ROYAL ASCOT 2026: RACING DAILY'S FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS AND BEST BETS

Royal Ascot 2026 once again delivered world-class racing, thrilling finishes and future stars announcing themselves on the biggest stage. For the Racing Daily team, the meeting was also a profitable one, with several standout selections rewarding readers throughout the week. Here are the horses and moments that defined an unforgettable five days.

Could Bow Echo Really Be Frankel 2.0?

Few horses left Royal Ascot with a bigger reputation than Bow Echo, who preserved his unbeaten record by edging out Gstaad in a pulsating St James’s Palace Stakes. Forced to overcome early interference and race wide throughout, George Boughey’s colt still found enough to repel his rival in a finish that showcased both his brilliance and his determination.

Trainer George Boughey admitted: “It’s a dream. He’s still learning and I think that experience will stand him in good stead.” Billy Loughnane also praised his mount’s courage after a difficult passage, highlighting just how much the colt had to overcome.

Comparisons with Frankel will always be ambitious, but Bow Echo’s combination of speed, resilience and unbeaten record means the conversation is at least justified. With another clash against Gstaad potentially looming in the Sussex Stakes, the story may only just be beginning.

How Did Kizlyar Set Up a Profitable Week for the Racing Daily Team?

One of the meeting’s biggest betting successes for Racing Daily came courtesy of Kizlyar, whose victory in the Ascot Stakes provided readers with a superb start to the festival. The Joseph O’Brien-trained runner justified confidence in style and helped establish momentum that continued throughout the week.

The emotional success also completed a memorable one-two for Joseph O’Brien, underlining both the trainer’s remarkable skill with staying handicappers and the value his runners offered to punters willing to trust the form.

As highlighted throughout the week, identifying horses from powerful yards arriving under the radar proved a profitable angle, and Kizlyar was the perfect example.

Why Does Ombudsman Continue to Dominate at the Highest Level?

Having won the Prince of Wales’s Stakes in 2025, Ombudsman returned to defend his crown with an even more impressive display. Settled towards the rear before unleashing a devastating burst of acceleration, John and Thady Gosden’s star swept four lengths clear to confirm himself among the world’s elite middle-distance performers.

William Buick barely had to resort to maximum effort as the five-year-old powered away from Minnie Hauk and Arc winner Daryz, becoming the first dual winner of the race since Muhtarram in 1995.

It was another reminder that class tells at Royal Ascot, and Ombudsman once again rewarded those who trusted proven Group One quality.

Is Enceladus Joseph O’Brien’s Next Group Star?

Joseph O’Brien’s outstanding week continued when Enceladus landed the King George V Stakes under Ryan Moore. Stepping up to a mile and a half after winning his maiden at Cork, the Sea The Stars colt displayed determination and professionalism to fend off strong challengers in the closing stages.

O’Brien was understandably excited afterwards, saying: “If you win a handicap at Ascot, particularly one of the three-year-old races, generally you’re a stakes or Group horse in the making. He is a Group horse in the making, no doubt.”

With the St Leger already mentioned as a possible long-term objective, Enceladus looks another exciting prospect from a stable that enjoyed one of its finest Royal Ascot meetings.

Was the Gold Cup the Race of the Meeting?

For pure drama, few contests could match the unforgettable Gold Cup duel between Scandinavia and defending champion Trawlerman. Locked together for much of the final furlong, the pair pulled nine lengths clear of the remainder before Scandinavia finally asserted in the closing strides.

Aidan O’Brien’s landmark 100th Royal Ascot winner was made all the more memorable by Ryan Moore’s patient ride and Trawlerman’s extraordinary courage after an interrupted preparation. John Gosden described it as “the most exciting race to watch”, adding: “A phenomenal finish between two magnificent stayers.”

The staying division rarely captures headlines like the sprinters or milers, but this was a contest that will live long in Royal Ascot folklore.

Is Precise Another Ballydoyle Superstar in the Making?

Despite missing the break and facing tactical complications throughout, Precise still proved too good in the Coronation Stakes. Ryan Moore had to work hard early to recover lost ground before allowing the Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine’s stamina and class to come into play.

Moore summed it up simply afterwards: “She’s the best filly… she’s done what she had to do.” While rival connections were left frustrated by traffic problems, there was little doubt that Precise possessed the strongest finishing kick in the race.

Given she was once viewed as a potential Oaks contender, her versatility only adds to the excitement surrounding another Ballydoyle star.

How Close Did Bacio Come to Losing His Biggest Victory?

American raider Bacio produced one of the most dominant performances of the week in the Palace of Holyroodhouse Handicap, making every yard before storming clear by almost four lengths. However, celebrations briefly turned to concern when jockey Juan Hernandez initially weighed in light.

Fortunately, officials discovered that the missing overgirth had been left behind during the winner’s enclosure celebrations, allowing the result to stand. Trainer Wesley Ward explained: “The horse jumped and the overgirth fell off… they found it in the winner’s circle, put it back on and we’re all good.”

The weighing-room scare briefly overshadowed an exceptional performance that announced Bacio as another exciting transatlantic talent.

How Did Lost Boys Help Racing Daily Finish the Festival on a High?

The Racing Daily team rounded off another profitable Royal Ascot with Lost Boys, who overcame trouble in running to justify favouritism in the Golden Gates Stakes. James McDonald expertly negotiated traffic before producing the colt at exactly the right moment to continue an excellent week in Britain.

Reflecting on another successful Royal Ascot, McDonald described the meeting perfectly: “This is a jockey’s dream.” His three winners matched his best-ever haul at the festival and underlined his growing status as one of the sport’s elite international riders.

Lost Boys’ success provided a fitting conclusion to a week that delivered standout performances, future champions and plenty of winning moments for Racing Daily readers.

Did Racing Daily Find Each-Way Value at Big Odds?

Royal Ascot is never just about finding winners, and Racing Daily readers were also rewarded with two excellent each-way performances at big prices. Seren Star ran a superb race to finish third at 40/1 in the Kensington Palace Stakes, giving supporters a strong return in one of the meeting’s competitive handicaps.

There was more value in the Wokingham Stakes, where Mitbaahy finished fifth at 50/1 after being tipped each-way by Racing Daily. Results like those underline the importance of looking beyond the obvious favourites at Royal Ascot, where big-field handicaps can often provide some of the week’s best betting opportunities. Our Full List Of Selections

written by Rory Paddock