The King's Charles III Stakes (formerly the King's Stand Stakes is a Group 1 contest run over 5f. It takes place at 15:40 on Tuesday 16th June, which is the first 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

9⁽¹⁹⁾

9423-4

Overpass

J: Joshua Parr

T: Bjorn Baker

9-7

116

128

The latest in a long line of terrific Australian sprinters to grace this meeting; winless since impressing from the widest draw in a Group 1 at his native Ascot in late 2024 but he's run many fine races since, including in the Group 1 Everest (6f, good) last October when having second place taken from him only near the line; that would have been strong form even without the winner Ka Ying Rising, the world's top sprinter, and he should have the speed to hold his usual prominent position back over 5f; solid chance.

13⁽²⁶⁾

171-00

Asfoora

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Henry Dwyer

9-4

113

128

Superb Australian mare who was produced to perfection to win this in 2024 (good to firm); her preparation didn't go well last year when only fifth but she later added two more Group 1 wins in the Nunthorpe at York and the Abbaye at Longchamp; well below best in two runs this year (without regular blinkers which now return with tongue-tie added) but the wet winter in Britain would have been a shock to her system and she's not at all ruled out.

19⁽¹⁶⁾

10-745

Miss Attitude

J: Ronan Whelan

T: Jack Channon

9-4

101

121

Useful in 5f Listed races last year, finishing second at York (good to firm) in July and winning at Deauville (good) the following month, but hard to fancy on her Group-race form or 2026 efforts.

10⁽⁴⁾

5560-2

Rumstar

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

9-7

110

123

Acts well on good or quicker; Listed winner over C&D; has had excuses for two Group 1 defeats at 5f in Britain, not ideally drawn in this race last June and checked in his run in the Nunthorpe at York in August, albeit still doing well in the latter in fifth of 17 to Asfoora; useful comeback at Newmarket in April when a close second to Night Raider; can be thereabouts.

7⁽¹⁴⁾

160-49

Jm Jungle

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

9-7

108

124

Best form on sharp tracks; never better than for a Group 2 win at Goodwood (5f, good to soft) last August but well held in the Nunthorpe at York next time on his sole attempt at a Group 1 in Britain; has work to do.

14⁽²⁵⁾

81-615

Azure Angel

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Edward Bethell

9-4

112

Improved form when winning a 5f Listed race at Bath (good) in April; finished a creditable fifth of eight in a similar Carlisle race (good to firm) since but she's up a gum tree at this level.

18⁽²⁾

865-65

Mgheera

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

9-4

104

115

Had a brainstorm before this race last year when refusing to go in the stalls but she'd impressed the time before when winning a Group 2 at Haydock (5f, good); some respectable efforts in Group races over the last 12 months haven't suggested she'll be a serious threat this time.

2⁽¹⁸⁾

151-02

American Affair

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

9-7

111

126

A massive improver in 2025 as he was still cleaning up in handicaps in the spring before nipping home to win this race (good to firm) from Frost At Dawn; down the field on first run since, at York in May, but he came on a ton to chase home Night Raider at Haydock (5f, good to soft) latest; likely to pull out the stops for another excellent effort.

6⁽²³⁾

57-114

Jakajaro

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Robert Cowell

9-7

108

116

3-30 turf strike-rate doesn't do justice to his ability and he confirmed his recent improvement when a highly creditable fourth, again from the front, in a Group 2 at Haydock (good to soft; acts well on good) in May; this stiffer track and tougher opposition are likely to count against him.

11⁽¹⁰⁾

121-30

Shagraan

J: Hector Crouch

T: Clive Cox

9-7

107

121

Ended 2025 with 5f Listed wins at Beverley (good to firm) and over C&D (soft) either side of a Group 2 second to First Instinct at Newbury; has a lot to find on those efforts and also on this year's runs for a new yard.

12⁽⁵⁾

0/74-6

Starlust

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

9-7

109

120

Smart 5f form as 3yo included close third in the Group 1 Nunthorpe at York and a win in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (firm); just four runs since, best of those when fourth of 20 in this race last year when ending up away from the main action; went to stud after (that career is on hold for now) and needs his recent Carlisle reappearance to have brought him on plenty.

20⁽¹³⁾

816-75

Monteille

J: Cristian Demuro

T: Mario Baratti

9-4

109

126

Admirable close eighth of 20 in this last June (good to firm) considering she's well suited by good to soft or slower ground; showed her best colours when beating Rayevka to win Group 3 at Longchamp (5f, very soft) last September but will do well to improve on last year's run under these conditions.

4⁽²¹⁾

41-138

Cover Up

J: James McDonald

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

9-7

109

117

One of his best domestic efforts when winning a C&D handicap last July; seemingly improved when successful in 5f Listed and Group 2 events at Meydan (yielding and good) in midwinter but has much more to do in this company.

22⁽¹¹⁾

411-21

Rosy Affair

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

9-4

108

118

Successful over 5f in the very early days but three wins in her last four starts have all been over 6f, in Listed races at home and a Group 3 at Deauville; returns to this trip for the first time since beaten in a Listed event last July and others have much stronger claims.

8⁽⁶⁾

450-11

Night Raider

J: James Doyle

T: K R Burke

9-7

112

125

Turned his back on a brilliant AW career and, after some fruitless efforts on turf in 2025, as when fading into mid-division in this race, the switch has paid off handsomely since he was gelded, the usual front-running tactics working well at Newmarket (good to firm) before he showed he doesn't have to lead when arriving late for a cosy Group 2 win at Haydock (also 5f, good to soft) in May; this stiff 5f asks a question but he could achieve yet more.

16⁽³⁾

430-08

Frost At Dawn

J: William Buick

T: William Knight

9-4

106

125

Has only ever won three races but there's no doubting how smart she is when getting good to firm ground, as when beaten by only American Affair in the 2025 running and a later third to Asfoora in the Group 1 Nunthorpe at York; it's easy to excuse two defeats in 2026 and look forward to another solid show.

23⁽⁹⁾

137-58

Time For Sandals

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Harry Eustace

9-4

109

127

Her win in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup (good to firm) at the Royal meeting last year was a big advance on previous form and, although she ran perfectly well back over 5f next time, when a close third to Jm Jungle in a Group 2 at Goodwood (good to soft), her overall form suggests she'll be found wanting on her first 5f run since.

1⁽¹²⁾

007-09

Ain't Nobody

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

9-7

106

121

Won the Listed Windsor Castle at this meeting as a 2yo; some ups and downs since, with his second to Asfoora in the Group 1 Nunthorpe at York (good to firm; first-time cheekpieces) last August showing what can be done on a good day; however, he needs to rise far above two heavy defeats this year.

3⁽¹⁷⁾

2510-7

Big Mojo

J: Tom Marquand

T: Michael Appleby

9-7

117

128

6f winner here last April; best form at that trip in Group 1s since, going down narrowly in the July Cup at Newmarket (good to firm) and later winning the Sprint Cup at Haydock (good) last September; beaten favourite at Goodwood (good to soft) in between when having a rare 5f run but this stiffer test at the trip and quicker ground will suit; needs extra all the same.

5⁽¹⁾

213-37

Getreadytorumble

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Jack Channon

9-7

101

113

Unraced as 2yo; made good progress in 2025, ending with a Listed third of ten over C&D (soft) but, after a satisfactory return in a similar race at Naas (good) in April, he was never involved in the Group 2 at Haydock won by Night Raider; aiming high today.

15⁽⁷⁾

5410-9

First Instinct

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

9-4

106

122

Useful 5f form as a 3yo, inching forward again when gaining a narrow win over Shagraan in a Group 3 at Newbury (5f, good to soft; acts on good) last September; she was entitled to need the run behind Night Raider at Newmarket in April but a big advance on her form is needed.

21⁽¹⁵⁾

26-561

Rayevka

J: Mickael Barzalona

T: F-H Graffard

9-4

108

128

Ran a scorcher when coming from well back to finish third of 21 to Time For Sandals in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup here (6f, good to firm) last June; two defeats at Meydan this spring but she was impressive back over 5f in a Group 3 at Longchamp (soft) in May and this up-and-comer is expected by connections to improve for the return to quick ground; much respected.

17⁽²²⁾

152542

Heavenly Heather

J: Barry McHugh

T: Tracy Waggott

9-4

109

Useful handicapper whose three wins have all come on the AW, most recently over 5f in January; faces a daunting task this time.

26⁽²⁴⁾

610-11

Mission Central

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O'Brien

9-1

110

119

Best 2yo form over 6f, including when winning a valuable conditions race on this track; vulnerable over 5f then but speed tests at this trip have proved his forte in 2026, disposing of his rivals in two Listed races at Naas (good) quite impressively; intriguing contender back up in class.

24⁽²⁰⁾

133-73

Aspect Island

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: James Owen

9-1

106

112

Best 2yo form when dropped to 5f on final two starts, signing off with a close third of 12 in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (firm); he needed to progress as 3yo to have a chance today but that hasn't happened, so the first-time visor has a big job to do.

25⁽⁸⁾

3-11

Behike

J: David Egan

T: George Scott

9-1

100

104

Wide-margin winner of both 6f starts, on Lingfield AW and in a turf novice on that course; has potential but also a mighty task trying to cross the chasm into a Group 1 against the pros on first 5f run.

RACING POST TIP

Overpass

It would be just great to see the 2024 winner Asfoora do herself justice once more and the hope is that the return of blinkers, which were a help last year, will see her put this year's efforts behind her. However, this looks a stronger version than that in 2024, and also than last year's when American Affair won from Frost At Dawn, and OVERPASS is taken to carry on the proud tradition of Australian sprinters at the Royal meeting. This stiff 5f shouldn't be a problem, and he may in fact relish it, having run so well for a long way in the world's most valuable turf race, the Everest, last October. Rayevka still has some hidden firepower to reveal over 5f and she can be the main danger ahead of Mission Central who has impressed in Listed races this year. Night Raider showed he can hoard his abundant speed when coming from off the pace to win at Haydock but this more demanding track will ask a different question. Rumstar was close behind him at Newmarket in the spring and is also worth a look, while Frost At Dawn also has a good run in her among those at big prices.

Royal Ascot Free Bets

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Past 10 Winners

Year	Horse [Draw]	Age	Weight	SP	Trainer	Jockey
2025	American Affair [16]	5	9-7	11/1	Jim Goldie	Paul Mulrennan
2024	Asfoora [17]	5	9-4	5/1	Henry Dwyer	Oisin Murphy
2023	Bradsell [7]	3	9-1	14/1	Archie Watson	Hollie Doyle
2022	Nature Strip [10]	7	9-7	9/4	Chris Walker	James McDonald
2021	Oxted [14]	5	9-5	4/1	Roger Teal	Cieren Fallon
2020	Battaash [10]	6	9-4	5/6F	Charles Hills	Jim Crowley
2019	Blue Point [1]	5	9-4	5/2	Charlie Appleby	James Doyle
2018	Blue Point [10]	4	9-4	6/1	Charlie Appleby	William Buick
2017	Lady Aurelia [18]	3	8-9	7/2	Wesley A Ward	John R Velazquez
2016	Profitable [8]	4	9-4	4/1	Clive Cox	Adam Kirby

Key race stats 2026

Key trends

Adjusted RPR of at least 125, 9/10
Rated within 7lb of RPR top-rated, 9/10
Ran at least twice that season, 8/10
Drawn seven or higher, 8/10
Group winner over 5f, 7/10
Won that season, 5/10

Other factors

In 2020, Battaash became the first successful favourite since Scenic Blast in 2009.

Four beaten favourites had won a Group race last time.

What happened in the King Charles III Stakes last year?

Jim Goldie toasted a memorable first Group 1 success courtesy of fast improving sprinter American Affair. The five-year-old started the previous season in a low-grade handicaps off a mark of 70 but has relentlessly climbed the ranks and struck on his first start at the top level under Paul Mulrennan. Believing was sent off the 3-1 favourite but could only finish back in 11th, while the previous year’s winner Asfoora was fifth.

King Charles III Stakes

15:40 Royal Ascot

RACING POST TIP

Royal Ascot Free Bets

Past 10 Winners

Key race stats 2026

What happened in the King Charles III Stakes last year?

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