The Group 2 Princess Of Wales’s Stakes is front and centre of Newmarket‘s opening July meeting card. Though it rarely attracts a big field, it will play host to some quality performers for the 2026 renewal.
GG tipster Joe Napier previews the race, with a stirring battle expected between the top two in the market.
2026 Princess Of Wales’s Stakes Runners
The quintet are headed by the admirable Rebel’s Romance. Still going strong at age eight, his only start this year saw him win at this level in Dubai. He was a 2/9 shot and only did what he needed to that day, with a 131-day layoff since slightly unnerving. His strike rate is sensational though, especially below the top level, but may he be growing slightly long in the tooth?
Convergent is definitely a rival up to this level, if slightly below Group 1 standard. Since finishing a short-head second in the 2025 German Derby, he has won three times, including a gutsy display to land the Group 3 John Porter Stakes. That form has been boosted since and he can easily be forgiven a poor run in adverse conditions at Epsom. This looks likely to suit him well.
Almeric looked a horse to follow last season. However, disappointing efforts this campaign appear to have higlighted his need for soft going. He will not get that here, so while Tenability also appears a mudlark at heart, he has some form on quicker going and looks a greater improver than Andrew Balding’s charge. Another Godolphin runner, Arabian Crown, completes the line-up. he was third in a much weaker renewal of this 12 months ago and looks up against it.
2026 Princess Of Wales’s Stakes Racecard
15:35 Newmarket (July)
Good To FirmPrincess Of Wales’s Stakes (Sponsored By The Kingdom Of Bahrain) (Group 2)
- First Prize: £93571.5
- 1m 4f 0y
- Class 1
- 5 runners
Runners: 5 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Cloudy
Terms and conditions
*Odds displayed on this page are sourced directly from online bookmakers. Please check all details before placing your bet(s). 18+ only.
Betting Forecast
Evs Rebels Romance, 7/1 Almeric, 25/1 Arabian Crown, 2/1 Convergent, 8/1 Tenability
Verdict
The prospect of good to firm ground, or firmer, seems to seal the deal for £12-million earner REBEL’S ROMANCE given that Convergent has never raced on firmer than good and Tenability’s win on it last August has well and truly been superseded by his subsequent form. They nevertheless look the chief dangers, in that order. 8yo Rebel’s Romance has not raced since February but similar breaks previously have not proved an obstacle.[Richard Austen]
Selections
Princess Of Wales’s Stakes Trends 2026
- No outright favourite has won this in the past decade despite no fields bigger than seven runners
- Charlie Appleby and William Buick have combined for two of the last four winners
- Seven of the last nine winners have been four-year-olds
- Only one horse older than six has ever won the race – Cavalryman in 2014 (also a Godolphin eight-year-old)
2026 Princess Of Wales’s Stakes Tips
The 3lb Convergent receives from Rebel’s Romance may tell, with Karl Burke’s charge boasting potential to go even better on good-to-firm ground. Charlie Appleby’s consistent eight-year-old is always a tough nut to crack though, so this should be a fin race. Tenability is improving, but third place looks the ceiling for the remainder.
FAQ
When and where is the Princess Of Wales’s Stakes?
The Princess Of Wales’s Stakes will take place at Newmarket’s July racecourse on Thursday 9 July 2026 at 3.35pm.
How can I watch the Princess Of Wales’s Stakes on Thursday?
The Princess Of Wales’s Stakes is live on ITV Racing at 3.35pm on Thursday.
When were the Princess Of Wales’s Stakes tips published?
The tips for the Princess Of Wales’s Stakes were published at 11.45am on Wednesday 8 July.
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