Royal Ascot kicks off in style, as many of the best milers in the sport battle it out in the Queen Anne Stakes. This historic Group One has been won by many legendary horses and this year's renewal is set to feature the top five from last month's Lockinge Stakes.
Here's our free guide to the 2026 Queen Anne Stakes, including our best betting tips.
2026 Queen Anne Stakes Odds
| Name | Odds |
|---|---|
| Notable Speech | 7/4 |
| Opera Ballo | 7/2 |
| More Thunder | 9/2 |
| Docklands | 7/1 |
| Zeus Olympios | 8/1 |
| Damysus | 14/1 |
| Bar | 40/1 |
2026 Queen Anne Stakes Runners
The firm favourite to win this year's opener is Notable Speech. Charlie Appleby's former 2000 Guineas winner returned to the UK with an emphatic victory in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, and is best-priced at 7/4 to follow up at Royal Ascot.
Charlie Appleby will also be represented by Opera Ballo, who made it seven wins from nine career starts with an impressive success in the bet365 Mile. Docklands was a 20/1 outsider when he edged out Rosallion to win this race 12 months ago, but returns to Ascot on the back of a narrow defeat in Group One company out in Hong Kong.
More Thunder kept on well from the rear to finish second behind Notable Speech in the Lockinge. Zeus Olympios has now finished third behind Opera Ballo and Notable Speech on his two starts this term. Damysus could only finish sixth as the ante-post favourite in the Lockinge, but he too looks set to renew rivalries with the market leader.
There's then a huge gap in the betting until we reach shock QEII winner Cicero's Gift. After The Lion In Winter's sad demise, Aidan O'Brien will be solely represented by Expanded. Tattenham Corner Stakes winner Ten Bob Tony looks set for a swift return to the track. Charlie Appleby's third-string, First Conquest completes the field.
2026 Queen Anne Stakes Tips
Notable Speech was fantastic in the Lockinge. William Buick's mount was heavily backed in the build-up and settled nicely behind a decent pace. Once angled out, the favourite put the race to bed very quickly, crossing the line a good two lengths ahead of the chasing pack.
On that performance, it's hard to see Notable Speech losing on Tuesday. Yet, Charlie Appleby's Classic winner has underperformed on both previous starts at the Royal meeting and, with no obvious front-runner in this year's field, the early pace isn't guaranteed to be quick.
Opera Ballo could end up making the running under likely jockey Billy Loughnane. Docklands will make his usual challenge from the rear. Zeus Olympios and Damysus were a little disappointing in the Lockinge, but it's too soon to give up on either of these talented four-year-olds.
MORE THUNDER (9/2) appeals most to me, especially if the early pace is fairly sedate. Tom Marquand's closer progressed brilliantly last season, winning two handicaps at Newmarket before a superb Group Two triumph in the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury.
Having got a little stuck in the mud on his Group One debut in the Prix de la Forêt, More Thunder was much more competitive on his return in the Lockinge. Marquand held his returning mount up right at the back of the field, before producing some rapid closing sectionals to finish second behind Notable Speech.
More Thunder was one of just two horses in the Lockinge who were making their seasonal reappearances. The rest of the top six had all raced at least once in 2026. There's every chance More Thunder will have improved for that seasonal return, and the stiff finish at Ascot should suit Tom Marquand's mount better than Notable Speech.
Visit our Queen Anne Stakes Live Stream page if you want to watch any race on day one of Royal Ascot via a mobile or tablet.
Live Stream
Visit our Queen Anne Stakes Live Stream page if you want to watch any race on day one of Royal Ascot via a mobile or tablet.