Royal Ascot Tuesday Queen Anne Stakes Day – Day One 18th June 2024

Race 1 - Queen Anne Stakes - 14:30

The Queen Anne Stakes is the prestigious opening event of Royal Ascot and is also part of the British Champions Series. It is a Group 1 race run over one mile, limited to horses aged four and over. The race was first run in 1840 as the Trial Stakes and was renamed in 1930 in order to honour Queen Anne, the founder of Ascot Racecourse.

Over the years, several horses have won the race more than once, including Flambeau, Toastmaster, Worcester and Dean Swift. Frankie Dettori holds the record for the most wins as a jockey, with seven victories, while Saeed bin Suroor is the most successful trainer, boasting the same number of winners. Sheikh Mohammed, holds the most wins as an owner with eight victories to date.

The Queen Anne Stakes has seen four-year-olds win most frequently, though occasional victories by five-year-olds and even six-year-olds have occurred. The race’s duration is typically around one minute and 40 seconds, with the exact time influenced by track conditions

Race 2 - Coventry Stakes - 15:05

The Coventry Stakes is a distinguished Group 2 horse race hosted at the prestigious Royal Ascot since its inception in 1890. It offers an exhilarating spectacle of speed and skill as talented two-year-old colts and fillies compete over a straight six-furlong track. Though not classified as a Group 1 race, the Coventry Stakes maintains its allure, attracting exceptional contenders and delivering captivating action. Renowned trainer Aidan O’Brien holds an iron grip on the race, boasting more victories than any other, solidifying his legacy in the sport. Equally remarkable is the legendary jockey Sir Gordon Richards, who clinched an impressive nine wins between 1932 and 1951.

Originally named in tribute to the ninth Earl of Coventry, a notable figure in the Royal Household, the race’s historical significance is intertwined with the esteemed Royal Family’s influence over Ascot Racecourse. Throughout its extensive history, the Coventry Stakes has provided a launchpad for future stars. Horses like Mill Reef, a past victor, have gone on to achieve great success in other prestigious races, further cementing the event’s reputation as a platform for emerging talents. There is plenty to enjoy about the Coventry Stakes, which is why it remains so popular with jockeys, trainers and racegoers alike.

Race 3 - King’s Stand Stakes - 15:40

There are many races run during Royal Ascot week that are influenced by the weather, but few of them only exist because of it. The King’s Stand Stakes began life as a race run over five furlongs owing to the fact that heavy weather meant that the Royal Stand Plate couldn’t be run over the usual two miles. Since then, the race has gone on to become one of the most important sprinting events run at Royal Ascot. The race has a rich history, with its Group 1 status awarded in 1973, downgraded to Group 2 in 1988, and then reinstated as a Group 1 event in 2008.

It is part of the Global Sprint Challenge, a series of international races held in Japan, Hong Kong, Australia and Britain, with the King’s Stand Stakes being the fourth leg of the series. The race features weight requirements and allowances for mares and fillies to level the playing field. It attracts top-quality international competition, enhancing its prestige. The King’s Stand Stakes remains a highly anticipated event during Royal Ascot week, offering thrilling sprinting action on the famous Ascot racecourse, with notable winners including Elbio, Equiano and Sole Power.

Race 4 - St. James’s Palace Stakes - 16:20

The St. James’s Palace Stakes is an esteemed Group 1 flat horse race held annually during the renowned Royal Ascot meeting. Exclusive to three-year-old thoroughbred colts, the race takes place across just over seven furlongs on Ascot’s turf track. Established in 1834, it has garnered significant respect, attracting top-class horses globally. Named after St. James’s Palace in central London, the race stands as a premier event for promising three-year-old colts specialising in middle-distance races. Horses that have previously competed in prestigious events like the 2,000 Guineas, Poule d'Essai des Poulains and the Irish 2,000 Guineas often participate.

Illustrious winners of the past include Brigadier Gerard, Rock of Gibraltar, and Canford Cliffs, whilst the undefeated Frankel not only triumphed in this race but also excelled in other major international events. Positioned as the fourth race on the opening day of the Royal Ascot meeting, the St. James’s Palace Stakes commands attention. It draws global competitors and showcases the international allure of Royal Ascot. Managing to combine historical significance with Royal associations as well as intense competition, the St. James’s Palace Stakes captivates racing enthusiasts and adds excitement to the Royal Ascot meeting.

Race 5 - Ascot Stakes - 17:00

The Ascot Stakes, part of the Royal Ascot meeting, might not boast the same glamour as its more renowned counterparts, but its significance in the world of flat racing is undeniable. Dating back to 1988 as far as the modern records are concerned, this flat handicap race is a haven for stayers, covering an arduous distance of 2 miles, 3 furlongs, and 210 yards. Held on the opening day of Royal Ascot, the race caters to horses aged four and above. National Hunt trainers are drawn to the Ascot Stakes due to its extended distance, offering their runners a summer test of endurance.

The race's victors often continue their journey to the Queen Alexandra Stakes, creating an intriguing link between these two events that has seen dual winners more than a few times. A unique facet of the Ascot Stakes is its erratic winning times. In 2017, Thomas Hobson breezed through the course in 4 minutes and 17.62 seconds; a stark contrast to Jennies Jewel's 4 minutes and 34.70 seconds the previous year. Trainers like Willie Mullins, Nicky Henderson and Jonjo O'Neill have tasted success in this race. A blend of stamina, a decent Official Rating and training strategies help to determine victory.

Race 6 - Wolferton Stakes - 17:35

Run over one mile, one furlong and 212 yards, the Wolferton Stakes began life as a handicap race known as the Wolferton Rated Stakes. It was brought into the Royal Ascot roster in 2002 when an extra day was added to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee. It is open to horses aged four and over and has been run as a conventional Listed race since 2018, which was the point at which it was decided that handicap races couldn't carry Listed status. It is open to horses aged four and over, with weight information of nine stone and three pounds, plus some allowances.

Fillies and mares are given an allowance of five pounds, for example, whilst those that have won Listed races are given a three pound penalty. Horses that have won Group 3 races receive a five pound penalty, whilst those who have won Group 1 or Group 2 events since the previous August can't run in the event. William Buick and Daniel Tudhope have both won the race more than once, whilst John Gosden is the event's leading trainer. Over the 12 races that took place between 2012 and 2023, only two horses won the event as favourites, whilst nine horses had a rating of 102 or higher.

Race 7 - Copper Horse Handicap - 18:10

Run over one mile and six furlongs, the Copper Horse Stakes is named after a statue of King George III on horseback that stands in Windsor Park, looking at the castle. The race itself as a handicap event, meaning that weights that are carried by the horses are assigned by the official handicapper, who bases that on their assessment of the ability of the participants. The winners to date have tended to have an official handicap of in the region of 100, with weights given accordingly. The race itself usually lasts for about three minutes, depending on the Going.

Added to the roster in 2020 in order to give both horses and jockeys more chance to run that season, the Copper Horse Stakes has remained on the list of events since then thanks to the decision of Ascot Racecourse to keep the extra day. It is tricky to use previous performances to judge the likely outcome of the event, with one winner having been absent from racing for nearly a year before coming back to run as the favourite and another enjoying just his second outing on turf when winning, having previously spent his time plying his trade on all-weather racing tracks.