Royal Ascot 2026: Confirmations for the Group One races on day one

Confirmations for the first day of the 2026 Royal Ascot festival have been announced and some big names feature in the three Group Ones on Tuesday, June 16.

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Entries have ben announced for every race on the first day of the 2026 Royal Ascot festival with all seven races attracting large fields.

Day one of the festival is headlined by three Group One races: the Queen Anne Stakes, St James’s Palace Stakes and the King Charles III Stakes.

A number of big names have been confirmed, including 2000 Guineas winner Bow Echo, top-class mile Notable Speech and Australian star Asfoora.

Bow Echo headlines Royal Ascot

Scintillating 2000 Guineas winner Bow Echo is the headline act for the St James’s Palace Stakes.

Contested over a mile for three year olds, the race is normally the natural next step for the Guineas winner.

George Boughey’s stable-star was rated the best winner of the 2000 Guineas since Frankel.

This year’s edition will feature all three winners of their respective 2000 Guineas.

The aforementioned Bow Echo, Irish raider Gstaad and French conqueror Rayif.

Godolphin are represented by the highly touted Talk Of New York, who finally clashes with Bow Echo after he swerved the Guineas.

Top trainer Aidan O’Brien is also represented by Puerto Rico, Flushing Meadows and Neolithic.

Lord Britain will fly the flag for Ismail Mohammed & Jose Santos and Power Blue bids to turn the tables with Gstaad.

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Docklands defends his crown

Reigning champion Docklands returns to defend his crown in the Queen Anne Stakes.

Regarded as one of the most prestigious mile races on the calendar, Docklands prevailed in a photo-finish with Rosallion last year.

He faces nine rivals in his defence – including former 2000 Guineas winner and Lockinge Stakes victor Notable Speech.

Godolphin also field the highly talented Opera Ballo, last seen running away with the Bet365 mile at Sandown.

Zeus Olympus was third that day and he returns to try and gain a maiden Group One victory.

As do Damysus and More Thunder, who were behind Notable Speech in the Lockinge.

Shock winner of the Queen Elizabeth II on Champion’s Day last year, Cicero’s Gift returns to Ascot.

Ten Bob Tony prevailed on Derby day but he needs to step up.

As do Expanded and First Conquest, who would be shock winners of the race.

American Affair again at Royal Ascot?

This year’s renewal of the King Charles III Stakes includes the last two winners of the five-furlong contest.

American Affair denied Frost At Dawn in a thriller last year, with Asfoora taking the glory in 2024.

Winner of the Haydock Sprint Cup last year – Big Mojo tops the ratings.

Last year’s Commonwealth Cup victor Time For Sandals returns to the scene of his biggest success.

Night Raider finished down the field last year but is two-from-two this year.

Whilst dual Queen Elizabeth Jubilee (G1) winner Khaadem also features.

Francis Henri-Graffard sends over Rayveka whilst Australia are also represented by Overpass.

Bjorn Baker’s seven-year-old has won at the top-level and was fourth to the world’s best sprinter Ka Yang Rising in the Everest, last October.

ITV Racing will show all seven races from day one at Royal Ascot, starting at 14:30 and culminating at 18:10.

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