‘the greatest long-distance horse I ever rode’.
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