DAY 1-2-3

NEWMARKET HEADS A STRONG TEAM FOR ROYAL ASCOT

Royal Ascot is known throughout the world as the pinnacle festival of the horse racing calendar, commanding unrivalled prestige and glory for the trainers and connections lucky enough to have a winner. Newmarket’s trainers have a rich history of success at the festival, as befits the home of British horse racing. This guide tracks the Newmarket trainers’ best chances of success in the Group action at the festival.

Tuesday

The curtain raising race of the festival sees Roger Varian’s dual Group One winner Belardo go head-to-head with highly rated horses from both France and America as he flies the flag for Newmarket in the Queen Anne Stakes. Fresh from an impressive win in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury he is in the form of his life and looks a force to be reckoned with.

The St. James’ Palace Stakes looks to one of the highlights of the festival this year with three European Classic winners all coming together in what promises to be an epic clash. Hugo Palmer’s Galileo Gold, who won the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket so impressively, with be looking to avenge his defeat by Awtaad in the Irish counterpart race last month.

Wednesday

The opening race on the second day of the festival will see two well-fancied Newmarket based prospects fight it out in the Jersey Stakes. John Gosden’s unbeaten Castle Harbour will be trying to overcome Gifted Master – another from Hugo Palmer’s Kremlin Cottage Stables – who already has two Group Three victories to his name having won the Pavilion and Autumn Stakes races.

Thursday

Ed Dunlop’s talented two year old Global Applause gives the Newmarket team a great chance in the Norfolk Stakes on Thursday. This speedy young colt is 2/3 for the season so far and was an impressive winner in the National Stakes at Sandown last month and looks a very smart prospect.

Finally, the Tercentenary Stakes pits Charlie Appleby’s Hawkbill who has had four consecutive wins since breaking his maiden, including most recently the Newmarket Stakes. Second that day was Abdon who will be looking to strike back at his hometown rival for Sir Michael Stoute.

Make sure to book your tickets in advance to the Newmarket Open Weekend, Saturday 17^th and Sunday 18^th September, for the chance to get to see some of these brilliant equine stars!