Almeraq won a phenomenal edition of the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes on Saturday. Royal Ascot’s 6f feature saw four horses in a photo finish from different countries. Later that day, Coolmore, Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore won weekly honours at the meeting.
Here is today’s news round-up to start a fresh week.
Royal Ascot: Almeraq king of the sprinters
The Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes was billed as the stage for international raiders to strut their stuff. However, they were usurped by an unheralded member of the home team. In the famous Shadwell silks, Almeraq stormed home on the blind side of his rivals to land the most thrilling renewal. In a driving finish, four horses trained in different countries held a a chance inside the final 50 yards. Japanese raider Satono Reve was heartbreakingly second, as he was in 2025. Australian Joliestar and French-trained Stolen Kiss finished third and fourth. (BBC)
Royal Ascot crowned its leading owner, trainer and jockey for 2026 at the end of Saturday’s card. Familiar faces were dominant once more, as Coolmore, Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore won the awards respectively. Various combinations of Coolmore ownership landed eight victories during the week. O’Brien and Moore were responsible for seven winners, the trio’s last victor coming in the final race courtesy of Illinois. The stayer took Moore’s total at Royal Ascot to 99. (Thoroughbred Daily News)
Ascot results: Double Rush and Giavellotto deliver
The Wokingham Stakes is one of the biggest handicaps in flat racing and was won on Saturday by Double Rush. Andrew Balding’s charge remained unbeaten this season despite having risen 15lb in the handicap this year ahead of Ascot. Shane Foley guided him to victory down the centre of the track to win as second favourite. (At The Races)
Earlier, the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes, which attracted a field more akin to a Group 1, was won in yet another superb finish by Giavellotto. Last year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe fourth overhauled two-time top level heroine Kalpana in the closing stages. The race’s conclusion was full of incident though, as Christophe Soumillon lost his irons at a crucial stage when seemingly about to win aboard Goliath. Francis-Henri Graffard’s runner settled for third. (Sporting Life)
And finally, a statement from Ascot’s CEO Felicity Barnard revealed that crowds had increased at the royal meeting. By comparison with 2025, there was a 2.8% increase in attendance, with exactly 8,000 more visitors through the turnstiles. Another significant improvement came in the quantity of runners taking part. The record was 602 in 2024, but 634 horses competed across the 35 races at Royal Ascot this week. Barnard said: “We already have ideas about improvements that we can make and planning begins now for 2027.” (Ascot)