Trainer Charlie Appleby had to wait until the final day of the meeting last year to end his Royal Ascot dry spell, but he holds the aces in this year’s meet opener, the Queen Anne Stakes (G1), as he bids to get straight on the scoreboard in 2026.

Ahead of the 2026 Royal Ascot meeting, a new report compiled by the University of Reading and New Horizon Economics has highlighted the significant economic impact of Ascot Racecourse both nationally and internationally.

Eight-year-old veteran Gold Phoenix proved age is just a number, romping to a 5-length victory in the San Juan Capistrano Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park June 14.

Hark Theangelssing, a 3-year-old daughter of Mendelssohn, became her sire’s 50th black-type stakes winner June 14, conquering the Stormy Blues Stakes at Laurel Park. 

Maggie Wolfendale looks back at the Salvator Mile & the Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park.

Rayif has been ruled out of the clash of the Guineas winners in the June 16 St James’s Palace Stakes (G1) and was the major absentee among the day one declarations for Royal Ascot. Read more:

Bargain buy Spicy Martini completed a rags-to-riches tale when she raced away with the June 13 AU$3 million Stradbroke Handicap (G1) at Eagle Farm Racecourse.

Meisho Tabaru earned entry to both the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1T) and Australia’s Cox Plate (G1) with a victory in the Takarazuka Kinen (G1) June 14 at Hanshin Racecourse, but might more likely be spending the autumn in France.

Diamond Necklace remained unbeaten after winning her second classic of the season in the Prix de Diane (G1) June 14.

This week’s Report from Japan takes a look at some of Flightline’s 2-year-olds set to hit the track this year.