The Buckingham Palace Stakes is a handicap run over 7f. It takes place at 18:10 on Thursday 18th June, which is the third day of Royal Ascot 2026. View the runners here, and also make sure to check out the odds and tips on offer for this race.

NO.DRAW
FORM

HORSE

Predict the Winner

ODDS

JOCKEY& TRAINER

AGE

WGT

RPR

25⁽¹⁷⁾

212-06

Hickory

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

9-2

113

Has plenty of good form at Ascot and his most recent course effort (when bidding for a second win in the Victoria Cup) can be excused as the race didn't pan out favourably for him; however, he has a difficult-looking mark to overcome in this first Royal Ascot attempt.

8⁽²⁰⁾

-45078

Vafortino

J: Christophe Soumillon

T: Charlie Fellowes

9-8

101

113

Landed the Victoria Cup over C&D in 2022 and hasn't had the smoothest of passages in two attempts in this contest (finished 11th that year and tenth in 2023); losing run is mounting up, however, and he doesn't look particularly solid on his form for current stable.

2⁽²⁹⁾

0/39-1

The Wizard Of Eye

J: Neil Callan

T: Tom Clover

9-11

104

114

An ideal type for this race having won the Victoria Cup over C&D in 2024 and 2026, both times off 5lb lower on good ground (lightly raced in between and latest occasion was only his third run for new yard); still favourably treated on historical data; good credentials.

27⁽²⁷⁾

441609

Brasil Power

J: Grace McEntee

T: George Boughey

9-1

112

Effective at 7f earlier in career but seems to need much further now and gained last three wins over 1m4f/1m6f (stays 2m); still has a much better strike-rate on AW than on turf in any case and looks unlikely to figure in this hot prize, back down sharply in distance.

19⁽¹⁵⁾

9-3100

Mirsky

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David O'Meara

9-2

115

Only midfield off current mark in this race 12 months ago, despite arriving at the top of his game; has been in worse form this time, well below par in both starts since landing the Thirsk Hunt Cup; has done all his winning over further than 7f and can be opposed.

12⁽¹⁸⁾

-41306

Apiarist

J: Jack Callan

T: Kevin Ryan

9-5

114

Eye-catcher, amid traffic issues, in the Thirsk Hunt Cup last time; form over C&D comprises a respectable eighth (off current mark) in this contest last year and creditable third (did well having been hampered) later in 2025; still has a much better strike-rate on AW than on turf, however.

5⁽²²⁾

1-7248

Golden Mind

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

9-10

103

113

Failed to beat a rival in Group race last time; seemed to run well in the Victoria Cup over C&D in his most recent handicap attempt but was always favourably positioned the way the race went and needs to prove he can back up the form; still on career-high mark.

3⁽¹⁰⁾

20-116

English Oak

J: Faleh Bughenaim

T: Hamad Al Jehani

9-10

103

113

Campaigned at Meydan this year for new yard, winning two handicaps then not disgraced in Group 3; two attempts at this prize comprise a ready success off 4lb lower in 2024 (good to firm; recorded peak RPR) and poor effort (in cheekpieces) last year; likely player provided he's in top form.

18⁽¹⁶⁾

4/9-01

Colombier

J: Ryan Moore

T: Hamad Al Jehani

9-3

115

Possibly best on ground softer than good; pulled too hard over 1m at Ascot on stable/seasonal debut; settled better dropped back to 7f at Epsom on Oaks day and prevailed by neck, returning to form and taking record over this trip to 3-5; further success is plausible.

9⁽²³⁾

40-032

Great Acclaim

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

9-7

100

115

Versatile as regards ground; has a good record in blinkers and ran well switched to a visor (retained today) last time, finishing only 1l behind The Wizard Of Eye in the Victoria Cup and taking form figures over C&D to 242; solid contender who again has frame possibilities.

NR⁽⁵⁾

42875-

Room Service

T: Jamie Osborne

9-12

105

114

Group placed over 7f last June but rather lost his form afterwards in 2025; sold out of Kevin Ryan's yard for 72,000gns and gelded since last run; wears first-time tongue-tie and blinkers; presented with a tough task off top weight in a hot handicap on stable/seasonal debut.

10⁽³⁾

185-31

Arctic Dawn

J: Zac Lloyd

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

9-7

100

111

Arrives in top form having won really well under Zac Lloyd at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) last time, building on his reappearance effort and taking record in cheekpieces to 4-10; that sets him up perfectly for a crack at a bigger prize and further progress is not out of the question; shortlisted.

7⁽²⁴⁾

815-11

Royal Velvet

J: William Buick

T: William Knight

9-9

102

113

Campaigned mainly on good/firmer; progressive and brings impressive stats, being 9-21 overall, 2-2 this season, 6-10 over 7f and 4-5 under William Buick; well on top in big-field handicap at Newmarket on reappearance and followed up in Lingfield Group 3; lots to like about her.

23⁽¹³⁾

-U52P2

Stratusnine

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Hugo Palmer

9-2

111

Finished strongly from a difficult position in 5f contest at York last time and nearly got up, looking in need of a return to further; however, he may find this stiff 7f too much of a stretch and still needs to prove he can win over distances other than 6f.

21⁽¹⁴⁾

231-21

River King

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Richard Hannon

9-2

116

Gained his 2025 novice win over 1m2f but coped well with the return to 1m at Newbury (good to firm) most recently, comfortably making all and giving the impression he'll be as effective dropped back even further in trip; low-mileage 4yo who is improving and is by a sire whose biggest moment came on the straight track at Ascot, for this stable; major claims.

11⁽²⁸⁾

25/60-

Blue Brother

J: James Doyle

T: Hamad Al Jehani

9-5

115

Trained in France in 2024 then Qatar last year; absent and gelded since meeting traffic issues when 18th of 30 in the 2025 Royal Hunt Cup (attracted support); drops to a bare 7f for first time but the stiff track and likely strong pace will help; market confidence should be heeded.

17⁽²⁵⁾

3-6602

Storm Star

J: Alfie Redman

T: Andrew Balding

9-3

113

Has gained all wins on Newcastle AW, the most recent on finals day last year; however, ran well at Ascot (1m, good to firm) returned to turf last time, taking form figures in this sphere to 3232; seems effective over 7f and may remain competitive.

26⁽⁷⁾

35-067

So Darn Hot

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Ed Walker

9-1

113

Four-time 6f winner who ran respectably in first-time cheekpieces (retained today) in the Victoria Cup over C&D most recently, albeit taking record for current yard to 0-5 and failing to improve for a return to 7f.

20⁽¹⁹⁾

8550-0

Pellitory

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O'Meara

9-2

114

Proved rather difficult to place last term after a reappearance win that did major damage to his mark; perhaps needed the run when 40-1 in the Victoria Cup over C&D on stable/seasonal debut but is best watched unless the market signals suggest he'll take a step forward.

22⁽¹²⁾

6-4155

The Fingal Raven

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

9-2

109

Quite a useful sort but has a stronger record at Meydan than on home soil and his limitations were rather exposed, even allowing for a tricky draw, in the Britannia at this meeting 12 months ago; wears first-time tongue-tie; something to prove back in a British race.

24⁽¹⁾

6-0001

Rock Of Cashel

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Niels Petersen

9-2

112

Proved well down the pecking order at Ballydoyle, notwithstanding two wins (7f/1m2f); comfortably on top in Ovrevoll handicap (8.5f) in latest start for a Norwegian stable that he has joined this year; however, faces a markedly harder assignment in this field.

4⁽⁶⁾

72214-

Fondo Blanco

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

9-10

103

111

Steadily progressive and has a largely solid record; won well in his last handicap attempt, then ran well in Listed grade; gelded since; has C&D form and looks an interesting contender on seasonal debut, with further improvement a possibility; market support should be heeded.

13⁽⁴⁾

-12134

The Lost King

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

9-4

114

Gelded prior to showing improvement and performing solidly (12134) over 7f-1m1f this year, mostly on AW, including a good effort on finals day at Newcastle; respectable fourth at Newmarket returned to turf and again looks likely to give his running.

16⁽⁸⁾

249-10

Defence Minister

J: James McDonald

T: Hamad Al Jehani

9-3

112

Record is 3-10; gelded prior to reappearance success at Kempton (7f, AW; looked better than ever) and had an excuse (raced in unfavoured group) when never landing a blow in the Victoria Cup over C&D since; could go well, provided this race pans out better.

6⁽³¹⁾

761-44

Elarak

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charles Hills

9-10

103

111

Low-mileage 4yo who was 3-5 last term, readily winning at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) final start; hindered by racing alone returned to that C&D last time; may still have more to offer and can't be written off; Billy Loughnane (up for first time) is a booking of note.

29⁽¹¹⁾

156-07

Nizam

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Ian Williams

9-1

112

Possibly needs ground softer than good; successful three times (7.5f/1m) in France but has been out of the money in two British runs, albeit not disgraced at Epsom (8.5f) latest; doesn't look as if he's about to land a handicap of this nature.

15⁽²⁾

230-15

Dance In The Storm

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

9-3

116

Developing into a useful 7f filly and did well to win at Chester (good) on seasonal debut, having been drawn wide and come from quite a difficult position; below-par favourite at Epsom on softer ground since but it may be best to forgive that effort; still of interest.

14⁽²⁶⁾

1124-1

Cosi Bello

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Charlie Fellowes

9-4

114

Found a gap on the inside and knuckled down well to justify favouritism at Haydock (good to firm) on sole start this term, taking overall record (AW/turf) to 3-5 and form figures over 7f to 1121; looks the type to improve further and commands respect up just 2lb.

28⁽³⁰⁾

127-13

Mezcala

J: Tom Marquand

T: Jack Channon

9-1

115

Low-mileage 4yo who has raced mostly over 1m, showing broadly progressive form; comfortably landed the Lincoln consolation race at Doncaster (good to soft) on seasonal debut, then ran creditably at Newbury; gives the impression he'll be fine over this stiff 7f; may do better still.

RACING POST TIP

River King

High draws have generally held sway in this race since its reintroduction to this meeting six years ago but outright conclusiveness is tempered by the tendency of changeable results across all contests on the straight course here. Those complications aside, the suggestion is RIVER KING who looks interesting dropped back further in distance and may have plenty of further improvement in him. Arctic Dawn, another runner who scored in great style last time and plausibly hasn't reached his ceiling yet, is second pick ahead of Cosi Bello who should continue to do well. Royal Velvet, who brings excellent stats, is fourth choice.

Royal Ascot Free Bets

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Past 10 Winners (no runnings from 2015-2019)

Year	Horse [Draw]	Age	Weight	SP	Trainer	Jockey
2025	Never So Brave [28]	4	9-12	4/1F	Andrew Balding	Oisin Murphy
2024	English Oak [26]	4	9-8	100/30F	Ed Walker	James Doyle
2023	Witch Hunter [24]	4	9-10	50/1	Richard Hannon	Jamie Spencer
2022	Inver Park [2]	4	9-1	12/1	George Boughey	Ben Curtis
2021	Highfield Princess [31]	4	8-11	18/1	John Quinn	Jason Hart
2020	Motakhayyel [26]	4	9-3	14/1	Richard Hannon	Jim Crowley
2014	Louis The Pious [29]	6	9-4	33/1	David O’Meara	Silvestre De Sousa
2013	Lightning Cloud [32]	5	8-13	25/1	Kevin Ryan	Neil Callan
2012	Eton Forever [11]	5	9-8	14/1	Roger Varian	Neil Callan
2011	Manassas [29]	6	9-0	12/1	Brian Meehan	Martin Dwyer

Key race stats 2026

Key trends (Removed from the meeting after 2014; Reintroduced in 2020)

At least one top-three finish within last three starts 7/7
Officially rated 92 to 99, 5/7
Carried no more than 9st 4lb, 4/7
Aged four, 6/7
Won in a field with at least 11 runners, 5/7
Distance winner, 5/7

What happened in the Buckingham Palace Stakes last year?

There were five winning favourites on day three last year, with Never So Brave sending favourite backers home happy by landing the concluding Buckingham Palace Stakes. On his second start for Andrew Balding, having joined from the now-retired Sir Michael Stoute, Never So Brave did not get an entirely clear run but still won in good style by two and a quarter lengths under Oisin Murphy in the 7f handicap.

Buckingham Palace Stakes

18:10 Royal Ascot

RACING POST TIP

Royal Ascot Free Bets

Past 10 Winners (no runnings from 2015-2019)

Key race stats 2026

What happened in the Buckingham Palace Stakes last year?

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