Expert prediction
Royal Ascot: Day 1 Picks & Best Bets (Jun 16)
Pick rationale
Analysis & key factors
One of the world’s most prestigious horse racing events gets underway on June 16, as the glitz and the glamour of Royal Ascot begin. All of the action will be broadcast on NBC this year, with the meeting getting underway with the competitive G1 Queen Anne Stakes. You can find our best bets and Royal Ascot picks for Day 1 here.
How to Watch Royal Ascot
- When: Tuesday, June 16, 2026 from 9:30 AM ET
- Where: Ascot Racecourse, England
- How to Watch: NBC/Peacock
Royal Ascot Day 1 Picks
Group One Queen Anne Stakes Preview & Picks
- When: 9:30 AM ET
- Distance: 1 Mile
- Last Year’s Winner: Docklands (Mark Zahra/Harry Eustace)
Day One at Royal Ascot gets underway with the competitive G1 Queen Anne Stakes, which is run over a distance of a mile. Opera Ballo and Notable Speech set a high standard, but there could be improvement on the cards for More Thunder.
The William Haggas runner was only narrowly beaten by Notable Speech on his return to the track in the G1 Lockinge Stakes, and he was excellent on quick ground over seven furlongs throughout last season.
This son of Night Of Thunder should excel now, being campaigned over a mile, with the sire winning in Group One company over a mile.
ALSO SEE: World Cup 2026: Our Experts Share Their World Cup Picks
Group One King Charles III Stakes Preview & Picks
- When: 10:40 AM ET
- Distance: 5 Furlongs
- Last Year’s Winner: American Affair (Paul Mulrennan/Jim Goldie)
A rapid five furlongs will be covered in the second Group One at Royal Ascot in 2026, with the King Charles III Stakes attracting a high-class field of international runners.
Night Raider should be primed for a big run after reaching new heights this season, but there could be French success at Ascot. The Francis Graffard-trained Rayevka was excellent on his return when easily landing a Group Three at Longchamp.
She has previous experience at Ascot, finishing a close sixth in the G1 Champions Sprint Stakes last year. Sired by Blue Point, who won this race in successive years in 2018 and 2019.
Group One St James’s Palace Stakes Preview & Picks
- Time: 11:20 AM ET
- Distance: 1 Mile
- Last Year’s Winner: Field Of Gold (Colin Keane/John & Thady Gosden)
One of the best races at Royal Ascot this year comes in the form of the G1 St James’s Palace Stakes, run over a mile on Day One.
Bow Echo should be respected after a strikingly impressive win in the 2000 Guineas last month. However, the improving Talk Of New York for Charlie Appleby could be competitive at this level.
The three-year-old has won on back-to-back starts since returning from Meydan, and easily sped clear of the field in the Heron Stakes over a mile at Sandown last time. Should be competitive now stepped up to a Group One for the first time.
Royal Ascot Day 1 Picks
| Race | Pick |
|---|---|
| Group Two Coventry Stakes (10:05 AM ET) | Night In Vegas |
| Ascot Stakes (1:00 PM ET) | Reaching High |
| Wolferton Stakes (1:35 PM ET) | Ghostwriter |
| Copper Horse Stakes (2:10 PM ET) | Galileo Dame |
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