Thrilling Start to Royal Ascot: Complete List of Day One Runners and Riders
The Queen Anne Stakes kickstarts Royal Ascot 2023 with an exciting lineup of thoroughbreds
The much-awaited annual event, Royal Ascot, is finally here! The Queen Anne Stakes will open the prestigious racing festival, featuring some of the most talented racehorses in the world. Modern Games leads a field of 11 rivals as he strives for his sixth Group One win. Charlie Appleby’s outstanding charge has already secured major victories in France, Canada and America last year. He also clinched his first Group One on home soil by winning the Lockinge at Newbury just last month. His stunning performance had Richard Hannon’s Chindit trailing behind him that day and will once again be reopposing along with Berkshire Shadow who came third in that race. The competition does not end there – Mutasaabeq finished fifth, Lusail placed sixth while Light Infantry landed seventh place in that same contest. However, Modern Games’ main rival appears to be Inspiral from John and Thady Gosden’s stable who won the Coronation Stakes at this meeting last year but makes her seasonal bow here. Angel Bleu, Cash, Pogo and Triple Time complete the lineup alongside Appleby’s second runner Native Trail. It promises to be a thrilling start to an enthralling week of horse racing action!
St James’s Palace Stakes: A clash between two Guineas winners
Chaldean and Paddington are set to provide a mouth-watering clash in the St James’s Palace Stakes – another highlight on Tuesday’s card at Royal Ascot. Andrew Balding-trained Chaldean emerged victorious in this year’s 2000 Guineas at Newmarket while Aidan O’Brien’s Paddington claimed top honours in Ireland. Isaac Shelby represents Brian Meehan after narrowly missing out on the French Guineas. Charlie Hill’s Cicero’s Gift is another exciting contender who has won each of his three career starts and is now making a leap to top-class company. Hills also runs Galeron, with Charyn, Indestructible, Mostabshir and Royal Scotsman rounding off the field.
The King’s Stand Stakes: A high-class field of 19 horses
The King’s Stand Stakes boasts an impressive lineup of nineteen runners this year at Royal Ascot. Highfield Princess currently leads the market for John Quinn while Australian raider Coolangatta (trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace) is a popular pick for the five-furlong affair. Cannonball is another strong contender towards the head of betting from Peter and Paul Snowden’s stables. The Karl Burke-trained pair Dramatised and Marshman will also be in action along with Manaccan, Twilight Calls, Twilight Gleaming amongst others.
Coventry Stakes: Twenty-two talented thoroughbreds
George Boughey’s Asadna leads twenty-one other promising colts in Coventry Stakes as they look to make their mark at Royal Ascot 2023. Willie Mullins holds leading claims via Bring On The Night and Vauban in both the 20-runner Ascot Stakes as well as Copper Horse Stakes where they are joined by fifteen others. Frankie Dettori rides Saga for the King and Queen in Wolferton stakes after coming close to victory last year that was clinched by Gosden-trained runner under Her Majesty’s banner. In conclusion, it promises to be an enthralling day full of excitement as some of racing’s biggest names gather to show their mettle at one of Europe’s most prestigious venues – Royal Ascot!