A talented field of eight lined up for the 2026 edition of the Day 2 feature at Royal Ascot. Topping the market in the days leading up to the race, and the subject of strong support on the day, 2025 champ Ombudsman started as the 11/10 favourite. The five-year-old was joined in the field by stablemate Devil’s Advocate, who looked set for pacemaking duties.
French raider Daryz was sent off as the clear second favourite following wins in the Prix Ganay and Prix d’Ispahan. Having rounded off 2025 with victory in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the Francis-Henri Graffard star arrived seeking a Group 1 four-timer.
Ed Walker’s Almaqam came next, having broken his Group 1 duck in the Tattersalls Gold Cup in May. Boasting a verdict over Ombudsman on his CV, the mount of Kieran Shoemark had solid form over this course and distance, having finished third in the Qipco Champion Stakes.
Five-time winner Aidan O’Brien saddled Minnie Hauk, who was one of two fillies in the field. The 2025 Epsom Oaks, Irish Oaks, and Yorkshire Oaks heroine went down by just a head to Daryz in the Arc and kicked off 2026 with a win in the Group 2 Mooresbridge Stakes. While disappointing behind Almaqam in the Tattersalls Gold Cup, she looked a big threat to all if bouncing back to her best.
The 2025 third See The Fire, Ballydoyle pacemaker, Mississippi River, and Roger Teal’s Group 2 winner Dancing Gemini completed the lineup.
Result
- 1st – Ombudsman 11/10F, Jockey: William Buick, Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
- 2nd – Minnie Hauk 15/2, Jockey: Ryan Moore, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
- 3rd – Daryz 2/1, Jockey: Mickael Barzalona, Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £567,100
- 2nd – £215,000
- 3rd – £107,600
- 4th – £53,600
- 5th – £26,900
- 6th – £13,500
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £2.10
- Tote Places – 1st – £1.01, 2nd – £2.10, 3rd – £1.20
- Exacta – £12.20
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £10.18
- Trifecta – £27.10
- Tricast – £15.10
Recap
As expected, Mississippi River and Devil’s Advocate set about making the running when the stalls opened. Bustled up from his outside stall, Mississippi River led around the first bend, closely followed by Devil’s Advocate, who had broken well for Robert Havlin. Minnie Hauk sat just off the heels of the leaders in third, with a small gap back to Daryz in fourth. Almaqam, See The Fire, Ombudsman, and Dancing Gemini were all held up at the back of the field.
Approaching the six-furlong pole, Mississippi River and Devil’s Advocate had opened up a six-length advantage. Ryan Moore and Minnie Hauk headed the chasing group of six, with Almaqam and Daryz making up the next wave of two. Ombudsman, See The Fire, and Dancing Gemini were patiently ridden, but now around ten lengths off the lead.
Swinging for home, Mississippi River and Devil’s Advocate continued to tear along at the head of affairs, with the gap back to Minnie Hauk in third now around a dozen lengths. No move yet from those in behind, with Daryz and Ombudsman seeming content to save their challenge for the straight.
Coming off the final bend, Devil’s Advocate overhauled Mississippi River, but both looked to be treading water. Still around seven lengths back to the pack, but all of the big guns were now being asked to quicken.
With a furlong and a half to go, Minnie Hauk, Daryz, and Ombudsman all swept past the back-pedalling Devil’s Advocate. What promised to be a thrilling three-way tussle was over in an instant. Looming up on the outside of the Arc 1-2, Ombudsman found an extra gear that his rivals simply couldn’t match. Quickening up in style, the market leader confirmed his status as one of the best horses on the planet with a stunning four-length success. Briefly headed by Daryz, Minnie Hauk battled back for second, with the French star in third.
It was a seventh win in the race for John Gosden and a third in partnership with his son Thady. Godolphin also won the race for a seventh time, while this was a third Prince Of Wales’s Stakes success for William Buick. The brilliant Ombudsman became the fourth dual winner of the race, and the first since the Gosden-trained Muhtarram in 1995.
Runners
- 1. Almaqam – SP: 7/1, Trainer: Ed Walker, Jockey: Kieran Shoemark
- 2. Dancing Gemini – SP: 40/1, Trainer: Roger Teal, Jockey: Rossa Ryan
- 3. Daryz – SP: 2/1, Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard, Jockey: Mickael Barzalona
- 4. Devil’s Advocate – SP: 66/1, Trainer: John & Thady Gosden, Jockey: Robert Havlin
- 5. Mississippi River – SP: 125/1, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Wayne Lordan
- 6. Ombudsman – SP: 11/10F, Trainer: John & Thady Gosden, Jockey: William Buick
- 7. Minnie Hauk – SP: 15/2, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Ryan Moore
- 8. See The Fire – SP: 20/1, Trainer: Andrew Balding, Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Non-Runners
All ran.