Meisho Tabura, dismissed at 13-1 in American pools, led throughout Sunday’s Grade 1 Takarazuka Kinen at Hanshin Racecourse in Japan to win for the first time in his career at the highest level in his fourth attempt.

With the win, Meisho Tabura earned berths to world-class stakes in Australia and California later this year.

Meisho Tabura, ridden by Yutaka Take, led by a length through the first six furlongs and was challenged by the outsider June Take and 5-2 Bellagio Opera on the turn and in early stretch.

Day 1

Ryan Moore’s World Pool blog: Round mile and quick ground will suit Henri Matisse

Royal Ascot is all setup to be a great spectacle this year. The weather forecast is good, the fields look high-quality and competitive, and there are challengers from across the world.

It’s a truly global racing event and it will no doubt be a very busy betting week with the World Pool.

Last year’s race
Winner: English Oak
Jockey: James Doyle
Trainer: Ed Walker
Owner: Wathnan Racing
Age: 4
Weight: 9st 8lbs
Starting Price: 10/3
Season Form Figures: 21
Previous Best: 1st - Class 3 Handicap, Haydock (May 2024)

By Paul Jones

Last year’s race
Winner: Jayarebe
Jockey: Sean M Levey
Trainer: Brian J Meehan
Owner: Mr Iraj Parvizi
Age: 3
Weight: 9st 2lbs
Starting Price: 7/1
Season Form Figures: 13
Previous Best: 1st - bet365 Feilden Stakes (Listed), Newmarket (April 2024)

By Paul Jones

Last year’s race
Winner: Mickley
Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
Trainer: Ed Bethell
Owner: Mr P K Siu
Age: 3
Weight: 8st 11lbs
Starting Price: 15/2
Season Form Figures: 11
Previous Best: 1st - Class 4 Handicap, Doncaster (May 2024)

By Paul Jones

Last year’s race
Winner: Kyprios
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Trainer: AP O'Brien
Owner: Moyglare, Magnier, Tabor, Smith, Westerberg
Age: 6
Weight: 9st 4lbs
Starting Price: 11/10
Season Form Figures: 11
Previous Best: 1st - Prix du Cadran (Group 1), ParisLongchamp (Oct 2022)

By Paul Jones

Last year’s race
Winner: Port Fairy
Jockey: Ryan L Moore
Trainer: Aidan P O'Brien
Owner: M Tabor/D Smith/Mrs J Magnier/Westerberg
Age: 3
Weight: 9st 2lbs
Starting Price: 12/1
Season Form Figures: 12
Previous Best: 2nd - Weatherbys ePassport Cheshire Oaks (Fillies’ Listed), Chester (May 2024)

By Paul Jones

Last year’s race
Winner: Going The Distance
Jockey: Rossa Ryan
Trainer: Ralph M Beckett
Owner: Mr Marc Chan
Age: 3
Weight: 9st 2lbs
Starting Price: 9/1
Season Form Figures: 1
Previous Best: 1st - Class 4 Handicap, Kempton (April 2024)

By Paul Jones

Last year’s race
Winner: Shareholder
Jockey: James Doyle
Trainer: Karl R Burke
Owner: Wathnan Racing
Age: 2
Weight: 9st 3lbs
Starting Price: 12/1
Season Form Figures: 1
Previous Best: 1st - bet365 Two Year Old Trophy Conditions Stakes (Class 2), Beverley (June 2024)

By Paul Jones

By Leo Schlink

Famed as the only horse to have beaten champion sprinter Ka Ying Rising, Wunderbar (128lb) catapulted John Size closer to a record-extending 13th Hong Kong trainers’ championship with a devastating return to form at Sha Tin on Saturday (14 June).

Twice victorious over Ka Ying Rising in the pair’s three-year-old season, Wunderbar had bone fragments removed from a knee in January, 2024 – a day after his second triumph over the horse now acclaimed as the world’s highest-rated sprinter – and has endured a rollercoaster since.