Day 2 – Royal Ascot 2026
By Alex Sausville
RACE 1 G2 Queen Mary Stakes, 5 Furlongs – 2YO Fillies
Top Pick: #21 Ruiva (Selections: 21-26-10)
Back for round two, and while it has been a bit of time between drinks for Wesley Ward at Royal Ascot, #21 RUIVA gave the impression on Churchill’s opening weekend that she could be up to this challenge if taking to the grass. She was ultra-impressive that day and fits the profile of a horse who, at a fair price is worth taking a swing with in pursuit of Ascot glory. I prefer her to the other Wesley Ward trainee, #24 SHINING MOMENT.
#26 VICTORIOUS is one of the handful in here already proven in early-season stakes company, a pattern that worked to perfection for Coolmore with Great Barrier Reef on day one and the Coolmore team’s 2YOs continue to show no signs of slowing down. Still for the prices, I’m willing to take my shot with the U.S. shipper here.
Race 2: G2 Queens Vase, 1 3/4 Miles – 2YOs
Top Pick: #4 Limestone (Selections: 4-1-3)
Of the two main choices in this spot, I would prefer to stick with the Joseph O’Brien-trained #4 LIMESTONE, who comes into today having strung together three straight wins. Like many here, he has a bit to prove on a firmer surface, but he brings enough race experience and ability to outclass a few of his rivals.
That is not to say #3 GALIYAN cannot win, as he is certainly capable based on his past efforts, but on current form he appears just a step behind LIMESTONE at this stage. #1 ASAKIR in the barn of Johnny Murtagh, looks like the type who will continue to improve as the distances stretch out, especially after a strong stakes debut behind my aforementioned top selection at Navan last time out.
Race 3: G2 Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes, 1 Mile – 4YO & Up F&Ms
Top Pick: #12 Kon Tiki (Selections: 12-3-5)
The Juddmonte star #3 BLUE BOLT is definitively the one to beat in this spot, having produced several strong efforts in top-notch company in the UK last season. However based on her latest effort, #12 KON TIKI showed plenty of promise in stakes company and appears to be a horse who can perform well second-up.
Her only poor run to date came in the G1 Coronation Stakes a year ago, and she was on the layoff after that. If she can progress off what she showed first-up and gets the right run in transit, I could see her being especially dangerous in this spot.
Race 4: G1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes, 1 1/4 Miles – 4YOs & Up
Top Pick: #1 Almaqam (Best Bet) (Selections: 1-3-7)
Heading into his latest start in the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup, you would have been surprised to see #1 ALMAQAM listed only as a Group 3 winner if simply reading through his past form. He has kept company with some of the very best in the business and finally put it all together in a major way at The Curragh.
Off that performance, it will still be a challenge to knock off the Arc winner and red-hot #3 DARYZ, but the ceiling may not have been reached yet for Almaqam. Whether he finds the winner’s enclosure or not, I would be quite confident we see a horse who belongs in the top tier of the European middle distance ranks.
Race 5: Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap) 1 Mile – 3 & Up
Top Picks: #15 Fifth Column (Selections: 15-6-27)
Day one was not the kindest to the Royal Blue of Godolphin, with several of their star performers failing to hit their best stride. However, as we get to the Royal Hunt Cup, I think this could very well be a turning point for the team through the Gosden-trained #15 FIFTH COLUMN.
He found the firm ground at Newmarket to his liking last time and now comes in improving into his third run of the preparation. William Buick has been aboard for every start so far this campaign, and this looks like a horse who is just beginning to find his top form. He also appears well enough in the weights to deserve a serious chance here.
Race 6: Kensington Palace Stakes, 1 Mile – 4 & Up F&Ms
Top Picks: #16 Rumba Numba (Selections: 16-19-1)
This looks like a slight step up in class for #16 RUMBA NUMBA, who comes off a good first-up run at Doncaster, but she gets in well at the weights and has shown plenty of improvement second and third-up in the past. Has every right to move forward and put in a strong showing in this spot.
#19 UNASSUMING needs to find a bit more of her best form for George Boughey, but she does have ability and gets the services of Australian raider Zac Lloyd. While still young and new to the Royal Meeting, he is certainly not a rider lacking the confidence to handle the big occasion.
Race 7: Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed) 6 Furlongs – 2YOs
Top Pick: #20 Controlla (Selections: 20-17-15)
In the theme of taking on heavily backed favorites with only moderate form, I’ll be looking to oppose the Coolmore brigade here with #20 CONTROLLA for Amo Racing.
Amo is well known for having sharp, early types in their Irish stable, and they continue to target the Irish 2YO scene in a big way. This filly was thrown straight into the deep end in G3 company and was only narrowly beaten behind Victorious, the leading fancy for the Wednesday lidlifter, the G2 Queen Mary Stakes.
While #17 SERGEI DIAGHILEV comes off a nice debut win in a Curragh maiden, the type of race that always earns a bit of extra merit in the European 2YO ranks, it seems to me that the stronger form comes from the Amo Racing camp. If the prices end up slightly skewed as they head to post, I would be very happy to side with CONTROLLA this time around.
