Success at Royal Ascot is amongst the most sought after experiences in racing for owners, trainers and jockeys. The five-day June extravaganza is Britain’s true showpiece of the turf in high summer.
Like many venues in racing, success often breeds success and we are taking a look at some 2024 Royal Ascot winners that could be returning this year.
Rashabar – Brian Meehan
The Holy Roman Emperor colt won the Coventry Stakes at odds of 80/1 last summer and ran big races in defeat in Group 1s at Deauville and Longchamp afterwards. He was second in the Greenham at Newbury on his 3YO bow before running fourth in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and the St James’s Palace Stakes is his Royal Ascot target.
Asfoora – Henry Dwyer
Aussie sprinting sensation Asfoora kept up the traditions of speedsters from Down Under excelling at this meeting by winning the King Charles III Stakes last June and connections are priming her for the same contest now.
Rosallion – Richard Hannon
Second in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket last season on her comeback, Rosallion won the Irish version and followed that up with a gutsy success in a red-hot St James’s Palace Stakes at this meeting. She missed the remainder of last season and was third in the Lockinge on her comeback. The Queen Anne Stakes is being mooted for her.
Belloccio – Willie Mullins
The Willie Mullins-trained Belloccio ran out a strong winner of the Copper Horse Handicap over 1m6f last summer off a mark of 100 and has been operating over timber recently.
Leovanni – Karl Burke
The Wathnan Racing owned filly won the Queen Mary last summer, taking her record to 2-2 at the time. She’s 0-3 since but ran well on her comeback at Haydock in May and she holds a Commonwealth Cup entry.
Illinois – Aidan O’Brien
Winner of the Queen’s Vase 12 months, Illinois has inherited Gold Cup favouritism following the retirement of Ballydoyle stablemate Kyprios.
Running Lion – John & Thady Gosden
Winner of the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes over a mile last time, the mare has stepped up in trip this season and ran second in Listed company at Haydock in May.
Ain’t Nobody – Kevin Ryan
A Carlisle novice winner on debut, Ain’t Nobody landed the Windsor Castle over 5f here on second appearance. He has raced exclusively in Group-race company in four outings since and hasn’t added to his tally but the Commonwealth Cup is being talked about.
English Oak – Ed Walker
Another of the Wathnan Racing success stories here last summer, the son of Wootton Bassett arrived off the back of a victory at Haydock and, despite a 9lb hike, justified strong favouritism in the Buckingham Palace Stakes. The Hunt Cup could be on his agenda this time.
Inisherin – Kevin Ryan
A May success at Haydock was the precursor for Commonwealth Cup success 12 months ago for Inisherin. This time around it is the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes and he scored last time out at York.