Cover image courtesy of Royal Ascot
While the meeting’s modern Australian story was built by sprinters such as Choisir, Takeover Target, Black Caviar and Nature Strip, it also reaches into jockeys, ownership groups, shuttle stallions, familiar silks and a spread of interesting connections.
There are also syndicators who have horses owned in both hemispheres, and trainer Henry Dwyer holding both an Australian and British training licence.
Overpass and Asfoora on Day 1
Tuesday opens with a trio of Group 1 races, the G1 King Charles III Stakes over 1000 metres, previously known as the King’s Stand Stakes, and the G1 Queen Anne Stakes and the G1 St James’s Palace Stakes.
Overpass | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Australian-trained Overpass (Vancouver), trained by Bjorn Baker, and reigning European Sprinter Of The Year Asfoora (Flying Artie), trained by Henry Dwyer, take on the King Charles III Stakes, with Asfoora having plenty of experience having won this race in 2024 and running fifth last year.
Asfoora | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Former Hunter Valley-based stallion Starlust (GB) (Zoustar) has returned into training after covering 102 mares in 2025 and takes his place in the sprint contest.
James McDonald will ride Cover Up (Ire) (Exceed And Excel) for trainers Simon and Ed Crisford.
The G1 Queen Anne Stakes, won by Haradasun in 2008, was won by OTI-owned Docklands (GB) (Massaat {Ire}) last year and he returns again to the fray. Lockinge Stakes winner Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is favourite to follow up at the highest level in this event, with More Thunder (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) looking to turn the tide after finishing 2 lengths behind him at Newbury.
Godolphin also holds a strong hand in the race with Opera Ballo (Ire) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}), who arrives off three straight Group wins.
The St James’s Palace Stakes shapes as the feature of the day and, quite possibly, the race of the week, with progeny of three shuttle sires (former and current) the top chances.
Bow Echo (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) has carried quiet confidence from the Boughey stable since his commanding 2000 Guineas success, but this is a field rich in Classic depth.
Gstaad (GB) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) was well held by Bow Echo at Newmarket, though his subsequent Irish 2000 Guineas win adds another layer to the rematch.
Talk Of New York (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) brings a different profile, having won over 7f at Newmarket in April before returning to a mile and producing a dominant performance at Sandown.
Stars set to mark their mark
The highlight of Wednesday is the G1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes which features a showdown between French superstar Daryz (Sea The Stars) and last year's winner Ombudsman (Night Of Thunder).
Thursday’s Group 1 is the Gold Cup which features Australian Bloodstock-owned Al Riffa (Fr) (Wootton Basset {GB}) who has been travelling the world since running in the 2025 Melbourne Cup.
Lizzie Jelfs and several known to Australia - such as Kathryn Sheridan - have shares in Further (Ire) (Waldgeist {GB}) who is also in the Gold Cup field.
Al Riffa (Fr) | Image courtesy of Australian Bloodstock
The G1 Commonwealth Cup for 3-year-old fillies headlines the card along with the G1 Coronation Stakes also for 3-year-old fillies.
Aidan O'Brien's English and Irish Guineas winners True Love (No Nay Never) and Precise (Starspangledbanner) will clash in the Coronation Stakes, while G1 Prix Morny heroine Venetian Sun (Starman) headlines the Commonwealth Cup.
All eyes on Joliestar to round out the week
The Australasians are back in the headlines at Royal Ascot for Saturday when Cambridge Stud’s five-time Group 1 winner Joliestar (Zoustar), trained by Chris Waller, takes on the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.
There has been some discussion that Overpass will attempt to do a Choisir and back up in the race, but that will depend on how he goes on Tuesday. Starlust is also in the nomination list as another potential back up.
Joliestar | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Japanese sprinter Satono Reve (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) who ran second to Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) last start in the G1 HKJC Chairman’s Sprint Prize is also set to take his place in the field. Perhaps we will see both in The Everest during the spring.
In 2003, Choisir began Australia’s obsession with Royal Ascot becoming the first horse in history to win both the G1 King’s Stand Stakes on the Tuesday and the G1 Jubilee Stakes on the Saturday.
Tom Magnier | Image courtesy of Inglis
“I was lucky enough to be at Ascot in 2003 to witness his incredible triumphs on the Tuesday and then the Saturday where he was ridden by Johnny Murtagh,” said Coolmore Australia's Tom Magnier when Choisir died in 2021.
“It was a great achievement for his trainer Paul Perry and paved the way for future Australian sprinters to compete with distinction on the world stage.”
