Royal Ascot 2026: Ombudsman dazzles with historic repeat in Prince of Wales's Stakes

Ombudsman became the first horse in more than 30 years, and fourth in history, to win consecutive runnings of the Group 1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot on Wednesday, giving trainer John Gosden a seventh win in the race.

There was no doubt Ombudsman was superior in the $1.33 million Prince of Wales’s Stakes at 1 1/4 miles.

Ombudsman, who paid $4.10 as the favorite in American pools, closed from the rear of a field of eight to lead in the final furlong. Ridden by William Buick, Ombudsman pulled away to win by four lengths over 8-1 Minnie Hauk, the winner of the 2025 English Oaks.

Daryz, the 8-5 second choice, finished third by 5 3/4 lengths, failing to keep pace late. The loss ended a streak of three consecutive wins in Group 1 races for Daryz, a span that began with a victory in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in Paris last October.

With the win in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, Ombudsman earned a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland on Oct. 31.

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The Prince of Wales’s Stakes was run at 1 1/4 miles, a specialty distance for Ombudsman who has won 9 of 12 starts. He has won 7 of 10 starts at 1 1/4 miles or 1 5/16 miles.

“Ombudsman has got a phenomenal turn of foot – great acceleration for a mile-and-a-quarter horse,” Gosden told the press. “He just showed that class. It is quite something to come away from a field like that.

“I thought it was one of the great performances of Ombudsman’s career.”

Ombudsman, a 5-year-old horse by Night of Thunder, races for Godolphin Racing.

In the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, Ombudsman raced well off the pace, behind the longshots Devil’s Advocate and Mississippi River, who dueled for more than a mile. Devil’s Advocate, trained by the Gosdens and owned by Godolphin, was entered in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes as a pacesetter. Mississippi River had the same role for Minnie Hauk. They are trained by Aidan O’Brien.

Ombudsman moved closer to the front in early stretch and steadily made progress to lead with more than a furlong remaining.

Ombudsman is officially trained by Gosden and his son, Thady. Gosden’s seven winners in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes include Muhtarram in 1994 and 1995, the last two-time winner of the Prince of Wales’s Stakes prior to Ombudsman.

Gosden said Ombudsman is likely to return in the Group 1 International Stakes at 1 5/16 miles at York Racecourse on Aug. 19. Ombudsman won the 2025 International Stakes.

Queen Mary Stakes

Earlier on Wednesday’s program, Victorious extended her unbeaten record to three races with a two-length win in the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at five furlongs.

Victorious, who paid $9.30 as the favorite in American pools, closed from off the pace to lead in the final sixteenth.
The $234,500 Queen Mary Stakes, run on a straightaway course, had a field of 27 that split into two groups. Victorious, ridden by Ryan Moore, raced in a group of 11 closest to the infield.

Senorita Bonita (11-1) also raced on that portion of the track. She led in the final quarter-mile and held second, a nose in front of 24-1 Ruiva, the seven-length winner of a maiden race at Churchill Downs on April 27 for trainer Wesley Ward.
Ruiva, ridden by California-based jockey Juan Hernandez, led a group of 16 that raced closest to the stands.

There were four American-trained runners in the Queen Mary. Aside from Ruiva, More Champagne, trained by Thomas Morley, finished 19th. The Ward-trained Shining Moment was 24th, while Celtic Dispute, trained by Patrick Biancone, was 26th.

Victorious, who has no vision in her left eye, races for the Coolmore syndicate and Georg Von Opel and trainer Aidan O’Brien. In her two previous starts in Ireland, Victorious won a maiden race in April and the Group 3 Fillies Stakes on May 17.

Victorious, who is by Wootton Bassett, gave O’Brien his 99th career win at Royal Ascot.

Queen's Vase Stakes

Limestone, trained in Ireland by Joseph O’Brien, edged Del Maro by a nose to win his fourth consecutive race in the Group 2 Queen’s Vase Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 3/4 miles. Limestone ($8.30) was ridden by Dylan Browne McMonagle.

Del Maro (13-1) finished a length in front of 50-1 Ranga Tang, who was part of the early pace.
The $354,700 Queen’s Vase Stakes was the group stakes debut for Limestone, who is by New Bay and has won 4 of 6 starts.

* Blue Bolt ($5.70) won her third stakes, and first at the graded level, in the Group 2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes for fillies and mares at seven furlongs. Ridden by Colin Keane for trainer Andrew Balding, Blue Bolt raced in the middle of a field of 15 before taking the lead with more than a furlong remaining.

Blue Bolt won the $334,600 Duke of Cambridge Stakes by 1 3/4 lengths over 15-1 Jancis, who finished a half-length in front of 9-2 Friendly Soul.

A 4

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-year-old filly by Blue Point, Blue Bolt has won 5 of 8 starts.