Royal Ascot 2026: Queen Anne Stakes horse-by-horse guide

By Tom Collins

Beginning a big meeting on a winning note is a feeling that cannot be replicated, no matter if you are an owner, trainer, jockey, breeder or punter. When that first race is a Group 1, especially one with the history and status of Tuesday's Queen Anne Stakes, the emotion can be exponentially increased.

An intriguing nine-strong field will head to post for the Royal Ascot curtain-raiser, so let’s take a look at the declared runners and riders,

1. Cicero's Gift (Drawn 6)
Jockey: Jason Watson | Trainer: Charlie Hills

Talented miler but he looked a cut below Group 1 level prior to causing an almighty shock at 100-1 in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Champions Day here in October. Unsurprisingly, that form hasn’t worked out particularly well and his two subsequent defeats suggest it was something of a fluke. Unlikely to feature at the business end, especially as he prefers softer ground.

2. Damysus (3)
James Doyle | John and Thady Gosden

Flashy and unexposed four-year-old who comes here with something to prove. His victories in the Group 3 Darley Stakes and Group 3 Earl Of Sefton Stakes in October and April respectively hinted that he may have the talent to make his mark at the top level, but his most recent sixth-placed finish on the Lockinge proved that he remains someway off the best milers in the country. Connections stick to this trip, but his future may lie over further.

3. Docklands (4)
Mark Zahra | Harry Eustace

Never write off a course specialist - that is what you are always told in this game - and Docklands would be a prime example of a horse who runs all of his best races at one course. Eight appearances at Ascot, from handicap company all the way up to Group 1s, have resulted in three track-and-trip victories and five places.

His most notable success came in this race 12 months ago when he fended off Rosallion and Notable Speech among others, but he enters this renewal after an ambitious overseas preparation and will have to be right at his best to retain his crown.

4. First Conquest (2)
Ryan Moore | Charlie Appleby

Longest price on the board and the obvious third string from the Charlie Appleby stable despite the interesting booking of Ryan Moore. First Conquest has only raced away from Godolphin bases at Newmarket and Meydan on two occasions, and those efforts were underwhelming at much lower levels. He was firmly put in his place by Opera Ballo at Sandown when last seen, and his role here is questionable given his closing style and lack of quality.

5. More Thunder (9)
Tom Marquand | William Haggas

Rapid improver last year once switched to the care of William Haggas, which saw him progress from a handicap win off a mark of 87 to a Group 1 fourth-placed finish in the Prix de la Foret. On that route he took in the Wokingham handicap at this meeting, a race he almost certainly should have won but for leaving his challenge too late.

This season’s reappearance in the Lockinge proved that he can play a major role at the top level and he was interestingly just 0.03s slower than Notable Speech through the final two furlongs. He should strip fitter for that run and make a big impact in this contest.

6. Notable Speech (1)
William Buick | Charlie Appleby

Explosive miler with exceptional acceleration and five Group 1 victories to his name, which makes him one of the best horses to currently wear the famous Godolphin silks. His talent and suitability to the trip and ground aren’t up for debate, but an elusive Ascot victory still awaits (0/2 at the track).

He pulled hard en route to finishing fourth in this race last year and will be better suited to a faster-run renewal, a situation that may occur if stablemate Opera Ballo is forwardly ridden. If he is within range after settling in the early part of the race, watch out!

7. Opera Ballo (7)
Billy Loughnane | Charlie Appleby

‘Enthusiastic’ and ‘energetic’ are two words that come to mind alongside ‘uber talented’ when analysing Opera Ballo. A son of Ghaiyyath, if you couldn’t guess by his style of racing, this four-year-old is the new face on the scene and warrants unlimited respect based on his victories in the Group 1 Jebel Hatta and Group 2 bet365 Mile.

A case can be made that he was flattered by the way the latter contest was run (104.45% Finishing Speed Percentage and he was forwardly placed), but this may transpire in a similar way. His CV doesn’t come close to Notable Speech’s at this stage but the handicapper has already awarded him an identical official rating.

8. Ten Bob Tony (8)
Kieran Shoemark | Ed Walker

A couple of Group 3 victories, including a gutsy strike in the Tattenham Corner Stakes ten days ago, headline this flashy colt’s portfolio and much more will be needed to strike at this higher level. All of his best form has come on rain-softened ground and the weather forecast doesn’t indicate that he will be favoured by the going description on Tuesday.

9. Zeus Olympios (5)
Clifford Lee | Karl Burke

If you like Opera Ballo, surely you also have to shortlist this colt given he firmly put that rival in his place when a two-length victor of the Group 2 Joel Stakes at Newmarket last season? Zeus Olympios travelled powerfully throughout that contest and left Opera Ballo in his wake as he quickened clear for an emphatic victory off level weights.

That form was reversed in a slowly-run bet365 Mile in April, and Zeus Olympios was only third behind Notable Speech and More Thunder in the Lockinge, but neither formline gives him much to find on the market protagonists.

Tom Collins's Verdict

Notable Speech is a star performer and a repeat of his winning performances in either the Breeders’ Cup Turf in November or last month’s Lockinge would make him hard to beat. However, his winless Ascot record and unsurprisingly skinny price left me looking elsewhere and MORE THUNDER stood out as an exceptional alternative. William Haggas’s charge has just two lengths to find with Notable Speech on their Newbury efforts and should be fitter for this assignment. Zeus Olympios would be my other shortlisted runner for the tricast.