Bow Echo retained his unbeaten record in gritty fashion with victory in a memorable St James’s Palace Stakes. Gstaad was denied for Aidan O’Brien, but the Ballydoyle trainer earlier completed his set of Royal Ascot Group 1s.
Here is today’s racing news round-up after Royal Ascot day 1.
Royal Ascot: Bow Echo, Mission Central & Ten Bob Tony land Group 1 prizes
The duel many hoped for in the St James’s Palace Stakes played out as Bow Echo again defeated Gstaad. However, unlike at Newmarket in the 2000 Guineas, the margin of success was minuscule. Forced wide throughout, jockey Billy Loughnane suggested it was not one of his finest rides. He credited Bow Echo with getting him out of trouble as the rallying Gstaad, who got a perfect gap on the far rail, went down fighting by just a short head. (BBC)
The ride aboard Puerto Rico was subject to an inquiry. Christophe Soumillon was ultimately banned for eight days as he was judged to have ridden for the benefit of another horse. While pacemakers are often a part of big races, they can often end up contending. Qirat, at 150/1 in the Sussex Stakes, was an example of such tactics paying off. However, with Bow Echo among those inconvenienced by Puerto Rico, the fourth favourite in the race, and Gstaad receiving no issues, the stewards intervened. (Sporting Life)
It was not all bad news for Aidan O’Brien though. In the King Charles III Stakes, he achieved a rare feat by completing his set of Group 1 victories at the royal meeting. Mission Central was the horse to do it, flashing home late under Ryan Moore. The three-year-old surged to deny French raider Rayevka on the line, with Australian favourite Overpass only third. It was Mission Central’s third straight win so far in 2026. (Racing Post)
Royal Ascot opened with one of its all-time upsets. The Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes went the way of Ten Bob Tony. Under Kieran Shoemark for trainer Ed Walker, the chestnut came from last to first off a strong pace. It was his first top level success, as well as his first win ever over 1m. More Thunder was second, filling the same position he had in the Lockinge Stakes, while tearaway front-runner Opera Ballo was third for Godolphin. (Sky Sports)
The opening juvenile contest, meanwhile, provided yet another O’Brien win. On this occasion though, Ryan Moore picked incorrectly. Great Barrier Reef was the horse to give O’Brien a 12th win in the Coventry Stakes, with Wayne Lordan guiding him home, as favourite Confucius was unplaced under Moore. From a lower draw, Great Barrier Reef’s triumph was all the more impressive. He beat 40/1 outsider Adaay Of Scarlett into second. (Thoroughbred Daily News)