The King Edward VII Stakes is a Group 2 contest run over 1m4f. It takes place at 17:35 on Friday 19th June, which is the fourth 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

5⁽⁴⁾

-22401

Venetian Prince

J: Jason Watson

T: Andrew Balding

9-2

107

117

Won on good to firm as 2yo; 80-1 when among the backmarkers in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) in May in first-time cheekpieces; all change with blinkers, 1m3f and heavy going for the Derby Italiano at Milan 17 days ago and it worked a treat as he came home strongly from midfield to win in the final strides; that was a doughty performance and this is another Group 2, but he faces stronger opposition.

1⁽²⁾

117-18

Ancient Egypt

J: David Egan

T: Charlie Johnston

9-2

100

118

First four starts were on good to firm and he registered an ultimately authoritative win in a five-runner Listed race at Newmarket (1m2f) in May, helping to make the running and with 1m4f looking a strong option; managing just eighth of 14 in the Derby at Epsom (1m4f, soft; 28-1) 13 days ago was therefore disappointing, but the earlier impression cannot yet be discarded.

NR⁽⁵⁾

42-41

Echo Of Stars

T: Oliver Cole

9-2

105

Tongue tied first time and improved when off the mark in eight-runner novice at Chepstow (1m2f, good to firm) three weeks ago, leading over 2f out and comfortably seeing off yesterday's King George V last Blue Hercules; this son of Sea The Stars shaped as if 1m4f would be within reach, but he has a mountain to climb in this much higher class.

4⁽¹⁾

1-31

Golden Story

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

9-2

102

118

Brother to 1m4f Great Voltigeur third Arabian Force; rather pulled himself up in front when winning his only start as 2yo (1m, soft); still green on reappearance at Chester (1m2f, good) behind the subsequent French Derby winner Constitution River, but he stuck to his task well and that was even more the hallmark of his extremely narrow, front-running win in four-runner Listed race at Goodwood (1m3f, good) four weeks ago; the runner-up last time was again beaten a nose in the 1m6f Group 2 here on Wednesday; this one is getting the hang of it and a much bigger performance could be on its way.

2⁽⁶⁾

41-111

Causeway

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O'Brien

9-2

108

125

Fourth on heavy on debut but marched through the ranks with wins in all his four starts since; the last two were on good going (unraced on firmer) at the Curragh where he asserted by 2l late on in a 1m Listed race and led well over 1f out when prevailing by a head in 1m2f Group 3; the cheekpieces worn on penultimate start are now restored; likely to stay 1m4f and has the best form; needs great respect coming from top stable and a top family.

6⁽³⁾

Water To Wine

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

9-2

104

118

By Kingman out of French 1m4f Group 2 winner; evens for debut in a maiden at Newbury (1m3f, good) in April and looked a superb prospect, striding just over 4l clear from Alderman who was fifth in the Derby on his next outing; this one's next race was meant to be the Chester Vase but he had a temperature, so connections had to settle for 11l romp from the front at 1-12 in a Kempton novice (1m3f, AW); he's not looked the finished article but it would seemingly be tough to find a 3yo who brings greater promise.

RACING POST TIP

Water To Wine

Causeway has much more experience and the best form but WATER TO WINE looks a tremendous prospect. The Gosden-trained selection faces far more of a test this time but is still preferred, such is the impression he made in his 1m3f maiden and novice wins. None of these runners have proved themselves at 1m4f but Water To Wine shapes as if he will relish it, while Aidan O'Brien seems confident that Causeway will stay and it's not hard to see why this reportedly lazy sort has the cheekpieces reinstated. Golden Story, Ancient Egypt and Venetian Prince all bring positives and are preferred in that order.

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Past 10 Winners

Year	Horse [Draw]	Age	Weight	SP	Trainer	Jockey
2025	Amiloc [6]	3	9-2	11/8F	Ralph Beckett	Rossa Ryan
2024	Calandagan [13]	3	9-2	11/2	F-H Grafford	Stephane Pasquier
2023	King Of Steel [6]	3	9-2	11/10F	Roger Varian	Kevin Stott
2022	Changingoftheguard [3]	3	9-2	11/10	Aidan O’Brien	Ryan Moore
2021	Alenquer [3]	3	9-0	13/8F	William Haggas	Tom Marquand
2020	Pyledriver [1]	3	9-0	18-1	William Muir	Martin Dwyer
2019	Japan [2]	3	9-0	6/4F	A P O’Brien	Ryan Moore
2018	Old Persian [9]	3	9-0	9/2	Charlie Appleby	William Buick
2017	Permian [11]	3	9-0	6/1	Mark Johnston	William Buick
2016	Across The Stars [4]	3	9-0	7/1	Sir Michael Stoute	Frankie Dettori

Key race stats 2026

Key trends

Won within last three starts, 10/10
Adjusted RPR of at least 120, 8/10
Yet to win over 1m4f, 8/10
Within 5lb of RPR top-rated, 9/10
Ran in a recognised Derby trial, 8/10 (five won)
Top-three finish last time, 7/10

Other factors

Three of the last seven winners had run in Group company as juveniles – Japan, Pyledriver and King Of Steel (Japan won a Group 2).

What happened in the King Edward VII Stakes last year?

Favourite backers were once again rewarded in the King Edward VII Stakes, with Amiloc taking the spoils by three-quarters of a length from the running-on Zahrann. Galveston tried to stretch them out in front and use his proven stamina, but Amiloc cruised by with ease. This was the fifth favourite from the last seven to win at odds of 13-8 or lower. Amiloc came into this after an impressive win in the Cocked Hat Stakes and will look to head for Group 1 glory, following in the footsteps of King Of Steel and Calandagan in the two years previous.

King Edward VII Stakes

17:35 Royal Ascot

RACING POST TIP

Royal Ascot Free Bets

Past 10 Winners

Key race stats 2026

What happened in the King Edward VII Stakes last year?

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